Parental Guide on Testing
NC Testing Version of Online Calculators
To access the North Carolina testing version of the online calculators, visit the hyperlink below.
Four Function Calculator
Scientific Calculator
Graphing Calculator
North Carolina Standardized Testing and Opting Out
All students in North Carolina (including students with disabilities and students identified as ELs) are required to participate in the Annual Testing Program per state and federal requirements. To date, North Carolina does not allow any student to opt out of required testing unless there are extenuating circumstances, primarily related to serious health conditions. N.C. Admin. Code 06G .0315 requires all students in membership (i.e., enrolled in a school) to participate in the Annual Testing Program.
Required State Tests
Grade K-2 Assessments
WIDA ACCESS (English Language Learners)*
Kindergarden WIDA Screener (English Language Learners)*
Grade 3-8 Assessments
Beginning-Of-Grage (BOG3)*
Read To Achieve (RTA)
NC Check-Ins (Grades 3 & 6 Reading and Math. Grades 5 & 8 Science. NC Math 1 in Grade 8)
NC Check-Ins 2.0 (Grades 4,5,7 & 8 Reading and Math)^
End-Of-Grade (Reading, Math, and Science)*
End-Of-Course (NC Math 1 in Grade 8)*
NC Extend 1 Alternative Assessment*
WIDA ACCESS (English Language Learners)*
High School Assessments
Pre ACT (Grade 10)*
ACT (Grade 11)*
ACT WorkKeys (CTE Concentrators)*
NC Check-Ins (Biology, English II, NC Math 1, NC Math 3)
End-Of-Course (Biology, English II, NC Math 1, NC Math 3)*
NC Extend 1 Alternative Assessment*
College & Career Ready Alternative Assessment Grade 10 & Grade 11*
WIDA ACCESS (English Language Learners)*
For more information on the NC Testing Program please click here.
*The State Board of Education has mandated this assessment
^State Board of Education will be mandated this assessment in the 2024-2025 school year.
Per General Statute § 115C-174.12(a)(4), “all annual assessments of student achievement adopted by the State Board of Education pursuant to G.S. § 115C-174.11(c)(1) and (3) and all final exams for courses shall be administered within the final ten (10) instructional days of the school year for yearlong courses and within the final five (5) instructional days of thesemester for semester courses.”
The last few weeks of the academic year means that thousands of Lee County students are starting to take exams to demonstrate all they have learned this year.
How to help your students:
Teachers will spend time in class telling students what to expect on the test and offering strategies for success. Check in with your student about these strategies.
Before the test:
Help your student keep a consistent sleep schedule for several nights before the test.
Encourage consistent and healthy eating.
Exercise with your student or play games to help relieve stress or pre-test jitters.
Let your student know you believe in him/her and support him/her. Build his/her confidence by reviewing all he has learned this year.
Review sample test items and strategies with your student.
Day of the test:
Make sure your student gets a good breakfast the day of the test at home or at school. The morning of the test, be calm. Allow plenty of time to get your student to school. Create a back-up plan in case he or she misses the bus or ride to school.
Remind your student to check that each test section is complete before moving to the next section – students will not be permitted to go back to previous sections once they have moved on.
Emphasize the importance of doing your best, but also remind your student that test results are only one measure of academic progress, and do not define their value or abilities.
Remember that cell phones and other electronic devices are not allowed in the testing room.
A gentle hug and positive statements from a parent can build your student’s confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the test?
Your school may already have sent and posted information online about test dates. Find a district-wide list of testing periods.
What is on the test?
Your child’s teacher can provide more information on how to prepare for the appropriate subject and grade level exam. Additionally, families may view sample test questions on the N.C. Department of Public Instruction website.
What is the format of the test?
This varies by grade level and subject. Most portions of exams are multiple choice. Some may require written responses. Your school can provide more information on the format, and whether the test will be administered as a paper-and-pencil exam, or online.
Students with testing accommodations will receive approved modifications as noted on their IEP, LEP, or 504 plans. By the time testing starts, students should already be familiar with the type of testing accommodation they will receive.
What should my student bring?
Students should pack several sharp No. 2 pencils with erasers. Some portions of exams require calculators. In most cases, these are provided by the school. If your child is responsible for providing his or her own calculator, the teacher will inform students well in advance of the test. Students bringing their own calculators should make sure the batteries are new. Students are not permitted to bring snacks or beverages, or electronic devices such as cell phones into the exam room.
What if my child is late on the day of the test?
No one may enter the testing room after the exams have begun. Schools will make every effort to provide students who arrive late with an opportunity to take the test that day. However, this is not guaranteed; students who are significantly late for school will have to take the test on a make-up day.
What if my child is sick the day of a test?
It’s important for students to feel well rested the morning of the test. If your child is ill on the morning of the test, it is best to keep him or her home and arrange to take the test on a make-up day. If your child becomes ill during the test and is not able to complete the exam, he or she will be able to make up the exam.
What if there is a medical emergency or other situation during the test?
Testing staff have been trained to handle emergencies that arise during testing. Please contact your child’s school.