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Testing and Assessment


Student Assessment - Test Scores

Every school year, Cobb County students are tested on a variety of state and system-wide assessments. Most assessment programs, such as the CRCT and the Georgia High School Writing Test (GHSWT), are mandated by Georgia state law. Some assessments, such as the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS), are mandated by the Cobb County Board of Education.

2012-2013 Test Scores:

2011-2012 Test Scores:

Click here to link to the Test Score Archive for previous years

2012-13 Testing Calendar

Click here to view the 2012-13 testing calendar

General Test Information

GKIDS
Students in kindergarten are assessed throughout the school year on GKIDS, the Georgia Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills. GKIDS is an ongoing, performance based assessment, designed to assist teachers in planning instruction throughout the school year, and to serve as one measure of a student’s readiness for first grade. It provides ongoing diagnostic information about kindergarten students’ developing skills in four academic areas; English Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies, and in three non-Academic domains: Personal/Social Development, Approaches to Learning, and Motor Skills. Individual Student Reports will be provided at the end of the school year, and will include English Language Arts, Math, Approaches to Learning, and Personal/Social Development.
GKIDS State Brochure

CRCT
Students in grades three through eight will be assessed in the spring on the Georgia Criterion Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT). All students are assessed in Reading, English/Language Arts, Mathematics, 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. Students in grades 3, 5, or 8 who do not pass a required test will be retested in May.
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 7 are tested in Reading, Mathematics, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies and Sources of Information.
Fall 2012 ITBS Parent Brochure

CogAT
Students in grades 1, 3, and 7 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.

GHSGT & GHSWT
Students who entered 9th grade prior to fall 2008 must pass the Georgia High School Graduation Tests (GHSGT) and the Georgia High School Writing Test (GHSWT).

Students who entered 9th grade from fall 2008 through June 2011 must demonstrate their proficiency in the four GHSGT content areas by either passing each of the GHSGT content area tests or by passing one of the two equivalent End of Course Tests (EOCT) in each corresponding content area. These students are also required to take and pass the GHSWT.

Students who entered 9th grade in 2011-2012 and beyond will not take the GHSGT. They are required to take and pass the 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. Several retest opportunities are available through the year for students who do not pass the GHSWT or one or more sections of the GHSGT.

EOCT
All students will take the End-of-Course Test (EOCT) after completing courses in Math I, Math II, Algebra, 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. For students enrolled in 9th grade for the first time before July 1, 2011, the EOCT counts as 15% of the final grade. For students enrolled in 9th grade for the first time on July 1, 2011 or after, the EOCT counts as 20% of the final grade.

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.