CommonLit Assessment Series Scoring Guide for Families

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As a part of our goal to ensure that our students’ academic needs are met, your student will complete the CommonLit Assessment Series in English Language Arts.  The CommonLit Assessment Series provides educators with data on students’ reading comprehension performance. Teachers and administrators in the district use the CommonLit Assessment Series data in a variety of ways to inform the reading instruction they’re providing to your student. 

What is CommonLit?

CommonLit is a teacherfounded, award-winning nonprofit organization used in over 80% of U.S. public schools. It is  dedicated to ensuring that all students, especially students in Title I schools, graduate with the reading, writing, communication, and problem solving skills they need to be successful in college and beyond.

The CommonLit Assessment Series includes three benchmark tests: the CommonLit Pre-Assessment, Mid-Year Assessment, and Post-Assessment. These benchmark assessments measure students’ performance on end-of-grade-level expectations throughout the school year. Typically, the Pre-Assessment is administered near the beginning of the year, the Mid-Year Assessment near the middle of the year or end of the first semester, and the Post-Assessment near the end of the year. Tests are administered on student Chromebooks through CommonLit’s website under a secure lockdown browser. Most students complete each assessment in 50-60 minutes. The Fall Pre-Assessment will not be graded; however, your student will come home with a copy of the report.

On any CommonLit Assessment Series test, your student will read 3 passages (a combination of fiction and nonfiction) and answer 28-38 multiple-choice questions. These tests measure students’ reading comprehension performance, specifically how well students comprehend and apply standards to analyze texts. All questions are aligned to the New Jersey Student Learning Standard for English Language Arts.

It's important to understand that the CommonLit Assessment Series offers only one perspective on your student's academic progress, focused on grade level literacy skills and standards. On testing day, encourage your student to try their best on the assessment by reading each passage in its entirety, reviewing questions fully, and selecting their answers carefully.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your student’s performance, we recommend a conversation with your student’s teacher.