Child Development Institute Reading Ability Screening Test

This is a simple, quick yet effective tool to determine the current reading ability level of a child. This is a "screening" tool and yields approximate data. If you wish, the results can be confirmed by further testing through your child's school.

To administer the test to your child please follow these simple steps.

1. Book Mark this page as Reading Test so you can return to interpret the results after administering the test.
2. [Click Here] to view and print a copy of the Word Recognition and Reading Comprehension test materials. (pdf)
3. [Click Here] to view and print out a copy of the scoring sheet. (pdf)
4. Administer the test following these directions.
   • Word Recognition: Have the child read one word at a time going from left to right. Mark a "+" by correctly read words & a "-" by incorrectly read words.
   • Reading Comprehension: Ask the child to read the comprehension passage aloud. Then ask them the comprehension questions without looking at the passage. Mark a "+" for correct answers and a "-" for incorrect.

1. Score the results by counting the number of correct "+" answers. This determines the raw score. Then use the tables bellow to determine the grade score. Circle the results for each test on the corresponding table.

1. Interpret the results to determine how well your child is reading as compared to other children his or her own age.
   • Determine your child's predicted grade level based on their age by using the table below:

• Place the results in the form below to understand what your child's scores may indicate about his or her reading ability.

1. If Comparison Score 1 is negative (-1 etc), your child's word recognition ability is below grade level. A child with average intellectual ability (most children) should be reading at least at grade level. (See suggestions for help below.)
2. If Comparison Score 2 is negative (-1 etc), your child's reading comprehension ability is below grade level. A child with average intellectual ability (most children) should be reading at least at grade level. (See suggestions for help below.)
3. If Comparison Score 3 is negative (-1 etc), your child's reading comprehension ability is higher than his or her word recognition ability. This means that your child has problems decoding words but is able to use context clues to compensate. This results in slower reading speed and fatigue. Also, the comprehension score probably would be higher with improved reading recognition ability. (See suggestions for help below.)
4. If Comparison Score 3 is a positive (1, 2.5 etc), your child's reading comprehension ability is lower than his reading recognition ability. This means that even though he may be able to correctly decode reading material, he has difficulty understanding what it means. (See suggestions for help below.)

Suggestions For Improving Reading For Kids and Teens

• For a wide range of topics related to improving various reading skills, please go to Improving Reading For Children and Teens.
• If your child has difficulty with letter or word reversals or seems to have multiple reading difficulties please go to About Dyslexia.

next: Helping Your Child With Arithmetic And Math