Final answer:
When the reversal rule is not applied, items preceding the child's start point are not scored in standardized tests. This allows the child to be assessed only on the items they read and comprehend.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the reversal rule is not applied, the scoring of items preceding the child's start point remains the same. The child's start point is the point from where they begin reading. In standardized tests, the items preceding the child's start point are not scored because they are not a part of the child's performance.
For example, if a child starts reading a passage from the third paragraph, the items before the third paragraph would not be scored. This ensures that the child is only assessed on the items they read and comprehend.