- Wake County Public School System
- Assessment glossary
Testing and Assessments
-
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 MarchHow 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) concentratorsHow 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 examHow 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 coursesHow 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 studentsHow 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 studentsHow 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 coursesHow 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 IIHow 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 BiologyHow 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–2How 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 2How 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 studentsHow 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 studentsHow 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 studentsHow 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 3–8How 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 6–8How results are used
Results guide reading instruction and are shared during parent conferences.
-
-
ACT
School Level: High
Subject/Type: College Entrance Exams
Required or Optional: Required by state
Who takes it?: Students in Grade 11 in March
What is it and why is it important?: The ACT is a standardized, curriculum-based, multiple-choice achievement test that includes four areas: English, mathematics, reading and science. The ACT writing test is optional. The ACT assesses skills and knowledge that are important for success in college.
How are results used?: Results are used by high schools for advising and counseling students, by WCPSS for evaluating instructional effectiveness and planning curriculum, and by colleges and universities to make decisions regarding admissions, scholarships and loans and course placement. Results are also used as part of the state’s high school accountability framework. -
ACT WorkKeys
School Level: High
Subject/Type: Career and Technical Education (CTE)
Required or Optional: Required by state
Who takes it?: Students enrolled in Grade 12 who are identified as Career and Technical Education concentrators
What is it and why is it important?: The three ACT WorkKeys assessments measure mastery of Applied Mathematics, Locating Information and Reading for Information.
How are results used?: Results are the basis of the National Career Readiness Certificate program and connect work skills, training and skill testing for educators and employers. Results are also used as part of the state’s high school accountability framework. -
Advanced Placement tests
School Level: High
Subject/Type: Various
Required or Optional: Optional
Who takes it?: Any high school student who wants to take an AP exam, regardless of whether they are enrolled in an AP course.
What is it and why is it important?: The AP program allows students to take college-level courses and exams to earn college credit. There are 34 different AP exams that consist of multiple-choice and free-response items. All AP exams are optional for students.
How are results used?: Students’ AP exam results enhance their college applications and eligibility for scholarships. Results are also used by high schools for advising and counseling students, by WCPSS for evaluating instructional effectiveness and planning curriculum, and by colleges and universities to make decisions regarding admissions and scholarships. -
International Baccalaureate tests
School Level: High
Subject/Type: Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate
Required or Optional: Required for students wanting to earn an IB Diploma
Who takes it?: IB juniors and seniors in the final year of an IB course
What is it and why is it important?: At the end of each course, students sit for an external examination prepared by an International Board of Examiners, which has the final authority on the setting of examinations and the assessment of all candidates for the awarding of the IB diploma. International Baccalaureate course exams are rigorous, and performance is measured against predetermined criteria rather than the performance of other students taking the same examinations.
How are results used?: Results are used by high schools for advising and counseling students, by WCPSS and IB for evaluating instructional effectiveness and planning curriculum, to determine awarding of IB diplomas, and by colleges and universities to make decisions regarding admissions, scholarships and course credit or placement. -
North Carolina Early Learning Inventory (NCELI)
School Level: Elementary
Subject/Type: Kindergarten Entry
Required or Optional: Required by state
Who takes it?: All Grade K students
What is it and why is it important?: Measures kindergarten readiness in literacy, math, physical, personal and social skills.
How are results used?: The results provide a baseline of student strengths and challenges and informs instruction for Kindergarten teachers. -
mCLASS
School Level: Elementary
Subject/Type: Screening
Required or Optional: Required by state for grades K-3, required by district in grades 4-5
Who takes it?: All Grade K-5 students
What is it and why is it important?: mCLASS measures basic skills which predict future reading success, such as a student’s ability to hear beginning sounds, to separate words that they hear, and to decode words.
How are results used?: Results are used to identify students in need of extra support in early reading skills, and to monitor student progress over time. Parents also receive information from mCLASS about their student’s progress and activities to do at home to help students become stronger readers. In grades K-3, the state also uses the results for teacher and principal evaluation purposes (as per State Board policy GCS-A-016). -
NCDPI Beginning of Grade 3 Reading Test
School Level: Elementary
Subject/Type: English / Language Arts
Required or Optional: Required by state
Who takes it?: All Grade 3 students
What is it and why is it important?: The Beginning of Grade 3 (BOG) test is the state’s mandated reading assessment to collect baseline data in English/Language Arts (ELA).
How are results used?: Results are used by the state to measure student growth between the beginning and end of the third grade year for school accountability, as well as for teacher and principal evaluation purposes (as per State Board policy GCS-A-016).
-
NCDPI Career-Technical Education Tests and Performance-Based Measures
School Level: Middle/High
Subject/Type: Career and Technical Education (CTE)
Required or Optional: Required by state
Who takes it?: Students enrolled in various CTE courses
What is it and why is it important?: N.C. Career and Technical Education assessments, including Performance Based measures, assess student mastery of state standards in many career and technical education courses offered in high school.
How are results used?: CTE assessment results are used for feedback on curriculum implementation and instructional practice at the local level. They are also used for state reporting, specifically for teacher and principal evaluation via the NC Educator Evaluation System (as per State Board policy GCS-A-016). For CTE-tested courses that carry high school credit, this test also counts for a percentage of a student’s final grade in the course as per state policy. -
NCDPI Check-Ins
School Level: Elementary/Middle/High
Subject/Type: Mathematics, English/Language Arts, and Science
Required or Optional: Required by the district
Who takes it?: Grade 3-8 students, and students in NC Math I, NC Math 3, Biology, and English II
What is it and why is it important?: These tests were created by NCDPI to assess students’ understanding of math, English Language Arts, and science standards for the grade level or course. They provide educators and students with immediate and detailed feedback on student learning progression on grade-level-specific content standards to inform classroom instruction for individual student’s needs.
How are results used?: Teachers use these results to reflect on students’ learning progression of standards covered during instruction and to help support student learning. Results may also be shared in conferences with parents. -
NCDPI End of Grade Mathematics Test
School Level: Elementary
Subject/Type: Mathematics
Required or Optional: Required by state
Who takes it?: All students in Grades 3-8
What is it and why is it important?: The EOG assessments are state-mandated tests that measure students’ mastery of state standards in ELA/ Reading, Mathematics and Science.
How are results used?: The state uses EOG results for school accountability as well as teacher and principal evaluation purposes (as per State Board policy GCS-A-016). Results are also used for school improvement planning. -
NCDPI End of Grade Reading Test
School Level: Elementary
Subject/Type: English / Language Arts
Required or Optional: Required by state
Who takes it?: All students in grades 3-8
What is it and why is it important?: The EOG assessments are state-mandated tests that measure students’ mastery of state standards in ELA/ Reading, Mathematics and Science.
How are results used?: The state uses EOG results for school accountability as well as teacher and principal evaluation purposes (as per State Board policy GCS-A-016). Results are also used for school improvement planning. -
NCDPI End of Grade Science Test
School Level: Elementary/Middle
Subject/Type: Science
Required or Optional: Required by state
Who takes it?: All 5th grade and 8th grade students
What is it and why is it important?: The EOG assessments are state-mandated tests that measure students’ mastery of state standards in ELA/ Reading, Mathematics and Science.
How are results used?: The state uses EOG results for school accountability as well as teacher and principal evaluation purposes (as per State Board policy GCS-A-016). Results are also used for school improvement planning. -
NCDPI End-of-Course Tests
School Level: Middle/High
Subject/Type: Multiple
Required or Optional: Required by state
Who takes it?: All students enrolled in Math I, Math III, English II, or Biology
What is it and why is it important?: The EOC assessments are state-mandated tests that measure mastery of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for English Language Arts/ Reading and Mathematics, and the N.C. Essential Standards for Science.
How are results used?: The results of the EOC tests are used for school accountability as well as for teacher and principal evaluation purposes (as per State Board policy GCS-A-016). Results are also used for school improvement planning. For students, EOC tests also counts for a percentage of a student’s final grade in the course as per state policy. -
NCDPI End-of-Year Summative Math Assessment
School Level: Elementary
Subject/Type: Mathematics
Required or Optional: Required by state
Who takes it?: All Grade K-2 students
What is it and why is it important?: This test was created by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction to assess students’ understanding of math standards for the grade level.
How are results used?: Teachers use these results to reflect on students’ mastery of the math standards covered during the year. Results are also used to conduct conferences with parents, and are included in students’ cumulative records for the following year’s classroom teacher. -
Number Knowledge Test
School Level: Elementary
Subject/Type: Screening for Mathematics
Required or Optional: All students in Grades K-2
Who takes it?: Selected students in Grades K-1, all students in Grade 2
What is it and why is it important?: The Number Knowledge Test (NKT) is a universal screener for early elementary mathematics. It was designed to measure a student's conceptual knowledge of number sense. The purpose is to determine which students are performing at grade level and which students are struggling in the area of mathematics.
How are results used?: The results are used by teachers to provide instruction targeted to the students' specific areas of need. -
Pre-ACT
School Level: High
Subject/Type: College Entrance Exams
Required or Optional: Required by state
Who takes it?: Students in Grade 10
What is it and why is it important?: The Pre-ACT is a standardized, curriculum-based, multiple-choice achievement test that includes four areas: English, mathematics, reading and science, reported on the same scale as the ACT.
How are results used?: Results are used by high schools for advising and counseling students, by WCPSS for evaluating instructional effectiveness and planning curriculum, for predicting which students are on track to be ready for college, and to asa source of data to help counselors, students and parents make appropriate course placement decisions. -
PSAT
School Level: High
Subject/Type: College Entrance Exams
Required or Optional: Optional
Who takes it?: Open to any student each fall
What is it and why is it important?: The PSAT is a standardized, multiple-choice test that includes three sections: critical reading, mathematics and writing. The test provides practice for the SAT and allows students the opportunity to enter National Merit scholarship programs. Individual PSAT results are helpful for advising and counseling students.
How are results used?: At the high school and division levels, PSAT results are used to evaluate instructional effectiveness and to plan curriculum, serving as an additional piece of data for student course placement. Results are also used to qualify 11th graders for National Merit Scholarships. -
SAT
School Level: High
Subject/Type: College Entrance Exams
Required or Optional: Required by many colleges for admission
Who takes it?: High school students bound for colleges
What is it and why is it important?: There are two types of SAT tests offered: the SAT and the SAT Subject Tests. The SAT is a standardized, multiple-choice test with three sections: critical reading, mathematics and writing. The SAT assesses skills students need to be successful in college.
How are results used?: Results are used by high schools for advising and counseling students, by WCPSS for evaluating instructional effectiveness and planning curriculum and by colleges and universities to make decisions regarding admissions, scholarships and loans, course placement and academic advising. -
Star Math
School Level: Elementary/Middle
Subject/Type: Screening for Math
Required or Optional: Required by district
Who takes it?: Students in Grades 3-8
What is it and why is it important?: STAR is a math assessment that teachers use to measure student learning. The scores help teachers to understand what students already know and what they are ready to learn next, to monitor student growth, and to determine which students may need additional help. STAR math assessments are heavily researched and scientifically proven to help teachers guide each student on their unique path to mastery.
How are results used?: Results are used to inform math instruction and to monitor student progress over time. Results may also be shared in conferences with parents with other math assessment data. -
STAR Reading
School Level: Middle
Subject/Type: Screening for Reading
Required or Optional: Required by the district
Who takes it? Students in Grades 6-8
What is it, and why is it important? STAR is a reading assessment that teachers use to measure student learning. The scores help teachers understand what students already know, what they are ready to learn next, and how to monitor student growth. Additionally, the assessment helps identify students who may need extra support. STAR reading assessments are extensively researched and scientifically proven to assist teachers in guiding each student on their unique path to mastery.
How are results used? Results are used to inform reading instruction and monitor student progress over time. They may also be shared during parent conferences along with other reading assessment data.