Testing in Grade 9

Grade 9 student tests

In Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), grade 9 tests measure students' learning of specific and broad content and skills. Required tests for ninth graders are listed in the table below, organized alphabetically by test name. 

Grade 9 Required Tests

Test Name Requirement Source Content Tested Purpose of Test Time Needed* Schedule** Results Distribution
Brief Screen for Adolescent Depression (BSAD) Division Mental Health and Wellness To identify symptoms of depression  Approx. 10 minutes Aug. 22 to Dec. 15 Incorporated in ongoing classroom performance communication to parents/guardians
Division Benchmarking Assessment - Mathematics Division Mathematics  To measure development of content standard knowledge and skills Approx. 45 minutes

Nov. 8 to Dec. 15

Feb. 12 to Mar. 22

Incorporated in ongoing performance communication to parents/guardians
Division Benchmarking Assessment - Science

Division

ONLY for students in a Biology course

Biology To 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
Math Inventory

Division

ONLY for students in an Algebra 1, Geometry, and AFDA courses

Winter and Spring ONLY for students below benchmark or not previously tested

Mathematics To identify a current mathematical developmental skill level and monitor growth Approx. 45 minutes

Aug. 28 to Sept. 29

Dec. 4 to Feb. 2

May 6 to June 7

Published in the Student Information System (SIS) ParentVUE Documents tab within approx. 2 months of the close of the assessment window
NoRedInk Writing Diagnostic

Division

Writing  To monitor progress in writing mechanics and grammar usage skills Approx. 30 minutes

Oct. 2 to Nov. 10

April 8 to June 7

Incorporated in ongoing performance communication to parents/guardians
Reading Inventory

Division

Winter and Spring ONLY for students below benchmark or not previously tested

Reading To identify a current reading developmental skill level and monitor growth Approx. 45 minutes

Aug. 28 to Sept. 29

Dec. 4 to Feb. 2

May 6 to June 7

Published in the SIS ParentVUE Documents tab within approx. 2 months of the close of the assessment window
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener Division Social-Emotional Learning Skills To measure development of social-emotional learning, relationships, and well-being Approx. 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) Tests

State

ONLY students needing a test for federal participation or verified credit 

Mathematics, Science, History To measure knowledge of course content standards for state and federal accountability Approx. 2 hours per subject

Schedule based on course and graduation requirements

Dec. 5 to Jan. 18

April 22 to May 31

Published in the SIS ParentVUE Documents tab within approx. 1 month of the close of the assessment window
State Performance-Based Assessments (PBAs)

State

ONLY for students in a social studies course identified for PBAs

History To measure social studies disciplinary skills as part of a collection of evidence used to locally award verified credit  toward graduation Approx. 1-3 hours  Aug. 28 to May 24 Incorporated in performance communication to parents/guardians as part of final grades
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 total  Within 14 days of entry from outside Virginia public schools Distributed to parents/ guardians within approx. 1 month
World Language Performance Assessment for Language Students (PALS)

Division

ONLY for students Level 1-5, AP, IB, or DE world language courses

Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening To measure interpersonal, presentational, and interpretive skills  Approx. 2 hours total  April 17 to June 12 Incorporated in ongoing performance communication to parents/guardians

* 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.