Why do baseline tests assess vocabulary? - Quick Guide for Teachers

Vocabulary is important in every aspect of the curriculum. It gives students foundational knowledge that they can use to build their learning on – so ensuring a strong vocabulary foundation is essential.

Baseline assessments look at a student’s receptive vocabulary (reading and listening) as well as their expressive vocabulary (speaking and writing).

By understanding a student’s vocabulary skills, or their ‘word knowledge’, using the 40+ years of data collected from hundreds of thousands of students, we can predict their success in all school subject at GCSE, IGCSE, A level and International Baccalaureate.

What kind of words do students need to know?

• Basic everyday words
• Words that appear across the school curriculum but are not typical in everyday conversations
• Subject-specific words

The Quick Guides for Teachers collection have been curated by the research and development team at Cambridge Insight to share insight on how baseline assessments support a positive learning environment in the classroom.

Download the full guide