This spring, your child will participate in New Jersey’s statewide assessments. These state-required tests provide one important way to understand how well students are learning grade‑level skills in English, math, and science.
Depending on their grade level, your child may participate in one or more of the following tests:
- New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment – Adaptive (NJGPA‑A) for English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics
- New Jersey Student Learning Assessments – Adaptive (NJSLA‑A) for ELA and Mathematics
- New Jersey Student Learning Assessments – Science (NJSLA‑S)
All of New Jersey’s statewide assessments are based on the New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS), which describe what students should know and be able to do at each grade level. While the state test may look a little different this year, it still measures whether students are learning skills and knowledge expected for their grade.
Testing Schedule
Purpose of Statewide Assessments
Students take different kinds of tests during the school year, and each type of test serves a different purpose. New Jersey’s statewide assessments are one important way to show families and communities how well students, schools, and districts are meeting the New Jersey Student Learning Standards, which describe what students should know and be able to do at each grade level.
These results provide schools with valuable insight into students’ progress and help educators refine instruction when needed to strengthen learning. They allow teachers and school leaders to see how students grow from year to year, and to ensure all students have access to strong, grade‑level instruction. This information also helps districts confirm their curriculum matches the state standards. Overall, statewide tests give families and schools an understanding of how students are growing and where support may be needed so every child can succeed.
About the ELA and Math Tests (NJGPA‑A and NJSLA‑A)
This spring, for the first time, statewide tests in English and math (NJGPA‑A and NJSLA‑A) will be computer‑adaptive. As your child answers questions, the test adjusts in real time. If a question is answered correctly, the next one may be slightly more challenging. If your child struggles, the test may provide a question that is less difficult. This helps the assessment “zero in” on your child’s understanding more precisely.
Every student receives a different mix of questions, but all questions are reviewed together to measure the same grade-level standards and skills. Adaptive tests do not change what students are expected to know; they simply help measure those skills more accurately.
Both the NJSLA-A and NJGPA-A consist of three (3) units; ELA-Reading, ELA-Writing, and Mathematics.
Unit Testing Times (NJGPA‑A & NJSLA‑A)
About the Science Test (NJSLA‑S)
The science assessment is a fixed‑form test, meaning all students receive the same questions. While the test will now appear in the same online platform as the ELA and math assessments, the format and content remain the same as last year.
Unit Testing Times (NJSLA – Science)
Testing the Test
In fall 2025 to ensure a smooth transition to this new type of test, students in grades 4–12 took part in a field test for the adaptive ELA and math assessments. A field test is a way for the New Jersey Department of Education to try out new test questions before they officially count toward student scores. The test designers, including educator committees, review these results to make sure the test questions are clear, fair, and appropriate for students and that they produce helpful data to families, schools, and the public. This process helps keep statewide assessments accurate and aligned with what students are expected to learn.
For additional information about these assessments, please visit the NJDOE Assessments webpage at nj.gov/education/assessment/adaptive for a series of pamphlets focused on providing a quick overview of the new assessments. You may also wish to visit the Students & Families page on New Jersey Assessments Portal at nj.portal.cambiumast.com and the Parent and Student Resources page on the New Jersey Science Assessments Resource Center at nj.mymisupport.com.
If you have any questions about the upcoming assessments, please feel free to contact Ms. Eilleen Cuellar, Director of Guidance & Support Services. Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting your child’s learning.