Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT)
News & Announcements
Please note that the Mathematics Standards of Learning (SOL) Test Blueprints have been updated to align to the 2023 Mathematics Standards of Learning. The Reading SOL Test Blueprints have been updated to align to the 2024 English Standards of Learning.
Overview
Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT) is part of the Virginia Department of Education’s continuing efforts to improve the testing experience for students. A CAT is an assessment that is customized for every student. How a student responds to a question determines the difficulty of the next item. A correct response leads to a more difficult item, while an incorrect response results in the selection of a less difficult item for the student.
Watch the videos to learn how computer adaptive testing provides students with a customized assessment experience.
A Guide to Computer Adaptive Testing - This video explains the basic principle for how computer adaptive testing works.
Computer Adaptive Testing in Virginia - This video provides information about computer adaptive testing in Virginia.
Computer Adaptive Tests in Mathematics and Reading
The online Grades 3-8 Mathematics and Reading SOL tests and the online Virginia Growth Assessments in Grades 3-8 Mathematics and Reading will be administered as computer adaptive tests, or CAT. The test blueprints contain information for two types of tests, the online CAT and the traditional paper test. Test blueprints for Virginia state assessments are provided on the VDOE Test Blueprints web page.
Resources for Mathematics CAT
- Comparison of a Mathematics Computer Adaptive Test and a Traditional Test (Word)
- Frequently Asked Questions about Mathematics Computer Adaptive Testing (Word)