Learning & Education
Understanding how you learn
Educational assessment can identify the pattern of strengths and difficulties underlying learning and academic performance, helping students, families and schools understand what support may be needed.
THE PURPOSE
What is an educational assessment?
An educational assessment examines how a person learns and how effectively they are developing key academic skills. It brings together information about cognitive abilities, academic achievement, developmental and educational history, and observations made during assessment.
The aim is not simply to produce a set of scores. Andrew looks at the pattern across results to understand why a student may be finding particular areas difficult — or why their academic performance may not reflect their apparent ability.
Assessment can help identify specific learning disorders such as dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia, clarify cognitive and academic strengths and weaknesses, and provide practical recommendations for school, study and everyday learning.
SEEKING ANSWERS
Who benefits from an educational assessment?
Educational assessment may be useful when a child, adolescent or adult is experiencing difficulties with learning, academic progress or study despite appropriate teaching and effort.
Difficulties with reading or spelling
Difficulties with written expression
Difficulties with mathematics
Academic progress below expectations
A discrepancy between ability and achievement
Questions about dyslexia, dysgraphia or dyscalculia
Identifying cognitive and learning strengths
Planning appropriate school or study supports
assessment Tools
How we assess learning
Educational assessment draws on several sources of information rather than relying on any single test. The assessment battery is selected according to the individual and the questions being investigated, and may include:
Clinical and developmental interview
Cognitive assessment (WISC-V or WAIS-IV)
Academic achievement testing (WIAT-III)
Reading, writing and mathematics assessment
Attention and executive functioning measures
Your assessment JOURNEY
What to expect
The Initial Consultation
We begin by discussing the learning concerns, developmental and educational history, previous assessments and the questions you would like the assessment to answer.
The Report
Results are integrated into a detailed written report explaining the person’s learning profile, any relevant diagnosis, and practical recommendations for school, study or further support.
Assessment
Testing is tailored to the referral question and may examine cognitive abilities, reading, writing, mathematics and other relevant aspects of learning. Testing may take place over one or more sessions.
Feedback & Next Steps
We will explain the findings, answer questions and discuss what the results mean in practical terms. Where appropriate, recommendations can be made for school adjustments, intervention or further professional support.
from results to recommendations
Identifying Strengths as well as Difficulties
A useful assessment looks beyond areas of weakness. Understanding a person’s strengths can be just as important in determining how they learn most effectively.
Understanding the Difficulty
Poor academic performance does not necessarily mean low ability. Assessment can help identify the specific processes or skills that are making learning more difficult.
Turning Findings into Practical Support
The purpose of assessment is not simply diagnosis. Recommendations are designed to help families, schools and other professionals translate the findings into appropriate teaching, intervention and educational support.
Common questions
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From intake to final report, the process typically spans 3–4 weeks. The amount of testing varies according to the questions being investigated. Assessment may be completed in one longer session or across several sessions, particularly for younger students. We will explain the likely time involved before assessment begins.
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No. Parents can contact MindMeasure directly to arrange an educational assessment. Referrals are also welcome from schools, GPs, paediatricians and other health professionals.
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Yes. Where the assessment findings meet the relevant diagnostic criteria, Andrew can diagnose Specific Learning Disorder, including difficulties affecting reading, written expression or mathematics. The report will explain the findings and provide recommendations for appropriate support.
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Yes. Reports are written to be useful in practical settings and can be shared with your child’s school. Where appropriate, recommendations may include classroom strategies, learning support and assessment adjustments.
BEGIN YOUR assessment
Ready for answers?
Start with an initial consultation to discuss the learning concerns and determine which assessments will provide the information you need.