The three reading tests are:
- The Oslo Assessment of Reading Literacy for grade six
- The Oslo Assessment of Reading Literacy for grade four (The transition test)
- The Oslo Assessment of Reading Literacy for grade seven (The transition test)
About the assessment
The tests measure the students reading literacy skills in all subjects, and they have a wide variety of texts with tasks. The tests are computer-based, and the students are required to complete the tests in 90 minutes. The tasks in the test are categorised in three different ways, depending on the type of reading process that is required to complete an answer:
• To locate, search and retrieve information
• To make inference, integrate and interpret information
• To reflect and evaluate form and content
The Oslo Assessment of Reading Literacy are developed in accordance with established psychometric criteria for developing instruments for educational measurement.
Purpose
The Oslo Assessment of Reading Literacy for grade six was first conducted in 2012. Students take the test in January every year, but it is not mandatory for the schools to participate. The purpose of this test is to measure students reading literacy skills half way into the school year. The results from the test provides schools and teachers with information about the students reading skills both as a group and as individuals. After the test, the schools who participated gets an extensive report, which enables them to compare their own results to the results of other schools in the municipality. The information from the report is intended as a tool for teachers to further develop their students reading literacy skills. As a supplement to the report, EKVA develops guidance material on how to use texts, tasks and results from the test. In addition, the test developers arrange courses and seminars on how to use the test results.
The Oslo Assessment of Reading Literacy for grade four and seven (The transition tests) were first conducted in 2011 and 2015. Students take the tests in May and June and they are mandatory for all schools in Oslo. The purpose of the assessment in grade four and seven is to give teachers and schools information about the students reading literacy skills between primary level and upper primary level, and between upper primary level and lower secondary school, respectively. The results from the tests are supposed to give teachers information about their students before the students reach primary level and lower secondary school, in order to provide adapted education for students early on. EKVA develops guidance material for both tests.