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Testing and Assessment

State Mandated
Non-State Mandated

State Mandated

Updated 10/21/2025

Please click on the links to the right for schedules specific to individual schoools.

Test Name	Description	Purpose	Who	When
ACT plus Writing (online)	College Entrance Exam	Interest Inventory Student Profile College Preparatory	Grades 11-12	Late Spring
Compass	College Placement Diagnostic Students not ready for Career and College	Placement Evaluate incoming students Connect students to resources	Grade 11	Spring
Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCAs)	Grade level tests of achievement against state standards in reading, math and science	Differentiation Placement School Improvement Accountability	Reading: Grades 3-8 Math: Grades 3-8, 11 Science: Grades 5, 8, 10	March-May
MN Alternate MCA / MN Test of Academic Skills (MTAS)	Alternate assessment based on alternate achievement standards for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities.	Differentiation Placement School Improvement Accountability	Reading: Grades 3-8 Math: Grades 3-8, 11 Science: Grades 5, 8, 10	March-May
NEAP	A congressionally mandated project administered administered by the National Center for Education Statistics, within the U.S. Dept. of Education and the Institute of Education Sciences	A common measure of student achievement School Improvement	Grade 8	Varies
WIDA ACCESS	Speaking, Reading, Writing and Listening Proficiency Scores	Instructional Planning Differentiation Placement School Improvement Accountability	Grades K-12 English Language Learners	Jan-March

Non-State Mandated

Updated 10/21/2025

Test Name	Description	Purpose	Who	When
Accuplacer	A suite of tests that determines knowledge in math, reading and writing in preparation to enroll in college-level courses.	Determine enrollment eligibility in concurrent enrollment courses.	Grades 10-12	Spring
Adaptive Formative Assessment for Teachers (FAST) Math and Reading	Computer-adaptive, norm criterion-referenced assessment that uses predictive validity evidence to set those criteria.	Student's programming Instructional needs	Grades K-12	Fall Winter Spring
AP Exams	The AP Exam is the final after completing an AP class. These standardized exams are designed to measure mastery of course content.	A successful score can earn credit and advanced placement in college.	Grades 10-12	May
AVANT Stamp 4S	Avant creates paths to proficiency with innovative tools, real-world language proficiency tests, and scoring aligned with the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines.	Instructional Planning Differentiation Monitoring Reports School Improvement	Grade 8 Rios Dual Language Immersio Program Grades 10-12	March
Comprehensive Final Exam	Course level test of achievement against state standards and course content.	Instructional Planning Monitoring Reports School Improvement	Grades 9-12	Upon completion of a credit
PSAT	Standardized test administered by the College Board and cosponsored by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) in the United States.	Instructional Planning Differentiation Placement School Improvement
Standards Based Assessments	Grade‐level tests of achievement against state standards in some curricular areas.	Instructional Planning Differentiation Monitoring Reports School Improvement	Grades K-12	All Year

School Testing Schedules

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