Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

California Assessment System

List of the tests for the California Assessment System for students in kindergarten through grade twelve (K–12).

Legend

CBT: Computer Based Test | CR: Constructed Response | MC: Multiple Choice | PA: Performance Assessment
PT: Performance Task | SR: Selected Response | TE: Technology Enhanced

California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP)

Test Content Format Type Participants Grades Window
Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments English language arts/literacy (ELA) and Mathematics Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) and PT CR MC PT SR TE All students at designated grade levels
Exceptions:
• Eligible students participating in the California Alternate Assessments (CAA)
• ELA only—English learners who are in their first 12 months of attending school in the United States
3–8 and 11

Local educational agencies (LEAs) may select their own local testing window which must:

  • Have a minimum window of 25 instructional days
  • Fall within available statewide testing window: January 14 through June 30, 2025
California Science Test Science CBT CR MC
PT SR
TE
All students in designated grade levels
Exceptions:
• Eligible students participating in the CAA for Science
5 and 8, and once in grade 10, 11, or 12

LEAs may select their own local testing window which must:

  • Have a minimum window of 25 instructional days
  • Fall within available statewide testing window: January 14 through June 30, 2025
California Spanish Assessment Reading and Language Arts in Spanish CBT MC SR TE CR Students seeking a measure of their Spanish Reading/Language arts skills 3–8 and high school

LEAs may select their own local testing window which must:

  • Have a minimum window of 25 instructional days
  • Fall within available statewide testing window: January 14 through June 30, 2025
California Alternate Assessments ELA and Mathematics CBT CR MC SR TE Students with the most significant cognitive disabilities whose active individualized educational program (IEP) designates the use of an alternate assessment 3–8 and 11

LEAs may select their own local testing window which must:

  • Have a minimum window of 25 instructional days
  • Fall within available statewide testing window: January 14 through June 30, 2025
California Alternate Assessment Science PT and CBT MC PT SR TE Students with the most significant cognitive disabilities whose active IEP designates the use of an alternate assessment 5 and 8, and once in grade 10, 11, or 12

September 17, 2024, through last day of instruction or June 30, 2025, whichever comes first.

Interim Assessments ELA, Mathematics, and Science CBT CR MC PT TE All students in California LEAs may participate 3–8 and high school Optional tests available at any time throughout the year that may be used in conjunction with Tools for Teachers resources.

English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC)

Test Content Format Type Participants Grades Window
Inital ELPAC Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing CBT with paper and pencil test for K–2 Writing

CR
MC

All students whose primary language is not English as indicated on the Home Language Survey (HLS) enrolling in a California public school for the first time K–12(1) July 3, 2024, through June 30, 2025. Must be administered within 30 calendar days of enrolling in a California public school for the first time.
Summative ELPAC Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing CBT with paper and pencil test for K–2 Writing CR MC Identified English learners until they are re-designated as fluent English proficient K–12(1) February 3 through May 31, 2025
Initial Alternate ELPAC Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing
Expressive (Speaking and Writing), Receptive (Listening and Reading)
CBT CR MC Students with the most significant cognitive disabilities whose active IEP designates the use of an alternate assessment and whose primary language is not English as indicated on the HLS enrolling in a California public school for the first time K–12(1) July 3, 2024, through June 30, 2025. Must be administered within 30 calendar days of enrolling in a California public school for the first time.
Summative Alternate ELPAC Expressive (Speaking and Writing), Receptive (Listening and Reading) CBT CR MC Identified English learner students with the most significant cognitive disabilities whose active IEP designates the use of an alternate assessment until they are re-designated as fluent English proficient K–12(1) February 3 through May 31, 2025
Interim Assessments ELPAC CBT CR MC All students in California LEAs eligible to take the ELPAC may participate K–12 Optional tests available at any time throughout the year.

(1) Grade 12 includes adult transition students through age 21.

Physical Fitness Test (PFT)

Content Format Type Participants Grades Window
Aerobic Capacity, Abdominal Strength and Endurance, Trunk Extensor Strength and Flexibility, Upper Body Strength and Endurance, and Flexibility

FITNESSGRAM® Performance Assessment

The FITNESSGRAM® is a registered trademark of The Cooper Institute.

PA All students, regardless of whether they are enrolled in a physical education class or participate in a block schedule 5, 7, and 9 February 1 through May 31, 2025

California Proficiency Program (CPP): For information visit the California Department of Education CPP web page.

High School Equivalency (HSE): California has approved the use of two high school equivalency tests: GED® and HiSET®. For more information on these two optional tests visit the California Department of Education (CDE) HSE web page.

National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP): For information visit the CDE NAEP web page.

Questions:   California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress Office | caaspp@cde.ca.gov | 916-445-8765
Last Reviewed: Tuesday, July 30, 2024
Related Content
Recently Posted in Testing
  • 2024 Assessment Data Release FAQs (added 11-Oct-2024)
    Frequently asked questions related to the release of 2024 California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) and English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) statewide results.
  • Assessment Spotlight, Issue 294 (added 30-Sep-2024)
    California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) email update, September 27, 2024.
  • Assessment Spotlight, Issue 293 (added 25-Sep-2024)
    California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) email update, September 20, 2024.
  • Assessment Spotlight, Issue 292 (added 25-Sep-2024)
    California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) email update, September 13, 2024.
  • Assessment Spotlight, Issue 289 (added 10-Sep-2024)
    California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) email update, August 23, 2024.