Diagnostic early-grade reading and mathematics data

Languages

Language adaptation is a core feature of EGRA and EGMA. Instruments are typically developed specifically for the language and curriculum context in which they are used.

As a result:

  • Hundreds of language versions have been developed worldwide.
  • Many African countries have implemented assessments in multiple local languages.
  • Assessment tasks, benchmarks, and oral reading fluency expectations are often language-specific.

This flexibility makes EGRA highly useful for instructional diagnosis but limits direct comparisons across countries and languages.

 

EGRA measures foundational reading skills in the early grades. EGMA measures foundational mathematics. These tools are widely used in programme evaluations, national studies, and donor-funded education projects.

Use the map to explore the languages of assessment and see participating African countries. 

Get the data

AFLEARN's harmonised EGRA-EGMA database includes metadata on assessment language, grade, and instrument characteristics wherever available.

Access to EGRA and EGMA data is fragmented. Many USAID-funded education datasets have been recovered and made available through ICPSR DataLumos. Other datasets may remain with ministries, implementers, or research organisations.

AFLEARN resources

  • Guidance on locating EGRA and EGMA datasets.
  • A harmonised EGRA–EGMA dataset.

What is assessed?

EGRA reading: Common subtasks include letter-sound knowledge, familiar word reading, non-word decoding, oral reading fluency, reading comprehension, and listening comprehension.

EGMA numeracy: Common subtasks include number identification, quantity discrimination, missing number, addition, subtraction, and word problems.

How is it administered?

EGRA and EGMA are usually school-based and administered one-on-one. Some studies are nationally representative, but many are project-based and cover only selected regions, grades, or programme schools.

SDG 4.1.1a and minimum proficiency

EGRA and EGMA are not centrally standardised global assessments. They can provide strong evidence on foundational learning, but minimum proficiency thresholds vary by country, language, grade, and study design. Oral reading fluency benchmarks are often used, but they should be interpreted carefully, especially across languages.