Introduction to SOSCA

SOSCA is suitable for schools in the UK and abroad. Special attention has been paid to the English National Curriculum, the Scottish 5-14 guidelines, and the curricula in Independent schools, Wales and Northern Ireland.  We have ensured that our item banks cover a wide range of abilities making our tests suitable for the lowest of abilities and the most able pupils. Moreover, as national curriculums change we update SOSCA to match the new content.

SOSCA tests are delivered to pupils via the computer. Each test of Reading, Maths and Science lasts approximately 45 minutes and the Science Assessment also includes a questionnaire that gathers pupils’ attitudes to Science. Testing take place each year during a pre-defined 4 week testing window in April/May, so that pupils' progress can be fairly compared at the same stage of their learning.

The adaptive nature of the tests ensures that pupils will be given questions to suit their level of attainment, and we have taken care to cover a wide range of abilities so that independent schools and international schools will find that SOSCA suits their pupils.

This means the SOSCA tests are efficient; lower ability pupils are not discouraged by difficult items that they can’t answer and the most able pupils are challenged and don’t waste time answering questions that are too easy. Pupils and teachers tell us that the SOSCA Assessments provide a pleasant testing experience.

Feedback is prompt and delivered via our secure website. It includes standardised scores on each sub-section of the three assessments that will show how each pupil is performing relative to other pupils at that stage (at the end of the year: S2 or Year 9, which is Year 10 in Northern Ireland). Predictions and Chances Graphs will follow showing likely performance in subsequent examinations (e.g. GCSE, Standard Grade).

Schools who have used PIPS P7 or MidYIS assessments can receive SOSCA Value-Added feedback to assess their pupils' progress up to the end of Year 9/S2 using these assessments as baselines. Value Added measures from SOSCA to external examinations at age 16 will also be available once pupils assessed by SOSCA have reached these exams. 

To view example feedback see Feedback.

Yes. You need to provide us with a file of pupil identification details (see description, Pupil Identification Details CSV 2009.pdf which is still valid) and then download the testing software from our secure Secondary+ website. Pupils will then access the software via your intranet. An internet delivered option is also available on request, but this does require a wide and reliable internet connection.

To register you will need to complete a registration form and fax it to us on the number given. We ask you to register by the end of March, but we can accept registrations right up to the beginning of the testing window: 19^th April 2010 – 14^th May 2010. See the Costs/Registration page.

See MidYIS Assessments or PIPS Scotland for their assessments as baselines for SOSCA.