Spelling Test Generator
Paste this week's spelling words and print three sheets from one list: a numbered test for students, a look–say–cover–write–check practice grid, and a teacher's copy with optional dictation sentences. Choose the writing space, shuffle the test order, and print on Letter or A4. Free, no sign-up.
One word per line, or separated by commas. Add a dictation sentence after a bar — for example: friend | My friend lives next door.
Prints on every sheet; the practice and teacher's sheets add a suffix.
Prints at true size on the paper chosen above, with a 0.5 in margin kept clear. In the print dialog choose the same paper, set Scale to 100% (Actual size), and turn off Fit to page and Headers and footers.
How to Use the Spelling Test Generator
- 1. Enter the words. Type one word per line, or separate them with commas. To add a sentence for dictation, put a bar after the word: friend | My friend lives next door. A blank list prints blank sheets.
- 2. Choose the sheets. Print the test sheet, the practice sheet, the teacher's copy, or any mix. They print in that order, so the teacher's copy is always the last page.
- 3. Set the writing space. Standard suits most classes, Roomy and Extra roomy give younger writers taller rows. Use two columns to fit a long list on one page, and add dictation sentence lines for the end of the test.
- 4. Print at 100%. Pick Letter or A4 and print on Actual size with headers and footers off. Sheets keep a 0.5 inch margin on Letter and 12 mm on A4.
What Each Sheet Is For
| Sheet | What it prints | How it is used |
|---|---|---|
| Test sheet | Name, date and score lines, then a number and a line for each word | You read the words aloud and students write them; shuffle the order if students tend to learn the sequence rather than the words |
| Practice sheet | One row per word: the printed word, one to three write-it boxes, and a tick box | Students work through look, say, cover, write and check, row by row |
| Teacher's copy | The words in the order of the test sheet, with any sentences | You read from it and mark with it; keep it out of the student pile |
Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check
The practice grid follows the routine many teachers use for learning a word. Students look closely at the word in the first column and say it, noticing its letters, then cover it with a hand or a folded strip of paper, write it from memory in the next box, and uncover the word to check the spelling letter by letter, ticking the box when it is right. A wrong attempt is not wasted: students find the tricky part, then try the next box. Two write-it boxes suit most lists, three give extra rehearsal, and the dashed word to trace option gives beginners a model in the first box.
Choosing the words matters more than the sheet. Many teachers draw a weekly list from a spelling pattern being taught, from high-frequency lists such as the Dolch and Fry lists, or from the week's reading, and keep the list short enough for students to learn well — often between five and twenty words depending on age. Both the test and the practice sheet follow the list you enter, up to 100 words.
Dictation Sentences
A sentence after the bar appears only on the teacher's copy, so you can read the word, use it in a sentence to clear up homophones such as their, there and they're, and say the word again. The sentence is shown on at most two lines, so keep it short. If you also want students to write a full sentence, set Dictation sentence lines and the test ends with wider lines, numbered after the last word. Everything happens in your browser and no word list is uploaded.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is look, say, cover, write, check?
- It is a self-checking routine for learning a spelling. Look at the word, say it aloud, cover it, write it from memory, then uncover it and check each letter. The practice sheet gives every word a row with a place for each step and a tick box at the end.
- How many spelling words should be on a weekly list?
- There is no single rule, and it depends on the age of the students and how much time you give to spelling. Younger children often learn fewer words, with older students handling more, and many teachers settle on a list of ten or twelve. The generator accepts up to 100 words, so you can use it for review lists or tests as well.
- How do I add a sentence for each spelling word?
- Type the word, then a vertical bar, then the sentence on the same line: their | The students put their bags away. The sentence prints on the teacher's copy under the word, so students never see it on the test sheet.
- Can I mix up the order of the test?
- Yes. Turn on Put the test in random order and choose Shuffle again until you like the order. The teacher's copy follows the same order as the test, so you can read straight down it. The practice sheet keeps your list order.
- How do I make a blank spelling test?
- Clear the word list. The test prints twenty numbered answer lines with name, date and score lines, ready for words you dictate. Turn on the practice sheet as well to print blank practice rows for students to fill in themselves.
- Can I print a test for more than 20 words?
- Yes. Choose two columns, or a smaller writing space, to fit a long list on a page. Longer lists continue onto additional pages with numbering unbroken, and the practice sheet repeats its column labels at the top of each page.
- Will the sheets print at the right size on A4 and Letter?
- Yes. Each sheet is drawn at the real paper size, with a 0.5 inch margin on Letter and 12 mm on A4. Print with the same paper size selected, scale at 100% and headers and footers off.