Testing in Grade 5

Grade 5 student tests

In Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), grade 5 tests focus on content knowledge and skills. Required tests for fifth graders are listed in the table below, organized alphabetically by test name. 

Grade 5 Required Tests
Test NameRequirement SourceContent TestedPurpose of TestTime 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. 27Distributed to parents/guardians prior to the winter break
Developmental Spelling Analysis (DSA)DivisionSpellingTo measure development of spelling skillsApprox. 15 minutes

Aug. 22 to Oct. 20

April 8 to June 7

Incorporated in ongoing performance communication to parents/guardians
Division Benchmarking Assessment - G5 ScienceDivisionScienceTo measure development of content standard knowledge and skills Approx. 30 minutes

Oct. 18 to Oct. 31

Jan. 3 to Jan. 25

Feb. 20 to Mar. 1

April 11 to April 26

Incorporated in ongoing performance communication to parents/guardians
iReady 

Division

Winter ONLY for students below benchmark or not previously tested

Reading, MathematicsTo identify gaps in foundational academic skills and measure progress of skill developmentApprox. 1.5 hours per subject

Aug. 22 to Oct. 20

Jan. 3 to Feb. 2

April 8 to June 7

Published in the Student Information System (SIS) ParentVUE Documents tab within approx. 2 months of the close of the assessment window
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) ScreenerDivision Social-Emotional Learning SkillsTo measure development of social-emotional learning, relationships, and well-beingApprox. 15 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) TestsStateReading with Integrated Reading and Writing (IRW), Mathematics, ScienceTo measure knowledge of grade level content standards for state and federal accountabilityApprox. 2 hours per subject

IRW only: March 20 to April 26

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, ScienceTo measure knowledge of aligned standards for state and federal accountability

Varies 

Approx. 5 to 40 minutes per task

Feb. 26 to May 31Mailed 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, MathematicsTo measure progress in grade level content standards throughout the yearApprox. 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, ListeningTo measure annual English language proficiency and progress in compliance with federal lawApprox. 5 hours totalJan. 16 to Mar. 15Distributed to parents/ guardians by the start of the next school year
WIDA Screener

State

ONLY for potential English learners

Reading, Writing, Speaking, ListeningTo determine eligibility for English learner services, in compliance with federal lawApprox. 2 hours totalWithin 14 days of entry from outside Virginia public schoolsDistributed 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.