Introduction to Match a Profile

This is the interactive section of the website in which you can match your learner's reading profile to one of eleven research-based profiles we developed from the ARCS.^RR

A Video of Diagnostic Testing of Four Reading Sub-Skills illustrating that: Diagnostic testing can inform the learner as well as the teacher. Diagnostic testing can be a very positive and supportive experience for the adult learner. Choose your format:       Real Player for 56/100k connection       Real Audio       Windows Media Player for 56/100k connection       Windows Audio

• Word Recognition--as a Grade Equivalent (GE)
• Spelling--as a GE
• Word Meaning--as a GE
• Silent Reading Comprehension--as a GE
• Oral Reading Rate--as Words per Minute (wpm)

We chose these components because they are major determinants of reading ability and because tests for them are usually available. Here are some tips on how to get these scores for your learners if you don't already have them:

• Word Recognition: You can download a word recognition test from the Resources section on this site. Click here to learn more about this free Word Recognition Test, a subtest of the Quick Adult Reading Inventory (QARI).
  If your program uses other tests for placement such as the Slosson Oral Reading Test (SORT), or the Wide Range Achievement Test (WRAT), you can use their word recognition grade levels. Or, click here to see three references to the San Diego Quick Assessment List, which you can also use.
  
  
• Spelling: If your program uses the TABE, you can give its Spelling assessment. You can also use the spelling subtest of either the WRAT or the Woodcock-Johnson battery. If none of these is an option, you can check with your local K-12 schools for lists from their spelling programs. If you cannot find graded spelling lists, you can test your learner on a few words from the word recognition list you used. There are very few learners who spell at or above their word recognition level so start with words at their word recognition GE, or one or two GE levels below. Proceed up or down the word recognition list until they can correctly spell at least three words on a list. The GE you decide to enter will be an approximation of the learner's spelling mastery.
  
  
• Word Meaning: We have developed a word meaning test and put it on this website for you to download and use. Click here to learn more about this free Word Meaning Test.
  
  
• Silent Reading Comprehension: Your program should already have a silent reading comprehension test score for each learner.
  
  
• Oral Reading Rate: Click here to see how to calculate your learner's Oral Reading Rate.

Which Tests Did We Use to Create the Research-based Profiles?

Above, we have given you some tips on how to get test scores for your learners, but you can use any tests that give you the required scores in GEs. Keep in mind, however, that the more your tests are like the tests we used, the better the match will be. Here are brief descriptions of the DAR subtests, so you can see if the tests you use are similar.

• The DAR Silent Reading Comprehension subtest is a multiple choice test with a generous time limit.
  
  
• The DAR Word Meaning subtest is an oral vocabulary test. Examiners read a word aloud and the learner tells what that word means. The learner is not required to read in order to give meanings.
  
  
• The DAR Word Recognition subtest requires learners to read aloud from graded lists of ten words each.
  
  
• For the DAR Spelling subtest, learners write a word dictated by the examiner.
  
  
• To determine Oral Reading Rate, learners are timed as they re-read aloud a passage at their independent reading grade level.

Make a Match!

If you have the five required scores for your learner, click here to make a match!