Educational Assessments
At Celestino Psychometric Solutions, we offer a comprehensive range of educational and psychometric assessments designed to understand each learner’s unique strengths, challenges, and potential learning barriers. Our assessments are tailored to each child’s individual profile, providing actionable insights that guide teaching strategies, academic planning, and personal development. All assessments are conducted by registered psychometrists and signed off by qualified educational psychologists, ensuring reliable and professional results.
What are Psychological Assessments in Education?
Psychological assessments in education are formal tools and processes used to understand a learner’s cognitive, emotional, social, and academic functioning. They are designed to identify strengths, weaknesses, learning needs, and potential barriers to learning. Registered psychometrists or educational psychologists are professionals trained to administer and interpret these forms of assessments.
When are Educational Psychological Assessments Used?
Psychological assessments are used in education when there is a need to:
Identify learning difficulties – e.g., dyslexia, ADHD, or other learning disorders.
Support academic planning – e.g., helping with subject choice, career guidance, or placement in special programs.
Provide concessions/accommodations – e.g., extra time for exams, alternative assessment formats, or classroom support.
Understand behavioural or emotional challenges – e.g., anxiety, trauma, or social difficulties that affect school performance.
Evaluate developmental readiness – e.g., school readiness assessments for young children.
Monitor progress – e.g., after interventions or therapy, to measure improvement.
Who is it for?
Psychological assessments in education can be used for:
Individual learners – to tailor learning strategies, provide support, or plan interventions.
Schools or institutions – to identify trends, implement support programs, or make informed placement decisions.
Parents or caregivers – to understand their child’s needs and make educational choices.
Teachers and specialists – to design effective learning plans and classroom accommodations.
What is usually included, and what do they measure?
Educational Psychometric Assessments utilise various types of tests, tailored to each child’s unique profile, providing insights to support learning and development, often including but not limited to:
Cognitive and Intellectual Assessments:
Purpose: Measure general thinking, reasoning, problem-solving, memory, and intellectual potential. Identify learning strengths, intellectual giftedness, or cognitive challenges.
Examples: IQ tests, reasoning assessments, working memory tests
Academic Achievement Assessments:
Purpose: Evaluate a learner’s knowledge and skills in specific subjects. Detect learning difficulties, measure progress, or plan interventions.
Examples: Reading comprehension tests, mathematics tests, writing assessments.
Behavioural and Emotional Assessments
Purpose: Identify emotional, social, or behavioural challenges that impact learning. Develop strategies for emotional regulation, classroom management, and learner support.
Examples: Anxiety, attention difficulties (e.g., ADHD screening), social-emotional questionnaires.
Neuropsychological Assessments (interpreted by Psychologists only)
Purpose: Examine how brain functioning affects learning, memory, attention, and behaviour—guide educational planning for learners with neurological or developmental challenges.
Examples: Assessments for brain injury, developmental disorders, or neurological conditions.
The Five Types of Educational Assessment
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Psycho-Educational Assessments
Psycho-educational assessments are comprehensive evaluations that explore a learner’s cognitive, academic, emotional, and social functioning. By combining cognitive testing, academic achievement evaluations, and behavioural assessments, these assessments provide a holistic profile of the learner.
Who it’s for:
Parents seeking insight into their child’s learning profile.
Schools and educators needing guidance for classroom strategies.
Learners aiming to understand their strengths and challenges.
When it’s used:
To identify learning disorders/ attention difficulties or giftedness.
To plan interventions and support programs.
To inform subject choice, school placement, or exam accommodations.
Conducted:
In person only (± 3 - 5 hours)
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Concession or Accomodation Assessments
Concession and accommodation assessments identify learners who require extra support to succeed in classroom and examination settings. These assessments determine the appropriate concessions, such as extra time, use of a reader or scribe, rest breaks, separate venues, or assistive technology.
Who it’s for:
Learners with learning difficulties, disabilities, or medical conditions.
Parents and schools seeking evidence-based recommendations for support.
When it’s used:
Before exams to secure accommodations.
During the academic year for classroom support.
For tertiary education applications requiring special arrangements.
Conducted:
In person only (± 3 - 5 hours)
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Subject Choice
Subject choice assessments help learners select subjects aligned with their strengths, interests, and future career goals. These assessments combine cognitive profiling with interest inventories to guide learners in making informed decisions.
Who it’s for:
Learners in Grades 8–10 choosing subjects for the FET phase.
Parents and educators seeking evidence-based guidance.
When it’s used:
Prior to subject selection.
When learners are uncertain about which subjects align with their goals.
To prevent future academic challenges by matching subjects to learner strengths.
Conducted:
In person or online (± 3 - 5 hours)
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Career Assessment
Career assessments explore a person’s aptitudes, interests, values, and personality traits to guide study, career decisions, and professional development. These assessments provide clarity on potential career paths, helping learners and adults plan their academic, professional, and personal futures.
Who it’s for:
Learners preparing for tertiary education or entering the workforce.
Tertiary students considering a change in career direction.
Adults in midlife seeking a career change.
Parents and schools supporting career guidance.
When it’s used:
Before choosing subjects, further studies, or vocational training.
During career counseling or guidance sessions.
When individuals are exploring new career options or seeking clarity on their professional direction.
Benefits:
Identifies strengths, interests, and potential career paths.
Supports confident decision-making for both students and adults.
Provides actionable guidance for study, training, or career transitions.
Conducted:
In person or online (± 3 - 5 hours)
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School Readiness
School readiness assessments determine if a young learner is prepared to begin formal education by evaluating cognitive, motor, social, and emotional development. These assessments ensure a smooth transition into school.
Who it’s for:
Children entering Grade R or Grade 1.
Parents wanting to ensure school preparedness.
Early childhood educators planning targeted support.
When it’s used:
Before starting school to identify developmental gaps.
To implement interventions for learning or social-emotional challenges.
To help schools and parents make informed placement decisions.
Conducted:
In person only (± 3 - 5 hours) -possibly span over two days due to age