16 Nov 2016

CEM IBE Test Individual Pupil Record

Dear Parents / Guardians,

As you will know, in August, your child took their CEM IBE test.  CEM IBE is a comprehensive Information System that supports student guidance and performance. I am happy to enclose the Individualised Learner Profile for your daughter / son.

What is CEM IBE?

All ESF schools work with an organization called CEM (The Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring), which is part of the University of Durham.  CEM offers four levels of testing at different points throughout a child’s school life and ESF uses these tests to set a baseline for your child’s potential and progress through their time with us.  Millions of children in over 70 countries sit these tests, so we feel the results act as a reliable tool to help inform our expectations of your child’s minimum potential.  CEM IBE is the test that all students take across ESF in Year 12.

What does CEM IBE test?

The CEM IBE tests three skill areas: vocabulary, mathematics, and non-verbal skills.  The tests also measure accuracy and perceptual speed, which is referred to as ‘Ability’.  When taken together this produces a rounded profile of a student’s potential.

What do these results show?

Your child’s Individual Pupil Record shows four results for each of vocabulary, mathematics, non-verbal skills and ability.  Each of the results is described in four different ways.  They are also shown in a graph.  In the ‘Standard Score’ column, a score of 100 is the international standardized average score in each test.

Standard Score:  This is the numerical score, standardized against every student in the world who sat this test.

Band:                    25% of the students who took this test are placed into each Band. A is the highest.

Stanine:                The Stanine further refines the standardized score into ninths.  9 is the highest Stanine.

Percentile:           This is the percentage of children who scored less than your child in this test.

The Graphic:        The graphic chart shows your child’s score in each test.  The dot represents their score on the day they took the test and the lines represent the range of scores CEM would expect your child to achieve if they were to sit the test again and again.

 

Chances Graphs: 100 children just like your own

As CEM has been working with millions of children over many years, they have a sizeable database of CEM IBE test results and GCSE and IGCSE results.  The chances graphs show what proportion of students with the same CEM IBE profile as your child, actually achieved which grade in recent years.  This can be the starting point for a conversation about your child’s aspirations and what will be needed for them to achieve the grades they aspire to.  Results are not available for Psychology or Chinese at the present time.

 

How do you use the information?

CEM IBE is one part of the teacher’s toolkit.  It is one method that helps us to get to know your child’s strengths and areas for development as a learner.  This information will be added to the professional judgement, observations and assessments of teachers here at Sha Tin College.  Our aim is to ensure your child is happy and successful; during their IB studies at Sha Tin College and later in their adult and professional life.  The CEM IBE results are just the starting point of this part of our exciting and important journey together.

If you have any further questions, please email me at morgag1@stconline.edu.hk

Yours faithfully

Gareth Morgan, Senior Leader