Testing in Grade 3

Grade 3 student tests

In Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), grade 3 is a transition year for student testing. It is the first year with required Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) tests. Required tests for third graders are listed in the table below, organized alphabetically by test name. 

Grade 3 Required Tests

Test Name Requirement Source Content Tested Purpose of Test Time Needed* Schedule** Results Distribution
Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT)

Division

ONLY students without a previous CogAT score who are not already eligible for AAP Level IV services

Intelligence Quotient (IQ) To identify potential Advanced Academic Program (AAP) services Approx. 2 hours  Oct. 2 to Oct. 27 Distributed to parents/guardians prior to the winter break
CORE Phonics Division Phonics To measure foundational phonics skills Approx. 15 minutes Aug. 22 to Oct. 20 Incorporated in ongoing performance communication to parents/guardians
Developmental Spelling Analysis (DSA) Division Spelling To measure development of spelling skills Approx. 15 minutes

Aug. 22 to Oct. 20

April 8 to June 7

Incorporated in ongoing performance communication to parents/guardians
iReady

State (Reading, Oral Reading Fluency)

Division (Mathematics)

Winter ONLY for students below benchmark or not previously tested

Mathematics, Reading, Oral Reading Fluency To identify gaps in foundational academic skills and measure progress of skill development  Approx. 0.5-1 hour per subject

Sept. 5 to Sept. 29

Jan. 3 to Feb. 2

April 22 to May 17

Published in the Student Information System (SIS) ParentVUE Documents tab within approx. 2 months of the close of the assessment window
Local Alternative Assessments (LAA) State Science, Social Studies To measure knowledge of grade level content standards in place of the SOL test Approx. 10 to 45 minutes per task Oct. 2 to May 24 Incorporated in ongoing classroom performance communication to parents/guardians
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener Division  Social-Emotional Learning Skills To measure development of social-emotional learning, relationships, and well-being Approx. 20 minutes

Oct. 10 to Oct. 27

Feb. 26 to Mar. 15

Mailed or published in the SIS ParentVUE Documents tab within approx. 1 month of the close of the assessment window
Standards of Learning (SOL) Tests State Reading, Mathematics To measure knowledge of grade level content standards for state and federal accountability Approx. 2 hours per subject

April 29 to May 31

Published in the SIS ParentVUE Documents tab within approx. 1 month of the close of the assessment window
Virginia Alternate Assessment Program (VAAP)

State

ONLY for students taught on an adapted curriculum

Reading, Mathematics To measure knowledge of aligned standards for state and federal accountability TBD Feb. 26 to May 31 Mailed or published in the SIS ParentVUE Documents tab by the start of the next school year
Virginia Growth Assessment (VGA)

State

ONLY students scheduled to take spring SOL tests

Reading, Mathematics To measure progress in grade level content standards throughout the year Approx. 1 hour per subject

Sept. 11 to Oct. 6

Dec. 4-Jan. 18

Mailed or published in the SIS ParentVUE Documents tab within approx. 3 months of the close of the assessment window
WIDA ACCESS for ELLS

State

ONLY for English learners

Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening To measure annual English language proficiency and progress in compliance with federal law Approx. 5 hours  Jan. 16 to Mar. 15 Distributed to parents/ guardians by the start of the next school year
WIDA Screener

State

ONLY for potential English learners

Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening To determine eligibility for English learner services, in compliance with federal law Approx. 2 hours  Within 14 days of entry from outside Virginia public schools Distributed to parents/ guardians within approx. 1 month

* The amount of time needed for testing varies by student. All times are estimates. 

** Schedule dates represent the window of time during which tests may be given. Each school sets and communicates the specific date for each test

See other grade level tests

Link to grade level tests.

Find out more about student assessments

Link to student assessment.