Testing Summary
Testing helps assess the progress and success of individual students and the school as a whole, and to identify specific problems.
The California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) is the state system of assessments for English language arts and literacy (ELA), mathematics, and science.
Acronym | Test | Given to | Months |
ELPAC | English Language Proficiency Assessments for California | students whose home language is not English | September through May |
i-Ready | Math and Reading Diagnostic Test | all grades | September, December, and April |
PSAT | 8th graders (see details below) | October | |
IABs | Smarter Balanced Interim Assessments | all grades | October and February |
Scoliosis Screening | 7th grade girls and 8th grade boys | Spring semester | |
PFT | California Physical Fitness Test | 7th graders | February |
SBAC | Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium | all grades | May |
CAST | California Science Test | 8th graders | May |
See the Bell Schedule page for the i-Ready, SBAC, and CAST test schedules.
PSAT Schedule Fall 2024
Wednesday, October 23, 2024 Scores available in March 2025 |
Eighth grade students take the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT 8/9) in October. The test is good practice for the PSAT/NMSQT and the SAT. Although the SAT has been removed from admissions requirements for some college systems (including the University of California), the U.C. requires a GPA of at least 3.85 to avoid the requirement for a standardized test score. Therefore, taking the PSAT and the SAT is still useful.
The free test is digital, taken on iPads or Chromebooks. Students can bring water and a light snack. They will be allowed two five-minute breaks.
Eighth grade students who are absent will not be given make-up tests. Students who are tardy will miss the test and have to wait in the Library.
Sixth and seventh grade students will remain in homeroom during the testing and will work on the Math and English interim assessments.
Be sure to read the PSAT calculator policy. Certain calculators are permitted, but not laptops, tablets, mobile phones, smartwatches, or other technology with wireless communications or audio/video capabilities.
See also High School and College Readiness.
College and Career-Planning Tests
Interested eighth grade students can take the ACT EXPLORE test.
LAUSD provides this opportunity to all 8th and 9th graders to help them as they start thinking about future educational and career opportunities. The test is administered at Palms.
For details, contact the Counselors.
See also High School and College Readiness.
What to Do on a Test Day
Make sure your child comes to school on time, well rested, having eaten a good breakfast, and with their device fully charged.
If your child is absent the day of a test, check if a make-up test day is available.