What does the Phonetic Decoding Efficiency (PDE) subtest measure?

The Phonetic Decoding Efficiency (PDE) subtest specifically measures a student's ability to decode pronounceable nonwords. This aspect of reading assessment is crucial because it evaluates how well a student can apply their understanding of phonetic rules to sound out and read unfamiliar words that follow typical phonetic patterns, even if they do not have any meaning. This skill is essential in developing reading proficiency, as it indicates a reader's ability to utilize phonemic knowledge and grapheme-phoneme relationships without relying on context or prior familiarity with the words.

While other options pertain to different aspects of reading, they do not accurately capture the primary focus of the PDE subtest. Reading familiar words relates more to sight word recognition rather than decoding. Overall reading fluency and comprehension encompass broader skills that go beyond just phonetic decoding, and the time taken to read stories aloud measures fluency rather than the ability to decode new words. Thus, the focus of the PDE subtest on nonwords distinctly aligns with its purpose in assessing phonetic decoding ability.