Dolch Sight Word Assessment Checklist (Free Printable)
Test your child on any Dolch list and keep track of what they know. Three tick boxes per word, one for each test date. Free PDF for every list.
Choose a list to download
Checklist PDF for each list. Not sure which one? See the list for each age.
How to test your child
Print the checklist and the flashcards for the same list. Show one card at a time. A word counts as known when it is read correctly within about three seconds, without sounding it out.
- Do the test in a calm moment, with a drink and no pressure. Say "I want to see which words we should practise", not "I am going to test you".
- Tick the first box for each word read at once. Leave the others blank: those are the words to practise.
- Do not correct during the test. Say the word after a three-second pause and move on.
- Stop after 20 words if your child is tired. You can do the rest on another day.
Reading the result
As a rule of thumb: a child who reads about 90% of a list at once is ready for the next one. Between 60% and 90%, practise the missing words and test again in two weeks. Below 60%, go back to the previous list for a while.
Why three boxes
A word that is read once may be a lucky guess. Test again after a few days, and a third time after a week or two. A word with three ticks is known. The same sheet shows you which words stay uncertain.
The lists
Frequently asked questions
+How often should I test my child?
Every two to three weeks is enough. Testing more often makes the child anxious and tells you little.
+What counts as "known"?
The word is read correctly in about three seconds, without sounding it out letter by letter. A word that is sounded out slowly is not yet a sight word, even if it is right.
+Can I use this at school as a teacher?
Yes. Print one per child. For a whole class, the checklist is also a simple record of progress to keep in a folder.
+Do I need the flashcards too?
It helps, because the cards are the test material. You can also read the words from the list on the first page of the list PDF.
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