State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR)

What is the STAAR Test?

The STAAR Test (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) was implemented in spring 2012, replacing the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) test. STAAR is a standardized test given in the state of Texas to primary and secondary students.  It is state mandated, which means if a public school is to receive funds in the state of Texas, they must give this test and your child is not allowed to opt out of them.  Private schools, charter schools and homeschooling students are not required to take it. STAAR Testing dates typically occur in the spring months around April.

Your child will be given 4 hours to complete the STAAR test (5 hours for English I and II only.).

For the younger students, grades 3-8, the test is given as a marker for their progress made over the course of the year.  For instance in elementary and middle school, the STAAR’s content is focused on what is taught during the current academic year rather than knowledge and skills learned over multiple years. In 5th and 8th grade, a student may only advance to the next grade level by passing the reading and math tests or by unanimous decision of his or her Grade Placement Committee. Students have three opportunities to pass mathematics and reading.

As students reach high school, however, the tests (English I and II, Algebra I, Biology and History) must be passed, as part of the students’ requirements for graduation.  STAAR EOC (End-of-Course) assessments test high school students’ mastery of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for a given course and determine each student’s college and career readiness.

The STAAR test program includes annual assessments for the following:

• Reading and mathematics, grades 3–8: The STAAR test program assesses students in reading and mathematics for grades 3 through 8. These tests are designed to measure students’ proficiency in core reading comprehension and mathematical problem-solving skills. The reading assessment focuses on understanding texts, vocabulary, and making connections, while the mathematics assessment covers topics such as number operations, algebraic reasoning, geometry, and data analysis. These assessments help to track students’ progress and ensure they are meeting state curriculum standards.
• Writing at grades 4 and 7: STAAR writing assessments are administered to students in grades 4 and 7. These tests measure students’ ability to compose well-structured, coherent, and grammatically correct essays. Students are evaluated on their ability to express ideas clearly, organize thoughts effectively, and use appropriate grammar, punctuation, and spelling. The tests include both multiple-choice questions that assess editing and revising skills and a written composition that evaluates students’ overall writing abilities.
• Science at grades 5 and 8: The STAAR science assessments are designed for students in grades 5 and 8. These tests evaluate students’ understanding of key scientific concepts, such as the scientific method, properties of matter, energy, forces and motion, Earth and space systems, and life science. The assessments are aligned with state curriculum standards and help to ensure that students have a strong foundation in scientific knowledge and reasoning skills.
• Social studies at grade 8: The STAAR social studies assessment is administered to grade 8 students and covers topics such as history, geography, economics, government, and citizenship. The test focuses on critical thinking skills, including the ability to analyze and interpret primary and secondary sources, understand historical and geographic context, and evaluate different perspectives. This assessment helps to gauge students’ understanding of the social, political, and economic development of the United States and the world.
• End-of-course (EOC) assessments for English I, English II, English III Algebra I, Algebra II, Biology, and U.S history: The STAAR EOC assessments are administered at the end of specific high school courses to measure students’ mastery of the course content. These assessments cover a wide range of subjects, including English I, English II, and English III (focusing on reading comprehension, writing, and literary analysis), Algebra I and Algebra II (testing mathematical problem-solving and algebraic reasoning), Biology (evaluating understanding of biological concepts, processes, and systems), and U.S. history (assessing knowledge of historical events, people, and themes in the United States). The EOC assessments serve as a valuable tool for evaluating students’ readiness for college and the workforce.

For STAAR practice test questions and examples of the types of questions found on the Texas STAAR, view our 100 free practice questions.

TEA shares two types of test questions for the STAAR program—sample questions and test forms. Sample test questions are small subsets of test questions released from the STAAR test banks. These test questions may have been previously administered. A test form is a set of released test questions previously administered together to Texas students which reflects the STAAR test blueprints.

Once students have taken a STAAR assessment they will receive a score indicating their performance. Students will fall in to one of the three categories below:

• Level III: Advanced Academic Performance: Students who achieve Level III have demonstrated a superior understanding of the tested subject matter. They have surpassed the minimum requirements for grade-level proficiency and have exhibited a comprehensive grasp of the knowledge and skills required in the specific subject area. These students are well-prepared for the next grade level or course and are on track for college and career readiness. Their performance indicates a high likelihood of success in more advanced coursework and future academic challenges.
• Level II: Satisfactory Academic Performance: Students who fall into the Level II category have met the established state standards for grade-level proficiency in the tested subject area. They have demonstrated an adequate understanding of the material and possess the necessary skills to progress to the next grade level or course. Level II students have achieved the minimum expectations for college and career readiness and are likely to succeed in future academic pursuits with continued support and targeted instruction.
• Level I: Unsatisfactory Academic Performance:
  Students who score at Level I have not met the state’s grade-level proficiency standards in the tested subject area. They have not demonstrated an adequate understanding of the material and may struggle with the next grade level or course without additional support and intervention. These students may require targeted instruction, remediation, or additional resources to address gaps in their knowledge and skills. Their performance indicates a need for close monitoring and guidance to improve their chances of future academic success.

STAAR is available in a variety of formats to serve students who are in the special education program or who are English language learners (ELL).

Tell us about your experiences

28 Responses

smitha.nallur@gmail.com

Testing mom is the best education for my child

Sharon

Hi looking for practice help with 3rd grade staar test

TestingMom.com

Hi Sharon –

With a TestingMom membership, you have full access to our STAAR materials. In addition, in our Skill Building Academy, we provide you access to a website (I can’t mention the name here) that, like TestingMom, is based in Texas and their entire focus is on end of the year tests, like the STAAR test!

Marcus

TD

Hello and thank you for the information on your site. I am actually a certified teacher in the state of Texas who has been asked to support a homeschool co-op, so have been doing research on homeschooling in general which led me to your page.

Regarding the STAAR exam, I wanted to comment on your statement: “Private schools, charter schools and homeschooling students are not required to take it.” Charter schools in the state of Texas ARE required to administer the STAAR exam (I currently teach at one). It IS mentioned in this article that public schools receiving funds from the state must take the exam, but then you say in a subsequent sentence that “charter schools” do not need to take the STAAR. Charter schools are considered public (schools of choice), do receive (limited) funds from the state, and are required to administer the STAAR exam.

I have learned this information from several trainings and as a parent who researched charter schools as an option for my own children years ago (stayed in ISD). If I am incorrect, please let me know what resource to review to correct my thinking. At any rate, this email is sent with positive intent, and I wish you continued success!

~tb

Megan

Do homeschoolers get the option to take STAAR if they want to?

Jan

Have an ELL student with limited English written skills (better oral/aural skills), though she is 17. She only arrived from China three years ago.

I would like to administer the STAAR diagnostic to place her skills without terrifying her. Any recommendations?

TestingMom.com

Hi Jan –

Thank you for reaching out to us.

That is great that you’re working with her! I would recommend going to the TEA website. They do have past tests for the STAAR as well as the TELPAS (Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System). We do provide printable practice questions for the STAAR with a paid membership in the areas of math and ELA from 3rd – 8th grade. In addition, in our Skill Building Academy, we provide access to 30+ educational websites to help with year-round academic enrichment.

All the best,

Marcus

venkideep@gmail.com

Need help for my 3rd grader to improve on her Reading & Writing Skills !!

Michelle

Looking for a test for a home schooled 8th grader.

TestingMom.com

Hi Michelle –

While we do not provide tests, we can recommend a company. Please reach out to our Parent Success Team at help@testingmom.com or by calling 877-609-6203.

All the best,

Marcus

Kira Orta

How can I give my daughter the starr test?

robert

if private schools do not give the STAAR test is their high school diploma recognized by the state of Texas?

sulingli1000@gmail.com

I can not find the STAAR test, I already paid…

TestingMom.com

Email us and let us help!

Saroj.rout@gmail.com

Hi,
Am looking for STAAR Test preparation fir TEXAS
Can you please email me if you can’t mention here, which website in Skill Building academy can help in preparation.

Thanks in advance
Saroj

uhm444@gmail.com

I am looking for4th grade practice tests

TestingMom.com

Hi,

We have 4th-grade practice tests and questions for 25+ tests on our site. Many of those include the CogAT test, the OLSAT test, the NNAT 2/3 test and the MAP test. Please email us at help@testingmom.com so we can help get you started today!

kjohnsonfoundation@gmail.com

testing mom is frankly too expensive they offer 5 tests and expect you too pay hundreds of dollars.

TestingMom.com

Hi,

We offer over 30 tests and 20 Skill Building Academy apps to help your child prepare for their upcoming test. On top of that, we offer email and phone support 7 days a week to answer any questions regarding the test and school districts. All of this for less than $100 per year! Below I have included a list of all the tests and apps that you would pay thousands a year just to have access to without a Testingmom.com membership.

Tests that we offer practice questions for:
-Admissions Assessments for Beginning Learners – AABL
-Bracken School Readiness Assessment – BRSA
-Canadian Cognitive Abilities Test – CCAT
-Chicago – CPS Test
-Cognitive Abilities Test – CogAT Form 6
-Cognitive Abilities Test – CogAT Form 7/8
-Canadian Test of Basic Skills – CTBS
-Comprehensive Testing Program – CTP-ERB Test
-Hunter College Elementary
-Inview Test
-Iowa and Iowa Tests of Basic Skills – ITBS
-Independent School Entrance Exam – ISEE
-Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children – KABC
-Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test – KBIT
-Measures of Academic Progress – MAP
-Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test – NNAT
-Otis-Lennon School Ability Test – OLSAT
-Raven’s Matrices
-Renaissance Star
-Reynolds Intellectual Assessment Scales RIAS
-Reynolds Intellectual Screening Test – RIST-2
-Screening Assessment for Gifted Students – SAGES-2
-Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales – SB5
-School and College Ability Test for Johns Hopkins CTY – SCAT
-Specialized High School Admissions Test – SHSAT
-Secondary School Admission Test – SSAT
-Spatial Test Battery for Johns Hopkins CTY – STB
-TerraNova
-Thinking and Engagement – T&E
-Torrence Tests of Creative Thinking – TTCT
-The Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence – WASI-II
-Wechsler Individual Achievement Test – WIAT-III
-Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children – WISC-IV
-Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children – WISC-V
-Woodcock-Johnson III Test of Achievement
-Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence – WPPSI

Skill build Academy Apps we offer with membership:
-Big Universe Reading and Literacy
-ChessKid
-Code Combat
-Dreambox Learning
-MangaHigh
-MobyMax
-Reflex Math
-Scholastic programs
-Smart Math
-Spelling Ninja
-Story Smarts
-Study Island

This seems like more than 5 tests and we offer all of these for less than $100 per year. Please email us at help@testingmom.com if you have any other questions about our program!

TestingMom.com

Hi,

We offer over 30 tests and 20 Skill Building Academy apps to help your child prepare for their upcoming test. On top of that, we offer email and phone support 7 days a week to answer any questions regarding the test and school districts. All of this for less than $100 per year! Below I have included a list of all the tests and apps that you would pay thousands a year just to have access to without a Testingmom.com membership.

Tests that we offer practice questions for:
-Admissions Assessments for Beginning Learners – AABL
-Bracken School Readiness Assessment – BRSA
-Canadian Cognitive Abilities Test – CCAT
-Chicago – CPS Test
-Cognitive Abilities Test – CogAT Form 6
-Cognitive Abilities Test – CogAT Form 7/8
-Canadian Test of Basic Skills – CTBS
-Comprehensive Testing Program – CTP-ERB Test
-Hunter College Elementary
-Inview Test
-Iowa and Iowa Tests of Basic Skills – ITBS
-Independent School Entrance Exam – ISEE
-Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children – KABC
-Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test – KBIT
-Measures of Academic Progress – MAP
-Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test – NNAT
-Otis-Lennon School Ability Test – OLSAT
-Raven’s Matrices
-Renaissance Star
-Reynolds Intellectual Assessment Scales RIAS
-Reynolds Intellectual Screening Test – RIST-2
-Screening Assessment for Gifted Students – SAGES-2
-Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales – SB5
-School and College Ability Test for Johns Hopkins CTY – SCAT
-Specialized High School Admissions Test – SHSAT
-Secondary School Admission Test – SSAT
-Spatial Test Battery for Johns Hopkins CTY – STB
-TerraNova
-Thinking and Engagement – T&E
-Torrence Tests of Creative Thinking – TTCT
-The Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence – WASI-II
-Wechsler Individual Achievement Test – WIAT-III
-Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children – WISC-IV
-Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children – WISC-V
-Woodcock-Johnson III Test of Achievement
-Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence – WPPSI

Skill build Academy Apps we offer with membership:
-Big Universe Reading and Literacy
-ChessKid
-Code Combat
-Dreambox Learning
-MangaHigh
-MobyMax
-Reflex Math
-Scholastic programs
-Smart Math
-Spelling Ninja
-Story Smarts
-Study Island

This seems like more than 5 tests and we offer all of these for less than $100 per year. Please email us at help@testingmom.com if you have any other questions about our program!

kywongmyhk@gmail.com

hi
i am already having 3 months membership how do i can into the STAAR test questions?

TestingMom.com

Hello,

Please reach out to our Parent Success Team at help@testingmom.com or by calling (877) 609-6203. They will be more than happy to assist you with this situation.

meha.parashar@gmail.com

I am the lifetime member and it is not letting me go to STAAR test, Can you please help.

TestingMom.com

Hi Meha,

From your TestingMom homepage, click the ‘Select a Test’ dropdown menu in the upper left hand corner. The first test listed is “State Tests (all 50) – Common Core”. Select that test and you’ll be directed to be a map of the United States, where you can select Texas.

All the best,

Marcus

prachi.pattanshetty@gmail.com

How can I get access to the STAAR test questions?

TestingMom.com

Hello,

Please reach out to our Parent Success Team at 877-609-6203 or help@testingmom.com. They will help you learn more about the STAAR Test and how to find additional practice on our website!

Adina

I was a special education teacher. I donated all of my teaching material over 30K to a wounded vet that wanted to home school her kids. I was trying to sell it but she pulled my heart strings. Then she sold all of it. Anyway, I would like the STARR Program from home. He is 4 and has ADHD. We are probably going to home school him. We don’t want him exposed to what they are teaching.

Can you tell me the costs? I’m disabled and on an extremely tight budget.

Thank you,
Adina Golio

TestingMom.com

Hi Adina, thanks for reaching out! Please email us at help@testingmom.com so we can see how we may help you out!

See if TestingMom.com supports your child’s test by your school district. If you don't see your child's school district listed, check with us! We have practice for other tests as well.