Grade 1 Diagnostic Reading – Beginning of the Year

Grade 1 Diagnostic Reading Test (Beginning of Year)

Simple, child-friendly, easy to administer
2 parallel tests (Test A & Test B)
Total: 40 marks (Tasks 1–7)

Layout & mark structure

• Task 1: Phonological Awareness (rhyme, syllables, initial sounds) — /10
• Task 2: Letter–Sound Recognition — /10
• Task 3: Early Blending (CVC words) — /5
• Task 4: Book Handling & Print Awareness — /3
• Task 5: Listening Comprehension (short story) — /6 (6 questions using Bloom’s)
• Task 6: Oral Language & Vocabulary (picture) — /4
• Task 7: Writing Own Name — /2Total = /40

What it measures (quick view)

• Phonological awareness: identify rhyme, clap syllables, hear initial sounds.
• Letter–sound mapping: instant recognition of core letter sounds.
• Early decoding: sound out and blend CVC words.
• Book handling & print awareness: front/back, where to start reading, spaces between words.
• Listening comprehension (Bloom’s): Remember, Understand, Apply, Analyze (plus simple Create where suitable).
• Oral language & vocabulary: name picture items/actions; build simple sentences.
• Writing skills: own name — letter formation, capital first letter + lowercase.

Practical notes

• Child-friendly: short tasks, clear instructions, picture support.
• Flexible: two parallel versions (A & B) for re-assessment or group comparison.
• Diagnostic focus: pinpoints next teaching step—phonological awareness, letter–sound links, or comprehension/vocabulary.