OVERVIEW
● Newly redesigned test reports
● Continuing the APT 1•2 replacement for the CAT-70 Level 1
● More field testing needed this winter – see below
REDESIGNED TEST REPORTS: A Fresh Look
This summer, we rebuilt our testing program using a modern tech stack—giving us more flexibility and easier long-term maintenance. The new system makes scoring more reliable, while keeping the same scores and norms you're used to.
A major benefit is greater control over test reports. Our most detailed report, the Achievement Test Profile, saw the biggest improvements. In particular, the Grade Equivalent Chart has been redesigned so you can track progress vertically by subject, making growth easier to see at a glance. A sample is enclosed in this mailing. We'd love your feedback—especially ideas for improvement—at info@catforms.com.
Field Testing at a Glance
- Who: First- and second-grade students to take Math and Language field tests.
- When: February 1 - March 15, 2027.
- Time required: 8 sessions total, average of 15 minutes per session, including instructions.
- What you get: Credit of $5 per booklet completed and returned by April 15, 2027.
- Sign up by: January 10, 2027. Check the box on the order form or email us at info@catforms.com.
- NOTE: These field tests do not replace your regular achievement tests. They will be used to evaluate test items and are not reported to schools.
CONTINUING PROGRESS: A Replacement for Level One
We're continuing work on the Academic Progress Test, Level 1•2, a replacement for Level 1 of the 1970 CAT. It will cover mid-first grade through end of second grade (hence "1•2"), with two forms, A and B.
Currently, nearly every first grader scores near the top on CAT Level 1—the average raw score on Form A Reading Vocabulary is 84 out of 92—leaving little room to distinguish strong readers from average ones. Level 1•2 is designed to spread scores out more. Since it's equated to the 1970 CAT, national percentile, grade equivalent, stanine, and ADSS scores will be adjusted so results stay comparable across old and new tests, and year-over-year comparisons still hold.
As of August 2026, Reading field tests are complete, and many Math and Language items are written. Before publishing, we need to field test in real classrooms with real students—which is where you come in.
WE WANT YOUR INPUT! 1st & 2nd Grade Students Needed this Winter
We need real students taking real test items so we can see which questions work and which need revision. Every student's answers help us check three things: whether an item's difficulty fits the range of students who take it, whether strong and struggling students actually answer differently (rather than the item being a guess either way), and whether the wrong-answer choices are ones students really pick — a distractor nobody chooses just makes the item easier to guess.
We also want to hear directly from teachers: were the directions clear? Was anything confusing or annoying? Your feedback shapes a test your students will use for years to come. And to sweeten the deal, we will credit your school $5 per booklet toward future orders.
HOW THE FIELD TESTING PROCESS WORKS
Each section of the field test (Reading, Math, and Language) is a separate booklet. Booklets have multiple versions, labeled A, B, C, and D. Your school will receive one version per booklet. (The published test will have only Forms A and B.)
Administer the tests to your first and second grade students between February 1 and March 15, 2027. Full teacher directions are included, and a form for your suggestions and criticisms. Your feedback is very important!
We hope to have the field testing and evaluation completed this school year so we can have a working test available for the 2027-2028 school year.
Interested? Email us at info@catforms.com.