Administering the WRT

The WRT includes graded word lists for assessing students’ quick and correct word recognition (not perfect pronunciation) and determining Mastery Grade Equivalents (or GE). Generally, Mastery GE 1-3 indicates need for phonics instruction and Mastery GE 4-8 indicates readiness for multisyllable decoding skills. Note: Not all four lists need to be presented.

Following is the set of instructions for how to Administer the WRT test with a learner. The instructions are also available in a PDF below.

Modified Administration Guidelines for the Word Reading Test (WRT)

Look at the student’s TABE or CASAS Reading grade level equivalent (GE or GLE). The starting point word list should be at least one level lower.
Tell the student: "For this test, you will read aloud words while I listen and write on another form. I will stop when the words get too hard. This will tell me (or your teacher) what you need to learn about sounding out words. Reading words correctly will help you better understand sentence and paragraph meaning.”
In-person: Present the Student Copy of the starting point word list. Tell the student to read down the list slower than usual. If necessary, use a note card or paper strip for pacing. List words can also be written on notecards.
Remotely: Present the Google slides for the starting point word list–either 1 word per slide or 5 words per slide. Tell them you will move to the next word or set of words when they are ready.
Follow along on the printable Teacher Copy. Write 1 for correct word readings and 0 for incorrect word readings (suggested). As much as possible, write down actual miscues or mispronunciations to help identify patterns of errors for multi-syllable decoding instruction (syllables, prefixes, suffixes).

word test.PNG

Not incorrect: mispronunciations or misreads affected by dialect, accent, or language differences (see below), quick self-corrections, and short hesitations

ELL Common Errors.PNG

Determining the Mastery GE:

If the student reads 9-10 of the words correctly, go up to the next word list(s)
If the student reads 7-8 of the words correctly, stop; the lower GE is Mastery
If the student reads 6 or less correctly, go down to the next word list(s)

Modified Administration Guidelines for the Word Reading Test (WRT) Guidelines for the Word Reading Test.pdf

Click "Next" to determine if the issue is with alphabetics or vocabulary.