Overview

Purpose: To assess the reading ability of individuals in relation to work reading demands at different levels.

For: Individuals up to and including trade level entry jobs such as clerks, sales, plant operators and labourers.

Length: Variable reading tasks.

Format: Undefined on hard copy.

Materials: Professional manual, question booklet (reusable), answer booklet, client profile sheet.

Being able to read is a basic requirement for a very wide range of jobs. Poor reading is a major reason why people fail to obtain or fail to keep jobs. Unfortunately most reading tests are constructed for educational and skill development purposes.

After establishing the major reading demands of work at various entry levels (from labourers to trades) a series of subtests were constructed to sample such requirements. The specific skills assessed by the CORT include:

identifying material through basic sign and word recognition
determining the main information presented in graphs, diagrams, tables and text
finding specific information in work and general documents
interpreting graphs, tables, diagrams and text to deduce conclusions not specifically given
comprehending and critically evaluating information.
The CORT was designed to have an occupational emphasis especially in relation to lower level jobs where basic reading ability is likely to determine actual employment and adequate work performance. The CORT can also be used as a competency measure of particular reading skills such as understanding a street directory or interpreting a sales chart.

Specifically the CORT aims to have high face validity, with the content of the test items all based on material used in a variety of occupations. The sorts of material include work environment signs, words from labels, invoices or tickets; written job instructions; memoranda; factory signs; traffic signs; diagrams, plans and street directories; tables; reports, work related legal documents and policy statements.