California · 2026 score reports
CAASPP Scores
Explained:
Ranges & New Levels
Last reviewed against California Department of Education sources
Quick answer
What is a good CAASPP score?
Level 3 (Proficient, formerly Standard Met) or higher. In ELA, Proficient starts at 2432 in grade 3 and 2567 in grade 8; in math, at 2436 in grade 3 and 2586 in grade 8. Level 4 (Advanced, formerly Standard Exceeded) starts higher. In 2025-26, 49.3% of California students reached Level 3 or 4 in ELA and 38.4% in math.
Source: CAASPP: Smarter Balanced ELA and Mathematics Scale Score Ranges · Updated
Next step
Practice for the CAASPP, grades 3 to 8
Practice tests built to the Smarter Balanced ELA and math tests, with every answer explained. Pick a grade to see what is on it, or start practicing with an account.
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Pick your child's grade to start. No signup required.
What does my child's score mean?
Type the 4-digit scale score from your child's CAASPP Student Score Report. For Grade 3 ELA, Proficient (Standard Met) starts at 2432.
Source: CAASPP: Smarter Balanced ELA and Mathematics Scale Score Ranges (2020–21 and forward)
CAASPP score ranges by grade
Scale score ranges for each level, 2020-21 and later. The highlighted column is Level 3, Proficient.
| Grade | Level 1 Minimal | Level 2 Developing | Level 3 Proficient | Level 4 Advanced |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 3 | 2115–2366 | 2367–2431 | 2432–2489 | 2490–2650 |
| Grade 4 | 2140–2415 | 2416–2472 | 2473–2532 | 2533–2690 |
| Grade 5 | 2200–2441 | 2442–2501 | 2502–2581 | 2582–2730 |
| Grade 6 | 2230–2456 | 2457–2530 | 2531–2617 | 2618–2770 |
| Grade 7 | 2260–2478 | 2479–2551 | 2552–2648 | 2649–2810 |
| Grade 8 | 2290–2486 | 2487–2566 | 2567–2667 | 2668–2850 |
| Grade 11 | 2300–2492 | 2493–2582 | 2583–2681 | 2682–2900 |
| Grade | Level 1 Minimal | Level 2 Developing | Level 3 Proficient | Level 4 Advanced |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 3 | 2190–2380 | 2381–2435 | 2436–2500 | 2501–2660 |
| Grade 4 | 2205–2410 | 2411–2484 | 2485–2548 | 2549–2700 |
| Grade 5 | 2220–2454 | 2455–2527 | 2528–2578 | 2579–2740 |
| Grade 6 | 2235–2472 | 2473–2551 | 2552–2609 | 2610–2780 |
| Grade 7 | 2250–2483 | 2484–2566 | 2567–2634 | 2635–2820 |
| Grade 8 | 2265–2503 | 2504–2585 | 2586–2652 | 2653–2860 |
| Grade 11 | 2280–2542 | 2543–2627 | 2628–2717 | 2718–2900 |
In 2021 the lowest and highest possible scores were widened for some grades, so the ends of the scale differ slightly from older reports. The cut scores between levels stayed the same.
The four levels, old and new names
Level 4: Advanced
formerly Standard Exceeded
Advanced grade-level knowledge and skills, and a sophisticated understanding of what is needed for future coursework.
Level 3: Proficient
formerly Standard Met
Proficient grade-level knowledge and skills, and a thorough understanding. Levels 3 and 4 are the ones California reports as proficient or advanced.
Level 2: Developing
formerly Standard Nearly Met
Developing grade-level knowledge and skills, and an initial understanding.
Level 1: Minimal
formerly Standard Not Met
Minimal grade-level knowledge and skills, and a limited understanding.
CDE says Levels 2 to 4 all represent grade-level performance at different degrees of complexity, and Level 1 represents minimal grade-level performance. The report also shows results for specific areas, such as Reading and Listening in ELA and Concepts and Procedures in math.
How California did in 2026
Comparing scores across years
The ELA and math scale runs across grades, so a rising number from one year to the next usually means growth. But the Proficient bar also rises each grade: in ELA it is 2502 in grade 5 and 2531 in grade 6. A child can gain points and still move down a level. Look at the number and the level together.
Questions parents ask
What is a good CAASPP score?
Level 3 (Proficient, formerly Standard Met) or higher. The Proficient score depends on grade and subject: in ELA it runs from 2432 in grade 3 to 2567 in grade 8, and in math from 2436 in grade 3 to 2586 in grade 8. Level 4 (Advanced) starts higher, for example 2490 in grade 3 ELA.
What happened to "Standard Met" and "Standard Exceeded"?
From 2025-26, California names the four levels Minimal, Developing, Proficient and Advanced. They line up one to one with the old names (Standard Not Met, Nearly Met, Met and Exceeded), and the scale score ranges did not change.
Is Level 2 (Developing) a fail?
No. CDE says Levels 2 to 4 all represent grade-level performance at different degrees of complexity, and Level 1 represents minimal grade-level performance. California reports Levels 3 and 4 together as proficient or advanced.
Can I compare my child's CAASPP score with last year's?
Within a subject, yes: the scale runs across grades, so a higher number usually means growth. The bar moves up each grade, though, so check the level as well. For example, Proficient in ELA is 2502 in grade 5 and 2531 in grade 6.
How did California students do in 2026?
In 2025-26, 49.3% of students scored at Level 3 or 4 in ELA (48.8% the year before) and 38.4% in math (37.3%). On the California Science Test (CAST), 36.0% reached Level 3 or 4, up from 32.7%.
What are the "areas" on the CAASPP report?
Besides the overall level and scale score, the report shows results for specific areas, such as Reading and Listening in ELA and Concepts and Procedures in math. They show where your child did better or worse than their overall level.
What is the highest CAASPP score?
It depends on grade and subject: 2650 for grade 3 ELA, 2850 for grade 8 ELA, 2660 for grade 3 math and 2860 for grade 8 math (2020-21 and later).
Is CAASPP the same as SBAC?
CAASPP is California's whole testing program. Its ELA and math tests are the Smarter Balanced (SBAC) summative tests, so the scale and levels match other Smarter Balanced states. Science is the separate California Science Test (CAST).
My child is below Proficient. What should we do next?
Look at the areas on the report to see which ones cost the most points. Then work on the exact skills inside them. A full practice test built like Smarter Balanced, such as iMasterly's, scores your child in each area and explains every question, so you can practice before spring. Your child's teacher can tell you what support the school offers.
Sources
Every number on this page comes from these California Department of Education sources. Last reviewed .