Quick Reading Assessment

This modified San Diego State Quick Reading test is designed to assess your student’s word recognition ability. It may also help you determine your student's approximate reading level.

Directions :

Have your student sit at the computer while you look over their shoulder. They can then click on the links below to begin the reading assessment.
Start the student on the Readers 1 Word List screen.
Tell your student, "There are ten big red words on the computer screen. I would like you to try and read every word out loud. That way I can tell which words you already know. After the test, I will help you with the parts you didn't know."
Let your student read the words to you. Write down each mispronounced word for later study.
Move on to the next higher word list by clicking the "Next -->" link at the bottom of the word list.
You can count the dots at the top of the screen to see what level they are on.
- . (dash dot) for kindergarten level
. (dot) for Readers 1 level
. . (dot dot) for Readers 2 level
. . - (dot dot dash) for Readers 2 intermediate level
. . - - (dot dot dash dash) for Readers 2 advanced level
. . . (dot dot dot) for Readers 3 level, etc.
Below the word list on each test page there are also three links to reading sample pages. Once you think you have found the proper instruction level for your student, you can also ask your student to try to read an actual page from a typical Sonlight reader in that level. There is one sample from each trimester for each reading level. Printing these pages out on your printer and having your student read them from paper may be more natural than reading them on the screen.

How to Determine Reading Level:

The list on which students miss no more than one or two of the ten words is the level at which they can read independently. Move on to the next higher test list.
Three missed words indicates the level at which they need to begin instruction. Ask your student to read the sample reading pages from each trimester to be certain. The next section will show you how to use this information to pick your Sonlight Curriculum.
Four or more missed words identifies the reading level which will be too difficult and frustrating for them. Try the next lower test list.

Click Here To Start The Test

How to use your student's reading level to choose the correct Sonlight Core or Newcomer™ Program :

Reading level alone does not determine the Sonlight level your student should begin with. Here are two other important factors:

Age - Though your young child may read at a much higher level, sometimes the books in that Sonlight level contain material that is too mature for them. Use their reading level as the maximum level they could be in but look at the Sonlight Core or Newcomer™ information in your Sonlight Catalog or on our website to make sure your student is also in the age range usually used by that program.
Note: Once your student has a reading level above level 7 there is no need to consider their reading level as a factor to choose their Sonlight Curriculum program, they can go strictly by age.
Language Arts Abilities - Sonlight Language Arts programs are tied to the Readers in our Core programs. For example, if you choose Core 3 then the Language Arts 3 program would be your recommended choice because its assignments reference the level 3 Readers. Therefore, please consider whether or not your student has the language arts skills for a particular reading level. You can view the topics addressed at teach Language Arts level by looking at the Topics and Skills list on our Language Arts IG samples, which can be found here. These skills include (but are not limited to): mechanics (capitalization, punctuation), grammar (subject verb agreement, etc.), writing ability and fine motor skills. Fine motor skills especially is a big consideration for very young advanced readers—like the 5 year old who reads at a 3rd grade level.

Usually used by...

At the top of each of our product pages there are two indicators to help you determine if that product is appropriate for your student. They look like the examples below. One is for the ages this product is usually used by and the other is the reading levels that the product is usually used by. Just keep in mind the two rules listed above.

Ages:: 3; 4; 5; 6; 7; 8; 9; 10; 11; 12; 13; 14; 15; 16; 17; 18

Grades:: P3/4; P4/5; K; 1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7; 8; 9; 10; 11; 12

EXAMPLE: If a product is displaying the age and reading level indicators shown above then it is usually used by a student between the ages of 7-9 who has a reading level of grade 2, 3 or 4. Even if a six-year-old has a reading level of 3, this product would not be appropriate for them because of their age. Furthermore if an 8-year-old has a reading level of 4 but their language arts skills are actually at a much lower level it would be better to select a lower reading level to begin with.

There are many key product samples located on certain product pages to let you see exactly what is involved.

For more advice you can also visit Sonia, our online internet advisor or you can get in touch with one of our live Sonlight Curriculum Advisors. Get better advice while browsing Sonlight by filling in your student profiles on our site.

Graded Reading Level Word List Pages :

You can jump right to a specific reading level word list by clicking on the links with the dashes and dots below.

Hint :

You can also do this offline using 3x5 cards. Put each word list on a separate card. On the back of the card put:

- . (dash dot) for kindergarten level
. (dot) for Readers 1 level
. . (dot dot) for Readers 2 level
. . - (dot dot dash) for Readers 2 intermediate level
. . - - (dot dot dash dash) for Readers 2 advanced level
. . . (dot dot dot) for Readers 3 level, etc.

This way, if you drop the cards you can sort them out again, but an older student cannot readily tell what grade level s/he is reading at.