CDS is a powerful combination of digital assessment tools and data insights to give you the whole view of each pupil. The 10 nationally benchmarked assessments provide clear insight into reasoning skills, help you to understand attainment levels in core subject areas and identify barriers to learning.
Verbal, non-verbal and spatial reasoning skills are measured by Cognitive Abilities Test (CAT4).
Attainment and progress in core subjects is assessed by Progress Test Series (covering English, maths and science), New Group Math Test (NGMT), New Group Reading Test (NGRT) and New Group Spelling Test (NGST).
Pupil Attitudes to Self and School (PASS), Dyslexia Screener and Dyscalculia Screener can help to identify any barriers to learning.
The combination of insights gained through CDS are designed to fully support pupils from entry to the school through to transition to secondary. Triangulating data across different assessments gives you a ‘whole pupil view’ of attainment, progress, potential, and barriers to learning. Combination Reports instantly analyse data from CAT4, PTE (English), PTM (maths), and NGRT (reading).
Reports follow a consistent format and are easy to follow, providing clear practical reports at a senior management view, cohort view and individual pupil view, including key indicator reports to support transition stages. Individual student reports support conversations with parents, avoiding technical language and suggesting strategies for support at home.
Digital assessments are easy to set up and reports can be generated instantly to save teachers time. The data from CDS assessments support teacher judgements without adding to additional workload.
You can use any of the assessments in CDS as often as you want, and whenever you want.
Assessments are standardised on impressive student numbers – for example 100,000 for the PT Series and 600,000 for PASS for example. They’re verified each year, so reports are set within the context of current Standard Age Scores and national benchmarks, enabling you to compare your results with schools like yours.
Our Head of Research, Bernadetta Brzyska, and Assessment Project Manager, Thomas Hooley explain the development of standardised tests and importance of trials.
Find out why and how Magherafelt High School has used CDS to effectively track and compare the progress of their students.
Nick Hackett, Headteacher at Beecroft Academy, shares his advice for getting the most out of the CDS package.
From webinars to bespoke sessions, our comprehensive and flexible training programmes ensure you can maximise your GL Assessment tools.
Turn insights into actionable outcomes. Unlock the full power of your assessment data with dedicated support from our Education Advisors.
All of our assessments come with a suite of helpful guides designed to get you started and keep benefiting from the data. Technical information and platform support are here too.
Need to place an order? Or have a technical question? You’ll find our contact details here – people, not call centres, just a phone call away.
The assessments measure ability and potential, attainment in core subjects (English, maths, science, spelling) and can also help identify barriers to learning, dyslexia and dyscalculia. Taken together they provide a ‘whole pupil view’ for all your pupils throughout their years at primary school, enabling you to plan teaching (and intervention) strategies with confidence.
Using CDS should actually save you and your school time in reporting and assessing progress. All the assessments are digital, reports are generated instantly and intervention strategies are included.
You can use them as many times and whenever you like. We provide plenty of guidance and support according to the assessment priorities in your school. We provide a clear timetable for the assessments, and have support at hand at every stage of your assessment journey with us.
The combination report, provided at no extra charge looks at CAT4 data alongside NGRT or PTM/PTE to give an instant indication of whether pupil attainment matches ability.
Your CDS package includes a range of training options tailored to your school as well as bespoke support from our Assessment Insights team.