A psychodidactic assessment is meant to find out why there is a gap between effort and results in learning — and to translate the answer into practical accommodations.
Who it is for
The assessment is suitable for school pupils, high-school students preparing for matriculation (bagrut) exams, university students and adults in professional training. What they have in common is a persistent gap between effort and results, or a specific difficulty with reading, writing, maths or working pace.
What the assessment examines
- General cognitive ability using a standardised test
- Reading, reading fluency and reading comprehension
- Writing, spelling and written expression
- Maths and quantitative skills
- Attention, concentration and working memory
- Processing and performance speed
- Emotional factors that affect learning
Which accommodations can be received
Based on the findings, recommendations are made for exam accommodations. In Israel, an assessment carried out by a certified assessor is the condition for receiving accommodations in Ministry of Education matriculation exams, as well as in higher education institutions and the psychometric entrance exam.
- Extra time in exams
- Spelling errors disregarded
- Oral exams or exams read aloud
- Use of a computer or word processor
- Exam paper read aloud
- Exam in a separate room or a small group
When to carry it out
The earlier, the better. For high-school students it’s especially important to carry out the assessment well ahead of the matriculation period, so that the request for accommodations has time to be approved and take effect. An assessment is valid for a limited period, and sometimes needs updating before a new stage of study.
Not just accommodations
Beyond the formal accommodations, the assessment provides a map of strengths and difficulties and practical recommendations for learning. For many students, understanding that the difficulty doesn’t stem from laziness or low ability brings a significant change in self-confidence and in their attitude to learning.
It’s important to check in advance with the relevant body which documents and what type of assessment are required.