Login To View Tests
Join Our Newsletter
Enter your email address below to receive updates about his site:
Articles
Vocabulary
Each multiple-choice question on the Vocabulary test presents a word in the context of a short phrase or sentence, and students select the answer that most nearly means the same as that word. Approximately equal numbers of nouns, verbs, and modifiers are tested. The target words represent general vocabulary content rather than the specialized vocabulary used in various subject-matter areas
Reading Comprehension
Each multiple-choice question on the Vocabulary test presents a word in the context of a short phrase or sentence, and students select the answer that most nearly means the same as that word. Approximately equal numbers of nouns, verbs, and modifiers are tested. The target words represent general vocabulary content rather than the specialized vocabulary used in various subject-matter areas.
Spelling
Each Spelling question presents four words, one of which may be misspelled, and a fifth option, No mistakes, for use when all four words are spelled correctly. This format permits the testing of four spelling words for each test question. Errors in the tested words are based on common substitutions, reversals, omissions, or unnecessary additions.
Capitalization
The questions in the Capitalization test require students to identify errors -- undercapitalization or overcapitalization -- presented in brief written contexts. Students identify the line of text containing an error, or they may mark the fourth response, No mistakes, if no error is present. Capitalization of names and titles, dates and holidays, places, organizations and groups, and other words is tested. The particular skills tested differ from one test level to another.
Punctuation
The questions in the Punctuation test require students to identify errors in punctuation, including underpunctuation and overpunctuation. Students identify the line of writing in which an error occurs, or they may mark the fourth response, No mistakes, if no error is present. Questions relate to the use of terminal punctuation, commas, apostrophes, quotation marks, colons, and semicolons. The particular skills tested differ from one test level to another.
Usage and Expression
In the first part of the Usage and Expression test, each item contains one or two sentences arranged in three lines. Students must identify the line of text containing a usage error, or they may select No mistakes if they believe no error is present. Often a group of consecutive items contains continuous text, as if it were a short piece of writing. Errors in the use of verbs, personal pronouns, and modifiers are included. In the next part of the test, students must choose the best or most appropriate way of expressing an idea that has been presented as a sentence or a paragraph. Choices involve issues of conciseness, clarity, appropriateness of expression, and the organization of sentence and paragraph elements.