This dataset contains the development and evaluation materials for a Clinical Readiness Diagnostic Assessment (CRDA) tool designed for physiotherapy students entering third year in South Africa. The study followed an exploratory sequential mixed‑methods design. Phase 1 included focus group discussions with lecturers and clinicians to define clinical readiness, followed by a modified eDelphi process to establish content consensus for the CRDA tool. Phase 2 used the Extended Angoff method to set criterion‑referenced cut scores for expected readiness levels. Phase 3 comprises pilot data from third-year students and associated analyses using Classical Test Theory and Item Response Theory to assess the tool’s reliability and validity.