• Standardized tests

  • Below, you’ll find information about key assessments students take in the Wake County Public School System. Each section explains who takes the assessment, why it matters, and how results are used to support student learning.

    ACT

    Overview

    The ACT is a standardized test that measures skills in English, mathematics, reading, and science. The writing test is optional.

    School level: High school
    Required or optional: Required by the state
    Who takes it? All 11th-grade students in March

    How results are used

    Results help high schools advise students and plan curriculum. Colleges use scores for admissions, scholarships, and course placement. The state includes ACT scores in the high school accountability framework.

    Act WorkKeys

    Overview

    The ACT WorkKeys includes three assessments: Applied Mathematics, Locating Information, and Reading for Information.

    School level: High school
    Required or optional: Required by the state
    Who takes it? 12th-grade students identified as Career and Technical Education (CTE) concentrators

    How results are used

    Results support career readiness certification and help connect students’ skills with job opportunities. The state also uses results in school accountability measures.

    Advanced Placement (AP) tests

    Overview

    The AP Program offers college-level exams in various subjects. There are 34 different AP exams.

    School level: High school
    Required or optional: Optional
    Who takes it? Any student who chooses to take an AP exam

    How results are used

    AP scores can earn college credit, strengthen college applications, and support scholarship opportunities. Schools use results to guide counseling and instruction planning.


    Continuing with the rest of the Assessment Glossary content:


    International baccalaureate (IB) tests

    Overview

    The IB Exams are external assessments required for the IB Diploma.

    School level: High school
    Required or optional: Required for IB Diploma candidates
    Who takes it? IB juniors and seniors completing IB courses

    How results are used

    Results help award IB Diplomas and guide college admissions. Schools also use them to evaluate curriculum and instructional effectiveness.

    North Carolina early learning inventory (NCELI)

    Overview

    NCELI measures kindergarten readiness in literacy, math, physical, and social skills.

    School level: Elementary
    Required or optional: Required by the state
    Who takes it? All kindergarten students

    How results are used

    Teachers use results to understand each student’s strengths and plan instruction that meets individual needs.

    mCLASS

    Overview

    mCLASS measures early reading skills such as decoding and recognizing sounds.

    School level: Elementary
    Required or optional:

    • Required by the state for grades K–3

    • Required by the district for grades 4–5
      Who takes it? All K–5 students

    How results are used

    Teachers use results to identify students who need extra help in reading and to monitor growth. Parents receive reports with activities to support reading at home.

    Beginning of Grade 3 reading test

    Overview

    The Beginning of Grade 3 (BOG) test measures reading skills at the start of third grade.

    School level: Elementary
    Required or optional: Required by the state
    Who takes it? All 3rd-grade students

    How results are used

    The state uses results to track growth over the school year. Results also inform teacher and school evaluations.

    Career and technical education (CTE) tests and performance-based measures

    Overview

    These assessments measure mastery of CTE course standards.

    School level: Middle and high school
    Required or optional: Required by the state
    Who takes it? Students enrolled in CTE courses

    How results are used

    Results guide curriculum improvements, teacher evaluations, and count toward final course grades in some classes.

    NCDPI Check-Ins

    Overview

    NCDPI Check-Ins track progress in math, English language arts, and science.

    School level: Elementary, middle, and high school
    Required or optional: Required by the district
    Who takes it? Students in grades 3–8 and those enrolled in NC Math I, NC Math III, Biology, and English II

    How results are used

    Teachers use Check-In results to adjust instruction and share progress with families.

    Here is the next section of the Assessment Glossary with sentence case headings and working links:


    End-of-grade math, reading, and science tests

    Overview

    EOG assessments measure mastery of state standards in math, reading, and science.

    School level:

    • Math and reading: Grades 3–8

    • Science: Grades 5 and 8
      Required or optional: Required by the state

    How results are used

    Results contribute to school accountability and help guide instruction.

    End-of-course tests

    Overview

    EOC assessments measure learning in core high school courses.

    School level: High school
    Required or optional: Required by the state
    Who takes it? Students enrolled in Math I, Math III, English II, and Biology

    How results are used

    Results count toward final course grades and are used for accountability and instructional planning.

    End-of-year summative math assessment

    Overview

    This test assesses math standards in early grades.

    School level: Elementary
    Required or optional: Required by the state
    Who takes it? Students in grades K–2

    How results are used

    Results help teachers understand learning and guide planning for the next school year.

    Number Knowledge Test

    Overview

    The Number Knowledge Test measures early math skills.

    School level: Elementary
    Required or optional: Required by the district
    Who takes it? Selected students in grades K–1 and all students in grade 2

    How results are used

    Teachers use results to plan instruction that meets each student’s needs.

    Pre-ACT

    Overview

    The Pre-ACT prepares students for the ACT by measuring core academic skills.

    School level: High school
    Required or optional: Required by the state
    Who takes it? All 10th-grade students

    How results are used

    Results help predict college readiness and guide course planning.

    PSAT

    Overview

    The PSAT is a practice version of the SAT that also qualifies students for National Merit Scholarships.

    School level: High school
    Required or optional: Optional
    Who takes it? Typically 10th- and 11th-grade students

    How results are used

    Results help students prepare for the SAT and may qualify them for academic recognition and scholarships.

    SAT

    Overview

    The SAT measures skills in reading, math, and writing needed for college success.

    School level: High school
    Required or optional: Required by many colleges
    Who takes it? College-bound high school students

    How results are used

    Results support college admissions, scholarship decisions, and advising.

    STAR Math

    Overview

    STAR Math measures math skills to track growth and identify learning needs.

    School level: Elementary and middle school
    Required or optional: Required by the district
    Who takes it? Students in grades 3–8

    How results are used

    Teachers use results to guide instruction and share progress with families.

    STAR Reading

    Overview

    STAR Reading measures reading skills to help teachers plan instruction and monitor progress.

    School level: Middle school
    Required or optional: Required by the district
    Who takes it? Students in grades 6–8

    How results are used

    Results guide reading instruction and are shared during parent conferences.

  • ACT

  • ACT WorkKeys

  • Advanced Placement tests

  • International Baccalaureate tests

  • North Carolina Early Learning Inventory (NCELI)

  • mCLASS

  • NCDPI Beginning of Grade 3 Reading Test

  • NCDPI Career-Technical Education Tests and Performance-Based Measures

  • NCDPI Check-Ins

  • NCDPI End of Grade Mathematics Test

  • NCDPI End of Grade Reading Test

  • NCDPI End of Grade Science Test

  • NCDPI End-of-Course Tests

  • NCDPI End-of-Year Summative Math Assessment

  • Number Knowledge Test

  • Pre-ACT

  • PSAT

  • SAT

  • Star Math

  • STAR Reading