AI-generated questions aligned to New York State Next Generation Learning Standards standards. Pick your grade and subject — no signup. Math, Science, English/RLA.
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Select your child's grade level. We show which subjects are available for that grade on the NYS Tests.
Pick Math, English/RLA, or Science. Every question is aligned to New York State Next Generation Learning Standards standards at the right difficulty.
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Every question maps to specific New York State Next Generation Learning Standards standards and reporting categories. Not generic — built for NYS Tests.
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The New York State Tests (formerly known as the New York State Assessments) are administered annually to students in grades 3-8 in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics, with Science tests at grades 5 and 8. New York adopted the Next Generation Learning Standards in 2017, which replaced the Common Core Learning Standards. As of 2026, all NYS Tests are computer-based (CBT), completing the state's transition from paper testing.
ELA and Math: April 6 - May 15, 2026. Schools select 2 consecutive testing days per subject within this window. Science Performance Tests (grades 5 & 8): late May - early June 2026. Tests are administered in multiple sessions across the selected days.
| Grade | Subjects Tested |
|---|---|
| Grade 3 | ELA and Mathematics |
| Grade 4 | ELA and Mathematics |
| Grade 5 | ELA, Mathematics, and Science |
| Grade 6 | ELA and Mathematics |
| Grade 7 | ELA and Mathematics |
| Grade 8 | ELA, Mathematics, and Science |
New York uses the following performance levels. 'Level 3 — Meeting Standard' is the proficiency target. Students scoring at Level 3 or above are considered on track for college and career readiness. New York has seen steady improvement in proficiency rates since adopting the Next Generation Learning Standards.
Student demonstrates limited knowledge and skills for the grade level. Significant gaps in understanding of Next Generation Learning Standards.
Student demonstrates partial knowledge and skills. Some understanding of grade-level standards, but not yet proficient.
Student demonstrates proficient knowledge and skills. Meets grade-level expectations of the Next Generation Learning Standards.
Student demonstrates thorough knowledge and skills. Exceeds grade-level expectations and shows advanced understanding.
As of 2026, all NYS Tests are fully computer-based. Students use a secure testing browser with tools like a calculator (grade-appropriate), highlighter, and line reader. Schools may request paper-based accommodations in limited cases.
NYS Tests are effectively untimed — students are given as much time as they need to complete each session. However, schools schedule testing within the regular school day. Most students complete each session within 60-90 minutes.
ELA and Math tests are each split across 2 sessions administered on consecutive days. Each session contains a mix of multiple-choice and constructed-response questions.
The grade 5 and 8 Science tests include both a written test (multiple-choice and short answer) and a separate Performance Test where students conduct hands-on lab activities.
New York completed the transition to fully computer-based testing (CBT) for all grades in the 2025-26 school year. The state also phased in new question types aligned to the Next Generation Learning Standards, including more constructed-response and evidence-based questions. New York has been working to address historically high opt-out rates, particularly on Long Island and in upstate regions, by emphasizing the diagnostic value of test results.
New York released preliminary 2024-25 NYS Test results in August 2025, alongside re-stated 2023-24 actuals. The headline: statewide ELA jumped roughly 7 percentage points, math gained 3 ppt, and New York City — for the first time in years — leads the statewide ELA average rather than trailing it. Levels 3 and 4 (proficient or above) are the public benchmark. Source: NYSED preliminary data release.
| Grade / Subject | % Meeting or Exceeding | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Statewide ELA grades 3-8 | 53% | +7 ppt YoY (was 46% in 2023-24) |
| Statewide Math grades 3-8 | 55% | +3 ppt YoY (was 52% in 2023-24) |
| Grade 5 ELA | 57% | Biggest jump in NYC (+13 ppt to 57%) |
| Grade 8 Math | 47% | Weakest math band statewide |
| Grade 5 Science (new NYSSLS framework) | 45% | +10 ppt YoY — but new test, not comparable to prior |
| Grade 8 Science (new NYSSLS framework) | 44% | +10 ppt YoY — also new framework |
Two cohorts within the same state moved in different directions. NYC posted +7.2 ppt on ELA and now leads the statewide average. The rest of the state moved more slowly. Grade 8 math remains the weakest band — that's the band where strong students often start taking Algebra 1 and leave the grade-level pool, similar to New Jersey's Grade 8 math pattern. New York's science scores look like they jumped 10 ppt YoY — but the science test itself is brand new under the NYSSLS framework starting in 2024, so the comparison to prior years isn't apples-to-apples. Read science scores against future years, not last year.
Betty A. Rosa is New York's Commissioner of Education — appointed permanent Commissioner February 8, 2021 after serving as interim. She is the first Latina to hold the role and reports to the Board of Regents (currently chaired by Lester W. Young, Jr.). Rosa is the senior NY official who testified before the State Senate on the 2026-27 budget in January 2026 and continues to issue official statements through 2026. Note: many third-party sites still reference older commissioners — that information is stale.
April 29, 2026 statewide CBT outage during Math testing. NYSED contacted vendor NWEA; over 116,000 students tested without error that morning. NYSED arranged make-up testing within the May 15 window. Spokesperson JP O'Hare issued a public statement.
NYSED published the 2026-27 Elementary- and Intermediate-level Testing Program Updates memo, confirming full CBT continuation, two-consecutive-day administration, and updated accommodation procedures.
Rosa testified before the NY State Senate on the 2026-27 education budget — reaffirming Blue Ribbon Commission implementation, full CBT rollout, and equity framing.
New York has a 75-percentage-point opportunity gap inside one state. Long Island's wealthiest suburbs post 90%+ proficiency on math; some upstate urban districts post under 20%. The five districts below illustrate the range. Where district-level 2024-25 Grade 5 numbers were not in plain HTML form, the table cites overall 3-8 averages — the precise Grade 5 figures live on data.nysed.gov.
Up roughly 7.2 percentage points on ELA in 2024-25 preliminary — NYC now leads the statewide ELA average for the first time in years. Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos has held the role since January 1, 2025 under Mayor Adams; her future under Mayor-elect Mamdani is unsettled as of December 2025.
One of the highest-performing public districts in New York. Median household income roughly $200,000. Elementary band reports ~75% ELA / ~90% math; middle school band ~78% ELA / ~92% math. Grade 5-specific figures sit inside the elementary band.
Westchester's largest urban district. Performance roughly at statewide average. Diverse demographically — sits between NYC and the Hudson Valley suburbs. The 'middle' of New York's testing landscape.
Western New York's largest urban district. Performance roughly 18-24 ppt below state average. One of the Big 5 city school districts that historically receives state oversight on improvement plans.
Among the lowest-performing major NY districts. Performance roughly 27-37 ppt below state average. Long-standing concerns about district financial management have layered on top of academic challenges.
Headline gap: Syosset 90%+ math versus Rochester 15% math = roughly 75 percentage points on the same NYS test. Inside one state, in the same school year. New York's testing gap is less about the test and more about district wealth and resources.
New York has the strongest opt-out culture in the country and one of the widest district-level performance gaps. Syosset (Long Island, ~$200K median household income) posts 90%+ math proficiency; Rochester sits at 15% on the same test. New York City rose roughly 7 percentage points on ELA in 2024-25 preliminary and — for the first time in recent memory — now leads the statewide average. The 14% statewide opt-out rate (with Long Island districts hitting 50-72%) means the data underrepresents some communities and oversamples others. For families: state law explicitly bars NYS test scores from being the sole or primary criterion for promotion or school admissions. The tests are diagnostic, not punitive. Use the score report to identify specific weak skills — the Level 1 vs Level 3 difference rarely lives in everything; usually it's two or three reporting categories your kid can lift in one year.
Three NY policy shifts are reshaping how the 3-8 tests are administered and used.
Spring 2026 is the first administration where ALL grades 3-8 students are required to take ELA, Math, and Grades 5/8 Science via Computer-Based Testing (CBT). Paper-based testing remains available only as an IEP/504 accommodation. NWEA administers the CBT platform (relevant for the April 29, 2026 outage). Testing window: April 6 - May 15, 2026.
New York's Blue Ribbon Commission recommended sweeping changes to graduation requirements in November 2023. Move to one diploma type; sunset the Regents exam requirement; adopt 'Portrait of a Graduate' competencies. First class graduating under the new framework: January 2028. Statewide instructional alignment to Portrait of a Graduate: 2029-30 cohort (current 2nd-3rd graders). Although Regents is grades 9-12, this matters for K-8 parents: the 3-8 tests are increasingly framed as on-track signals rather than gatekeepers.
NY Board of Regents adopted the Next Generation Learning Standards on September 11, 2017, formally retiring the Common Core brand. Assessments aligned to NGLS starting Spring 2023. Most content was preserved from Common Core — but specific standards moved between grades (especially K-2 phonics and writing-process language). Tests since 2023 measure NGLS, not Common Core.
New York has one of the highest opt-out rates in the nation — at peak, over 20% of eligible students opted out of state tests, particularly on Long Island. The rate has declined but remains significant.
NYS Tests are effectively untimed. Students receive as much time as they need within the school day, removing time pressure as a testing factor.
Grade 5 and 8 Science includes a hands-on Performance Test where students conduct lab experiments and record observations — not just written questions.
New York was one of the first states to adopt new standards (Next Generation Learning Standards) distinct from Common Core, with implementation beginning in 2017 and full assessment alignment by 2021.
The CBT platform includes built-in accessibility tools: text-to-speech, screen magnification, color contrast settings, and answer masking — available to all students, not just those with IEPs.
The test is fully untimed. Your child will not be rushed. Encourage them to read carefully, show their work, and check their answers before submitting. Use the time — that's the design.
You have the right to refuse the NYS Tests. New York has the strongest opt-out culture in the country (roughly 14% statewide; some Long Island districts hit 72%). There's no penalty to your child for opting out, but participation rates affect school accountability metrics.
If your child is in grade 5 or 8, they will also take a Science test that includes a hands-on Performance Test. Ask the teacher how to prepare for the lab component.
Spring 2026 is the first year of universal computer-based testing. On April 29, 2026, a statewide CBT outage affected some students during Math testing — NYSED arranged make-up windows. Practice on the actual interface (drag-and-drop, equation editor, hot text) matters because the format itself can stress kids.
Scores are reported in Levels 1-4. Level 3 means your child is meeting grade-level standards. NYS test scores cannot be the sole or primary criterion for promotion — by state law.
The Spring 2026 NYS Tests (ELA, Math, and Grades 5/8 Science) run April 6 through May 15, 2026. Schools choose two consecutive days within the window for each subject. The April 29, 2026 statewide CBT outage during Math affected some students; NYSED arranged make-up windows for affected schools through May 15.
Yes. New York's grades 3-8 tests have been fully untimed since 2016, when then-Commissioner MaryEllen Elia removed time limits in response to parent backlash about timed Common Core testing. From NYSED's parent FAQ: 'students will be given as much time as they need to complete the tests during the regular school day.' Projected completion times (60-90 min Day 1, 70-100 min Day 2) are for school scheduling, not enforced limits.
Yes. New York has the strongest opt-out culture in the country — refusal is permitted statewide, districts must accept refusal letters, and there are no legal consequences for the child. Statewide opt-out rate is roughly 14% as of 2023; some Long Island districts hit 50-72%. Participation rates below 95% can affect a school's accountability rating, but not your child's promotion.
Yes — Spring 2026 is the first year of UNIVERSAL computer-based testing for grades 3-8 ELA, Math, and Grades 5/8 Science. Paper-based testing remains available only as an IEP or Section 504 accommodation. The CBT platform is administered by NWEA.
Grades 3-8 take ELA and Math annually. Grades 5 and 8 also take a Science test that includes a hands-on Performance Component. Regents Exams are separate — those are grade 9-12 end-of-course tests, with their own (changing) graduation pathway under the Blue Ribbon Commission framework.
Each subject is administered across two untimed sessions spanning two consecutive school days. Average completion time per session is roughly 60-90 minutes Day 1 and 70-100 minutes Day 2 — but there is no enforced limit. As long as your child is working productively, they have as much time as they need within the regular school day.
Level 3 means 'Meeting Standard' — proficient at grade-level standards. The four levels are: 1 (Well Below), 2 (Partially Proficient), 3 (Proficient), 4 (Exceeds). Level 3+ is the public 'passing' benchmark. State law explicitly prevents NYS test scores from being the sole or primary criterion for promotion or school admissions.
No, not anymore. The Common Core branding was formally retired in 2017 when the Board of Regents adopted the Next Generation Learning Standards (NGLS). Assessments aligned to NGLS starting Spring 2023. The underlying content overlaps with Common Core, but specific standards were moved between grades — especially in K-2 phonics and writing-process language.
On April 29, 2026, NYSED's CBT system experienced a partial outage during Math testing. NYSED spokesperson JP O'Hare reported that more than 116,000 students tested without error that morning, with thousands more expected to complete testing later that day. NYSED contacted vendor NWEA to address the issue and arranged make-up testing within the May 15 window for affected schools.
Grades 5 and 8 Science includes both a written test (multiple-choice + short answer) and a separate hands-on Performance Test where students conduct lab experiments and record observations. The Performance component is scored by trained teachers using NYSED rubrics. Both components contribute to the overall Science score.
NYS Tests are for grades 3-8 (annual ELA, Math, and Grades 5/8 Science). Regents Exams are end-of-course high school tests (English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Languages). Under the Blue Ribbon Commission framework, the Regents diploma requirement sunsets in Fall 2027 — the first graduating class without the requirement is January 2028. K-8 NYS Tests are not directly affected, but families should know the K-12 testing landscape is shifting.
No — by state law. New York Education Law specifies that NYS test scores cannot be the sole or primary criterion for promotion or school admissions. A 'failing' Level 1 or 2 score triggers eligibility for Academic Intervention Services (AIS) — extra help — but does not directly hold a student back.
The NYS Tests is New York's standardized assessment for grades 3-8. Students are tested in Math and English/RLA every year, and Science in grades 5 and 8.
Our AI generates questions aligned to New York State Next Generation Learning Standards standards at the exact difficulty and format of the real NYS Tests. Every question is verified by a second AI for accuracy.
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