Ohio State Tests (Grades 3-8)
Purpose of Ohio State Tests at Grades 3-8
The Ohio State Tests are Ohio's State achievement tests at Grades 3-8.
Why do students take these tests?
State achievement tests tell us how well our students are growing in the knowledge and skills outlined in Ohio’s Learning Standards. These tests help guide and strengthen future teaching so we can be sure that we are preparing our students for long-term success in school, college, careers and life. Test results also allow citizens to know how their local schools are performing compared to others around the state.
Grades & Subjects
All grade 3-8 students, with the exception of students who are identified as needing the Alternate Assessment for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities in an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), are required to take the Ohio State Tests at Grades 3-8 by the Ohio Department of Education.
All tests are given online with the exception of tests for students who receive a paper version of the test as an accommodation in an IEP or 504 plan.
Data Received From Assessment
Schools, educators, and families receive scale score ranges, performance levels, strand level data, and strand point data from these assessments. Students earn a performance level of Limited, Basic, Proficient, Accelerated, or Advanced. Students scoring at an accelerated or advanced level are considered by ODE as "on track for college and career readiness."
Additionally, data is available from these assessments broken into subject subscores that help provide more detailed data on student performance in relation to Ohio's Learning Standards. For example, students taking English Language Arts tests receive subscore data in the areas of "Reading-Informational Text", "Reading- Literary Text", and "Writing".