Kindergarten to grade 8School tests in the United States
Testing in the United States depends on your state and your school district. Every state tests reading and math each spring from grade 3 to grade 8. Most districts add short benchmark tests like MAP Growth or i-Ready during the year. Gifted programs, if your district has one, use their own screening.
Which test in which grade?
The typical pattern from kindergarten to grade 8. Details differ by state and district.
- Early reading screening
Many states require a short reading check in kindergarten to grade 3.
grade K age 5–6; grade 1 6–7; grade 2 7–8; grade 3 8–9 Chosen by the district. Two or three times a year.
grade K age 5–6; grade 1 6–7; grade 2 7–8; grade 3 8–9; grade 4 9–10; grade 5 10–11; grade 6 11–12; grade 7 12–13; grade 8 13–14Often in kindergarten to grade 3, if your district has a program.
grade K age 5–6; grade 1 6–7; grade 2 7–8; grade 3 8–9Every spring, grades 3 to 8.
grade 3 8–9; grade 4 9–10; grade 5 10–11; grade 6 11–12; grade 7 12–13; grade 8 13–14- NAEP
A national test for a sample of schools, every two years.
grade 4 9–10; grade 8 13–14
The test guides
Two guides that apply in every state.
The 2026–2027 school year
Typical periods. Your state and district set the exact dates. Exact dates are shown only where checked against the official timetable; other periods are indicative. Confirm local arrangements with your school.
- August – October 2026 (indicative; check locally)
K to grade 8
- Fall – winter 2026 (indicative; check locally)
Often K to grade 3 · varies by district
- December 2026 – February 2027 (indicative; check locally)
K to grade 8
- March – May 2027 (indicative; check locally)
Grades 3 to 8 · window set by your state
- May – June 2027 (indicative; check locally)
K to grade 8
- Summer – fall 2027 (indicative; check locally)
Grades 3 to 8
After elementary school
Elementary school usually ends after grade 5, and middle school runs to grade 8. Most children go to their neighborhood public school without a test.
Neighborhood school
- Grade 5
- Middle school
Then: High school from grade 9
Some districts start middle school in grade 6 or 7. State test results do not decide places.
Choice programs
- Apply
- Magnet or charter
Then: Lottery or admission criteria
Many districts have magnet, charter or dual-language schools. Some use test scores or gifted identification.
More in the guides:
Tests in five large states
Dates, test names and score levels for each state.
California
CAASPP: Smarter Balanced tests in grades 3 to 8, with new score labels from 2026.
Texas
STAAR in spring 2027, then three shorter tests a year from 2027–28.
Florida
FAST three times a year, with levels 1 to 5 at the end of the year.
New York
Grades 3–8 tests in ELA and math every April, on computer.
Pennsylvania
PSSA in late April and early May, with four performance levels.
Sources
- NCES: The Nation's Report Card (NAEP) (opens in a new tab)
- NWEA: MAP Growth (opens in a new tab)
- Curriculum Associates: i-Ready Assessment (opens in a new tab)
- National Association for Gifted Children (opens in a new tab)
Updated on 12 October 2026. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.