Sixth Grade

1. i-Ready Reading Diagnostic Assessment
Grade 6 through 8

To provide a means of gauging students' reading levels and to measure growth over time. Scores are available immediately after the diagnostic is completed.

Assessment Window: Fall, Winter, Spring
Times administered: Three

Understanding the Score
Helpful Resources for Families
Assessment Video

2. i-Ready Mathematics Diagnostic Assessment
Grade 6 through 8

To provide student performance data regarding math skills and measure growth over time. Scores are available immediately after the diagnostic is completed.

Assessment Window: Fall, Winter, Spring
Times administered: Three

Understanding the Score
Helpful Resources for Families
Assessment Video
HCPS created video for iReady

3. Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program: English/Language Arts Literacy and Mathematics (MCAP)
Grade 6 through 8

These state assessments are required to measure student achievement and progression towards meeting the Maryland College and Career Ready Standards in reading and mathematics.

Assessment Window: Winter, Spring
Times administered: Once

Math
Reading
Understanding the Score (Spanish)
Helpful Resources for Families:
Maryland Practice Tests
MCAP Example Questions

4. WIDA-ACCESS (W-ACCESS)
English language students, grades 6 through 8

To determine the current level of English language students.

Assessment Window: Winter
Times administered: Once

Understanding the Score
Helpful Resources for Families
Assessment Video

5. Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT)
Grade 6 who have not taken CogAT in elementary school

To measure abilities across symbol systems that are most highly correlated with fluid reasoning, problem solving, and success in school. This is one measure to assist schools to identify students for gifted and talented services.

Assessment Window: February
Times administered: Once

Understanding the Score

6. Dynamic Learning Maps - Math, ELA, and Science Alternate Assessments (DLM)
Grade 6 through 8

This assessment is designed for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities in reading and mathematics and science for whom general state assessments are not appropriate.

Assessment Window: Spring
Times administered: Once

Understanding the Score
Helpful Resources for Families

7. Inner Orbit Summative Science Assessments
Grade 6 through 8

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) aligned evaluations built around real-world phenomena to gauge student understanding of core scientific ideas, practices, and crosscutting concepts.

Assessment Window: Varies
Times administered:
Grade 6: 4 Assessments
Grade 7: 5 Assessments
Grade 8: 6 Assessments

Helpful Resources for Families

8. HCPS RELA Argument on Demand Writing Performance Tasks
Grade 6 through 8

An on-demand writing assessment is a timed, independent writing task where students respond to a prompt without prior planning or teacher support. It’s designed to demonstrate what students can do “on the spot,” reflecting their current writing skills in a specific writing genre such as argument, informational, or narrative. Teachers analyze students on-demand writing using a standards-aligned rubric to determine students’ skill strengths, needs, and instructional next steps. Students also use this writing to self-assess and establish personal goals. A second on-demand writing at the end of a unit helps teachers and students monitor growth and celebrate progress.

Assessment Window: Varies
Times administered: Twice

Helpful Resources for Families

Seventh Grade

1. i-Ready Reading Diagnostic Assessment
Grade 6 through 8

To provide a means of gauging students' reading levels and to measure growth over time. Scores are available immediately after the diagnostic is completed.

Assessment Window: Fall, Winter, Spring
Times administered: Three

Understanding the Score
Helpful Resources for Families
Assessment Video

2. i-Ready Mathematics Diagnostic Assessment
Grade 6 through 8

To provide student performance data regarding math skills and measure growth over time. Scores are available immediately after the diagnostic is completed.

Assessment Window: Fall, Winter, Spring
Times administered: Three

Understanding the Score
Helpful Resources for Families
Assessment Video
HCPS created video for iReady

3. Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program: English/Language Arts Literacy and Mathematics (MCAP)
Grade 6 through 8

These state assessments are required to measure student achievement and progression towards meeting the Maryland College and Career Ready Standards in reading and mathematics.

Assessment Window: Winter, Spring
Times administered: Once

Math
Reading
Understanding the Score (Spanish)
Helpful Resources for Families:
Maryland Practice Tests
MCAP Example Questions

4. WIDA-ACCESS (W-ACCESS)
English language students, grades 6 through 8

To determine the current level of English language students.

Assessment Window: Winter
Times administered: Once

Understanding the Score
Helpful Resources for Families
Assessment Video

5. Dynamic Learning Maps - Math, ELA, and Science Alternate Assessments (DLM)
Grade 6 through 8

This assessment is designed for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities in reading and mathematics and science for whom general state assessments are not appropriate.

Assessment Window: Spring
Times administered: Once

Understanding the Score
Helpful Resources for Families

6. Inner Orbit Summative Science Assessments
Grade 6 through 8

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) aligned evaluations built around real-world phenomena to gauge student understanding of core scientific ideas, practices, and crosscutting concepts.

Assessment Window: Varies
Times administered:
Grade 6: 4 Assessments
Grade 7: 5 Assessments
Grade 8: 6 Assessments

Helpful Resources for Families

7. HCPS RELA Argument on Demand Writing Performance Tasks
Grade 6 through 8

An on-demand writing assessment is a timed, independent writing task where students respond to a prompt without prior planning or teacher support. It’s designed to demonstrate what students can do “on the spot,” reflecting their current writing skills in a specific writing genre such as argument, informational, or narrative. Teachers analyze students on-demand writing using a standards-aligned rubric to determine students’ skill strengths, needs, and instructional next steps. Students also use this writing to self-assess and establish personal goals. A second on-demand writing at the end of a unit helps teachers and students monitor growth and celebrate progress.

Assessment Window: Varies
Times administered: Twice

Eighth Grade

1. i-Ready Reading Diagnostic Assessment
Grade 6 through 8

To provide a means of gauging students' reading levels and to measure growth over time. Scores are available immediately after the diagnostic is completed.

Assessment Window: Fall, Winter, Spring
Times administered: Three

Understanding the Score
Helpful Resources for Families
Assessment Video

2. i-Ready Mathematics Diagnostic Assessment
Grade 6 through 8

To provide student performance data regarding math skills and measure growth over time. Scores are available immediately after the diagnostic is completed.

Assessment Window: Fall, Winter, Spring
Times administered: Three

Understanding the Score
Helpful Resources for Families
Assessment Video
HCPS created video for iReady

3. Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program: English/Language Arts Literacy and Mathematics (MCAP)
Grade 6 through 8

These state assessments are required to measure student achievement and progression towards meeting the Maryland College and Career Ready Standards in reading and mathematics.

Assessment Window: Winter, Spring
Times administered: Once

Math
Reading
Understanding the Score (Spanish)
Helpful Resources for Families:
Maryland Practice Tests
MCAP Example Questions

4. Maryland Integrated Science Assessment (MISA)
Grade 8

This state assessment is required to measure student achievement towards progress on the Maryland Science standards.

Assessment Window: March
Times administered: Once

Understanding the Score (Spanish)
Helpful Resources for Families:
Maryland Practice Tests
MCAP Example Questions

5. Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program: Social Studies (SS8)
Grade 8

This state assessment is required to measure student achievement towards progress on the Maryland Social Studies standards.

Assessment Window: March
Times administered: Once

Understanding the Score (Spanish)
Helpful Resources for Families:
Maryland Practice Tests
MCAP Example Questions

6. WIDA-ACCESS (W-ACCESS)
English language students, grades 6 through 8

To determine the current level of English language students.

Assessment Window: Winter
Times administered: Once

Understanding the Score
Helpful Resources for Families
Assessment Video

7. Dynamic Learning Maps - Math, ELA, and Science Alternate Assessments (DLM)
Grade 6 through 8

This assessment is designed for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities in reading and mathematics and science for whom general state assessments are not appropriate.

Assessment Window: Spring
Times administered: Once

Understanding the Score
Helpful Resources for Families

8. Inner Orbit Summative Science Assessments
Grade 6 through 8

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) aligned evaluations built around real-world phenomena to gauge student understanding of core scientific ideas, practices, and crosscutting concepts.

Assessment Window: Varies
Times administered:
Grade 6: 4 Assessments
Grade 7: 5 Assessments
Grade 8: 6 Assessments

Helpful Resources for Families

9. HCPS RELA Argument on Demand Writing Performance Tasks
Grade 6 through 8

An on-demand writing assessment is a timed, independent writing task where students respond to a prompt without prior planning or teacher support. It’s designed to demonstrate what students can do “on the spot,” reflecting their current writing skills in a specific writing genre such as argument, informational, or narrative. Teachers analyze students on-demand writing using a standards-aligned rubric to determine students’ skill strengths, needs, and instructional next steps. Students also use this writing to self-assess and establish personal goals. A second on-demand writing at the end of a unit helps teachers and students monitor growth and celebrate progress.

Assessment Window: Varies
Times administered: Twice

Ninth Grade

1. i-Ready Reading Diagnostic Assessment
Select students, grades 9 through 12

To provide a means of gauging students' reading levels and to measure growth over time. Scores are available immediately after the diagnostic is completed.

Assessment Window: Fall, Winter, Spring
Times administered: Three

Understanding the Score
Helpful Resources for Families
Assessment Video

2. i-Ready Mathematics Diagnostic Assessment
Select students, grades 9 through 12

To provide student performance data regarding math skills and measure growth over time. Scores are available immediately after the diagnostic is completed.

Assessment Window: Fall, Winter, Spring
Times administered: Three

Understanding the Score
Helpful Resources for Families
Assessment Video

3. Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program: English/Language Arts Literacy and Mathematics (MCAP)
Select students, grades 9 through 12

These state assessments are required to measure student achievement and progression towards meeting the Maryland College and Career Ready Standards in reading and mathematics.

Assessment Window: Winter, Spring
Times administered: Once

Math
Reading
Understanding the Score (Spanish)
Helpful Resources for Families:
Maryland Practice Tests
MCAP Example Questions

4. High School Maryland Integrated Science Assessment (LS MISA)
Applicable students

This state assessment is required to measure student understanding of science, based on the Maryland Science standards.

Assessment Window: Winter, Spring
Times administered: Once

Understanding the Score
Helpful Resources for Families

5. High School Assessment Government (HSA Gov)
Applicable students

This state assessment is required to measure student understanding of and progress on the Maryland Social Studies standards.

Assessment Window: Winter, Spring
Times administered: Once

Understanding the Score
Helpful Resources for Families

6. WIDA-ACCESS (W-ACCESS)
English language students, grades 9 through 12

To determine the current level of English language students.

Assessment Window: Winter
Times administered: Once

Understanding the Score
Helpful Resources for Families
Assessment Video

7. Advanced Placement (AP)
Applicable students

An AP (Advanced Placement) test is a college-level exam that students can take after completing an AP course in high school.

Assessment Window: Varies
Times administered: Varies

Understanding the Score
Helpful Resources for Families

8. Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT)
Applicable students

The PSAT is designed to mirror the SAT in format and content giving students an opportunity to explore a preliminary test to the SAT.

Assessment Window: October (During the school day)
Times administered: Varies

Understanding the Score
Helpful Resources for Families

9. SAT (SAT)
Applicable students

The SAT is a standardized assessment widely used by colleges and universities as a part of their admissions process.

Assessment Window: Varies
Times administered: Varies

Understanding the Score
Helpful Resources for Families