📚 What is a Diagnostic Reading Assessment?

A diagnostic reading assessment measures students’ competency in each of the five components of reading: vocabulary, phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, and comprehension. These are given periodically throughout the school year and help teachers plan instruction accordingly.

This resource focuses on the phonological awareness component of reading. The skills that are included in this diagnostic tool include:

• rhyme recognition
• rhyme production
• word awareness
• syllable awareness
• initial sound identification and production
• final sound identification
• sound segmentation
• sound blending
• medial sound identification.

There is also a basic letter/sound knowledge and awareness checklist – whilst not a phonological awareness skill – it’s also crucial to gain an understanding of where your students are with this knowledge.

Please note: This has been created to be used as a guide for teachers. It is advised to check what programs or other testing your school wishes for you to complete with your students.

Easily Download & Print

• Select your preferred font (and colour or black and white) in the school font drop down and then click download to instantly get the PDF version of this diagnostic tool.
• For other options such as the whole class tracker and the editable Microsoft Word versions – simply select the arrow beside the download button. Alternatively, use the options below.