A Full Guide to the Nelson Denny Reading Test
Updated August 9, 2023
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- What Is the Purpose of the Nelson Denny Reading Test?
- When Is the Nelson Denny Test Used?
- The Scoring of Nelson Denny Reading Assessment
- What Is the Format of the Nelson Denny Exam?
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- Nelson Denny Reading Test Example Questions
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- Nelson Denny Study Guide and Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Thoughts
There’s help out there for children who may not hit the milestones expected of them at school, particularly in topics such as reading and math.
The Nelson Denny Reading test has been developed to help identify students needing extra reading instruction support.
This article gives a full guide on the Nelson Denny assessment, including when it is used, the test format, example questions and tips on how to help a child through the test.
What Is the Purpose of the Nelson Denny Reading Test?
The test is named after the professors who created it, Martin J. Nelson and Emerson Charles Denny, both teachers at the University of Iowa.
The professors developed the comprehension and vocabulary tests in 1929 as a way to identify high school and college students who may need additional reading instruction.
The Nelson Denny exam measures a person’s silent reading rate per minute with a set of questions. It also measures their vocabulary skills through comprehension paragraphs.
The results measure current progress and predict future academic success.
When Is the Nelson Denny Test Used?
The Nelson Denny test is most commonly used as an academic testing pool in high schools and colleges.
One time it may be used is to place pupils’ class sets appropriate to their current reading level. Those who need that extra support in reading and comprehension would be put in a lower set class with their peers on the same level.
Another time the Nelson Denny exam could be used is if a pupil has previously needed assistance in their general reading skills. They will take the test to see if there’s been any improvement.
Employers can also use the test as part of their recruitment process.
The police force uses it in initial screening to test an individual’s understanding of the text and general reading skills.
Take a Practice Nelson Denny Test on JobTestPrep
The Scoring of Nelson Denny Reading Assessment
Commonly, the results from a Nelson Denny reading assessment are ready the following day, which is when decisions can be made from the score.
No minimum score is needed to pass when used as an academic measuring tool; however, recruiters often look for a pass rate score to move the candidate on to the next stage.
For high school and college students taking the tests, the results are used to determine what level of their reading skills.
The number of questions answered correctly is converted into a number representing the grade level.
For example, a score of 10.3 indicates a reading skill in the third month of the tenth grade in school.
The results will be used to determine whether a person can complete the work set for their year group.
What Is the Format of the Nelson Denny Exam?
The Nelson Denny Tests last just 35 minutes in total. This includes 15 minutes for the vocabulary test and 20 minutes for the reading comprehension section.
Here’s how the two sections look:
Nelson Denny Vocabulary
In the 15-minute timeframe, the person taking the test can answer up to 100 multiple questions.
Each question has five answer options, and the topic and level of the questions are taken from textbooks of the relevant year or grade.
For example, college or high school books.
Nelson Denny Comprehension
In this section of the Nelson Denny exam, the candidate is given five to eight short text passages, usually half an A4 page.
The text is grade-appropriate. For example, for a ninth grader, it will be literature that they would read in class or for homework.
In the 20 minutes, they then have up to 38 multiple-choice questions to answer based on the passages just read. This measures the ability to make reasonable assumptions and conclusions from the information provided.
Examiners are looking for the young person’s ability to remember and recall factual information by analyzing, summarizing and concluding.
The test can be given in print form or it is taken online.
Nelson Denny Reading Test Example Questions
Nelson Denny practice tests can be done before the actual test to help prepare.
It is always useful to know the type of questions to expect to eliminate some stress and succeed in the exam.
Here’s some Nelson Denny Reading Test Examples
Nelson Denny Vocabulary Reading Test Example Questions
What does it mean if you are doing something 'apathetically'?
a) Doing something enthusiastically
b) Doing something with pleasure
c) Doing something with no feeling
d) Doing something angrily
If something is immense, it is:
a) Amazing
b) Intense
c) Enormous
d) Scary
’ According to a report by the US Educational Board, schools in the country spend between $4 million and $6 million on books each year. This is for reading and library books. A further $13 million is spent on textbooks. But this is still not enough to allow all children of school age to have a reading book.
'The Federal Government has said they need to raise more funds for the education system so that every child between the ages of five and 11 can continue their reading journey at home.
’In terms of textbooks, the University of Harvard is developing an online system so that all textbooks can be accessed as a book for free digitally. This should save the government millions, cutting costs of textbooks. The program itself would cost schools in total, $9 million annually.’
In total, schools in the US spend ____ per year on books?
a) $17 million to $19 million
b) $20 million to $22 million
c) $6 million to $13 million
d) $12 to $14 million
If the University of Harvard produces this online system for all textbooks to be accessible online, how much would this save schools each year?
a) $2 million
b) $13 million
c) $9 million
d) $4 million
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Nelson Denny Study Guide and Tips
For most, there is no pass or fail score for the Nelson Denny Test. It is still an assessment of ability; however, anyone who has to take it should do their best to ensure the tests are measured correctly.
Test preparation is key for improving your passing score. Here is our Nelson Denny reading test study guide that will help prepare you for the Nelson Denny Test.
Step 1. Research the Test, Its Format and the Questions Asked
Knowing how many questions there will be and how long you get for each section gives a head start and leaves no room for shocks when doing the actual exam.
Being aware that there are multiple-choice questions will also help alleviate some worry, as it isn’t as daunting as having to find the right answer yourself.
Step 2. Take a Nelson Denny Practice Test
After researching the format and types of questions, individuals are in good stead to take a Nelson Denny practice test online.
Flashcards and practice test questions are great for revision. Reading test prep will improve your Nelson Denny reading comprehension and overall skill level for reading passages.
As well as practicing under the timeframe, it will let people know areas that may need more revising and practicing. The more practice, the better.
Step 3. Read and Revise
All the questions are taken from relevant textbooks that are age appropriate. They are questions based on what is being taught.
So when getting Nelson Denny reading test practice, revisit textbooks, read relevant reading books and look through coursework. This will refresh your mind and give you the confidence needed to do the test.
Step 4. Look Up Grammar
Revising synonyms for words and other vocabulary and grammar basics will help with this part of the test.
Step 5. Get Enough Rest
It may be tempting to cram in some last-minute revising the night before the test, but the best option is to get a good sleep leaving you refreshed and ready.
Step 6. When Taking the Nelson Denny Test
You have prepared as much as you can, and now the day of the test is here.
Remember to try not to panic and keep a clear head when taking the Nelson Denny Test.
Read each question carefully so there is no misunderstanding on the answer; it is easy to speed read more when you are under a timeframe, but this won’t be good in the long run.
As well as reading the questions carefully, keep an eye on the time. Not much time is given to each section, and the time will go quickly.
If you have prepared, though, and keep calm, you can keep a good time.
Don’t be afraid to guess some answers. For example, on the questions about synonyms, if you do not know the answer, think about which one sounds the most likely; don’t waste too much time on this question.
Nelson Denny test scores are turned into an age so that the examiner can measure the student’s grade.
If the score says 8.3, this means the student’s level is at the third month in the eighth grade.
The Nelson Denny Test is 35 minutes long.
The vocabulary section is 15 minutes, and the reading comprehension is 20 minutes long.
There are several ways to prepare for the Nelson Denny Test. Firstly, research the test format so you know the timeframe and types of questions.
You can also take practice tests online under timed conditions which not only help with revision but are good to gauge the time allowed too.
Reviewing textbooks and coursework is a good way to revise vocabulary and grammar skills.
It wouldn’t be advised to prepare for the Nelson Denny Test in one day.
To ensure the best results you are capable of, you should take practice tests and revise.
The Nelson Denny Exam consists of reading comprehension and vocabulary questions.
The aim is to test how reading skills and how well the person can ‘silent’ read.
Final Thoughts
The Nelson Denny reading test is a proven way of measuring the level of high school and college students’ reading skills.
Some employees use it, too, such as the police force.
Whoever has to take it should prepare as much as possible as each section has lots of questions and little time. Most people can only sit it once too.
There are several comprehensive ways to prepare for it.
