Have a child in school who you’re concerned may be behind in reading? Homeschooling and want to make sure your child is reading at the same grade level as their peers? Let’s review 6 of the best online reading level tests so you can find your child’s reading level today!
MacMillan Online Reading Level Test
First on our list is a free online reading level test from Macmillan. Finding your child’s reading level is as simple as going to the web address and clicking the start button.
Your child will answer a series of questions progressing through 7 levels, from starter to upper intermediate. Each level has seven questions, and the feedback is in real time. Your child should be able to complete this reading level assessment on their own in one sitting. There’s no preparation required to use it.
The reading test is simple to follow and I love that you don’t need to enter your email address or any information at all to take it. Have your child use this reading assessment periodically to see if their reading level has improved over time.
The only drawback is that they don’t explain how their reading levels line up with actual grade levels. So that’s something you’ll have to determine on your own. Still, it’s a good and simple way to get an idea of how your child is doing with reading.
IXL Online Reading Assessment
Next is a popular online learning program called IXL. And while they do have a great learning program, you can use IXL just for the assessment aspect.
They have a really neat real time diagnostics tool that will determine your child’s level in various language arts skills. Just have your child step into the arena and start answering questions. The more questions they answer, the more accurate the results.
While this tool won’t tell you an exact grade level either, it’s a little easier to understand than some of the other online reading level tests on our list. The scores are given in hundreds, and you can think of it like this. 100 represents 1st grade, 200 is 2nd grade and so on. So a score of 250 would represent a reading level halfway between 2nd and 3rd grade.
Unfortunately, IXL is not free, and they don’t normally have a free trial. But I have a link for here for a 7 day free trial of the IXL program. If you use that link and sign up, you’ll have plenty of time to determine your child’s reading level before your free trial ends.
Oxford Online English
Oxford Online English is another way to find your child’s reading level that’s simple and free to use. Just go to their website and have your child read the text and answer the 20 questions that follow. At the end of the test, they’ll be given a reading level, such as intermediate, which is similar to the Macmillan reading level assessment. So you’ll have to figure out what it means for your child.
This website has some additional reading assessments including listening, vocabulary, grammar, and additional reading level tests.
Don’t let reading challenges hold your child back! Try our #1 Reading App Today! FREE for 30 Days!This online reading level test was very simple to use, although for students in the United States, the slightly different spelling of some words might be confusing. It’s also quite a lot to read, so it might not be the best option to assess reading level for younger kids.
Schonell Spelling Age Test
Unlike the other programs on this list, the Schonell Spelling Age Test is a free online assessment to determine your child’s spelling ability. Just go to this website and you can use this test without having to give out any information. This test claims to provide an accurate measure of your child’s spelling ability according to the sequence most spelling programs would follow.
This test is recommended for children from age 5 to 15. Just print out the instructions, word lists and student test sheet and you’re ready to go. They even have an Excel spreadsheet to help you with scoring. And unlike most of the other programs on this list, you’ll actually be given a spelling age result, so you can understand if your child’s spelling ability is where it should be.
Pioneer Valley Books Reading Level Test
Next on our list of ways to find your child’s reading level, is a free online reading level test from Pioneer Valley Books. Unfortunately, to get access to this reading level assessment, you’re going to need to give them your email address. But once you do, you’ll be able to start this reading level test immediately.
This online reading assessment is a little different as it requires a parent to assist their child in completing it. This one may be best for younger readers, as it starts with just single words to read as opposed to sentences or paragraphs.
This assessment might take some time, as some of the texts to read are several paragraphs long, and get progressively more difficult. Once your child begins to struggle, the assessment will end and you’ll be told your child’s reading level. Unfortunately, these levels are in letters and not grade levels, so you’ll have to figure out how the level compares to your child’s grade level.
San Diego Quick Assessment
The last online reading level test on our list isn’t really an online assessment, but I’m including it because you can access the PDF just by going to the link in your browser, no email address or any other info required. Print it off and follow the instructions and you can get an assessment of your child’s reading level that isn’t complicated or time consuming.
You’ll like this reading level test because it’s simple to administer and gives an actual grade level, unlike most of the other online reading level assessments I tried. The only issue I have with it is that there aren’t that many words to identify for each level, so I’m not sure how accurate it is. But it’s definitely a good place to start.
Hopefully this list of online reading level tests will help you figure out your child’s reading level. Have you tried any of these assessments for your child? I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments!
