An item analysed arithmetic achievement test for Years 1 to 3 of the primary school

Abstract

This study is an attempt to establish arithmetic norms for children in year 1, 2 and 3 of the primary school. The test constructed by the author includes items from an American Test, the Differential Ability Scale, as well as items from the current Maltese mathematics syllabus. It includes five sections which are number recognition, the four rules, applications, time and money. The test was carried out with a sample of 500 children. The scores obtained by the pupils were analysed per item for each year group. Measures of central tendency were obtained for each year group. This item analysis revealed some faulty items which had to be rejected and also a good number of valid items which were kept. On rejecting the faulty items, the author was in a position to design a final measure for each year group.