Grades 3 to 7 · depends on the provinceProvincial tests in Canada: what parents need to know
There is no national test for every child in Canada. Each province runs its own tests, usually in reading, writing and math at two or three points in elementary school. Most are low stakes: results help teachers and schools plan and do not decide your child's grade or school.
The tests in five provinces
Open a province page for dates and details.
| Province | Test | Grades | When | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | EQAO Assessment of Reading, Writing and Mathematics | 3 and 6. Math in grade 9. | 4 May – 8 June 2027 | Levels 1 to 4 |
| Quebec | Ministry exams (épreuves ministérielles) | French in grade 4. French and math in grade 6. | From 31 May 2027 | A mark that counts towards the final result |
| British Columbia | Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA) | 4 and 7 | 28 September – 6 November 2026 | Emerging, On Track or Extending |
| Alberta | Provincial Achievement Tests (PATs) and screening | PATs in 6 and 9. Screening from K to grade 5. | PATs in May and June. Screening in fall and winter. | Standard of excellence or acceptable standard |
| Manitoba | Provincial assessments | 3, 4 (French immersion), 7 and 8 | Results collected in the fall and winter | Teacher judgement against expectations |
Territories and the Atlantic provinces have their own assessments. Check your province or territory's education department.
Tests through the 2026–2027 school year
Provincial windows. Schools pick days within them.
Alberta: fall screening
Literacy and numeracy checks from kindergarten to grade 5.
British Columbia: FSA
Grades 4 and 7. Results go home with your child's written booklet.
Manitoba: grade 3 and 4 results
Teachers report grade 3 reading and numeracy, and grade 4 French immersion reading.
Manitoba: middle years results
Grade 7 math, grade 8 reading and writing.
Ontario: EQAO
Grades 3 and 6. The school picks the days.
Alberta: PATs
Grades 6 and 9. Alberta publishes the schedule.
Quebec: ministry exams
Grade 6 French first, then grade 4 French and grade 6 math in June.
Ontario: EQAO results
Your child's individual report, through the school.
What do the tests look like?
Reading
- Understanding stories and information texts
- Finding the main idea
- Explaining an answer with evidence from the text
Math
- Number and operations
- Patterns and algebra
- Measurement, geometry and data
Writing
- A short written response or a longer piece
- Marked on ideas, organization and conventions
Ontario results in 2025–26
EQAO publishes the share of students who met the provincial standard, which means level 3 or 4.
- Grade 3 reading75% met the expected standard
- Grade 3 writing67% met the expected standard
- Grade 3 math65% met the expected standard
- Grade 6 reading86% met the expected standard
- Grade 6 writing85% met the expected standard
- Grade 6 math52% met the expected standard
Each math result was one point higher than in 2024–25. In grade 9, 59% met the math standard.
What do the levels mean?
Ontario reports EQAO results in four levels, like the achievement levels on report cards. Other provinces use their own labels: see each province page.
Level 4
Above the provincial standard. Similar to an A.
Level 3
Meets the provincial standard. Similar to a B.
Level 2
Approaching the standard. Similar to a C.
Level 1
Well below the standard. Ask the teacher what support is planned.
More test guides
Sources
- EQAO: Grade 3, primary division (opens in a new tab)
- EQAO: provincial results (opens in a new tab)
- Province of British Columbia: Foundation Skills Assessment (opens in a new tab)
- Alberta: K to 12 provincial assessment (opens in a new tab)
- Gouvernement du Québec: schedule for ministerial examinations (opens in a new tab)
- Manitoba Education: assessment and evaluation (opens in a new tab)
Updated on 12 October 2026. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.