A cognitive assessment tool that ignites learner capability and drives achievement
We created Aptem Assess in response to feedback that external systems and lengthy assessments often leave learners with a poor experience, and admin teams chasing learners to complete onboarding tasks.
Topics covered within this brochure
Addressing the need for a versatile cognitive assessment tool
According to McLoughlin and Doyle, an estimated 20% of adult learners have non-statemented learning difficulties that may require support and could hinder the acquisition of new skills or knowledge.
Some examples include difficulties with:
- Limited memory span
- Perception of spatial or visual differences and details
- Correctly remembering words
- Slow processing of words
- Confusing sounds and letters
- Mixing up numbers or not accurately perceiving numbers
These difficulties explain challenges in tasks that underpin learning and knowledge acquisition, such as reading and writing, numeracy, memory and comprehension of information.
Many learners may be unaware of their difficulties or hesitant to disclose them, making their identification a crucial first step for training providers aiming to maximise learner success.
Aptem Assess was developed in direct response to customer feedback, addressing the need for an affordable, versatile cognitive assessment tool suitable for all types of learners and any learning programme. It enables providers to:
20% of adult learners have non-statemented learning difficulties
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Pinpoint potential cognitive needs
Identify whether a learner may have specific areas of cognitive challenge.
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Streamline learner categorisation
Differentiate those without signs of cognitive needs from those who may require further support, enabling more targeted intervention.
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Support proactive decision-making
Focus attention where it's most needed, eliminating reliance on learner self-identification, hand-raising, or subjective tutor feedback.
Introducing Aptem Assess
Aptem Assess is a cutting-edge cognitive assessment tool designed to help identify and address learners’ needs effectively. Our guiding principles, shaped by providers, include:
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Affordability at scale
Aptem Assess offers a price point - from £15 per assessment - that enables cost-effective application across your entire learning population.
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Engaging and positive experience
Our assessment is crafted to be highly engaging, ensuring learners have a seamless and enjoyable experience.
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Scientifically robust design
Grounded in the trusted Cattell-Horn-Carroll theory, Aptem Assess employs well-researched, widely accepted paradigms in educational assessment. This framework ensures a thorough evaluation of various facets of cognition. Learn more about the science behind Aptem Assess.
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Fast and efficient
With an average completion time of just 15 minutes, our assessment saves valuable time without compromising on quality*.
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Flexible and accessible
Aptem Assess works seamlessly across mobile, laptop, and desktop devices, providing learners with flexibility and ease of use.
We are impressed by the engaging design, efficient completion time, and accessibility across all devices
Rosie Tasker-Brown, Senior Functional Skills Maths Tutor, Specialist Skills Hub
Engaging your learners
Adoption of existing learning needs assessments could be much higher, as learners find them cumbersome and disengaging. Aptem Assess is specifically designed to tackle this issue and boost engagement. It features a user-friendly interface accessible via phone, tablet, or desktop, providing a positive user experience. This enhanced engagement is crucial for ensuring assessment completion and offering a comprehensive understanding of learning needs across a learner population.
Aptem Assess evaluates eight distinct cognitive processes and was developed by Chartered Psychologists, Psychometricians, and Teachers. It enables you to identify learning needs during registration and onboarding efficiently, and wherever needed during the learning programme.
We were looking for an efficient, engaging and robust way to assess all our learners for possible learning needs. We loved the Aptem Assess assessment from the minute we first saw it and think it’s particularly engaging for our non-technical apprentices.
Leanne Hughes, Operations Manager, Time2Train
How does Aptem Assess work?
Aptem Assess comprises eight engaging ‘games’ focused on assessing cognitive processes which underpin learning and assessment performance.
The eight ‘games’ are:
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Symbols
A measure of processing speed using visual information. This game involves quickly identifying whether target symbols are present in a larger set of visual symbols. Perceptual processing speed has been shown to underpin the acquisition of new information.
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Similar words
A measure of verbal reasoning. This game involves identifying whether pairs of words are related in semantic meaning. A task used in many educational ability tests.
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Number recall
A measure of digit memory span, which is a standard assessment of working memory with a normal range of 5 to 9 digits. The digits e.g. a phone number, need to be recalled in the correct order.
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Picture completion
A measure of spatial and visual reasoning. This game involves identifying the missing piece of a picture from a set of options.
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Fake words
A measure of word recognition. This task involves deciding whether a word is real or not and includes a range of regular and irregular words. The ability to quickly access long-term memory to correctly identify a word is a task that is challenging for many dyslexics.
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Missing numbers
A measure of arithmetic involving the operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division using integers.
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Objects
A measure of short-term memory. This task is an assessment of memory recall for a set of previously displayed visual objects.
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Shapes and colours
This is a test of executive functioning - the ability to focus and not be distracted by interfering perceptual information. Executive functioning is an important cognitive process in learning. This game is a version of the widely used Stroop effect.
Bradford College
Aptem Assess enables us to tailor our support and gives tutors a clear picture of each student’s needs, which leads to much better learner outcomes.
Step by step:
Learners will be sent a link or invitation to complete the assessment as part of their registration or onboarding. On a device of their choice, learners will access Aptem Assess as a registered user to track results back to their ID.
When they click ‘start assessment’, they will be taken to a full-screen overlay – designed to minimise distractions.
They then work their way through an assessment covering eight cognitive areas of the brain:
- Digital memory span
- Processing speed
- Numerical reasoning
- Verbal reasoning
- Spatial and visual reasoning
- Word recognition
- Executive functioning
- Short term memory
For each cognitive area, if no evidence of additional learning support needs is identified in initial answers, the learner will progress to the next section. If evidence of neurodiversity is identified, further questions will be asked to accurately identify the learner’s level on a normal distribution.
Due to its unique adaptive format, this assessment should take no more than 15 minutes for an estimated 80% of learners with no learning difficulties.
Aptem Assess will examine accuracy and speed to determine where the learner sits on the benchmarked scale, and whether they need additional learning support from their provider. A quality score is included to assess the accuracy of the results. Retesting is available if the quality score is low.
Seamless assessment handling
Aptem Assess gives providers access to a comprehensive ‘self-serve’ admin portal, allowing you to:
- Securely export raw data of learner results for seamless integration into your primary learner system.
- Access a guide to interpret results and devise strategies to support learners effectively.
- View high-level statistics, including completion rates, the percentage of learners requiring support, total invites and registrations, and support needs per cognitive process.
- Invite new learners to participate in the assessment with ease.
- Effortlessly manage and organise learner cohorts by creating 'Campaigns', such as 'Onboarding assessments'.
Affordable and scalable
Aptem Assess is a cost-effective solution with flexible pricing to meet the needs of large learner populations and more targeted, niche providers.
The science behind Aptem Assess
Aptem Assess was developed by Chartered Psychologists who followed psychometric best practice guidelines as described by the British Psychological Society (BPS), the International Test Commission (ITC), and the European Federation of Psychologists. It enables training providers to identify and address an individual’s learning support needs, which would otherwise limit their ability to reach their potential.
Academic researchers agree that cognitive differences are described by the Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) theory. Building on the CHC model, eight ‘games’ were developed for Aptem Assess. The assessment techniques were designed to cover information presented in terms of visual, spatial, verbal, and numerical reasoning as well as memory and perceptual processes typically involved in learning.
Aptem Assess uses norm-referenced scoring, comparing individual results to a normative group. Individual results are compared to an existing data set collected from a large group of people. The individual’s performance is interpreted relative to the population of others who have previously completed the test.
Aptem Assess enables us to tailor our support and gives tutors a clear picture of each student’s needs, which leads to much better outcomes.
Kelly McAllister, Head of Apprenticeships, Bradford College
Your questions answered
Is Aptem Assess an adaptive test?
Yes. The assessment adapts in length according to an individual’s answers. Where an individual’s initial answers indicate a possible need, the assessment will adapt to ask more questions to ascertain the need.
Why does Aptem Assess quality score each assessment?
Sometimes learners do not engage effectively with an assessment, may be interrupted, or have connection issues, so the result is not a true reflection of their needs. A quality score is included for Skills teams to assess the accuracy of the results. Retesting is available if the quality score is low.
What guidelines is Aptem Assess built upon?
Aptem Assess was developed by Chartered Psychologists who followed psychometric best practice guidelines as described by the British Psychological Society (BPS), the International Test Commission (ITC), and the European Federation of Psychologists.
What validation has taken place?
For each ‘game’, a large set of items covering varying difficulty levels were written by Chartered Psychologists with extensive experience in writing ability test items.
These items were then completed by hundreds of participants from a selected number of Aptem customers. Participants included a range of genders, age groups and self-reported ethnic backgrounds. 16% of the group reported having a recognised learning or health issue under the relevant ILR categories. The data from the trialling phase was analysed by applying recognised best practice in the development of psychometric tests (see guidelines published by the British Psychological Society and the International Test Commission). For each test type, questions were chosen to create multiple versions of a short and a more extended test.
Is Aptem Assess accepted by the Department for Education?
Yes, the ESFA (now the Department for Education) accepted the product at an assurance review.
The Aptem Assess promise
Are you seeking an engaging, robust, cost-effective approach to assessing learning needs? Look no further than Aptem Assess, a tool that will delight learners, educators and educational administrators.
Try the free sample assessment.
If you or your team would like to find out more, please schedule a demo.
References
- *For the estimated 80% of users with no identified cognitive needs. The adaptive assessment may take up to 30 minutes for those with potential needs.
- *McLoughlin, D., & Doyle, N. (2017). “Psychological assessment of adults with specific performance difficulties at work”. The British Psychological Society. https://www.bps.org.uk/guideline/psychological-assessment-adults-specific-performance-difficulties-work
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We'd love to hear from you
The best way to experience our platform is through a consultative chat with one of our friendly experts. They can take you through the system and show you the benefits of Aptem that are most relevant to your business.
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