PAT Pānui | Reading Comprehension: Calibration changes for 2025

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In brief: 

  • Introduction of PAT Pānui: In 2024, NZCER released a new set of PAT Reading Comprehension tests called PAT Pānui. Most schools will implement these new tests for the first time in 2025.
  • Calibration Consistency: The PAT Pānui tests have been calibrated to align with the original PAT Reading Comprehension (PATC) scale, to provide continuity in measuring student achievement.
  • Calibration Updates: Using data from 2024, NZCER has refined the calibrations to strengthen the alignment between the old PATC tests and the new PAT Pānui tests.
  • Impact on 2024 Results: Schools that used PAT Pānui in 2024 will notice updated scores reflecting the new calibrations.
  • Anticipated changes in 2025: Schools using PAT Pānui for the first time in 2025 may observe variations in achievement levels compared to previous years with PAT Reading Comprehension. These changes might result from transitioning to a new test rather than actual shifts in student performance.
  • Ongoing Monitoring: NZCER will continue to analyse national results from PAT Pānui in 2025 to determine if further calibration is necessary. Additionally, updated reference data (stanines) based on Term 1, 2025 results will be provided early in Term 2.

In detail:

In 2024, NZCER introduced PAT Pānui, a refreshed version of PAT Reading Comprehension featuring new texts and questions designed to engage a diverse range of New Zealand students effectively. It is available in both paper and online formats. 

The new Pānui tests were calibrated onto the original reading comprehension scale—PATC. The intention was that schools could continue to use the new tests to monitor achievement trends over time and compare results with the older tests.

Schools began using the new Pānui tests from Term 1 in 2024. The older PAT Reading Comprehension tests were also available for schools to use, but have now been completely replaced by PAT Pānui. 

For 2025, NZCER has updated the calibrations for PAT Pānui based on data collected in 2024. This strengthens the alignment between the old and new tests. The updated calibrations have been used to retrospectively update existing results for Pānui and means that schools who used the Pānui tests in 2024 will see changes to their 2024 results. These changes ensure that there is greater comparability between scores on the old reading comprehension tests and the new tests.

Most schools will use the new PAT Pānui tests for the first time this year. Some schools that use the tests might see changes to their historic school-wide pattern of results at one or more year levels. It is important to realise that in some cases, these changes might reflect the impact of students sitting a new test rather than a ‘real’ increase or decrease in achievement.

NZCER will keep a close watch on the national results from PAT Pānui throughout 2025 to identify the need for any further calibration refinements. Based on Term 1, 2025 results, NZCER will also develop updated reference data (stanines) for each year level to support accurate interpretation of student performance. 

For further support and information, please contact assessmentservices@nzcer.org.nz 

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