FastBridge Reading Assessment: Comprehensive Assessment for Student Success

The Fastbridge Reading Assessment serves three main purposes: universal screening, progress monitoring, and skill-gap identification. On this page, we will explain how the different FastBridge Reading Tests inform educators about a student's reading abilities. Check out our FastBridge practice test questions before you purchase one of our FastBridge Reading test prep packs.

We have test prep packs for Fastbridge Reading 2nd Grade and Fastbridge Reading 3rd Grade

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FastBridge Reading Test Suite

The FastBridge assessments offers a suite of reading assessments designed to measure and monitor student progress across various grade levels. FastBridge aReading is aligned with the Common Core State Standards. These tests provide educators with efficient, research-based tools for universal screening, progress monitoring, and instructional decision-making. 

Key FastBridge Reading Assessments

  • aReading (Adaptive Reading): A computer-adaptive test for grades K-12 that measures broad reading ability.
  • AUTOreading: A computer-based assessment for grades K-12 that measures decoding, word identification, and comprehension.
  • CBMreading: A curriculum-based measure for grades 1-8 that assesses oral reading fluency. This test is used as a measure of progress throughout the year.
  • EarlyReading: A set of brief measures for PreK-1 that measures the progress early literacy skills.
  • CBMcomp: A supplement to CBMreading that measures reading comprehension.
  • COMPefficiency: A computer-based measure for grades 2-8 that assesses reading comprehension processes.

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Please note that our comprehensive FastBridge test prep packs come as a grade-appropriate reading prep pack or an extended Reading and Math assessment prep pack. Find out more about Fastbridge Math Assessments and what is tested.

Focus on aReading: A Powerful FastBridge Reading Assessment Tool

To assess student growth and identify areas for targeted instruction, schools utilize Fastbridge testing throughout the academic year.

What is aReading?

aReading is a computer-adaptive test that serves as a cornerstone of the FastBridge assessment system. It is designed to measure broad reading abilities for students from kindergarten through 12th grade.

Key Features of aReading

  • Adaptive Format: Adjusts difficulty based on student responses
  • Comprehensive Coverage: Assesses various reading skills
  • Efficiency: Typically completed in 30-45 minutes
  • Wide Grade Range: Suitable for K-12 students

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Are you looking to help your students excel on the FastBridge aReading assessment? Our comprehensive preparation packages are designed to give students the edge they need!


Skills Assessed by FastBridge aReading

The FastBridge aReading assessment is designed to evaluate broad reading skills across different grade levels. It includes a variety of question types that assess phonological awareness, phonics, vocabulary, comprehension, and concepts of print. In this section, we will explore sample questions, highlighting the skills and strategies required to answer them correctly.   

Fastbridge Reading Sample Questions:

The FastBridge aReading assessment for grades K-5 focuses on developing foundational reading skills, including phonological awareness, phonics, vocabulary, and comprehension.

Phonological Awareness: Phonological awareness is hearing and manipulating sounds in words. It is essential for reading and spelling. Here are some sample questions:

Q1. Lets hear the sounds

Which word rhymes with 'cat'?  

Wrong

Correct!

Wrong

Wrong

View Explanation

Answer: B) hat

Explanation: 'Hat' rhymes with 'cat' because they both end with the same sound (-at). 'Dog',

'run', and 'fish' do not share this ending sound with 'cat'.

When looking for rhyming words, focus on the ending sound of the words, not the spelling. Say the words out loud if you're unsure.

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Phonics: Phonics is a specific subset of phonological awareness that focuses on the relationship between sounds and letters. It involves understanding how letters represent sounds in words.

Q2. Sounds and Letters

Which word has the same vowel sound as "kite"?

Wrong

Wrong

Correct!

Wrong

View Explanation

Answer: C. right

Explanation: "Kite" has a long 'i' sound, which is the same vowel sound found in "right". "Kit" has a short 'i' sound, "beat" has a long 'e' sound, and "coat" has a long 'o' sound.

Remember that vowels can make different sounds. The long 'i' sound in "kite" sounds like the word "eye". Look for words that have the same sound, regardless of their spelling. 

i_e (split digraph or "magic e")
Examples: kite, bike, like
igh
Examples: light, night, fight, high
y (usually at the end of one-syllable words)
Examples: cry, fly, sky
ie
Examples: pie, tie
i (in open syllables or before certain consonant combinations)
Examples:
Open syllable: silent, idea
Before certain consonants: kind, child, find
y_e
Examples: type, style


Vocabulary: Vocabulary is the ability to understand and use words in context. Here are some sample questions:

Q.3 Define the word in the sentence

What does the word 'enormous' mean in this sentence?

The ancient redwood tree was so enormous that it took ten people joining hands to encircle its trunk.

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Correct!

Wrong

Wrong

View Explanation

Answer: B) huge 

Explanation: 'Enormous' means very large in size or scale, which is synonymous with 'huge'. It does not mean 'tiny' (very small), 'colorful' (having many colors), or 'round' (shaped like a circle). 

If you're unsure of a word's meaning, try to recall contexts where you've heard it used before. Also, eliminate options that you know are incorrect to increase your chances of selecting the right answer.


Comprehension: Comprehension is the ability to understand and interpret written text. Here are some sample questions:

Q4. Understand what you read in a longer passage

Louis Armstrong was a famous jazz musician. He was born in New Orleans in 1901. Louis loved to play the trumpet. His music made people happy and want to dance. He had a special way of singing called "scat" where he made funny sounds instead of words. Louis Armstrong became very popular and traveled all over the world to play his music. Many people think he was one of the best jazz musicians ever!

What is the main purpose of this passage?

Wrong

Wrong

Correct!

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View Explanation

Explanation: The correct answer is C because the passage focuses on giving an overview of Louis Armstrong's life and career as a jazz musician. It mentions his birth, his instrument, his style of singing, his popularity, and his impact on jazz music.

  • Answer A is incorrect because the passage doesn't explain how to play the trumpet. It only mentions that Armstrong played it.
  • Answer B is incorrect because while the passage mentions when and where Armstrong was born, it doesn't focus on his childhood.
  • Answer D is incorrect because the passage doesn't discuss different types of jazz music. It only talks about Armstrong's music.

To find the main purpose of a passage, ask yourself, "What is this whole paragraph mostly about?" Look for the idea that ties together most of the sentences in the paragraph. Remember, the main purpose is usually broader than just one specific detail mentioned in the text.


Concepts of Print: Concepts of print refer to the understanding of the structure and organization of written text. Here is a sample question:

Q5. Different sentence types

Which of these sentences is a question?

Wrong

Correct!

Wrong

Wrong

View Explanation

Answer: B. How many cookies did you eat

Explanation: This sentence is the only one that asks for information. It wants to know about the number of cookies someone ate. The other sentences are statements or commands, not questions.

Questions often start with words like "who," "what," "when," "where," "why," or "how." They also usually end with a question mark, though punctuation isn't shown in these choices.


Invest In Your Future: Prep For The FastBridge Reading Assesment

By investing in our FastBridge aReading prep materials, you're giving your students the tools they need to succeed. Our proven methods have helped countless students improve their reading skills and boost their confidence. 

Remember, preparation is key to success on any assessment. Equip your students with the best FastBridge aReading prep materials available and watch their reading skills soar! 

FAQs About FastBridge Reading Assessment – aReading as a Screening Tool

The FastBridge aReading is a universal screening tool designed to assess students' reading abilities and identify those at risk for reading difficulties.


It is administered three times per year: in the fall, winter, and spring.


It helps in the early identification of students who may be at risk for reading difficulties and provides data to guide targeted interventions.

Students are categorized into three benchmark levels:

  • High risk
  • Some risk
  • Low risk

The assessment provides detailed data that educators can use to design and implement targeted reading interventions.


The scoring includes:

  • Scale Scores (ranging from 350 to 750)
  • Percentile Ranks
  • Lexile® Measures
  • Benchmark comparisons