International Licensing Examination (ILE) Practice Test

What does word recognition testing measure?

1. The loudness of speech

2. The clarity of speech

3. The percentage correct score in word repetition

4. The threshold at which speech is audible

The correct answer is: The percentage correct score in word repetition

Word recognition testing primarily measures the percentage of correctly identified words from a list of spoken words presented to the listener. This type of testing is designed to evaluate an individual's ability to understand and correctly repeat words, which is crucial for assessing their auditory processing and comprehension abilities. When a participant listens to a series of words and is then asked to repeat them, the accuracy of their responses is quantified to produce a percentage correct score. This metric not only provides insights into hearing capabilities but also reflects cognitive processing related to language and comprehension. Although loudness, clarity of speech, and audibility thresholds are important aspects of auditory assessment, they do not directly measure the specific ability to recognize and correctly repeat spoken words, which is the focus of word recognition testing. Thus, the structure of the test is specifically designed to evaluate the proficiency in identifying words rather than the other auditory characteristics.