State Testing Timelines & Calendar
Related Links
Contact Information
This page lists the testing windows for all state assessments for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school year. Families and school staff should check their district's calendars or contact their district's central office for the specific testing schedules/dates for their school buildings.
Spring 2025 and 2026 Testing
Students in grades 5, 8, and 11 are expected to take the Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS), and students in grades 3-8 and 10 are expected to take the Smarter Balanced ELA and math assessments. The Washington Access to Instruction & Measurement (WA-AIM) ELA, Math, and Science are the state alternate assessments for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities.
Smarter Balanced ELA & Math
The Smarter Balanced math and ELA tests include both Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) and Performance Task (PT) components. The assessments for both subject areas will be the same length as they have been since 2021. The specific test blueprints that will be used are posted to the Smarter Balanced Test Development & Design webpage and are referred to as the "adjusted" blueprints.
The adjusted blueprints do not provide claim-level scores, but do provide target information, overall scale scores, and performance levels.
WCAS
The WCAS is the same test design and length as in previous years and will provide Reporting Area information, overall scale scores, and performance levels. The test blueprints are posted online on the WCAS Educator Resources webpage in the Test Design & Item Specifications section.
WA-AIM
The WA-AIM is the state alternate assessment based on alternate academic achievement standards designed for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. Students found eligible for state alternate assessments per their Individualized Education Plan (IEP) participate in the WA-AIM in lieu of Smarter Balanced ELA and Math, and WCAS. The WA-AIM is administered in the same grade levels and content areas as Smarter Balanced ELA and Math, and WCAS. More information on the WA-AIM can be found on the Assessment for Students with Cognitive Disabilities (WA-AIM) webpage.
Testing Windows
- School Year 2024-25 Testing Windows
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Smarter Balanced Assessments ELA & Math
Grade(s)SubjectsRequirement/AvailabilityTesting Window3-8 and 10 ELA and math Required for federal and state accountability. Online: March 3 – June 27, 2025
Paper/Pencil: April 7 – May 16, 2025*
11 and 12 ELA and math Available to students who have not yet passed the ELA and/or math assessment and want to use it as a pathway to demonstrate post-secondary career or college readiness or who previously tested and would like to attempt a higher score. Online: March 3 – June 27, 2025
Paper/Pencil: April 7 – May 16, 2025*
* Paper testing is available only to support large print, braille, and standard print forms (in English for ELA tests and English or Spanish for math tests) for students whose IEP or 504 plan states paper.
Smarter Balanced is administered within the last 12 weeks of the school year, but no later than June 27.
Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science
Grade(s) Requirement/Availability Testing Window 5, 8 and 11 Required for federal and state accountability. Online: April 7 – June 6, 2025
Paper/Pencil: April 7 – May 16, 2025*12 Available to students who need a score to comply with local district policies including credit retrieval/recovery. Online: April 7 – June 6, 2025
Paper/Pencil: April 7 – May 16, 2025** Paper testing is available only to support large print, braille, and standard print forms in English or Spanish for students whose IEP or 504 plan states paper.
Washington Access to Instruction & Measurement (WA-AIM)
Grade(s) Subjects Requirement/Availability Testing Window 3-8 and 10 ELA and math The WA-AIM ELA and Math are required for federal and state accountability for eligible students. January 27- May 2, 2025 5, 8, and 11 Science The WA-AIM Science is required for federal and state accountability for eligible students. January 27- May 2, 2025 WaKIDS
(GOLD ®)
Grade(s) Subjects Requirement/Availability Testing Window TK–K Six areas of development and learning: social-emotional, physical, language, cognitive, math, and literacy. Required for students in state-funded, full-day kindergarten and Transition to Kindergarten (TK).
WaKIDS isn't a "test." Kindergarten teachers observe children during everyday classroom activities and take an inventory of their skills by November 15, 2024.
Transitional Kindergarten teachers must administer the WaKIDS whole-child assessment at the beginning of the TK program and at least one more time during the school year.
2024-25 Checkpoint Dates
Fall: November 15, 2024
Winter: March 15, 2025
Spring: June 15, 2025WIDA ACCESS
Grade(s) Subjects Requirement/Availability Testing Window K–12 Writing, Reading, Listening, and Speaking Required for federal and state accountability for EL students who qualify for the State Transitional Bilingual Instructional Program (TBIP). Online: January 27- March 21, 2025
Paper/Pencil: January 27- March 21, 2025** Paper testing is available only to support large print, braille, and standard print forms for students whose IEP or 504 plan states paper.
WIDA Alternate ACCESS
Grade(s) Subjects Requirement/Availability Testing Window K–12 Writing, Reading, Listening, and Speaking Required for federal and state accountability for EL students who are eligible for the alternate assessment and qualify for the State Transitional Bilingual Instructional Program (TBIP). Paper/Pencil: January 27 - March 21, 2025 - School Year 2025-26 Testing Windows
-
Smarter Balanced Assessments ELA & Math
Grade(s)SubjectsRequirement/AvailabilityTesting Window3-8 and 10 ELA and math Required for federal and state accountability. Online: March 2 – June 26, 2026
Paper/Pencil: April 6 – May 15, 2026*
11 and 12 ELA and math Available to students who have not yet passed the ELA and/or math assessment and want to use it as a pathway to demonstrate post-secondary career or college readiness or who previously tested and would like to attempt a higher score. Online: March 2 – June 26, 2026
Paper/Pencil: April 6 – May 15, 2026*
* Paper testing is available only to support large print, braille, and standard print forms (in English for ELA tests and English or Spanish for math tests) for students whose IEP or 504 plan states paper.
Smarter Balanced is administered within the last 12 weeks of the school year, but no later than June 26.
Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science
Grade(s) Requirement/Availability Testing Window 5, 8 and 11 Required for federal and state accountability. Online: April 6 – June 5, 2026
Paper/Pencil: April 6 – May 15, 2026*12 Available to students who need a score to comply with local district policies including credit retrieval/recovery. Online: April 6 – June 5, 2026
Paper/Pencil: April 6 – May 15, 2026** Paper testing is available only to support large print, braille, and standard print forms in English or Spanish for students whose IEP or 504 plan states paper.
Washington Access to Instruction & Measurement (WA-AIM)
** The WA-AIM testing window closes at exactly 5 pm on May 1, 2026 with no exceptions.Grade(s) Subjects Requirement/Availability Testing Window 3-8 and 10 ELA and math The WA-AIM ELA and Math are required for federal and state accountability for eligible students. January 26- May 1, 2026** 5, 8, and 11 Science The WA-AIM Science is required for federal and state accountability for eligible students. January 26- May 1, 2026** WaKIDS
(GOLD ®)
Grade(s) Subjects Requirement/Availability Testing Window TK–K Six areas of development and learning: social-emotional, physical, language, cognitive, math, and literacy. Required for students in state-funded, full-day kindergarten and Transition to Kindergarten (TK).
WaKIDS isn't a "test." Kindergarten teachers observe children during everyday classroom activities and take an inventory of their skills by November 15, 2024.
Transitional Kindergarten teachers must administer the WaKIDS whole-child assessment at the beginning of the TK program and at least one more time during the school year.
2025-26 Checkpoint Dates
Fall: November 15, 2025
Winter: March 15, 2026
Spring: June 15, 2026WIDA ACCESS
Grade(s) Subjects Requirement/Availability Testing Window K–12 Writing, Reading, Listening, and Speaking Required for federal and state accountability for EL students who qualify for the State Transitional Bilingual Instructional Program (TBIP). Online: January 26- March 20, 2026
Paper/Pencil: January 26- March 20, 2026** Paper testing is available only to support large print, braille, and standard print forms for students whose IEP or 504 plan states paper.
WIDA Alternate ACCESS
Grade(s) Subjects Requirement/Availability Testing Window K–12 Writing, Reading, Listening, and Speaking Required for federal and state accountability for EL students who are eligible for the alternate assessment and qualify for the State Transitional Bilingual Instructional Program (TBIP). Paper/Pencil: January 26 - March 20, 2026