Provincial Achievement Tests Explained

Score Range:	0%-100%
Provincial Achievement Tests
Type:	Standarized provincial test
Language:	English, French
Regions:	Alberta
Test Takers:	PAT: ~50,000 grade 6 and another ~50,000 grade 9 Alberta Curriculum students^[1]
Duration:	6 hours
Test Admin:	Alberta Education

Provincial Achievement Tests are standardized tests administered to all Alberta students in grade 6 and 9. The test was also used by the Northwest Territories until 2023.^{[2] [3]} The government of Alberta instituted the examinations through Alberta Education to attain greater accountability and ensure its students were well regarded when applying to tertiary institutions.^[4] Tests may be administered in English or French, typically in May and June. Alberta, out of all Canadian provinces has the most standardized testing procedure of any province.

Standardized testing is controversial in general, and Alberta is not an exception. The Alberta Teacher's Association is formally against standardized testing.^[5]

History

In 1983, the ministry instated an "Achievement Testing Program" for grades 3, 6, and 9. These were different than Provincial Achievement Tests because they assessed only one core subject (English language arts, social studies, mathematics, and science) a year. The grade 3 program was later cancelled.^[6]

In 2017, Alberta Education doubled students' allowed writing time for all provincial standardized tests. This can go up to 4 hours for Grade 6 and 9 PAT's.^{[7] [8]}

Purpose

The official Ministry of Education purpose of standardized testing is to:

• "Determine if students are learning what they are expected to learn.
• Report to Albertans how well students have achieved provincial standards at given points in their schooling.
• Assist schools, authorities, and the province in monitoring and improving student learning.
• to ensure that province-wide standards of achievement are maintained.
• to report individual and group results."^{[9] [10]}

See also

• Alberta Diploma Exam
• List of Canadian primary and secondary examinations

External links

• Alberta Education Site

Notes and References

1. Web site: Student population statistics. Alberta Government. Feb 14, 2020.
2. Web site: JK-12 Curriculum Renewal . www.ece.gov.nt.ca . Education, Culture and Employment . en.
3. News: Northwest Territories, Nunavut to have input in Alberta's K-12 curriculum redesign. 2016-09-27. Edmonton Journal. 2016-11-23. en-US.
4. Speak Out: Alberta's Student Engagement Initiative 3rd Annual Speak Out Conference. Alberta Government.
5. Web site: Diploma Examinations in Alberta: A Brief History. www.teachers.ab.ca. en-US. 2017-03-29.
6. McEwen. McEwen. 1995. Educational Accountability in Alberta. Canadian Journal of Education.
7. Web site: Students allotted more time to write Alberta diploma exams. Edmonton Sun. en. 2017-09-02.
8. Web site: Diploma Exams Schedule: November 2017.
9. Web site: About Grade 12 Diploma Exams. education.alberta.ca. en. 2017-03-29.
10. Web site: About the PATs. education.alberta.ca. en. 2017-03-29.