How to Administer the Basic Phonics Skills Test (BPST) at Home: A Step-by-Step Guide for Homeschooling Parents

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Summary: Administering the BPST may seem daunting, but with a little preparation, it becomes a straightforward and invaluable part of your homeschooling routine.

Table of Contents:

Action Recommendations:

1. Gather the necessary materials for BPST.
2. Follow the administration steps as outlined.
3. Practice a test run with your child to ease any anxieties.

In the first post in this series, I introduced the BPST and explained how it can be a valuable tool to homeschooling parents to assess their child’s developmental reading abilities. I covered what the BPST is, why it’s essential for personalized early literacy instruction, and how it supports ongoing reading instruction. 

Administering the BPST at Home: A Step-by-Step Guide

You’ve made the important decision to assess your child’s reading abilities with the Basic Phonics Skills Test (BPST), a crucial tool for homeschooling parents. But now, you might be wondering, “How do I actually administer this test effectively at home?” This blog post will guide you through every step of the process, ensuring that you can confidently and accurately assess your child’s phonics skills. By the end, you’ll be well-equipped to make informed decisions about your child’s reading instruction, setting them on a path to success.

Why Administering the BPST Matters

Before diving into the specifics, it’s essential to understand why proper administration of the BPST is so important. The BPST isn’t just a test; it’s a diagnostic tool that provides insight into your child’s phonics knowledge. By administering it correctly, you ensure that the results accurately reflect your child’s abilities. This accuracy is crucial for identifying the areas where your child needs the most support, allowing you to tailor your homeschooling curriculum to their unique needs.

Step 1: Gather the Necessary Materials

To administer the BPST, you’ll need to gather a few essential materials. Having everything prepared beforehand will make the process smoother and more efficient. BPST II is available here, made available by the CA Reading & Literature Project and may be used at home with your children: https://pacific.scusd.edu/sites/main/files/file-attachments/bpst_ass.pdf

Although this version is from 2001, the BPST has remained largely unchanged over the decades and this version is still highly reliable when the directions are followed.

Materials You’ll Need:

• BPST Recording Sheet: This is the final page on the BPST PDF and where you’ll document your child’s responses.
• BPST Test Cards: The BPST is divided into several test cards, each focusing on different phonics skills. Ensure you have these pages printed out for your child. 
• Clipboard and Blank Card: A clipboard will help you discreetly record your child’s answers, and a blank card can be used to cover lower lines of text, preventing your child from feeling overwhelmed by too many words at once, particularly during the blending portion of the test.
• Quiet Space: Choose a quiet, comfortable environment where your child can focus without distractions.

Step 2: Set the Stage for Success

Creating a positive and supportive testing environment is key to reducing any anxiety your child might feel. Here’s some suggestions for a successful BPST session:

• Explain the Purpose: Start by explaining to your child that the BPST is not a typical test but a way for you to understand what they already know and what they need to work on. Emphasize that there’s no pressure to get every answer right—this is simply a tool to help you help them.
• Practice Beforehand: Practice with different letters and words the same kinds of tasks that are on the BPST so that you and your child can get accustomed to the process. Marking their responses, correct with a check or noting how they incorrectly responded, takes practice too! This should only take a few minutes for only one task, like letter sound recognition, and should be integrated into what you are already doing for literacy development to help it feel natural to you and your child. 
• Keep it Relaxed: Approach the BPST with a calm and relaxed demeanor. Your attitude will greatly influence how your child feels during the test. Let them know it’s okay if they don’t know all the answers and that the goal is to try their best.
• Use Neutral Feedback: Throughout the test, avoid giving any indication of whether an answer is right or wrong. Instead, offer neutral encouragement, such as “You’re doing great—keep going!” This helps maintain their confidence and focus.

Step 3: Administer the Test

Now that you’re prepared, it’s time to administer the BPST. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth testing process:

• Present the Test Cards: Start by presenting the first test card, basic consonant sounds and short vowels. Hold the card in front of your child and use the blank card to cover all but the first line of text. This helps your child focus on one word or sound at a time.
• Ask for Responses: For each letter or word, ask your child to either tell you the sound (for individual letters) or read the word aloud (for word lists). Record their responses on the recording sheet, marking correct answers with a check and noting what they responded with for any incorrect answers (this will help your instruction later).
• Watch for Cues to Stop: The BPST is designed to pinpoint your child’s current level, so there’s no need to push them to complete the entire test if they start struggling. If your child misses several items within a single row or shows signs of frustration, stop the test. You can always revisit it later if you know they can do more.

Step 4: Review and Interpret the Results

After administering the BPST, take some time to review the results. The test is divided into phonics categories, so pay close attention to which areas your child excelled in and which ones need more focus.

• Identify Strengths and Weaknesses: Highlight the sections where your child performed well and those where they struggled. This will help you identify specific phonics skills that require more practice.
• Set Learning Goals: Based on the results, set clear, actionable learning goals. For example, if your child struggled with consonant blends, plan to incorporate more activities that focus on this skill into your daily lessons.
• Plan Your Next Steps: Use the BPST results to adjust your homeschooling curriculum. Tailor your reading lessons to focus on the areas that need improvement. Calendar when you’ll administer the BPST again to track progress in regular intervals. As mentioned in the previous article, I recommend once every 4 to 8 weeks to allow enough time for measurable growth between tests.

Step 5: Keep the Momentum Going

The BPST is most effective when used as part of an ongoing literacy development strategy. Plan to re-administer the test periodically—such as once every 4 to 8 weeks—to monitor your child’s progress. Each time you test, compare the new results with previous ones to see how your child has improved and where they may still need support.

Final Thoughts

Administering the BPST at home doesn’t have to be daunting. With the right preparation and approach, you can turn this simple test into a powerful tool for guiding your child’s reading development. Remember, the BPST is not about passing or failing; it’s about understanding where your child is on their reading journey and helping them move forward with confidence. In the next post, we’ll dive into how to interpret the BPST results in more detail and how to use those insights to set effective learning goals for your child. 

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