Fifth Year Students sit their D.A.T.s

The Differential Aptitude Tests (DATs) for fifth year students were completed on Tuesday 8th March (last). These school based assessments are designed for use in educational and vocational guidance and are employed by school counselors, personnel officers, psychologists and all persons concerned with assessing the intellectual characteristics and educational or vocational aptitudes of adolescents. This battery of tests has been adapted for use in Irish schools. The rationale behind the Differential Aptitude Tests is that since different kinds of abilities and intrinsic skill sets are useful in different jobs and in different school subjects, students equipped with a knowledge of their ability and skill range will make more informed decisions about study and career paths. The test range allows the measure of several abilities and is likely to be more useful than a test giving a single general ability score. There are eight subtests: Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Ability, Abstract Reasoning, Space Relations, Mechanical Reasoning, Clerical Speed and Accuracy, Spelling, and Language Usage. Results will be shared and assessed with each candidate as senior students move toward making crucial decisions regarding their future.