Choosing a test type and level
YARC Early Reading
This test is designed to be used with pupils aged 4 to 7 years. However, it is also suitable for children aged older than 7, particularly those who struggle with reading comprehension.
YARC Passage Reading
The Primary test is designed to be used with pupils aged 5 to 11 years and the Secondary test is designed to be used with pupils aged 11 to 16 years.
Primary starting passage levels
|
School year group |
Starting passage level |
|
|
England and Wales |
Scotland and Northern Ireland |
|
|
Reception* |
P1* |
Beginner level |
|
Year 1 |
P2 |
Level 1 |
|
Year 2 |
P3 |
Level 2 |
|
Year 3 |
P4 |
Level 3 |
|
Year 4 |
P5 |
Level 4 |
|
Year 5 |
P6 |
Level 5 |
|
Year 6 |
P7 |
Level 6 |
* Reception and P1 children who are making good progress with learning to read. Reception and P1 children who are developing reading skills more slowly and reading at the single word or phonic level should be given the YARC Early Reading test.
An efficient way to select a starting passage with the appropriate level of difficulty is to first administer the Single Word Reading Test, found on the final page of the Passage reading book. The raw score on the SWRT can then be used to determine the starting passage:
|
SWRT total raw score |
Passage level |
|
Below 19 |
Beginner Level |
|
19-24 |
Level 1 |
|
25-30 |
Level 2 |
|
31-37 |
Level 3 |
|
38-41 |
Level 4 |
|
42-48 |
Level 5 |
|
Above 48 |
Level 6 |
Secondary starting passage levels
|
School year group |
Starting passage level |
||
|
England and Wales |
Scotland |
Northern Ireland |
|
|
Year 7 |
S1 |
Y8 |
Level 1 |
|
Year 8 |
S2 |
Y9 |
Level 1 |
|
Year 9 |
S3 |
Y10 |
Level 1 |
|
Year 10 |
S4 |
Y11 |
Level 2 |
|
Year 11 |
S5 |
Y12 |
Level 2 |
|
SWRT total raw score |
Passage level |
|
0-42 |
Supplementary |
|
43-51 |
Level 1 |
|
52-70 |
Level 2 |