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Comparing screening tools for subitising abilities in 5–6-year-olds : identifying early numeracy challenges

Holmqvist, Mona LU orcid ; Tutunjian, Damon LU and Wästerlid, Catarina LU orcid (2026) In Research in Mathematics Education
Abstract

The present study evaluates two different screening tools–the Ability to Quickly See Quantities (AQSQ) test and the Number Sense Test (NST) targeting subitising and part-whole relationships, respectively–to examine their potential to indicate early numeracy challenges. Seventy-four kindergarten students participated, and their performances on the two tests were analyzed using correlational analyses of measures derived from signal detection theory and qualitative comparisons. The results showed a moderate correlation between AQSQ and NST scores, indicating an overlap in measuring subitising. Both tests showed overlap in identifying students with lower scores, suggesting potential for early screening use, with a 64% overlap between the... (More)

The present study evaluates two different screening tools–the Ability to Quickly See Quantities (AQSQ) test and the Number Sense Test (NST) targeting subitising and part-whole relationships, respectively–to examine their potential to indicate early numeracy challenges. Seventy-four kindergarten students participated, and their performances on the two tests were analyzed using correlational analyses of measures derived from signal detection theory and qualitative comparisons. The results showed a moderate correlation between AQSQ and NST scores, indicating an overlap in measuring subitising. Both tests showed overlap in identifying students with lower scores, suggesting potential for early screening use, with a 64% overlap between the lowest quartiles of the two tests. The AQSQ may be a more practical single-choice option for resource-limited classrooms. Further research is needed to clarify the underlying similarities and differences in the constructs measured by the two tests and how they may contribute to understanding early numeracy development.

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Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
in press
subject
keywords
Assessment, preschool class, subitising
in
Research in Mathematics Education
publisher
Routledge
external identifiers
  • scopus:105032261536
ISSN
1479-4802
DOI
10.1080/14794802.2025.2598756
language
English
LU publication?
yes
additional info
Publisher Copyright: © 2026 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
id
7459070e-e4fa-4d7f-9cb8-f948d2883841
date added to LUP
2026-04-28 15:15:18
date last changed
2026-04-28 15:15:32
@article{7459070e-e4fa-4d7f-9cb8-f948d2883841,
  abstract     = {{<p>The present study evaluates two different screening tools–the Ability to Quickly See Quantities (AQSQ) test and the Number Sense Test (NST) targeting subitising and part-whole relationships, respectively–to examine their potential to indicate early numeracy challenges. Seventy-four kindergarten students participated, and their performances on the two tests were analyzed using correlational analyses of measures derived from signal detection theory and qualitative comparisons. The results showed a moderate correlation between AQSQ and NST scores, indicating an overlap in measuring subitising. Both tests showed overlap in identifying students with lower scores, suggesting potential for early screening use, with a 64% overlap between the lowest quartiles of the two tests. The AQSQ may be a more practical single-choice option for resource-limited classrooms. Further research is needed to clarify the underlying similarities and differences in the constructs measured by the two tests and how they may contribute to understanding early numeracy development.</p>}},
  author       = {{Holmqvist, Mona and Tutunjian, Damon and Wästerlid, Catarina}},
  issn         = {{1479-4802}},
  keywords     = {{Assessment; preschool class; subitising}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Routledge}},
  series       = {{Research in Mathematics Education}},
  title        = {{Comparing screening tools for subitising abilities in 5–6-year-olds : identifying early numeracy challenges}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14794802.2025.2598756}},
  doi          = {{10.1080/14794802.2025.2598756}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}