Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) Practice Test

What might repeated graphophonemic errors indicate about a student's reading skills?

1. They are very skilled at reading for meaning

2. They are guessing words incorrectly and lack decoding strategies

3. They have an exceptional sight vocabulary

4. They understand every word they read

The correct answer is: They are guessing words incorrectly and lack decoding strategies

Repeated graphophonemic errors suggest that a student is guessing words incorrectly and lacks effective decoding strategies. This pattern of errors indicates that the student is struggling to connect sounds (phonemes) to their corresponding letters or letter combinations (graphemes), which is a critical skill in reading development. When students rely on guessing rather than applying systematic decoding strategies, it demonstrates that they may not have a strong grasp of phonics or the sound-letter relationships necessary for accurate reading. In building reading proficiency, having the ability to decode unfamiliar words is essential. When a student makes consistent graphophonemic errors, it highlights a gap in this foundational skill. Recognizing this can guide instruction toward reinforcing phonemic awareness and phonics, helping the student develop strategies to improve their decoding abilities and ultimately enhance their overall reading comprehension.