How Does Iowa Standardized Tests Score?

History of ITBS

In 1935 the first Iowa Every Pupil Test (IEPT) was introduced to Iowa schools, both public and private. We know this test as the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) and it is still used in almost every school both public and private as well as home school children. The University Of Iowa College Of Education in Iowa City is where the tests were developed and still overseen today.

Four Scoring Categories

The tests are given to children in kindergarten to eighth grade and can demonstrate their ranking in the state of Iowa as well as nationally. The tests also show growth in their individual level of basic skills. The scores are divided into four categories: Raw Score (RS) which is simply the number of right answers. By itself, it doesn't tell much about where the child ranks across the state or nation, but it does give play an important role in the Percentile Rank (PR). Percentile Rank divides the number of correct answers into 100 to give the percent of answers correct. This number is then used to determine the Grade Equivalent (GT). Grade Equivalent is ranked from low to high in order to determine that child's ranking against others in his same grade. Developmental Standard Score (SS) is key to determining where the child was in previous testing and the growth made in the current testing.

The percentile rank is often stated in this manner, "Tommy percentile rank is 83. This means Tommy scored higher than 83% of others taking this same test". It is important to note that the same test was given to the same grade level to indicate a honest indication of skill mastery.

Other Considerations

Considerations are given to children with learning and developmental disabilities. Their testing and scoring may be altered to meet their needs instead of testing them on one standard they are unable to meet. Home schooled children are given the same standard test as other students their age, however, their tests will be hand graded and scored. One downside to the Iowa Test of Basic Skills is the occasional students that do not take the tests seriously. Some students have been known to fill in the circles on the answer sheets in a pattern or randomly; instead of answering each question to the best of their ability. When this happens, not only their scores are inaccurate, it can also skew the scores of the other students as well.