Feifer Assessment of Mathematics (FAM™)

Purpose: Examine the underlying neurodevelopmental processes that support proficient math skills

Age: 5–21 years

Time: 35 minutes for PK; 50 minutes for K-Grade 2; 60 minutes for Grade 3+

The Feifer Assessment of Mathematics (FAM™) is a comprehensive assessment of mathematics designed to examine the underlying neurodevelopmental processes that support the acquisition of proficient math skills. It is unique in that it helps you identify specific subtypes of dyscalculia to help inform intervention decision making.

You can choose to administer the full battery, only the subtests associated with an individual index, or only individual subtests.Examinees in prekindergarten take nine subtests, examinees in kindergarten to Grade 2 take 14 subtests, and examinees in Grade 3 to college take 18 subtests.

The FAM tells you why a student struggles in math so you can determine how to intervene.

Key Features

• Comprises 19 individual subtests measuring various aspects of math fact retrieval, numeric and spatial memory, perceptual estimation skills, linguistic math concepts, and core number sense development.
• Identifies students’ math strengths and weaknesses
• Assists practitioners in not only determining the presence of a general math learning disability (MLD) but also in determining the specific subtype of dyscalculia in order to better inform intervention decision making.
• Can be used in conjunction with more traditional achievement tests that measure overall math performance.
• Based on a neuropsychological paradigm, which dictates that multiple neural pathways underscore various cognitive processes used in mathematical problem solving.
• A separate Screening Form, ideal for progress monitoring, permits you to screen for dyscalculia and MLD and to identify the needs of at-risk students. Learn more about the FAM Screening Form.
• Offers grade-based normative data (with age proxies provided); age and grade equivalents and percentiles for subtest scores; and confidence intervals, percentile ranks, z scores, and normal curve equivalents (NCEs) for index scores.
• Scoring is available online via PARiConnect

Test structure

The FAM™ yields three index scores representing each dyscalculia subtype (Verbal Index, Procedural Index, and Semantic Index) as well as a Total Index score that represents total test performance.

• The Verbal Index score is a measure of automatic fact retrieval and the linguistic components of math.
• The Procedural Index score is a measure of a student's ability to count, order, and sequence numbers or mathematical procedures.
• The Semantic Index score is a measure of visual—spatial and conceptual components, including magnitude representation, patterns and relationships, higher-level mathematical problem solving, and number sense.

Reliable change and discrepancy scores can also be calculated.

The FAM and FAM-SF can both be scored online via PARiConnect, with both score and interpretive reports available.

FAM Interpretive Report

The online PARiConnect report provides scores for all 19 subtests and includes detailed interpretations of index, index discrepancy, and subtest scores along with targeted math interventions based on current research tailored to the student's age and FAM scores.

Sample Online PARiConnect FAM Score Report

Sample Online PARiConnect FAM Interpretive Report