The Nelson-Denny Ready Test is a popular test used to assess reading comprehension in college-aged adults. The test requires examinees to read passages and then answer multiple-point comprehension questions. Of course, any time there is a multiple-answer response format one needs to be concerned about guessing.
A new study (Coleman et al, 2010) raises significant concerns about the accuracy of the NDRT. In university students with reading problems and students at-risk, it was found that without even reading the passages, individuals could correctly answer many of the comprehension questions above chance guessing.
On the NDRT there is a 20% chance of individuals correctly guessing the correct answer from among the multiple point answers. In this study individuals were able to answer the questions (depending on the form) successfully at 30% to 50% levels---well above the 20% chance level of guessing. The study highlights the problem of passage dependent/independent answers to reading tests using a multiple choice format. The results also suggest that the NDRT may tend to provide an overestimate of an individuals reading comprehension.
psychology school psychology neuropsychology Forensic ppsychology reading comprehension Nelson-Denny Reading Test NDRT special education reading disabilities dyslexia
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