RICA Practice Test 2025 – Complete Exam Preparation

The characteristic that defines the Instructional Reading Level is that the child can understand material with teacher help. At this level, students are able to read texts that are slightly challenging for them but still accessible with guidance. This support may involve the teacher providing context, explaining difficult vocabulary, or discussing the text to promote comprehension. Instructional Reading Level represents a zone where students can develop their skills while receiving the necessary support to ensure they grasp the material, making it an ideal setting for targeted instruction and scaffolding.

Understanding the other options helps clarify why they do not define the Instructional Reading Level. Less than 90% word accuracy indicates a level of reading that might be too challenging, wherein comprehension could be compromised even with assistance. Reading without any assistance suggests that the material is at a student's Independent Reading Level, which is too easy for them if they can read fluently without help. Assessing only oral reading comprehension omits the crucial components of understanding and applying knowledge, which are integral to a comprehensive assessment at this instructional stage.