iReady Test
The iReady diagnostic test is an adaptive assessment that is administered for K-12 students in the United States. On this page, you will find all the necessary information for your child’s success:
- General information about the iReady
- Breakdown of the iReady Math and Reading sections
- Sample questions for various grade levels - from kindergarten up to 8th grade
- Preparation tips
- iReady scores
Keep reading to start exploring all levels of the the iReady test.
iReady Kindergarten and 1st Grade | iReady 2nd Grade | iReady 3rd Grade | iReady 4th Grade | iReady 7th Grade | iReady 8th Grade
Key Features of iReady Test:
- Administered 3 times per year
- Untimed assessment
- Computer-adaptive
- Covers Math and Reading
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iReady Math Test Breakdown
The iReady diagnostic math test takes approximately 50 minutes for grades K-1 and 90 minutes for grades 2-8 and contains between 60-90 questions. As the test is adaptive, the number of questions varies with each student's performance.
The assessment presents the students with math questions on a number of different topics.There are four domains of mathematics that the test focuses on, and we will take you through them now, showing samples of what questions might look like in each domain.
iReady Math Test Sample Questions
Let's look at some sample questions to give you an idea of what to expect on the iReady test.
Algebra and Algebraic Thinking
A common type of question you will find on the iReady Diagnostic Math test is in the topic of algebra or algebraic thinking. These include basic arithmetic skills such as word problems, equations, number patterns, and more. The concepts and problems are in accordance with the given grade level of the student and his or her performance on the test.
iReady Math: Algebraic Thinking – 2nd Grade
Tommy claims that 70 is in the multiplication table of five. In order to prove this, Tommy counted by fives until he reached 70.
How many numbers did Tommy count?
When facing word problems, keep track of all of the numbers introduced, and write them out on paper. Then determine based on the information given what operations the question is asking you to do with those numbers, and write them out in an equation.
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The iReady question is a foundational exercise that lays the groundwork for more advanced algebraic concepts, which will be further developed and refined in a few grades when students tackle more complex equations and functions. Let's look at a more advanced alegbra question.
iReady Math: Algebra – 7th Grade
If 7p = 175, what does p equal?
When solving equations, think about undoing what's been done. If a number is multiplied, divide to solve for the variable. To find out, we divide: 175 ÷ 7 = 25. We can check our answer: 7 × 25 = 175. It works!
Numbers and Operations
Now, let's move on to the next sub-topic, Numbers and Operations: Another skill you will need for the test is the four basic operations—addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division—as well as the ability to operate with varying types of numbers relevant to the student’s level, such as fractions, decimals, and integers.
iReady Math: Numbers - 4th Grade
What is 2/5 as a decimal?
To change a fraction to a decimal, think about dividing the top number by the bottom number.
iReady Math: Operations - 6th Grade
Daniel and Isla are each writing a novel. Daniel has written 40 pages in the last five days and Isla has written 120 pages in the last 24 days.
What is the difference between their unit rates per day?
When comparing rates, calculate the rate for each person first, then find the difference.
Now that you are familiar with number and operations questions, let's move on to the next sub-topic, measurement and data:
Measurement and Data
The next domain we will look at includes both measurement and analysis of data. Depending on the grade level, this can involve reading rulers, calculating distance, converting units of measurement, calculating probability, familiarity with mean, mode, and median, as well as interpreting charts and graphs.
iReady Math: Measurement - 3rd Grade
Lucy is training for a marathon. A marathon is a race of 42 kilometers. Every day, Lucy practices and goes for a run until she gets tired. The last day of practice, Lucy ran 39 kilometers. The day of the marathon, Lucy finished the entire race.
How much more distance did Lucy run between the marathon and the last day of practice?
When finding a difference, subtract the smaller number from the bigger number.
iReady Math: Data – 8th Grade
Amy wants to know the favorite ice cream flavor among students in her school, so she asked 36 random students from the school. 14 said they prefer vanilla, 9 said they prefer chocolate, 6 said they prefer fruit flavors, and the rest said they prefer other flavors. The school contains a total of 540 students.
Based on the data that Amy collected, what would be a reasonable estimation of the number of students who prefer flavors other than chocolate or vanilla?
In this kind of question, you are given data regarding a sampling group and should use it to draw conclusions about the entire group. Notice that the conclusion you can make out of the sample is merely an approximation and cannot reflect reality correctly.
Check your units: Make sure the units of your answer match the units of the problem. In this case, the answer should be in terms of students.
Geometry
The final math topic we will explore is geometry. This includes understanding and classifying two and three-dimensional shapes, calculating perimeter and area, familiarity with the properties of angles, and how to use all of these principles and others to solve word problems and shape diagrams.
iReady Math: Geometry – K-1st Grade
Which 3-D shape is most similar to the following object?
The correct answer is C.
The 3-D shapes mentioned in the answer choices are these:
Let's think about what makes each shape special:
- A cylinder has two flat circular ends and a curved side
- A cube has six flat square sides
- A sphere is completely round with no flat sides or points
- A cone has a circular flat bottom and a point at the top
Now, look at the ball. It's completely round with no flat sides or points. This matches the description of a sphere!
Therefore, the answer is C. A sphere is most similar to a ball.
Look at the key features of the object - does it have flat sides or curved surfaces? Does it have points or edges?
iReady Math: Geometry – 5th Grade
Which angle is approximately 70 degrees?
Use a right angle (90 degrees) as a reference. Is the angle larger or smaller than 90 degrees? By how much?
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iReady Reading Test Breakdown
The iReady reading test, just like the math test, takes approximately 50 minutes in grades K-1 and 90 minutes in grades 2 – 8. You will be presented with extended passages and asked questions at different intervals pertaining to the text.
The nature of the questions and the passages varies throughout the test, as we will now explore over a series of sample questions.
iReady Reading Test Sample Questions
Phonics/Phonological Awareness/High Frequency Words
The first category of questions we will look at includes three domains catered to the development of early literacy, and only students in K-2 (or those scoring at that level) will encounter such questions on the test. A 2nd or 3rd-grader who demonstrates a 3rd-grade reading level will cut short or bypass these questions entirely.
The first domain is called Phonics, which asks about the sounds of the English language and how they are represented with letters. Closely related to that is Phonological Awareness, which includes identifying syllables and the pronunciation of words. Finally, there are High-Frequency Words, which focus on the student’s familiarity with the most commonly appearing words in written English.
iReady Reading: High Frequency Words – Kindergarten
Complete the sentence:
Don’t forget to close _____ door.
Read the sentence out loud with each option. Which one sounds right to your ear?
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iReady Reading: Phonological Awareness – 1st Grade
Identifying syllables in words
iReady Reading: Phonological Awareness – 1st Grade
Click on all the words that contain three syllables.
Read the sentence out loud for each option. Which one sounds right to your ear?
Manipulating sounds in words
iReady Reading: Phonics – 2nd Grade
Our language often has different spellings for the same sounds. So focus on the sounds you hear, not just how the word is spelled. This method can help you "hear" the new word you're creating, making it easier to choose the correct answer.
- Change the ending sound of "cat" to /p/. (Answer: cap)
- Replace the beginning sound of "dog" with /l/. (Answer: log)
- Switch the middle sound in "pin" to /a/. (Answer: pan)
- Change the ending sound of "run" to /g/. (Answer: rug)
- Replace the beginning sound of "lake" with /c/. (Answer: cake)
- Switch the middle sound in "bed" to /u/. (Answer: bud)
- Change the ending sound of "wish" to /t/. (Answer: wit)
- Replace the beginning sound of "mouse" with /h/. (Answer: house)
Vocabulary
Another category of questions you will face on the iReady at all levels aims to test your knowledge of vocabulary, understanding the meanings of words and their proper application.
They are defined as follows:
- High-frequency words: These are words that appear most frequently in text, regardless of the reader's ability. They are determined by analyzing large text corpora.
- Vocabulary: This generally refers to a broader set of words that students need to understand. They are selected based on various factors including grade level appropriateness, subject relevance, and academic importance.
iReady Reading: Vocabulary – 3rd Grade
Which sentence uses the word “head” to mean the leader?
Think about how the word is being used in each sentence. Does it mean a thing, a person, or an action? Remember:
- Words that can be used as both a noun and a verb, such as "light" (e.g., "I turned on the light" vs. "The light is shining brightly")
- Words that have multiple meanings, such as "bank" (e.g., "I went to the bank to deposit my paycheck" vs. "The bank of the river was lined with trees")
Ready to sharpen your reading skills? Let's dive into the next question: "Using context clues to understand word meanings."
iReady Reading: Vocabulary – 4th Grade
Read the following sentence:
The cocoa nibs are what give chocolate its distinct taste and aroma, as well as its dark-brown color.
Which of the following is the definition of the word “distinct?”
Look at the words around the tricky word. They often give you clues about what it means!
Now that we've honed our context clue skills, let's get precise with our reading comprehension - Next up: "How to identify and apply supporting evidence from the text to answer questions"
Comprehension of Literature
We now move on to the reading comprehension portion of the test, beginning with literary texts. Here you will be given stories, poetry, or any kind of work of literature, and you must answer a series of questions designed to determine how well you understood and were able to analyze different elements of the text, considering, plot, characters, language, and other devices.
iReady Reading: Comprehension – Literature – 5th & 6th Grade. Read the passage.
Saroo Brierley, an Australian businessman, was born in 1981 in the city of Khandwa, India. He had two brothers and a sister. His family was very poor, and his older brother, Guddu, had to work to support the family.
One evening, when Saroo was five years old, Guddu and Saroo took a train to another city where Guddu had a job. By the time they got there, Saroo was exhausted, and Guddu told him to wait until he came back. When Guddu did not come back, Saroo thought he might be on one of the trains and boarded an empty carriage. He fell asleep waiting for his brother, and when he woke up, the train was traveling across an unfamiliar country. When the train finally stopped and someone opened the door, Saroo escaped, not knowing he was about 930 miles away from home.
Why did Saroo and Guddu leave their home?
It may be beneficial to read the question—and even the answer options of an individual question—before reading the passage so that you know what to look for.
We've mastered finding details in the text! Now, let's explore the author's craft - Next up: "How authors use literary devices to create mood, tone, and atmosphere"
Passage continued:
Saroo was found by a teenager who took him to the police station. The police took him to a government center for lost children, but it was impossible to locate his family and hometown as Saroo, being very young, could not give the staff enough information. Fortunately for Saroo, he was adopted by a loving Australian couple, Sue and John Brierley, who raised him as their own. Saroo moved to Australia, leaving behind his Indian heritage and memories of his birth family. Meanwhile, Saroo's real mother stayed in the same city for twenty-five years, waiting for him to return.
What is the role of the following sentence in the paragraph, considering the literary devices or techniques used by the author?
“Saroo moved to Australia, leaving behind his Indian heritage and memories of his birth family.”
When answering questions about literary devices or techniques used by the author, follow these steps:
- Identify the literary device or technique used in the sentence.
- Determine the author's intention behind using it.
- Choose the answer that aligns with the author's intention and the literary device used.
- Look for clues in the sentence that support the correct answer.
- Focus on the evidence, not assumptions.
Comprehension of Informational Text
Like the previous category, here you will be given long passages to read, and you will face questions designed to assess your understanding and analysis of the passages along the way. However, this time the passages will be informational, not literary. You will be asked to follow the structure, purpose, and argument of the texts, among other elements.
iReady Reading: Comprehension – Informational Text – 7th & 8th Grade
Read the passage:
One of the most popular foods across many different cultures and continents is the Japanese delicacy of sushi. Like most people, you are likely familiar with this strangely appealing food, and you may also count yourself among the millions who consider it one of their favorite things to eat. But have you ever wondered why on earth anyone ever decided that it would be a good idea to put raw fish in vinegared rice, wrap it in seaweed, and eat it with a side of pickled ginger? The outspoken minority group of sushi haters that you have doubtlessly encountered tend to point out this oddity as if it should somehow mean that sushi does not have a right to taste good. In truth, no one ever decided to test this recipe out off the top of their head because that would be ridiculous; this delicious abnormality evolved slowly over thousands of years.
How does the narrator’s specific choice and usage of the word “right” in the second to last sentence of the first paragraph affect the meaning of the sentence?
Pay attention to unusual word choices. Authors often use surprising words to make a point or change how you think about something.
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What Is the iReady Diagnostic Test?
The iReady diagnostic test is a computer-adaptive, untimed assessment for grades K-12, and it is administered by Curriculum Associates. The test is used to help teachers monitor their student’s academic standing and progress throughout the school year.
The iReady is usually administered three times during the school year - at the beginning, middle, and end of the year. The test is divided into two subtests: Math and Reading. Most schools divide the tests into a few sessions that span a couple of days. However, students may take up to 21 days in theory to complete the assessments on their own time.
How do You Prepare Your Child for the iReady Diagnostic Test?
We know taking the iReady assessment can be a stressful experience for your child, so here are a few helpful tips that could help your child approach the test with confidence and ease:
- Make sure your child is up to date on all the material that is studied during the school year and make sure they comprehend the basic principles of each subject that are learned. Try to ask them questions about the material and understand which topics they need to catch up on, so they can fill the gaps before taking the iReady.
- Build foundational skills such as those taught in kindergarten and first grade.
- Stress to your child the importance of reading each question during the test carefully and making sure they understand the question before they answer it.
- Tell your child not to rush during the test and take as much time as they need. The test is untimed, and it will not affect their score, no matter how much time they linger on a question.
- Provide your child with iReady assessment simulations so they can understand all the various question types, and get a sense of real-life testing situations.
Is the iReady Diagnostic Test Hard?
The iReady assessment is considered a difficult test. Most students are expected to get 50% of the questions wrong. The goal isn't to get everything right, but to show what you know and what you're ready to learn next.
iReady Scores: What Do They Mean?
Purpose of Scores
- iReady scores help identify a student's strengths and areas for improvement.
- They allow teachers to tailor instruction to individual student needs.
- Scores can be used to track student growth throughout the year.
- They provide insights into a student's proficiency in key academic areas relative to grade-level expectations and national norms.
It's important to note that iReady Math scores are just one measure of a student's abilities and should be considered alongside other assessments and classroom performance. Same goes with the iReady Reading scores People ask "what is a good score on the iReady test?" Overall, a good score is one that shows the student is performing at or above their expected grade level, but the specific numbers vary based on grade and subject area.
FAQs
iReady is used for students in kindergarten through 12th grade.
iReady Connect is the online platform where educators can access student data, reports, and instructional resources.
While the test is untimed, it typically takes about 45-60 minutes for each subject.