Creating and editing your test windows

In Bedrock’s Reading Test, test windows are the periods of time in which multiple tests are scheduled to take place. These test windows are fully customisable to suit your school and can be used to provide a clear structure for assessment.

What is the test window?

The test window is a period of time between two dates, during which tests can then be scheduled. These windows are entirely flexible to suit the needs of your school but may be set up to create a baseline testing window, intervention impact window, or align with each term.

Test windows are the second layer of grouping for Reading Test assessments; they sit within the test cycle (which may be the entire academic year, for example). You can learn more about test cycles here.

You can set up multiple test windows throughout the test cycle, and there can be any number of windows within the cycle. The creation of separate windows provides an easy way for teachers to compare and track learner performance over time. For example, you may set up a test window for baseline assessment, another for progress monitoring, and another for impact evaluation.

All tests that have been assigned within the test window must take place within those dates. For example, if you create a test window called ‘Autumn term Reading Test,’ and set the dates from 4th September - 21st December, all learners must complete their Reading test within that time frame. If a test needs to be rescheduled, it must take place within the window it was originally set.

How to set up a test window

Test windows can be set up when you are adding a test, or they can be created within your cycles:

1. Log in to your Bedrock teacher account
2. Go to the Reading Test.
3. Select ‘Cycles.’
4. Click the name of the test cycle you wish to add a test window to.
5. Click the ‘Add test window’ button.
6. Give your test window a name. For example, if you are conducting assessments at the start of the cycle, you may call the window ‘baseline test.’
7. Write a brief description of your test window. For example, ‘Tests to track progress at the end of the spring term.’
8. Using the calendars, set the start date and end date for your test window.
9. Click ‘Add test window’ at the bottom of the page.
10. This test window will now appear within the test cycle. You will now be able to schedule tests in this window.

How to edit a test window

For greater flexibility, you can edit the test windows once they have been created:

1. Go to the Reading Test homepage.
2. Select ‘Cycles.’
3. Click the name of the test cycle that contains the window you wish to edit.
4. Click the name of the test window.
5. Click the pencil icon to edit the test window.
6. You are now able to change the name, description, start date and end date of the test window.
7. Click ‘Save changes’ at the bottom of the page once you have finished making amendments.
8. Your test window will instantly be updated. Any changes will automatically apply to tests that were scheduled to take place within this window.

Why are test windows helpful?

Test windows allow your school to plan effectively by associating tests with specific time periods. Considerations such as teacher availability and classroom scheduling can be organised clearly, ensuring a smooth assessment process.

Since tokens are reserved specifically for the designated test window, this encourages resource allocation across the school year. It prevents any potential token shortages or the overuse of tokens during other time periods.

If required, test windows can be set up for particular groups of learners. For example, you may use the Reading Test to assess the impact of interventions at regular intervals throughout the year.

The results of the Reading Test can be downloaded for all tests within a window, making it an easy way to collate data across several tests taken within the same time period.

Test windows are particularly helpful for tracking progress over time. For example, your first window can be used to take a baseline assessment at the start of the year. Your second window can be used to monitor learners midway, and your third window can allow you to conduct a summative assessment at the end of the year.