Student Assessments

California Alternate Assessments (CAA) Grades 3-8 and 11

Students in grades 3-8 and 11 who have an IEP that designates the use of an alternate assessment are eligible to take the CAA in ELA and Mathematics. The goal of the CAA is to ensure that students with the most significant cognitive disabilities attain increasingly higher achievement levels and leave high school ready for academic or career options. The test items are aligned with the State Standards for ELA and Mathematics and are based on the Core Content Connectors. The CAAs are computer-based two-stage adaptive tests. They are administered to students in a one-on-one environment by a test examiner who is familiar with the student.

Physical Fitness Test (PFT)

Grades 5, 7, & 9

The Physical Fitness Test (PFT) is administered to students in grades 5, 7, and 9 and assesses six fitness areas: Aerobic Capacity, Body Composition, Abdominal Strength & Endurance, Trunk Extensor Strength & Flexibility, Upper Body Strength & Endurance, and Flexibility. Students are scored as “Within the Healthy Fitness Zone”, “Needs Improvement”, or “Needs Improvement – Health Risk.” To pass the PFT, students must have 5 of 6 fitness standards “within” the Healthy Fitness Zone.

California Science Tests (CAST)

Grades 5 & 8

The CAST measures students’ understanding of the California Next Generations Science Standard (NGSS). The test is administered in grades 5, 8, and once in high school. California, working with science teachers, developed assessments that emphasize scientific thinking and reasoning and would foster science education at all grade levels.

Students with the most significant cognitive disabilities, as designated by their IEP, are eligible to take the California Alternate Assessment for Science.

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

Grades 3-8, & 11

The Smarter Balanced Assessments in English language arts/literacy (ELA) and math are administered in grades 3-8 and 11 to measure what students know and are able to do. These computer adaptive assessments include a variety of item types including, but not limited to: multiple choice, constructed response, technology enabled/enhanced items, and performance tasks. In grade 11, results can be used as an indicator of college readiness.

English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC)

Grades K-12 (EL students)

The ELPAC is aligned with the 2012 California English Language Development Standards. It is comprised of two separate English Language Proficiency (ELP) assessments: one for the initial identification of students as English learners (ELs), and a second for the annual summative assessment to identify students’ English Language Proficiency level and to measure their progress in learning English.  Within 30 days of enrollment in a California school, a student who speaks a primary language other than English, and has not taken the CELDT or ELPAC before, and has not been classified before as an English learner will be given the Initial ELPAC Assessment, based on answers provided on the Home Language Survey. The Initial Assessment is used to identify students as either an English learner who needs support to learn English, or as proficient in English. The ELPAC is comprised of four domains: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing.

For more information on State Assessment Policy Click Here

Advanced Placement (AP)

Advanced Placement (AP) is a program offered by College Board.  The AP program provides high school students an opportunity to take college level courses (curricula) and earn college credits if students received a qualifying score (3, 4, or 5) on their AP exams.  Most AP exams are about 2-3 hours long.  The first part of the exam consists of multiple-choice questions.  And the second part of the exam usually consists of free-response questions. 

All students enrolled in AP course(s) take the AP exams in May. 

For more information on AP, please visit https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/.

All Fresno Unified students will take their AP exam during Administration 2 Testing window.   

Preliminary SAT (PSAT)

Grades 8-11

The PSAT is the Preliminary SAT, is a practice version of the SAT exam.  The overall structure and content of the PSAT is similar to the SAT. 

The two hours and forty-five minutes long exam consists of Reading, Writing, and Math.  The exam is offered (free of charged) to all Fresno Unified students in grades 8 – 11 every October.  For 11^th graders, the exam serves as a qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Program, which awards scholarships annually to high-scoring students. 

For more information on PSAT, please visit https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma

The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to
create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.
To this end the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop
challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment.
These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners
who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.

Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT)

Grades 11 & 12

All on-track “A-G” juniors take the SAT School Day free of charge every year in the Spring.  SAT is a standardized test created and administered by College Board.  The purpose of the SAT is to measure a high school student’s readiness for college.  SAT scores are used for college admissions as well scholarship opportunities.  The three hours paper-to-pencil test consists of two sections:  Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math.  The Evidence-Based Reading and Writing is comprised of two tests, one focused on Reading and one focused on Writing & Language.  And the Math section included of a single test with two components, a no-calculator portion and a calculator-allowed portion. 

For more information on SAT, please visit https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat.

National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)

The only assessment that
measures what U.S. students
know and can do in various
subjects across the nation,
states, and 27 urban districts.

National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) – Math

National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) – Reading