PARENTS’ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT NEW YORK STATE’S ANNUAL GRADES 3-8 ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS & MATHEMATICS TESTS & GRADES 5 & 8 SCIENCE TESTS - 2024

Sep 4, 2026

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Parents’ frequently asked questions explain the spring administration of New York State’s annual Grades 3–8 English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics tests and the Grades 5 & 8 Science tests, required under ESSA. The FAQ covers test structure and session counts, the meaning of computer-based testing (CBT), availability of paper accommodations and alternative formats, and the multi-week testing window with school-day selection and make-up dates. It also addresses untimed administration and outlines question types and released items.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

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Parents’ Frequently Asked Questions About New York State’s Annual Tests

Test Length and Sessions

Computer-Based Testing (CBT)

Test Administration Dates and Windows

Untimed Testing

Question Types and Released Items

PARENTS’ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT NEW YORK STATE’S ANNUAL GRADES 3-8 ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS & MATHEMATICS TESTS & GRADES 5 & 8 SCIENCE TESTS The Grades 3-8 English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics Tests and Grades 5 & 8 Science Tests are administered in the spring to students across New York State. These annual tests for students in grades 3-8 are required by the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015. Public and charter school students enrolled in Grades 3–8 are expected to take the ELA , math, and science tests administered for their grade level. The tests are designed to measure how well students are mastering the learning standards that guide classroom instruction and are a valuable tool used to help ensure students have the support needed to succeed. The tests can also help identify any learning needs a student may have. The annual tests are one measure used to assess student learning and is one tool of many used by educators to ensure students are getting the services and supports they need to prepare for career, college, and civic readiness. 1. What is the length of the 2024 tests? • The 2024 Grades 3–8 ELA and Math Tests consist of two sessions each that are administered over two days. • The 2024 Grades 5 & 8 Science Tests consist of a single session that is administered in one day. 2. What is computer-based testing (CBT)? • Students testing on computer will select their answers for the multiple-choice questions on the computer instead of on an answer sheet and will type their responses to the open-ended questions on the computer instead of handwriting them in paper test booklets. • CBT has been successfully implemented in many states. New York State builds on its statewide transition to CBT for the Grades 3–8 ELA, Math and Science Tests in 2024. In Spring 2024, all students in grades 5 and 8 will take the ELA, math, and science tests via CBT. The other grade levels may also participate in CBT, but paper-based testing will still be available for these students. The transition will continue in 2025 and 2026, with two grades being added each year until all grades 3-8 tests are administered by computer in 2026. • The Question Sampler ([https://ny.nextera.questarai.com/tds/\#practice](https://ny.nextera.questarai.com/tds/#practice) ) is available publicly online and offers an opportunity for students, parents, and educators to become familiar with CBT. • As New York State transitions to CBT, paper-based testing will remain available as an accommodation for students who, according to their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or Section 504 Plans, must test on paper and for students who require an alternate language edition of the mathematics or science test. In addition, paper-based testing will remain available to religious and independent schools, who do not make use of technology in the classroom because of religious beliefs. 3. When will the 2024 tests be administered? • There will be a multiple-week window (Monday, April 8 – Friday, May 17) to administer the Grades 3–8 ELA and Math Computer-based Tests and the Grades 5 & 8 Science Computer-based Tests. Schools will select two consecutive schooldays within the window for ELA and math and one day for science. Make-ups can be administered up until the end of the window. The expanded computer-based testing window provides greater flexibility to schools that do not wish to test during the April 8 solar eclipse and those that may close for the observance of Eid al-Fitr. • The Grades 3, 4, 6 & 7 ELA Tests administered on paper will be given on two consecutive school days of the school’s choosing between Wednesday, April 10 – Friday, April 12 , with make-up dates between Monday , April 15 – Wednesday , April 17. • The Grades 3, 4, 6 & 7 Math Tests administered on paper will be given on two consecutive school days of the school’s choosing between Tuesday, May 7 – Thursday, May 9 , with make-up dates between Friday, May 10

FAQs

How long are the 2024 Grades 3–8 ELA and Math tests and the Grades 5 & 8 Science tests?

The 2024 Grades 3–8 ELA and Math tests consist of two sessions each administered over two days. The 2024 Grades 5 & 8 Science tests consist of a single session administered in one day.

What is computer-based testing (CBT), and will paper testing still be available?

With CBT, students select multiple-choice answers on the computer and type responses to open-ended questions. As New York State transitions, paper-based testing remains available as an accommodation for students with IEPs or Section 504 Plans and for alternate language editions, as well as for religious and independent schools.

When will the 2024 tests be administered?

Grades 3–8 ELA and Math and Grades 5 & 8 Science tests are administered during a multi-week window from Monday, April 8 to Friday, May 17. Schools choose two consecutive schooldays within the window for ELA and math and one day for science, with make-ups allowed until the end of the window.

Sep 4, 2026

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