Yearly Testing

Elementary and middle school students in New York City take annual State exams, which help to determine whether they’re achieving State standards. They include:

• English Language Arts (ELA). Students in grades 3-8 take this exam each winter. Learn more about what your child is learning in ELA and how that learning is measured.
• Mathematics. Students in grades 3-8 take this exam in late winter and early spring. Learn more about what your child is learning in math and how that learning is measured.
• Social Studies. Students in grade 5 take this exam in the fall; students in grade 8 take it in the spring. Learn more about what your child is learning in Social Studies and how that learning is measured.
• Science. Students in grades 4 and 8 take this exam in the spring. Learn more about what your child is learning in science and how that learning is measured.

To graduate, high school students are required to pass five Regents exams: English, Mathematics, Science, Global History, and U.S. History and Government. Learn more about our high school graduation requirements.

In addition to these State exams, the City provides an array of citywide tests to students, including:

• PSAT/NMSQT. Starting in 2006, we began an initiative to help prepare students for college admissions. Now, all students in grades 10 and 11 can take the PSAT for free in the fall.
• High School Admissions Tests. Students in grades 8 or 9 who wish to enroll in a specialized high school may participate in a timed multiple-choice test in the fall to determine proficiency in verbal and mathematical skills.
• New York City Accelerated Assessments. Students in the eighth-grade who are in accelerated global studies, art, or music classes may take a timed test in spring to earn possible high school course credit or advanced placement.