SAS Scores Explained:
Is "100" Good?
You open the report and see "Math: 95". You panic. "That's an A, right?" No. In the world of GL Assessments, 95 isn't an "A", but it isn't a failure either. We decode the Standard Age Score.
It is NOT a Percentage
Standard Age Scores (SAS) do not measure marks out of 100. They place your child on a Bell Curve compared to every other child of their age in the UK.
100 is the exact National Average.
130 is the Top 2%.
70 is the Bottom 2%.
Quick Reference: Is My Child Behind?
Use this table to interpret your child's GL (PTM) results and predict likely "Set" (Math Group) placement:
| SAS Range | Description | Typical Set Placement (Dubai) |
|---|---|---|
| 127 - 141 | Very High. Top 4% of students. | Top Set / Gifted & Talented |
| 112 - 126 | Above Average. | Set 1 or 2 |
| 89 - 111 | Average. The "Sweet Spot." | Middle Sets. (Note: SAS 100 might be "Below Average" in top-tier schools). |
| Below 88 | Below Average. | Support / Intervention Group |
The "Fairness" Factor (Summer Babies)
Why do schools use SAS instead of raw test scores? To be fair.
The August Child (Youngest)
A child born in August is 11 months younger than a September classmate. The SAS system gives them "bonus points" so they aren't penalized for being younger.
The September Child (Oldest)
If your child is the oldest in the year, the system expects more from them. They need to get more raw questions correct to achieve the same SAS of 100.
The "Dubai Skew"
Here is the reality check: SAS 100 is globally perfectly fine.
However, in competitive Dubai private schools (like DESS or JESS), the school average is often significantly higher (SAS 112-115). This means a child with a "Global Average" score might be in the bottom set in their specific class.
Want to Move from 100 to 115?
If your child is stuck in the "Average" band, specific targeted support can push them into the "Above Average" bracket.
Book a Math AssessmentThis article explains the statistical framework of the Standard Age Score (SAS) used in GL Assessments (PTM/PTE). Scoring bands and set placements vary by school policy. An SAS of 100 is defined as the "National Average" based on UK standardization data.