Initial Assessment

Initial assessment will help identify a learner’s skills against a level or levels within the National Standards. Learners may have different levels of reading, writing, numeracy and language skills. Initial assessment is often used to help place learners in appropriate learning programmes. It is usually followed by detailed diagnostic assessment.

Examples of initial assessment tools:

- Basic Skills Agency/DfES Initial Assessment tools

- CTAD Target Skills Initial Assessment

- West Nottinghamshire College Basic and Keyskillbuilder

- Test of Workplace Essential Skills (Canada)

- Good Practice Guidelines for Assessments and ILPs (from Pathfinder activities in Liverpool, Blackburn and the Wirral)

- Read the NRDC review

Order the “Good Practice Guidelines in Screening and Initial Assessment” from DfES Publications (0845 60 222 60 - ref. SFLGPG).
Alternatively, you can download a PDF version of the document here.

Update :Following the first phase of trialling and development, revised trial versions of the literacy and numeracy skills check (formerly known as 'screening') and initial assessment tools are now available to download from this site and to order as hard copies visit the Tools Library website.