Figure CWF6.2 shows the average writing scores for this group and for year six students in Fiji in previous PILNA cycle. The average writing score in 2021 (513.11, (SD = 42.76) was about the same as in 2018 (518.02, SD = 86.05). However, the standard deviation for the average year six reading scores in 2021 (42.76) was much lower than in 2018 (86.05). This shows that the spread of writing scores in 2021 was much narrower than in previous PILNA cycles. So, whilst average performance remained the same in 2021, the distribution of scores is closer to the average.

Standard deviation shows how close data points are to the average. A lower standard deviation means that data points are, overall, closer to the average; a higher standard deviation means that data points are, overall, further away from the average.