Learn more about scoring the RAN subtest, scoring on the fly with a scoring sheet, and editing the RAN score in the Dashboard
The RAN score is the amount of time it takes the student to name all objects or letters shown. EarlyBird displays the time from which the audio began recording, until the time in which the student pressed the green arrow upon completion. The teacher confirms that time by listening to the recording, making sure there are no gaps in time or excessive errors. Errors can be calculated by following the instructions available below or by using a RAN score sheet to follow along with your student in real time. Click on any of the following quick links, or watch our helpful video on RAN scoring:
Time and Errors: What to look for in scoring
Scoring on the Fly with a Scoring Sheet
Trouble loading this video? The video tutorial can also be viewed here.
RAN Scoring
When scoring the RAN, a teacher looks at two things: time and the number of errors.
- Time: The teacher confirms the number of seconds it took to complete the RAN and enters that time in the space provided.
- Errors: If applicable, the teacher also enters the number of errors.
- Please note: The number of errors is not counted against the total score. The number of errors is a factor in determining if a student’s score is valid.
- Seven or more errors would indicate the student skipped or repeated a row, or was not fully focused on naming each word correctly. At that point, the teacher would check the box "Invalid," indicating the test was invalid and needs re-administration.
- The RAN may be re-administered separately in unlocked mode.
Things to keep in mind when scoring:
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- It is important to note that because we are assessing students' independent naming speed, we discourage administrators from supporting the student by tracking for the student or using other tracking tools during the subtest. However, if a student chooses to self-initiate and track on their own, that is allowed.
- Student says the wrong object name counts as one error
- Student says the wrong object name and then corrects with another wrong object name, counts as two errors
- Student skips an object counts as one error
- Tester has to prompt student to continue counts as one error
- Student skips a row and is redirected counts as one error
- Student self-corrects is NOT an error
- Student repeats a word is NOT an error
- Similar content words (home/house or cat/cats) are NOT errors
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Scoring on the Fly
Trouble loading this video? The video tutorial can also be viewed here.
If you are sitting with a student who is completing RAN, you may want to consider scoring while the student completes the subtest, rather than waiting to listen to the recording at a later time. Follow the same scoring guidelines above and use our RAN Scoring Sheet. Enter the scores you recorded on the sheet on the dashboard at a later time.
How to Score: Step by Step Directions
- Log into https://dashboard.earlybirdeducation.com/
- From the list of student results tab, click on the name of the student whose scores you need to confirm. When RAN needs scoring, a
symbol will appear in the column titled "Naming Speed %ile." (RAN will need to be scored for all students.)
- From within the Student Details page, click on the word RAN which will be a hyperlink
- Click on the arrow to play the recording of the student completing the RAN.
- Follow along while listening for errors (ex: skipping or duplicating rows, incorrect words, etc)
- Record the number of errors. (Self-corrections are not counted as errors.)
- Confirm the time it took to complete the test from first item to last item and enter the time IN SECONDS.
- Note: if child skips or adds a row, resulting in an excessive number of errors, mark the checkbox "Invalid" and then re-administer the test in unlocked mode at any time. Please be sure that you've read the "things to keep in mind when scoring" section of this page for more information about scoring errors.