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.
| 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