The subtests
The subtests
LASS 8-11 is comprised of nine subtests that cover the three categories of attainment, ability and diagnostic. Each subtest is preceded by practice items to familiarise the student with the subtest requirements. All instructions are incorporated into the test through audio from the computer.
|
Test |
Category |
Type |
Description |
|
Sentence reading |
Attainment |
Adaptive |
Close reading – completing sentences by identifying the missing word from a choice of five alternatives. No spoken assistance is given. |
|
Single word reading |
Attainment |
Adaptive |
Reading individual words out of context – identifying the printed word, from a choice of five alternatives, that corresponds to a spoken word. |
|
Spelling |
Attainment |
Adaptive |
Spelling individual real words that are spoken by the computer. |
|
Non-verbal reasoning |
Ability |
Adaptive |
Non-verbal intelligence – analogical reasoning where the correct item, from a choice of six alternatives, has to be selected in order to complete a spatial matrix. |
|
Verbal reasoning |
Ability |
Adaptive |
Verbal intelligence – conceptual similarities where the correct word, from a choice of six, has to be selected that provides the best conceptual link between two pictures. |
|
Mobile phone |
Diagnostic |
Progressive |
Auditory sequential memory (digit span) – recall of between two and nine digits in correct (forwards) sequential order, and recall of between two and seven digits in reverse order. |
|
Sea creatures |
Diagnostic |
Progressive |
Visual memory – immediate recall of objects and their spatial positions, beginning with two items and progressing to seven items. |
|
Funny words / Non-words |
Diagnostic |
Adaptive |
Reading individual non-words – a pure measure of phonic decoding skills. For each non-word there is a choice from four spoken alternatives. |
|
Word chopping / Segments |
Diagnostic |
Adaptive |
Phonological processing ability – segmentation and deletion of syllables and phonemes in real words. For each item there is a choice from four spoken alternatives. |
Adaptive testing
In the adaptive subtests, the program first gives the students a series of ‘probe’ items to determine the range of optimal item sensitivity for that student. These are followed by a series of test items starting in the range of optimal item sensitivity and increasing in difficulty until the student’s current attainment or ability level has been exceeded beyond reasonable statistical error, whereupon the test ceases. The program incorporates a facility to regress to easier items should it transpire that, by chance, the result of the probe items has overestimated the student’s approximate ability or current attainment level.