Pseudoword Spelling

TThis task measures the child’s ability to generate phonologically plausible spellings for novel words.  A plausible spelling can be produced using knowledge of basic phoneme-grapheme correspondences alone.  However, the carrier sentences are created to elicit specific letter patterns according to graphotactic and/or morphological spelling conventions, such as plural <s>, past tense <ed>, word-final <r>, consonant doubling after lax vowels. While any phonologically plausible spelling production is credited, the scoresheet also allows for an evaluation of the child’s ability to use contextually-appropriate spelling conventions.  

Age Range

This test is appropriate for pupils in Years 1 and 2. However it may be used with older primary-school-aged pupilsThis test is appropriate for pupils in Years 1 and 2. However it may be used with older primary-school-aged pupils, in particular to examine their ability to apply orthographic conventions to novel words. 

Scoring (accuracy)

Binary scoring is used such that 1 point is awarded for any spelling that leads to a plausible pronunciation of the target pseudoword, and 0 points otherwise.  Current norms are based on this scoring method.

For a more refined assessment, partial accuracy scoring is recommended using the Ponto tool (http://spell.psychology.wustl.edu/ponto/) created by B. Kessler (2017). Norms of older pupils and for partial accuracy are forthcoming. 

Norms

Current norms are available for Year 2. 

Materials for Administration

– Participant Sheet and pencil or pen (as is typical in the child’s classroom) for participant

– Graded Word Spelling Task Score Sheet

– Participant Sheet and pencil or pen (as is typical in the child’s classroom) for participant

– Pseudoword Spelling Task Score Sheet

Please ensure you are using the most up-to-date test version:

Test version: 1

Norms version:

Updated: 29.03.22

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