Education Endowment Foundation: Dynamo Maths

SubscalesⓘList of subscales (if applicable)

Number meaning, number magnitude and number relationships.

Publisher

Jelly James Publisher

Test source

https://dynamomath.com/dynamo-maths/

Guidelines available?ⓘAdministration guidelines available to the review team

Yes

Norm-referenced scores

Yes

Age rangeⓘSpecific population and age range that publisher states the test is intended/​suitable for. 

6 – 15 years (although note that the standardisation is for age 7 – 9).

Key Stage

Key Stage 1, Key Stage 2, Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4

UK standardisation sample

Yes

Publication date

2015

Re-norming date

N/​a

Additional information about what the test measures

Maths (number meaning, number magnitude and number relationships)

Are additional versions available?

No

Can subtests be administered in isolation?

No

Administration Group Size

Individual

Administration duration

30 minutes

Description of materials needed to administer test

Computer with microphone and speakers or headphones, mouse, fast and reliable internet access.

Any special testing conditions?

N/​a

Is any prior knowledge/training/profession accreditation required for administration?

No

Is administration scripted?

N/​a

Rating Construct

Does it reflect the multidimensionality of the subject?

Specific maths (number sense; targeted on the areas of maths most at risk in dyscalculia: number meaning, number magnitude and number relationships).

Construct validity comments (and reference for source)

The standardisation and validation document (Esmail, 2020) reports an analysis (multiple regression) of the proposed structure (that number magnitude and number meaning are key components of number relationships). This shows that both factors are significant independent predictors of number relationships. This document also provides a clear explanation of the theoretical constructs. There is no data presented on correlations with other tests etc. However, the authors state that there are no similar online developmental dyscalculia tests. Scores for each age group for each subtest are presented. There are effects of age on all subscales. However, scores on number meaning seem to drop from age 9 to age 10 and 11. This is not addressed.

Rating Reliability

Summarise available comparisons

Multiple measures support good reliability of this measure. The standardisation and validation document (Esmail, 2020) reports good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha: total sample .85; 6 years .79; 7 years .83; 8 years .86; 9 years .86; 9 – 14 years .89). Temporal stability (on average there was a 10 day test-retest interval) is also reported as good (age 6 r = .85; age 7 r =.87; age 8 r =.94; age 9 .82; 9 – 14 years .97; Total sample r = .87). The manual also highlights that the computerised format means that inter-rater reliability would be very high — above .99.

Sources

Esmail, K. K. (2020). Dynamo Maths Developmental Dyscalculia Assessment: Standardisation and Validation. Stanmore, UK: JellyJames Publishing Ltd. Dowker, A., & Esmail, K. (2017). Development of components of mathematics in 7 to 11 year old children: A study using Dynamo Assessment. Paper presented at the British Society for Research into Learning Mathematics.