Tests By State: Comprehensive Guide to K-12 Testing Requirements Across the USA
State testing requirements differ widely across the U.S., but all must satisfy the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA):
Grades K–2 & Elementary
- Although federal law doesn’t require grades K-2 testing, many states administer early literacy or numeracy screeners to guide instruction and identify interventions before Grade 3.
Grades 3–8 & Middle School
- ESSA mandates annual reading and math assessments in Grades 3-8. Most states also require at least one science exam-typically in late elementary (Grades 5-6) and middle school (Grades 8-9).
High School
- Students must take at least one federally approved reading and math test in high school; many states add end-of-course exams (e.g., Algebra I, Biology) and a second science assessment to fulfill ESSA’s science requirement.
This patchwork of K–12 assessments and standardized tests ensures early intervention, ongoing progress monitoring, and accountability at every stage of a student’s journey.
State-by-State Testing Requirements
Curious about the tests required in your state? Explore the tables below to find detailed information on standardized testing by state. You can also start preparing for these exams with our tailored practice resources and test prep packs.
Alabama
- Grades 2-8 for ELA and Math, grades 4, 6, and 8 for Science
- Students in grade 11 take the ACT with Writing
Alaska
- Replaced PEAKS exam in 2022 as Alaska's K-12 assessment
- Uses NWEA MAP assessments
Arizona
- Grades 3-12 in English language arts and math
- Students in grade 11 take the ACT with Writing
Arkansas
- Grades 3-10, plus EOC Exams for Algebra I, Geometry, Biology
- Students in grade 11 take the ACT Aspire
Colorado
- ELA and math grades 3-8, Science grades 5, 8, 11, Social studies grades 4, 7, plus PSAT and SAT
Conneticut
- Grades 3-8 for ELA and math, plus NGSS science assessments and physical fitness
Delaware
- ELA and Math grades 3-8, Social Studies grades 4, 7, 11, Science grades 5, 8, HS Biology
Florida
- Florida Kindergarten Readiness Screener (FLKRS)
- ELA grades 3-10, Math grades 3-8, Science grades 5, 8, plus End-of-Course assessments
Georgia
- GKIDS: This assessment is for kindergarten students and is used to determine their readiness for first grade.
- EOG assessments in ELA and Math, plus Science and Social Studies in grades 5 and 8
Hawaii
- Grades 3-8 and 11 for ELA/Literacy and Mathematics
Idaho
- ISAT (Idaho Standards Achievement Test): For students in grades 3-8 and 11 in Math, ELA, and science (grades 5, 8, and 11). IRI (Idaho Reading Indicator): Administered twice a year
Illinois
- ELA and math grades 3-8, Science grades 5, 8, ACT for grade 11 (starting 2024-25)
Indiana
- ELA and Math grades 3-8, Science grades 4, 6, Social Studies grade 5, Biology EOC
- Students in grade 11 take the ACT with Writing
Kansas
- ELA and Math: grades 3-8 and grade 10. Science: grades 5, 8, and 11.
Kentucky
- Grades 3-8, 10, 11 for reading, math, science, social studies, writing
- End-of-course: grades 9-11 for Early Graduation
Louisiana
- Grades 3-8 and 11 for ELA, math, science, social studies
- American College Testing (ACT)
Maine
- Grades 3-8 for ELA and math, grades 5, 8 for science, grade 11 for all subjects
Maryland
- ELA grades 3-8, 10; Math grades 3-8, Algebra I/II, Geometry; Science grades 5, 8, Biology
Massachusetts
- ELA and Math grades 3-8, Science grades 5, 8, ELA grade 10
Michigan
- Grades 3-8 for ELA and math, grades 5, 8 for science and social studies, MME for grade 11
Minnesota
- Grades 3-8 for reading and math, grades 5, 8, HS for science, grade 10 reading, grade 11 math
Mississippi
- Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA)
- Grades 3-8 for ELA and math, grades 5, 8 for science, plus SATP for high school
Missouri
- Grades 3-8 for ELA and math, grades 5, 8 for science, plus End-of-Course assessments
Montana
- Grades 3-8 for ELA and math, grades 5, 8, and once in high school for science.
- Students in grade 11 take ACT with writing
Nebraska
- Grades 3-8 for ELA and math, grades 5, 8 for science.
- ACT for grade 11
Nevada
- Brigance Early Childhood Screens III: kindergarten readiness.
- SBAC: grades 3-8 for reading and math. Science: grades 5, 8, and high school
- NWEA MAP is also used
New Hampshire
- Grades 3-8 for English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics, with science assessments in grades 5, 8, and 11
- All grade 11 students take the SAT School Day with Essay
New Jersey
- NJSLA grades 3-8 for ELA and math, grades 6 and 9 for science, high school for Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Geometry, and English 9-11, grade 12 for science
New Mexico
- The Istation early literacy assessment is mandated for students in grades K-2.
- K-12 students in public schools are required to participate in state-mandated assessments, including the NM-MSSA for English Language Arts and Mathematics in grades 3-8, and science assessments in grades 3-5, 6-9, and 10-12.
North Carolina
- Mandatory Testing: NC EOG: grades 3-8 for reading and math, grades 5 and 8 for science. EOC: required high school courses, must comprise at least 20% of final grade.
- State Assessment: End-of-Grade (EOG) and End-of-Course (EOC) tests
North Dakota
- Students in grades 3-8 and 10 participate in English language arts and math assessments. Grades 4, 8, and 10 also take science assessments.
Ohio
- Grades 3-8 for ELA and math, grades 5, 8 for science, End-of-Course tests for HS, ACT or SAT
Oklahoma
- Grades 3-8, 11 for math, ELA, and Science; Grade 11 U.S. History assessment
Oregon
- SBAC: grades 3-8 and 11 for ELA and math. Oregon State Science Assessment: grades 5, 8, and 11.
Pennsylvania
- Grades 3-8 for ELA and math, grades 4 and 8 for science.
- Keystone Exams: end-of-course assessments for Algebra I, Literature, and Biology.
Rhode Island
- RI-PACT: grades 3-8 for ELA and math. Next-Generation Science Assessment (NGSA): grades 5, 8, and 11.
- SAT: grade 11 (state-mandated)
South Carolina
- SC Ready: grades 3-8 for ELA and math. South Carolina Science Assessment: grades 4 and 6.
- End-of-Course exams: Algebra I, English 1, Biology, U.S. History
South Dakota
- Students in grades 3-8 and 11 take the Smarter Balanced assessment in ELA and math.
- Science: Students take the South Dakota Science test in grades 5, 8, and 11.
Tennessee
- Grades 3-8 for ELA, math, science, social studies; EOC for HS.
- ACT or SAT for grade 11
Utah
- Grades K-3: Acadience Reading (optional for grades 4-6)
- Grades 3-8: State-mandated RISE (Readiness, Improvement, Success, Empowerment) tests for grades 3, 5, and 8
- Grades 9-10: Utah Aspire Plus test (includes English, math, and science)
- Grade 11: ACT assessment
Vermont
- Students in grades 3-8 and 9th grade take the Smarter Balanced assessments in ELA and math as part of the VTCAP. Students in grades 5, 8, and 11 take the VSA in science.
- PSAT/NMSQT: Administered to 10th and 11th graders. ACT is required for 11th-grade students.
Virginia
- Tests are administered in grades 3-8 and upon completion of certain high school courses.
Washington
- Grades 3-8 and 10 for ELA and math. Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS): grades 5, 8, and 11
West Virginia
- Pre-K & K: The West Virginia Early Learning Reporting System assesses students in these early grades.
- Grades 3-8: Students take the WVGSA, which includes English Language Arts and Math. Science is also assessed in grades 5 and 8.
- Grade 11: Students participate in the SAT School Day, which serves as the state's college and career readiness assessment.
Wisconsin
- Grades 3-8 for ELA and math, grades 4, 8 for science, grades 4, 8, 10 for social studies
Wyoming
- Grades 3-10: Students in these grades are assessed in ELA and math.
- Grades 3, 5, 7, and 9: Students in these grades are also assessed in writing.
- Grades 4, 8, and 10: Students in these grades are assessed in science.
- Students in high school also take the ACT Plus Writing test
District Test Variations Within States
Even when a state prescribes a single, “official” assessment, districts often tailor the way it’s delivered, supplemented, or interpreted:
Supplemental Local Benchmarks
- Many districts layer on interim assessments (e.g., NWEA MAP, Renaissance STAR) at key grade-levels or mid-year checkpoints. This lets administrators track growth more granularly than the once-a-year state test.
Timing and Scheduling
- Staggered Windows: While State A might mandate testing in April, District X tests in early April, District Y waits until late April—often to accommodate local calendars (e.g., spring break, graduation rehearsals).
- Flexible Make-up Days: Some districts build in extra “testing windows” for students who miss the main administration; others leave make-ups to individual schools.
Accommodations and Accessibility
- Although federal law (IDEA & Section 504) ensures accommodations, districts vary in how quickly and widely they deploy them.
Homeschool Testing Requirements Summary
States Requiring Assessment for All Homeschoolers (9 states):
- Hawaii, Oregon, Maine, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, and West Virginia
States with Optional or Flexible Requirements (24 states):
- These states have some form of assessment requirement, but most offer alternatives like portfolio reviews, evaluations by qualified professionals, or choice between testing and alternative assessments.
No Testing Requirements (17 states):
- Many states, including large ones like Texas, California, Florida (under certain options), and Illinois, have no testing requirements for homeschoolers.
Testing Methods for Homeschoolers:
- Taking tests at local public schools (if permitted)
- Hiring certified test administrators
- Joining homeschool group testing events
- Using nationally normed tests like NWEA MAP or Renaissance STAR
Family Membership
Designed for families with multiple children or ongoing test-prep needs. Choose practice across different tests, grades, and subjects, while keeping everything in one account where you can see your children’s scores, practice history, and progress.
Recent Changes in State Testing (2024-2025)
- Massachusetts: Ended MCAS graduation requirements following 2024 ballot question
- Texas: Considering STAAR replacement with three shorter tests throughout the year
- Illinois: Switched from SAT to ACT for state assessment starting 2024-25 school year
- North Dakota: Implementing ND A+ Summative starting Spring 2025
- Indiana: Piloting checkpoint-based ILEARN with three assessments throughout year in 2024-25, full implementation 2025-26
Terms Used When Talking About State Testing
SBAC (Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium)
The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) provides a comprehensive, standards-aligned assessment system used by many states as part of their K-12 testing programs. Its primary focus is on measuring student progress toward college and career readiness, particularly in English language arts/literacy and mathematics. SBAC assessments are used to gauge whether students are on track for postsecondary success
Common Core State Standards Test (CCSS)
The Common Core is a set of academic standards students are expected to meet at the end of each school year. Its tests are designed to examine student ability in alliance with the Common Core.
End-of-Course Test (EOC)
High school students enrolled in designated core courses (e.g., Algebra I, Biology, U.S. History, English II) are required to take End-of-Course (EOC) assessments. Their structure and significance can differ widely depending on state and local requirements.
What Is the ACT Aspire Test?
ACT Aspire is a test used in grades 3–10 to check how students are doing in school and how ready they are for future academic success. It’s designed to show progress over time and help teachers and parents understand what students are doing well—and where they might need extra help.
Key Takeaways for Parents:
- Not a college entrance test like the ACT or SAT
- Helps schools and families support learning early
- Shows how your child is doing compared to grade-level expectations
- Can help predict future ACT performance
SAT and ACT: Overview, Who Takes Them, and Why
Both the SAT and ACT serve as gateways to college admissions, scholarships, and academic placement. Students should choose the test that best fits their strengths and college goals, as all U.S. colleges accept either test.
