The ISAT Test
The ISAT test is designed in such a way that it can access a candidate’s intellectual skills and other abilities that makes for academic success at the tertiary level. It comes as a 3-hour computer-based test, with 100 multiple choice questions with four or five options to choose from for each question.
It has two sections: critical reasoning (CR) and qualitative reasoning (QR).
Critical reasoning: This involves questions on humanities and social sciences. The candidate is expected to understand and analyze the information presented in form of a passage and provide the appropriate answer to the questions. The purpose is to find out their ability to comprehend ideas, draw relevant conclusions, and also evaluate arguments.
Qualitative reasoning: It involves passages on mathematics and science. It can come with graphs, tables, and diagrams, to give enough explanations to the content. The purpose of this is to evaluate the candidate’s ability to conclude scientific hypotheses, interpret graphs and tables and also provide solutions to mathematical problems.
These two reasons are, however, not differentiated in the question as they are all interwoven together to make up the 100-questions. The candidates can attempt all questions within the stipulated time as there are no penalties for wrong answers. Those candidates that ranked high in their ISAT scores are then scheduled for an interview.
ISAT Scoring
The scoring process is not a simple one. They are substantially developed and analyzed by ACER’s psychometricians; candidates, therefore, cannot calculate their scores themselves.
The scale score, consisting of the CR, QR, and the overall score, ranging from 100 to 200, is used to determine the ISAT score. It enables the comparison of the candidate’s score for several years.
The overall score: is an average of the critical reasoning CR and the qualitative reasoning QR.
The percentile rank: gives meaning to the scaled scores by showing how the student’s scores vary from each other. It tends to vary over the years as the candidate that apply for them are different each year.
The Actual Scoring Process
In this process, the candidate’s scale score, high school grade, and interview performance are used to determine the final candidate’s ISAT score. It, however, varies with institutions as different institutions have different criteria for obtaining results. For instance:
University of New South Wales has a minimum ISAT score of 150. Monash University Melbourne’s minimum ISAT score is 165, and a minimum overall score of 170. The University of Tasmania accepts a minimum percentile of 50%, while the University of Western Australia (UWA), accepts from the 25th percentile.
Thus, it can be inferred that any score above the 90th percentile puts the candidate in a very competitive position for enrollment.
ISAT Preparation
Mandatory
The candidate will come with a printout of the registration email confirmation. A means of identification, which could be a driver’s license, a current passport, or a national ID card from your country of citizenship is also needed. Candidates with a native language other than the English language are allowed to come with a printed bilingual dictionary. A logbook is provided for students to sign at the beginning and the end of the exam, and also for any other entrance or exit during the test.
Preparation Strategy
Candidates are advised to read widely as they prepare for the exams, and also, to think critically before answering the question. Time management is very paramount. Candidates are advised to work with the available time as they attempt the different questions. An erasable board and scratch pad are provided for working out the answers. Attempt to mark only your applicable answer neatly for each question, to avoid confusion. The review button helps candidates to identify questions they will wish to revisit. You can mark them down and revisit them later for effective time management.
ISAT Results.
Once the results are out, they are made available online. Candidates are first notified via an email which comes with an access code and a web link where you are asked to put in the Prometric order confirmation number that was issued during ISAT registration.
Results are only valid for two years, and candidates can re-sit for the test only after 12 months from the previous one.
Conclusion:
ISAT scoring involves some processes that put into consideration the CR, QR, and overall score, scale score, student’s high-grade result, and interview performance. This score can tell, in a nutshell, the general capacity of a student as regards their choice of academic pursuit.
What happens when a candidate changes their email address before the release of the ISAT result
Any candidate with this problem should send an email to the ISAT office with a valid ID informing them of the development to take the appropriate measure.
How long does an ISAT score last
An ISAT score is considered current for two years. Also, a candidate is only allowed to sit for another ISAT after 12 months from the previous sitting.
