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Primary & Standard DRP Tests

Primary and Standard DRP Tests

Primary and Standard DRP tests are single-objective tests measuring the reading comprehension process—the ability to construct meaning from text.

These tests consist of carefully constructed nonfiction paragraphs and/or passages on a variety of topics. Words have been intentionally omitted from these paragraphs and passages. Students are asked to fill the conceptual gap by selecting the correct word from a set of multiple-choice options.

Features of Primary and Standard DRP Tests:

  • All forms and levels of Primary and Standard DRP tests, from grade 1 to grade 12, measure the same construct of reading. The new A and B series of test forms are fully compatible with all prior forms.
  • The criterion-referenced score scale describes what students are able to read.
  • DRP tests are not timed, which means slow readers are not penalized. Most readers are able to finish a DRP test in a single class period.
  • Student performance can also be reported in terms of national percentiles, stanines and Normal Curve Equivalents (NCEs).
  • DRP tests enjoy broad applicability. Over 4 million are administered annually.
  • Primary and Standard DRP test results can be used to select instructional materials (see Readability of Textbooks online and DRP-BookLink software), inform parents about their child’s reading performance, set performance standards, measure student progress, and conduct evaluations of specific programs such as Title I.

Selecting test forms and levels often involves some degree of compromise. For continuity of measurement and to provide the most reliable assessment for the greatest number of students, the test forms centered on the ability of the students in each grade. At each testing level, parallel test forms A and B (i.e., of equal difficulty) as well as the prior J and K forms, are available for pre- and post-testing. The easiest DRP test forms, J-0 and K-0, should be used only after students have "mastered" decoding skills.

Guidelines for Selecting Primary and Standard DRP Test Forms
Grade
Fall Testing
Spring Testing
Old
New
Old
New
1

Signposts
Pre-DRP
J-P3 or
K-P3
28 items

Signposts
Pre-DRP
J-P3 or
K-P3
28 items

Signposts
Pre-DRP
J-P4 or
K-P4
28 items
or
Primary DRP
J0 or K0
28 items

Signposts
Pre-DRP
J-P4 or
K-P4
28 items
or
Primary DRP
J0 or K0
28 items
2
J-0 or K-0
28 items
2A or 2B
42 items
J-9 or K-9
42 items
2A or 2B
42 items
3
J-9 or K-9
42 items
3A or 3B
56 items
J-8 or K-8
56 items
3A or 3B
56 items
4
J-8 or K-8
56 items
4A or 4B
63 items
J-7 or K-7
70 items
4A or 4B
63 items
5
J-7 or K-7
70 items
5A or 5B
63 items
J-6 or K-6
70 items
5A or 5B
63 items
6
J-6 or K-6
70 items
6A or 6B
63 items
J-6 or K-6
70 items
6A or 6B
63 items
7
J-6 or K-6
70 items
6A or 6B
63 items
J-4 or K-4
70 items
6A or 6B
63 items
8
J-4 or K-4
70 items
8A or 8B
63 items
J-4 or K-4
70 items
8A or 8B
63 items
9
J-4 or K-4
70 items
8A or 8B
63 items
J-2 or K-2
70 items
8A or 8B
63 items
10-12+
J-2 or K-2
70 items
10A or 10B
63 items
J-2 or K-2
70 items
10A or 10B
63 items

 

Standard DRP tests are often administered to students by colleges or universities for one or more of the following reasons:

  1. To place students into adult basic education (ABE) or GED programs of study
  2. To place entering students in remedial or developmental reading courses
  3. To exempt entering students or place them into honors English
  4. To document student growth

For these purposes, Standard DRP Test Forms 10A, 10B, J-2 or K-2 usually will be appropriate.

 

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