Spatial and Abstract Reasoning / TRST
Introducing the Spatial and Abstract Reasoning
The ERC’s Spatial and Abstract Reasoning (SAR) test is an online assessment tailored to Irish post-primary schools, offering an evaluation of incoming First Year students’ spatial and abstract reasoning abilities.
There are both Irish and English-language versions available. For more information about the test in Irish, see below.
Benefits of the SAR
Decades of research highlight the link between spatial and abstract reasoning and success in STEM fields both globally and locally in Ireland.
Across numerous years of testing through the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), Irish students have generally performed above the average for participating countries in all measured mathematical subtests. However, across multiple cycles of PISA, participating Irish students performed comparatively weaker in the content area of “Space & Shape”. By using the SAR test, it is hoped to better measure and address more effectively this challenging component of the maths curriculum.
The SAR test results provide insights to guidance counsellors and subject teachers alike, helping to highlight students’ strengths. Assessing students’ performance in spatial and abstract reasoning early in their secondary schooling helps schools to design programmes and activities to boost these skills.
Key Features of the SAR
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Online Testing: Administered through ERC’s user-friendly online platform, DOTS.
- Detailed Sections: The SAR test is divided into two subtests, each with two sections:
- Spatial Reasoning: Reflections and Rotations; Nets and Perspectives
- Abstract Reasoning: Sets of Shapes; Sequences and Patterns
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Timing: The test takes approximately one hour, including setup and instructions, ensuring efficient use of class time.
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Irish Norms: Designed for the Irish context, the SAR test offers specific, relevant results to the Irish educational environment
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Variety of Forms: Students are assessed on one of five randomly assigned test forms to ensure wide content coverage
- Comprehensive View: The SAR test can be used in conjunction with the Drumcondra Reasoning Test (Verbal and Numerical Reasoning) for a more complete evaluation
TRST a thabhairt isteach
Is triail ar líne é triail Spásúil agus Réasúnaíochta Theibí an FTO. Tá sé saincheaptha le go mbeadh iarbhunscoileanna Gaeilge ábalta é a úsáid. Déanann sé measúnú ar an gcumas spásúil agus réasúnaíocht theibí atá ag lucht nua na chéad bhliana.
Tairbhí an TRST
Taispeánann na blianta taighde go bhfuil nasc ann idir réasúnaíocht spásúil agus réasúnaíocht theibí agus an rath i réimse STEM ar fud an domhain agus go háitiúil. Tugann torthaí trialacha an TRST léargas chuig treoirchomhairleoirí agus múinteoirí ábhair. Taispeánann siad conas láidreachtaí na scoláirí a aibhsiú. Nuair a dhéantar measúnú ar an gcumas atá ag mic léinn maidir le réasúnaíocht spásúil agus réasúnaíocht theibí go luath ina gcuid iarbhunscolaíocht, cabhraíonn sé seo le scoileanna cláracha agus gníomhaíochtaí a dhearadh chun cur leis na scileanna seo.
Príomh-ghnéithe an TRST
- Trialacha ar líne: Riarachán ar DOTS, an t-ardán sothuigthe, ar líne.
- Leaganacha mionsonraithe: Roinntear an triail TRST ina dhá fhothrial, le dhá leagan i ngach cuid:
- Réasúnaíocht spásúil: Machnaimh agus rothluithe, Líonta agus peirspictíochtaí.
- Réasúnaíocht theibí: Riar cruthanna, oird agus pátrúin.
- Am: Tógann an triail thart feadh uair an chloig, le treoirlínte agus ullmhúchán san áireamh. Cinntíonn sé seo go n-úsáidtear am ranga go héifeachtach.
- Caighdeán na hÉireann: Tá an triail TRST deartha le haghaidh comhthéacs na hÉireann. Cuireann sé torthaí ar leith ar fáil le haghaidh timpeallacht oideachasúil na hÉireann.
- Foirmeacha éagsúil: Déantar measúnú ar scoláirí ar cheann amháin as cúig foirmeacha den triail. Bíonn an triail santa agus randamach, chun cinnteacht a dhéanamh go mbeidh tuairisciú leathan ag an t-ábhar.
- Radharc cuimsitheach: Is féidir an triail TRST a úsáid i bpáirt le Triail Réasúnaíochta Dhroim Conrach (Réasúnaíocht Bhriathartha agus Uimhriúil) le haghaidh measúnú níos iomláine.