What is the NWEA Benchmark Assessment?

Kindergarten through Fifth Grade students are administered the NWEA Measures for Academic Progress (MAP) three (3) times per year.


This digital, benchmark instrument measures Math and Reading skills. All school districts in New York are required to give students a benchmark measurement of this nature. The administration of this instructional tool is estimated to take roughly 30-40 minutes for Kindergartners and 1st Graders and about 60 minutes for most students in Grades 3-5.


The NWEA MAP is a computer-adaptive or “smart” tool, which considers varied skills across many grade levels. It allows students to answer questions to demonstrate their full levels of learning rather than provide questions by specific grade levels.  


The NWEA Map assessment is just one of the multiple measures teachers and school administrators use throughout each school year to monitor student academic progress and to inform decisions related to differentiated and individualized teaching and learning. The NWEA MAP is administered at three different points during the school year for the purpose of monitoring student academic growth and development (Fall, Winter & Spring).


Kindergarten and 1st Grade students will need headphones to take this assessment, as the assessment is read to the students via the program. Please send in headphones with your child before the assessment.


Winter Adminstration Dates:


CogAT's (Cognitive Abilities Test) 


Each school year, the Syosset Central School District administers the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) to students in Grades 3, 4, and 5.  The CogAT is a computer-based assessment that measures students’ abilities in Verbal, Quantitative, and Nonverbal reasoning that are most highly correlated with fluid reasoning, problem solving, and academic success.


The CogAT is administered in separate components over three testing sessions.  The CogAT scores are the sole measure used to identify students for participation in the Project Beyond Program (Grades 3, 4 & 5).  Project Beyond is a pull-out enrichment program that students must qualify for by scoring well on the CogAT test. Students currently in the Project Beyond Program will not have to re-qualify for the program. Students currently in Project Beyond will NOT have to re-qualify.


All students will need headphones to take this assessment. Please send in headphones with your child before the assessment.



New York State Assessments (Grades 3, 4 & 5)

In the Spring, New York State requires school districts to administer ELA/Literacy and Mathematics Common Core tests to all students in Grades 3, 4 & 5. According to the state, these assessments are intended to provide students, families, educators, and the public better measures of student proficiency in the knowledge and skills students need to succeed in college and careers.  More information regarding the state assessments can be found at the following link.


New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test (NYSELAT)

The New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test (NYSESLAT) is designed to annually assess the English language proficiency of all English Language Learners (ELLs) enrolled in Grades K–12 in New York State schools. The test provides the State and schools with important information about the English language development of ELLs and is part of the State’s compliance with federal laws that mandate the annual assessment and monitoring of the English language proficiency of all ELLs. The results of the NYSESLAT will determine the levels of service ELLs will receive in Bilingual Education and English as a New Language programs for the school year as prescribed in Commissioner’s Regulations Part 154-2 and 154-3.  

Testing Schedule for the Year

2023-2024 SCSD TESTING SCHEDULE .pdf