How Should the Spelling Placement Test Be Presented? Any tips or reminders?

To ensure accurate assessment results, follow these guidelines when administering the Spelling Placement Tests:

Follow the instructions provided on the test pages in the Screening & Tracking Manuals.

For example, “Spell the word… [read the test word in a sentence]. Spell the word…”

No additional assistance is provided. Do not sound out words or offer prompts.

Administer the test to a full class, where possible.

Schedule the test strategically.

To obtain the best sample of students’ spelling abilities, the tests should ideally be presented when students are fresh, and in shorter sessions, particularly for those students in Years 5 & 6 that test from Stages 1 - 6. Break up the test in chunks, such as:

→ Directly after roll call

→ 15 minutes before recess

→ 15 minutes after recess

→ 15 minutes after lunch

Consider testing students with low literacy levels separately.

By withdrawing a small group of students, it allows the students to access some extra time to complete the test at their own pace in a quiet space.

Avoid over-testing and under-testing. Refer to the yellow box on each Spelling Placement Test page for guidance on how far to assess students at each year level and stage.



Under-testing can leave gaps in data. If a student is strong in a stage, they may not need a full term of revision - keep them progressing through the Teaching Sequence.

Over-testing can be time-consuming and may cause unnecessary anxiety, particularly for students with low literacy skills in Middle to Upper Primary.

Striking the right balance ensures accurate assessment and effective instruction.

Updated on: 17/03/2025