BRI Listening Comprehension
J. Johns Basic Reading Inventory (7th, 8th, 9th editions)
Overview:



Grouping: Individually administered
Approximate testing time: 5-10 minutes with passages read aloud by the teacher
Skill: Determines a students ability to comprehend language without having to identify words
Materials Needed:






John’s Basic Reading Inventory
Students Graded Word List levels
Teacher Copy of Graded Reading Passages and Comprehension Questions from appropriate form
Student passages
John’s BRI- Edition Correlations Chart (to help locate pages)
Quiet room for assessment
Administration:
1. Students participating in the Listening Comprehension assessment have scored at the frustration level
on the pre-primer list. Follow the guidelines below to assess listening comprehension using the BRI
passages.
Using graded word lists to find starting passage:
 If frustration level is at Pre-Primer level on Graded Word List, assess listening comprehension
using Form C
2. Read the Pre-Primer passage out loud to student.
3. After student hears the passage, ask comprehension questions accompanying the passage.
4. Continue with subsequent passages until student reaches frustration level on comprehension
questions.
5. Record highest instructional level.
6. The passage may not be in front of the student while the questions are asked.
BRI Listening Comprehension
J. Johns Basic Reading Inventory (7th, 8th, 9th editions)
Scoring and Interpretation:

Determine each level (Independent, Instructional, Frustration), by using the comprehension scoring
guide below. This chart is also at the bottom of every teacher copy of the comprehension questions
for each passage in the BRI.
Comprehension Scoring Guide
Questions Missed
0-1
1.5-2
2.5
3-4.5
5+

Level
Independent
Independent/Instructional
Instructional
Instructional/Frustration
Frustration
The highest graded passage at which the student scores at the instructional level is considered to be
the student’s listening comprehension level.