Frequently Asked Questions About New York State Assessments
Why does New York administer annual statewide tests?
The New York State Grades 3–8 English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics Tests measure how well students are progressing toward the New York State Next Generation Learning Standards. These standards emphasize reading comprehension, written communication, mathematical reasoning, critical thinking, and problem solving.
Test results provide one source of information about student achievement. They also help schools, districts, and the state identify academic strengths, instructional needs, and achievement gaps among groups of students.
Federal law under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires annual ELA and mathematics testing in Grades 3–8. Science testing is also required at least once during elementary school and once during middle school.
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Which New York State assessments do students take?
Students generally take:
- English Language Arts: Grades 3–8
- Mathematics: Grades 3–8
- Science: Grades 5 and 8
The science assessments were previously given in Grades 4 and 8, but New York now administers them in Grades 5 and 8.
When are the ELA, Math, and Science tests administered?
New York State assessments are administered during the spring. NYSED establishes testing windows each school year, and individual schools select their testing dates within those windows.
For the 2025–2026 school year, the Grades 3–8 ELA, Mathematics, and Grades 5 and 8 Science computer-based assessments were scheduled within a statewide spring window. Schools selected two consecutive testing days for each ELA and mathematics assessment and one day for science. Make-up testing was provided within the testing window for students who were absent.
Because dates change annually, families should consult their child’s school or district calendar for the current schedule.
What is computer-based testing?
Computer-based testing, commonly called CBT, means students complete the assessment using a computer, Chromebook, or other approved digital device rather than filling out a traditional paper answer booklet.
Students select multiple-choice answers on the screen and type or enter their constructed responses electronically. The testing platform may also include tools such as highlighting, answer elimination, zoom, line readers, and digital mathematics tools when appropriate.
Beginning in spring 2026, students in Grades 3–8 are required to take New York State ELA and mathematics assessments by computer, subject to approved exceptions and accommodations. Paper testing may remain available when required by an Individualized Education Program, Section 504 Accommodation Plan, alternate-language need, or another approved circumstance.
What types of questions are included?
The assessments include a combination of selected-response and constructed-response questions.
ELA questions may ask students to:
- Read literary and informational passages
- Identify central ideas and supporting details
- Make inferences
- Analyze vocabulary in context
- Compare texts
- Support written answers with evidence
Mathematics questions may require students to:
- Apply grade-level math concepts
- Solve multi-step problems
- Interpret charts, tables, and graphs
- Explain mathematical reasoning
- Use numbers and operations in real-world situations
Science questions measure students’ understanding of scientific concepts and practices, including interpreting data, analyzing models, evaluating evidence, and applying scientific reasoning.
NYSED also releases many previously administered questions so families and educators can review the format and skills measured. In 2025, the department released more than 75% of the ELA, mathematics, and science questions that counted toward students’ scores.
Why is it important for my child to participate?
The assessments provide a consistent statewide measure of how students are progressing toward grade-level learning standards.
Teachers and schools may use the results to:
- Identify student strengths
- Recognize skills that need additional instruction
- Plan academic support and enrichment
- Evaluate curriculum and instructional programs
- Compare school and district performance
- Identify achievement gaps among student populations
However, a state test score is only one measure of a child’s academic progress. Classroom work, teacher observations, local assessments, report cards, and other information provide a more complete picture.
Do newly arrived English Language Learners take the ELA test?
Participation requirements for English Language Learners and Multilingual Learners depend on how long the student has attended school in the United States and current state and federal policies.
Some recently arrived students may be exempt from the Grades 3–8 ELA assessment during their first year of enrollment in a United States school. These students generally participate in the New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test (NYSESLAT), which measures English-language proficiency.
Most English Language Learners participate in both the appropriate statewide academic assessments and the NYSESLAT. Schools may provide approved accommodations, such as bilingual glossaries, translated mathematics or science tests, separate testing locations, or additional time. Families should speak with their child’s school for guidance based on the student’s individual status.
What will I learn from my child’s score report?
The score report provides information about how your child performed on the assessment. It generally includes:
- An overall scale score
- A performance level
- Information about the skills or standards measured
- Comparisons with grade-level expectations
- Explanations to help families understand the results
New York State provides sample ELA, mathematics, and science score reports along with parent guides explaining how to interpret them.
The report should be considered alongside your child’s classroom performance, grades, teacher feedback, and other assessments.
How will my child’s scores be used?
Parents can use the results to begin a conversation with their child’s teacher about academic strengths, areas that may require support, and opportunities for enrichment.
Schools and districts may use aggregated results to:
- Guide instructional planning
- Evaluate academic programs
- Identify areas needing additional resources
- Monitor progress toward state standards
- Meet state and federal accountability requirements
A student’s Grades 3–8 ELA or mathematics score should not be used by itself as the sole basis for promotion, placement, or educational services. Local schools use multiple measures when making decisions about individual students.
How long do the tests take?
ELA and mathematics assessments are generally administered over two testing sessions or days, although exact schedules and estimated completion times vary by grade and subject.
Students may receive additional time when allowed under state testing procedures or documented accommodations. Schools also schedule breaks and testing conditions according to NYSED directions.
Parents should check with their child’s school for the anticipated testing schedule, as administration procedures may change from year to year.
Are accommodations available?
Yes. Students with disabilities may receive the testing accommodations listed in their:
- Individualized Education Program (IEP)
- Section 504 Accommodation Plan
Multilingual Learners may also receive approved language accommodations when permitted. Accommodations might include extended time, a separate location, text-to-speech where authorized, alternate-language editions, bilingual glossaries, or other supports.
The accommodations provided during state testing should reflect the student’s documented educational needs and current NYSED policies.
How are New York teachers involved in developing the tests?
New York State educators participate in reviewing test passages, questions, scoring materials, and alignment with state learning standards.
Teachers and other education professionals help evaluate whether questions are:
- Appropriate for the grade level
- Aligned with the standards
- Clear and accurate
- Fair to students
- Suitable for measuring the intended skill
Educators are also involved in scoring constructed-response questions and reviewing assessment materials. NYSED publishes annual technical reports describing test development, scaling, scoring, reliability, validity, and changes to the testing program.
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How can my child prepare?
The best preparation is steady instruction and skill development throughout the school year. Students can also benefit from practicing the types of tasks they will encounter, such as:
- Reading passages carefully
- Finding evidence in a text
- Writing clear, organized responses
- Solving multi-step math problems
- Explaining their reasoning
- Interpreting tables, graphs, and diagrams
- Using computer-based testing tools
- Checking their work
TestingMom offers online practice questions, printable activities, educational games, answer explanations, and tutoring that help students strengthen the reading, mathematics, reasoning, and test-taking skills measured on New York State assessments.
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