What to Do on a Test Day

Please make sure your child comes to school on time, well rested and having eaten a good breakfast.

Make-up test days are available for students who are absent the day of a California State Test.

Did You Know?

Based on California Standards Tests in English and Math, LAUSD repeatedly gave the Palms Gifted/High Ability Magnet its top designation: Model of Excellence.

Each year since 2011-2012, LAUSD has recognized the Palms Middle School Magnet as an Excelling Magnet or an Achieving Magnet (the top 2 categories) based on the School Performance Framework (SPF).

California State Testing

California flag The State of California uses many tests to assess the progress of students. Common Core state tests have been used since the 2013-2014 school year. Tests in 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 were practice tests, used to assess the testing program and overall performance, but not used to rank schools. Students and schools did not receive test scores for the 2014-2015 tests. Tests in Spring 2016 counted for the first time.

The Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) tests used in previous years to determine student performance and school API scores were replaced with California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) tests. Primary among the CAASPP tests is the the California Smarter Balanced Field Test.

The 2021 testing dates will be May 16-23, 2022.

2021 Testing Schedule (to be announced)
Date	6th Grade 7th Grade	8th Grade	Minimum Day
TBA	Math Test	Math Test	√
TBA	ELA Test	ELA Test	√
TBA	Math Performance Task	Math Performance Task	√
TBA	ELA Performance Task	ELA Performance Task	√
TBA	Make-Up Test	Make-Up Test	√
TBA	Make-Up Test	Make-Up Test CST Science Test	√

Note: "ELA" means English Language Arts.

Test Times
Subject	Test	Performance Task
ELA	2 hours 15 minutes	2 hours
Math	2 hours 15 minutes	1 hour 15 minutes

See also:

Taking Practice Tests

Students can take practice tests on the Internet to prepare for the new California state tests. Here's how:

1. Go to the test site: sbacpt.tds.airast.org/student

2. Click or tap the link that says Click here if you are a California student. This CAASPP box should appear at the top of the page. If not, click or tap the Click here if you are a California student link again until you see the CAASPP box.

CAASSP box

3. Click or tap the Sign In button near the bottom of the page.

Smarter Balance login page

4. Select your grade (6, 7 or 8).

5. Click or tap the Yes button.

6. Pick one of the practice tests next to the arrows.

Sample 8th grade science question:

sample 8th grade science question

Previous Years: STAR Tests

In previous years the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) tests were used to determine Academic Performance Index (API) scores. The CST Science Test for 8th graders is still given.

STAR Tests
Acronym	Test	Given to	Months
CAPA	California Alternate Performance Assessment	students with disabilities	May
CMA	California Modified Assessment	students with disabilities	May
CST	California Standards Tests	all students	September for 8th graders May for all grades
STS	Standards-based Test in Spanish	for certain Spanish-speaking students	May

Practice California STAR tests from previous years:

CST Tests