What Is the i-Ready Test? – Guide 2024
Updated November 11, 2023
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The i-Ready Diagnostic Test is a computer-adaptive assessment administered on three occasions during the school year and is a crucial tool for monitoring a student's progress in math and reading.
It aids parents and teachers in pinpointing areas where additional support may be required.
What Is the i-Ready Diagnostic Test?
The i-Ready Diagnostic Test is a school test designed to measure a student's competence in mathematics and reading.
The test is taken by everyone in grades K to 12, three times a year.
It is administered online and adapts its question difficulty based on a student's responses.
Correct answers lead to more challenging questions, while incorrect ones result in easier questions, ensuring precise skill assessment.
Prepare for the i-Ready Test with TestPrep-Online
The i-Ready Test allows for:
- Comprehensive evaluation – The test covers a wide array of math and reading topics, helping teachers, educators and parents identify strengths and weaknesses.
- Benchmarking – Administered three times during the academic year, it tracks progress and highlights areas requiring attention.
- Personalized learning pathways – Teachers can create customized learning plans based on results, incorporating interventions, practice or enrichment.
What Is Included in the i-Ready Diagnostic Test?
The i-Ready Diagnostic Test assesses proficiency in math and reading.
Both the i-Ready Math Test and i-Ready Reading Test take around 60 to 90 minutes to complete, depending on your child’s grade.
Please note, there is no official time limit for the tests.
The i-Ready Math Test has 60 to 90 questions and assesses:
- Number sense and operations – Understanding numbers, operations and basic math concepts
- Measurement and data – Units of measurement, data analysis and interpretation
- Geometry – Knowledge of shapes, angles and spatial relationships
- Algebra – Patterns, functions and basic algebraic concepts
- Problem-solving – Mathematical reasoning and problem-solving strategies
The i-Ready Reading Test covers:
- Comprehension of literature and informative texts – How well a student understands, analyzes and interprets the text
- Vocabulary – Word meanings, synonyms, antonyms and context clues
- Phonics – The relationship between letters and the sounds they make
- Phonological awareness – Assessment of listening skills and audio passages
- High-frequency words – Recognizing and understanding common words
Example Questions for the i-Ready Diagnostic Test
Below are i-Ready sample test questions.
The questions asked will be reflective of what your child has already learned. However, it is advised that your child completes an i-Ready sample test to familiarize them with the test format.
i-Ready Math
1. If a rectangle has a length of 20 inches and a width of 7 inches, what is the perimeter of the rectangle?
a) 34 inches
b) 54 inches
c) 44 inches
d) 24 inches
2. A bookkeeper is selling secondhand books for $1.50 and new books for $5.
If Sarah buys 3 secondhand books and 4 new books, how much does she spend in total?
a) $24.50
b) $20
c) $30
d) $25
3. Which of the following is a prime number:
a) 100
b) 101
c) 150
d) 50
1. Read the following passage.
Samantha has decided to start growing her own fruit and vegetables. She has planted the seeds in a section of her yard and has introduced a water system. This new vegetable patch will not only give her fresh produce to eat but will also provide water and shelter for any wildlife that roams her garden.
Based on the passage, what is one way the new vegetable patch benefits animals?
a) The fruit and vegetables are automatically watered
b) There is more food for Samantha
c) Animals can find shelter in Samatha’s vegetable patch
d) The animals can eat the food
If you want 12-month access to all the practice resources for this test, our partner TestPrep-Online.com offers a Family Membership.
Family Membership gives you access to all the TestPrep-Online resources for the next 12 months. You will also get two separate accounts, which can be very helpful if you have two children preparing for their tests.
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2. Read the following passage.
Luke loves exploring museums. He enjoys learning about all kinds of things, from ancient history to famous artwork. He is especially interested in learning about the history of Italy as it incorporates art, architecture and literature. One day, he discovered an exhibition about the Renaissance and learned so much that he wrote an essay about it for his history class.
What is the paragraph mainly about?
a) Luke’s favorite day at the museum
b) Luke’s love for exploring
c) Luke’s love for Italian history
d) Luke’s school article
3. Which word is missing from this sentence?
Apples are red ___ bananas are yellow.
a) but
b) and
c) when
d) because
Top Tips for Kids to Prepare for the i-Ready Diagnostic Test
Completing i-Ready test prep can help your child perform at their best and produce scores that reflect their ability. This then provides educators with accurate data on their academic skills.
Here are some ways your child can prepare for the i-Ready Diagnostic Test:
Step 1. Practice Online
Complete i-Ready sample tests or other online assessments that assess the same skills. This will help you become familiar with the test and question format.
Step 2. Don’t Leave It to the Last Minute
Make a study schedule that includes test prep and stick to it. Don't try to cram or study intensely right before the test.
Step 3. Stay Positive
Testing can be stressful but maintaining a positive attitude toward it will help you perform better. Remember that the test is a tool to measure your progress. It isn’t an entry or final exam.
Step 4. Get Plenty of Rest
Get a good night's sleep before the test and make it a habit to go to bed at a reasonable time every night. Being well-rested can help improve concentration and cognitive function.
Step 5. Eat a Healthy Breakfast
Start each day with a nutritious breakfast. A balanced meal can provide the energy and focus needed for learning and test-taking.
Step 6. Practice Relaxation
Practice relaxation techniques to help you keep calm during the test. Take deep breaths if you start to feel anxious and remember that the test is just a measure of skills you have already learned.
Step 7. Take Educated Guesses
If you're unsure about an answer, try to eliminate choices that you know are wrong. Then make estimations to determine which of the remaining options it might be.
Step 8. Check Your Work
Go back and review your answers. Check for any mistakes or questions you may have missed.
Step 9. Find Areas for Improvement
Use past tests and your practice to identify areas you need to improve and edit your study schedule so you spend more time on your weaker areas.
Remember, the i-Ready Diagnostic Test is designed to help your teachers understand the areas where you may need additional support and how best to support you.
Tips for Parents to Help Their Children Prepare
As a parent, you play an important role in helping your child prepare for the i-Ready Test.
Here are some tips for helping your child prepare:
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Encourage a positive attitude – Emphasize that the i-Ready Test is an opportunity for your child to show what they know and that learning is a positive experience.
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Create a study schedule – Create a study schedule with your child that incorporates homework and test prep. As the test is three times each year, consistent practice can improve the retention of important concepts and confidence. Aim to keep practice sessions between 25 to 39 minutes and take 15-minute breaks between each session.
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Understand what the i-Ready Diagnostic Test is – Familiarize yourself with the test by understanding the format and content so you can better support your child's preparation.
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Set realistic expectations – Putting your child under pressure to perform above their capabilities will cause them anxiety and will turn them off the learning process. Emphasize that doing their best is what matters most.
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Know your child’s current performance – Speak to your child’s teacher to see how your child is currently performing and the best ways you can support them.
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Use online and official resources – There are lots of educational websites and apps that offer practice materials and sample questions similar to those on the i-Ready Diagnostic Test. Your child’s school might also offer additional resources as well.
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Read together daily – Reading is an essential skill that has so many benefits, including increased concentration and a larger vocabulary. Read a variety of publications together, and discuss the content to improve cognitive thinking abilities.
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Actively encourage math practice – Help with math skills by working on math problems and concepts together. Have your child work through everyday scenarios such as making calculations when cooking and adding up the price of the grocery list.
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Encourage them to ask questions – Encourage your child to ask questions about anything they find challenging or unclear. No matter what you are doing, take the time to answer.
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Encourage healthy habits – Ensure your child gets enough sleep, eats well, drinks enough water and takes part in physical activity. All these elements have an impact on their ability to focus and perform in school.
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Encourage a growth mindset – Remind your child that school and tests are just one part of their learning journey. Encourage them to see challenges and failures as opportunities for growth and improvement.
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Celebrate every effort – Make it a habit to acknowledge your child's efforts and achievements during their schooling, even if it is something small. This affection will encourage your child to continue to perform well.
Remember, the goal is not just to prepare your child to pass the i-Ready Test but to promote a lifelong positive attitude toward learning.
Frequently Asked Questions
The i-Ready Test is a computer-adaptive K to 12 test that measures a student’s abilities in math and reading. It is administered three times a year and allows teachers to track your child’s academic progress.
There are no pass or fail marks in the i-Ready Test. It is an assessment designed to identify how well your child is currently performing.
There are 60 to 90 questions on the math i-Ready Diagnostic Test depending on your child’s grade and abilities.
Generally speaking, nothing will happen if your child fails the i-Ready Test. Children respond differently to tests and may perform better or worse than expected. If your child performs poorly, their teacher will decide if it is because they are struggling, or if it was a bad day.
The i-Ready Diagnostic Test is an important tool in measuring and tracking your child’s academic progress but it is not the most important test they will take.
Final Thoughts
The i-Ready Diagnostic Test is a standardized test, taken three times during the school year to measure your child's progress and highlight areas they may need additional support with.
As the testing process can be stressful for children, take the time to encourage healthy habits and make the learning process fun and rewarding.
