General Information
The NY Testing Program includes standardized testing in ELA (English Language Arts), Math, and Science. ELA and Math tests are administered annually in all New York State public schools to students in grades 3 through 8. There is also a New York State Science Test administered annually in all New York State schools to students in grades 5 and 8.
The New York state tests were developed by Questar and align with Next Generation Learning Standards. There are different versions of both tests at each grade level. These tests are used to evaluate and compare schools across the state. Score reports also serve to inform teachers and parents about a student’s weaknesses and strengths. Moreover, score data is carefully considered for admissions to selective public schools and independent schools. This year, all 5th and 8th graders will take these assessments online (CBT) and other grades will continue taking them using paper and pencil (PBT). By Spring 2026, all tests will be administered online (CBT).
Test Dates
- The schedule for the NY Testing Program in grades 3-8 for Spring 2024 is available on this page.
- Districts may administer the NY Testing Program at any time within each window.
- Parents continue to have the right to refuse their child to participate in standardized tests. Should you wish to do so, please speak with your child’s principal and follow up with a written request.
Format and Content
ELA
The ELA exams within the NY Testing Program align with Next Generation Learning Standards to test reading, writing, language, speaking and listening. They measure students’ attainment of skills such as understanding story events, drawing conclusions, making predictions, identifying the main idea, using vocabulary strategies, identifying supporting details, identifying point of view, evaluating ideas, understanding features that distinguish genres, and using figurative language to interpret text. The test also presents a wide range of genres and informational texts, which are presented in the chart below.
Question types include multiple-choice and long and short constructed responses. The test is administered over 2 days and testing is untimed.
Mathematics
The Mathematics exams within the NY Testing Program align with Next Generation Learning Standards. The content varies depending on grade level and includes the following topics: number sense and operations, measurement, statistics, probability, algebra, and geometry.
Question types include multiple-choice, short and long constructed -response. The test is administered over 2 successive days with testing comprised of two books. The testing is untimed.
- Fourth graders need to have a ruler and a protractor, which is provided by the school during testing.
- Calculators are not permitted for grade 3-5.
- Sixth graders must have the exclusive use of a 4-function calculator with a square root key or a scientific calculator for books 2 and 3.
- Seventh and Eighth graders must have the exclusive use of a scientific calculator for books 2 and 3.
The Grades 3-8 Mathematics Tests will be available in Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Haitian Creole, Russian, and Spanish in PBT format. Mathematics Tests in CBT format are available in Chinese (Simplified), Haitian Creole, Korean, Russian, and Spanish. These language versions are only available for qualifying students who are English Language Learners.
Science
The Science exams within the NY Testing Program align with Next Generation Learning Standards. For grade 5, the test consists of 36-43 questions. For grade 8, the test has 56-62 questions. Both tests have 60% multiple choice and 40% constructed responses. The tests are taken online and students have unlimited time to complete the questions. The content varies depending on grade level and includes the following topics: living vs. non-living things, plants, animals, genetics, ecology, matter, energy, forces, astronomy, meteorology, water, erosion, process skills, geology, chemistry, physics, measurement, classification/sorting, magnetism, electricity, and inclined planes.
Science tests in the Spring of 2024 for Grades 5 and 8 will be available in Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Haitian Creole, Korean, Russian, and Spanish. These language versions are only available for qualifying students who are English Language Learners.
Scoring
After the test, and often not for several months, parents receive a Parent Report that summarizes their child’s performance. This report includes a scaled score, a performance level, and an overall state percentile rank. The scaled score is determined by the number of points your child earned on the test. A performance level is then assigned based on the scaled score. There are 4 performance levels, which include NYS Level 1, NYS Level 2, NYS Level 3, and NYS Level 4. The overall state percentile rank compares your child’s score to the rest of the students who took the same subject area test that particular school year. Percentile ranks are reported on a scale of 1-99.
Additional Information
Visit the official NYSED Office of State Assessment website to learn more about New York State Testing.