How the test works

A test is 10 words, pulled from a page's list. For each word, your browser reads the word aloud, then reads a short sentence that uses it. You type what you heard. That's it, no multiple choice and nothing to click except the letters you type.

Test mode is one try per word. There's no going back to fix a word once you've moved to the next one, and no partial credit for a near miss. At the end of the 10 words, you get a score out of 10, along with the correct spelling for anything you missed.

The word and the sentence are both read using your browser's own built-in voice, the same one your device already uses to read other pages aloud. There's no separate recording or narrator behind it, so the exact sound will vary a little by browser and device, the same way it would for any other page that uses text-to-speech.

A few example words, to show the format

These three are examples only, not the words in a live test.

Forest: "We hiked through the quiet forest before the sun came up."

Sudden: "A sudden storm sent everyone running for shelter."

Market: "She bought fresh apples at the market on Saturday."

In a real test you'd hear the word, then the sentence, then type the word alone, just like these three.

Printable list and answer sheet

Once a test is finished, you can print the 10-word list along with a matching answer sheet. That makes the test usable away from a screen: hand out the printed list, have someone else read the words aloud, or use the answer sheet to mark a paper version by hand. It's the same 10 words either way, just on paper instead of on screen.

Practice first, if you'd rather

Test mode is strict on purpose: one try, scored, no do-overs. If that's not what you're after right now, practice mode uses the same lists but is more forgiving. Type a word and if you're one letter off, it tells you that you were close and lets you try again before moving on. Many people run a list in practice mode once, then come back and take it as a real test.

Tips for a stronger score

Listen for the whole word before you type anything. Typing while the word is still being read makes it easy to miss the ending.

Use the sentence. The example sentence often clears up which version of a word is meant, especially for words that sound alike but are spelled differently.

Sound it out syllable by syllable. Breaking a longer word into pieces as you hear it makes it easier to get every letter, not just the ones that stand out.

Don't second-guess a word you know. A test with one try per word rewards a steady first answer more than a lot of backtracking would.

Retake it as practice afterward. After a scored test, running the same words again in practice mode is a quick way to fix anything you missed while it's still fresh.

Who this is for

The test works for anyone checking a spelling list, whether that's a student before a class quiz, a parent checking a child's progress at home, or an adult brushing up on words that come up at work. There's nothing here written for one age group only. Grade-specific word lists, with grade-appropriate difficulty, live on their own pages if you want a test matched to a school level.

More spelling practice

Want a gentler run at a list first? Try spelling word games for practice mode and an overview of how rounds work. To test your own words instead of a page's list, use the custom list builder. For a list matched to a grade, see 6th grade spelling or 7th grade spelling.