Benchmark Tests

Benchmark tests are usually given once per term to track students’ developing reading skills. Several benchmark test forms are available within MAP Reading to best meet the needs of individual students, classrooms, schools, and districts.

Within the Benchmark test assignment, there are three Benchmark Test Subtypes, depending on which specific skills you plan to assess. The primary test form adapts between passages and foundational skills to find the place of growth. This is what students are assigned by default as “Recommended” in grades 1-3. Alternative test forms limit the range of adaptivity to only foundational skills or oral reading passages. In Kindergarten, the Recommended test includes only foundational skills, while grades four and anove default to passage reading. The Recommended test form can be overridden by choosing either of the specific pathways: “Foundational Skills” or “Passages Only”

The Recommended form for each grade, Pre-K-5, optimizes outcome metrics and test length. Universal screening outcomes (English, K-5) and dyslexia screening outcomes (English, K-3) are reported from the Recommended benchmark and do not require a specific set-up.

Benchmark Test Quick Facts

 

Recommended grade levels	Pre-K through 5
Test Content	Oral reading fluency, comprehension, and/or, foundational reading skills, depending on Benchmark Test Subtypes assigned
Administration types	Onsite and remote
Frequency	Three times per year
Test time	About 30 minutes to assess an entire class simultaneously
Accessibility	Audio instruction, color contrast adjustment, and magnification
Technology required	Devices and headsets for each student
Languages	English and Spanish*

Benchmark Test Subtypes

Within the Benchmark test are four test subtypes that allow you to be as general or specific as you’d like about which of your students’ skills to assess.

1. Adaptive Oral Reading: This most adaptive option assesses students on Foundational Skills or oral reading fluency, depending on performance during the test and grade. This option is not show in the interface. Rather, it is delivered as the Recommended option for students in grades 1-3.

2. Passages Only: Assesses students on oral reading fluency and comprehension

3. Foundational Skills: Assesses students on Phonological Awareness, Phonics, Word Reading, and Language Comprehension

4. Foundational Skills - Beginner: Adds print concepts and a more limited range of Foundational Skills in the same domains. This option is not show in the interface. Rather, it is delivered as the Recommended option for students in Pre-K and fall of Kindergarten.

Test Segments and Skills Assessed in Each Test Type

To learn more about each of these test segments, please refer to the MAP Reading Fluency Technical report and the Spanish MAP Reading Fluency Technical Report.

Assigning Benchmark Tests

Learn how to assign Benchmark tests, refer to Assigning Benchmark Tests.

What students see on the Benchmark test

This video shows what the testing experience is like for your students. A complete description of each measure can be found in the Technical Report.