Decoding GL Reports:
What is "Stanine 5"?
You just received the "PTM Report" from school. It's full of graphs and numbers like "SAS 100" and "Stanine 5." Is this good? Bad? We decode the jargon so you know exactly where your child stands.
It's NOT a Percentage
The biggest mistake parents make is thinking a score of 100 means "Perfect." In GL Assessments, 100 is the Standard Age Score (SAS). It literally means "Average." If your child scores 100, they are performing exactly where they should be for their age.
The Cheat Sheet: What the Numbers Mean
Dubai schools use two main numbers: SAS (Precision) and Stanine (Broad Bands). Here is how to read them:
| Stanine | SAS Score Range | What it Actually Means |
|---|---|---|
| 1 - 3 | Below 88 | Below Average. Likely struggling with core concepts. May need intervention. |
| 4 - 6 | 89 - 111 | Average. This is the "Sweet Spot" where 60% of students sit. Stanine 5 is exact average. |
| 7 - 9 | 112 - 141 | Above Average. High achievers. Stanine 9 represents the top 4% of students. |
The "Dubai Skew" (Why Average Feels Low)
Here is the reality check: Stanine 5 (SAS 100) is globally perfectly fine.
However, in competitive Dubai private schools (like DESS, JESS, or DC), the school average is often significantly higher (SAS 110-115). This means a child with a "Global Average" score might be in the bottom set in their specific Dubai school.
The "Invisible" Ceiling
If your child is stuck in Stanine 4/5 (Average), they are often placed in the middle sets. While fine, this can limit their access to "Higher Tier" topics in secondary school. Moving from Stanine 5 to Stanine 7 requires mastering Reasoning questions, not just arithmetic.
The "Potential" Gap
Compare their CAT4 Quantitative Score (Potential) with their GL Math Score (Performance).
If CAT4 is High (120) but GL is Low (95), they are underperforming. This is the biggest red flag that a tutor needs to address.
Don't Just "File" The Report
Look at the "Topic Breakdown" section at the end of the PDF. It will tell you exactly where the gaps are (e.g., Geometry or Mental Math).
Let Us "Fix" The Gaps
Send us your GL Report (PDF). Our tutors analyze the weak topics and build a targeted plan to boost that Stanine.
Book a GL Analysis SessionThis article explains the standard scoring mechanisms of the GL Assessment suite used by UK curriculum schools in Dubai. GetYourTutors is an independent agency and is not affiliated with GL Education. We use these reports solely to guide our private tuition strategies.