How are pupils’ working memory skills linked to their mathematical abilities?
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Mathematics
How were pupils' mathematical skills tested?
The mathematics skills assessments were age appropriate and tested all four skill areas of the National Curriculum:
- Number and algebra (written test) – pupils were required to show understanding of the four number operations, recognise number patterns and sequences, deal with fractions and decimals, and use mathematical vocabulary to solve problems.
e.g. Sarah goes to the shop. She has £2.00. She spends £1.20 on a book. How much money has she got left from the £2.00? - Shape, space and measure (written test) – pupils were asked to show their understanding of standard units of measurement and properties of shape, position and movement.
e.g. Find the area of the rectangle.
- Handling data (written test) – pupils were required to interpret and draw tables and graphs, and understand measures of spread.
e.g. Read the table below:
a) How much does it cost to hire a rowing boat for one hour?
|
Rowing boat |
Motor boat |
|
£2 for 1 hour |
£1.50 for 10 minutes |
b) Which boat is more expensive to hire?
- Mental arithmetic (oral test) – the pupils were asked a question and given 5, 10 or 15 seconds to respond depending on how difficult the question was.
e.g. What is 88 take away 42?
Examples of simple and difficult mathematics questions used in the assessments with pupils in Year 5.
Simple Question Write in the missing numbers:
35 + = 100
Difficult Question Calculate:
152 ÷ 8 =
