General Test Information

GKAP-R
Students in kindergarten are assessed throughout the school year on the GKAP-R (Georgia Kindergarten Assessment Program - Revised). This assessment provides information on the student's readiness for kindergarten in the fall and their readiness for first grade in the spring. Score reports are received twice each school year; once in the fall and once in the spring.

CRCT
Students in grades one through eight are assessed each spring on the Georgia Criterion Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT). All students are assessed in Reading, English/Language Arts and Mathematics. Students in grades three through eight are also tested in Science and Social Studies. Third grade students are required to pass the Reading test for promotion to fourth grade, fifth grade students are required to pass the Reading and Mathematics tests for promotion to sixth grade, and eighth grade students are required to pass the Reading and Mathematics tests for promotion to ninth grade.

CRCT State Brochure

ITBS
Students are assessed in the fall on the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS). This is a norm-referenced assessment that measures student achievement in comparison to other students nationwide. Students in grades 3, 5, and 8 are tested in Reading, Mathematics, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies and Sources of Information.

Fall 2007 ITBS Parent Brochure

CogAT
Students in grades 1, 3, 5, and 8 are assessed in the fall on the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT). This test measures student performance on abilities related to success in school subjects.

Writing Assessments
Students in grades 5 and 8 are assessed annually on their writing skills.  Students in grade 8 will be assessed in January, and students in grade 5 will be assessed in March.  Students write on a specific topic and their compositions are then evaluated by outside raters. Score reports are received in the spring.

Students in third grade are assessed throughout the year on their writing skills. Teachers use a standard rubric to evaluate student writing samples and determine the level of the student's writing in the spring.

Revised Writing Assessment State Brochure

2008 Grade 8 Writing Assessment Parent Brochure

GHSGT & GHSWT
High school students are assessed on the Georgia High School Graduation Tests (GHSGT) and the Georgia High School Writing Test (GHSWT). Most students take the GHSWT during the fall of their junior year, and the GHSGT during the spring of their junior year. The GHSGT consists of tests in the areas of English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies. Students are required to pass the GHSWT and all sections of the GHSGT to graduate. Several retest opportunities are available through the year for students who do not pass the GHSWT or one or more sections of the GHSGT.

Fall 2007 GHSWT Parent Brochure

GHSGT State Brochure

GHSGT/GHSWT Waiver and Variance Information

EOCT
All students will take the End-of-Course Test (EOCT) after completing courses in Algebra 1, Geometry, US History, Economics, Biology, Physical Science, 9th Grade Literature and Composition, and American Literature and Composition. Results of the EOCT are used for diagnostic, remedial and accountability purposes to gauge the quality of education in the state and also count as part of the student's final grade in the course.

EOCT State Brochure

PSAT
The Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT) is published by The College Board as a tenth or eleventh grade practice instrument for students before taking the SAT in eleventh or twelfth grade. All tenth grade students take the PSAT in the fall.

SAT & ACT
The Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) and the American College Testing (ACT) are offered by The College Board several times during the year. These tests are not required by the state or school system, and are not administered by Cobb schools; however, most colleges and universities use SAT and/or ACT scores in determining student admission. Most college-bound students take one or both of these tests during either their junior or senior year. Both the SAT and ACT can be taken as many times as the student wants to.