Testing
PSAT, ACT, EOC, SAT, MAP and more!
At TMSA Triangle, we understand that navigating the many tests and assessments students take throughout the year can feel overwhelming for parents. Each exam serves a different purpose, and keeping track of what they measure, when they occur, and how they impact students can easily become confusing.
This page is designed to bring clarity. Our goal is to demystify the assessment landscape by explaining each type of test in clear, simple terms. Whether the assessments are required by the state of North Carolina or selected by TMSA Triangle to support personalized learning, we want you to feel fully informed and confident.
You’ll find brief descriptions, purpose statements, and helpful notes that explain how results are used to support instruction, monitor growth, and guide academic decisions. We hope this resource serves as a reliable guide as you support your child’s educational journey.
Let’s get started!
Tests Mandated by North Carolina
The TMSA Triangle Testing Department is fully committed to the successful execution of the North Carolina Testing Program.
Every student within TMSA Triangle must partake in the state-mandated tests. Their participation can take various forms depending on testing accommodations.
TMSA Triangle's Testing Coordinators at different campuses collaborate closely with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction to ensure the seamless orchestration of the state-mandated tests. These tests are of paramount importance within the educational framework, assuming a pivotal role in evaluating students' advancement and overall educational efficacy.
Please review North Carolina's Family Guide to Assessment or watch this introductory video. These guides discusses why assessments are important, provides an overview of the different assessments that students take, and reviews questions families can ask teachers about assessments. Finally, the guides look at how North Carolina ensures assessments are fair and accessible for all students.
Beginning of Grade 3 (BOG 3) and Read to Achieve (RtA) TestsThe Grade 3 Read to Achieve (RtA) Law mandates that that every student read at or above grade level by the end of third grade and continue to progress in reading proficiency so that they can read, comprehend, integrate, and apply complex texts needed for secondary education and career success.
The North Carolina BOG3 Reading Test is linked to the RtA. This test establishes a baseline measure of beginning third-grade students’ English language arts/reading skills. Click for more information.
- TMSA Triangle 2024-2025 RtA Grade 3 End of Year Results
- TMSA Triangle 2023-2024 RtA Grade 3 End of Year Results
- TMSA Triangle 2022-2023 RtA Grade 3 End of Year Results
- TMSA Triangle 2021-2022 RtA Grade 3 End of Year Results
End of Grade (EOG) Tests for Grades 3-8The EOG tests measure student performance on the goals, objectives, and grade-level competencies specified in the North Carolina Standard Course of Study.
- EOG Mathematics Tests for Grades 3-8: Test Specifications, Achievement Level Descriptors
- EOG Reading Tests for Grades 3-8: Test Specifications, Achievement Level Descriptors
- EOG Tests of Science for Grades 5 and 8: Test Specifications, Achievement Level Descriptors
End of Course (EOC) Tests for Grades 9-12The EOC Tests are used to sample a student's knowledge of subject-related concepts, as specified in the North Carolina Standard Course of Study, and provide a global estimate of the student's mastery of the material in a particular content area. The EOC tests were initiated in response to legislation passed by the North Carolina General Assembly – the North Carolina Elementary and Secondary Reform Act of 1984. The following are courses requiring the administration of an EOC Test:
- Biology
- English II
- NC Math I
- NC Math III
PreACT for Grade 10In North Carolina, all tenth-graders take the PreACT. This assessment measures what students have learned in their courses and helps us identify the information that students still need to learn to succeed in college or a career. This assessment measures what students have learned in PreACT assessments provides our 10th graders with information that can help them select the right high school courses, think about ways to target areas for improvement, and even begin discussions about college and career.
The PreACT assessment includes four multiple-choice tests: English, Math, Reading, and Science. It is designed to help our parents and teachers identify areas where students may need additional academic support or remediation. The PreACT can also help to initiate strategic conversations between parents and TMSA Triangle regarding dual enrollment decisions, identifying curriculum gaps, implementing interventions on behalf of students, and choosing Advanced Placement classes.
ACT for Grade 11The ACT is a required state assessment for all eligible eleventh graders and TMSA Triangle High School juniors take it in the spring.
- It is a curriculum and standards-based assessment that evaluates our juniors’ college and career readiness in English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science.
- The ACT is used for college admissions, placement, and scholarships. It is accepted by most colleges and universities in the United States.
- The test provides a path to increase student access to postsecondary and workforce opportunities. Additional reporting and insights on STEM, Career Readiness, and Understanding Complex Texts are provided.
ACT WorkKeys for CTE ConcentratorsThe WorkKeys assessments are required for all eligible CTE concentrators in North Carolina. The three WorkKeys assessments - Applied Math, Graphic Literacy, and Workplace Documents - are the basis of the WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate (WorkKeys NCRC) program.
- The Applied Math test measures critical thinking, mathematical reasoning, and problem-solving techniques for situations that occur in today’s workplace.
- The Graphic Literacy test measures the skills needed to locate, synthesize, and use information from workplace graphics.
- The Workplace Documents test measures the skills people use when they read and use written text such as memos, letters, directions, signs, notices, bulletins, policies, and regulations on the job.
Students who achieve qualifying scores on the Applied Mathematics, Graphic Literacy, and Workplace Documents assessments can earn a WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate (WorkKeys NCRC) as well as a North Carolina Career Readiness Certificate at the Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum levels of readiness. Certificates provide employers with proof that students have the skills needed to do the jobs available.
WIDA and ACCESS 2.0: English Language Proficiency TestsTMSA must identify students in need of language services in a timely manner. The WIDA Screener is the assessment used in North Carolina for the initial identification and placement of students identified as English Learners (EL). The administration of the WIDA Screener assessment is based on the results of the Home Language Survey (HLS) process. The HLS process and the identification and subsequent placement of EL students in English as a Second Language (ESL) services are guided at the state level by the NCDPI Curriculum and Instruction Division.
The student is required by state and federal law to be assessed annually with a state-identified English language proficiency test. The test currently used by North Carolina for annual assessment is the Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to-State for English Language Learners (ELLs) or the ACCESS for ELLs 2.0. Eligible students may participate in the Alternate ACCESS for ELLs in place of the ACCESS for ELLs 2.0. Click for more information.
NCEXTEND1: Alternate AssessmentsThe NCEXTEND1 alternate assessment is a performance-based alternate assessment designed to assess students with significant cognitive disabilities who are being taught using the Extended Content Standards. NCEXTEND1 alternate assessment items are grade-level, performance-based, multiple-choice items that measure the standards specified in the North Carolina Extended Content Standards. These Extended Content Standards are available for download here.
To determine participation in any of the NCEXTEND1 alternate assessments, the following eligibility requirements must be met:
- The student must have a current Individualized Education Program (IEP).
- The student is enrolled in grades 3–8, 10, or 11, according to PowerSchool. Note: Only those students enrolled in 11th grade for the first time are required to take the NCEXTEND1 alternate assessment at grade 11.
- The student is instructed using the North Carolina Extended Content Standards in all assessed content areas (i.e., English Language Arts/Reading, Mathematics, and Science).
- The student has a significant cognitive disability.
- The student's disability significantly impacts adaptive behaviors, defined as essential skills for living and functioning independently.
- The student requires extensive and repeated individualized instruction and support to make meaningful gains.
- The student uses substantially adapted materials and individualized methods of accessing information in alternative ways.
Tests Mandated by TMSA
As a STEAM school, our achievements arise from our capacity to flexibly oversee, assess, and incorporate research-based learning tools to enhance our students' welfare. At TMSA Triangle, our students encounter a variety of assessments throughout their academic journey, uniquely equipping them for a happy and fulfilling life.
MAP Growth Assessment for Grades K-10MAP Growth, part of the Growth Activation Solution from NWEA, is the most trusted and innovative assessment for measuring achievement and growth in Math, Reading, Language Usage, and Science.
- MAP Growth tests are computer-adaptive. If a student gets a question wrong, the test will present questions at different levels until consistent success is shown. The final result is a clear indication of a student’s capabilities.
- Reliable insights make it simple for TMSA teachers to find common areas of need among our students, identify who could benefit from intervention, and determine which instructional strategies are generating the most academic growth.
- At TMSA Triangle, MAP assessments are conducted thrice a year.
For more information, please visit MAP Growth Fact Sheet and MAP Growth Family Guide.
PSAT 8/9 for Grades 8 and 9TMSA Triangle 8th and 9th graders take PSAT 8/9 as they start their high school journey. With this test, our students set goals for high school and achieve them. PSAT 8/9 is important for our high schoolers because:
- It helps them know where they are and where they want to go. It sets a baseline for what skills and knowledge they need to practice so they can continue to improve.
- It helps them find out what AP courses might be a good fit for them. Using their personalized view of AP Potential found in the PSAT 8/9 score report, our high schoolers get recommendations for certain courses that may be a good fit for them.
- It helps them explore college and career options. As they think about their plans for life after high school, BigFuture has information to help. They can use it to get personalized guidance based on their scores, search for colleges that interest them and save their favorites to their own list, and explore careers that match their interests and skills.
PSAT NMSQT for Grade 11The PSAT NMSQT stands for the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which students at TMSA Triangle are required to take as junior. The students with high enough marks on this assessment can be selected for National Merit Scholarship for college. With this assessment,
- TMSA Triangle students can see where they are and set a target. They get details on the exact skills and knowledge they need to focus on, while they have plenty of time to improve. Since they have already taken the PSAT 8/9, they can also see how much progress they’ve made between the tests. Historically, students who took the PSAT NMSQT scored better on the SAT, on average, than those who didn’t take the test.
- TMSA Triangle students can find out about their AP Potential. Using their personalized view of AP Potential, found in their score report, our students get recommendations for courses that may be a good fit for them.
- TMSA Triangle students can enter the National Merit Scholarship Program. The students who take the test and meet other program entry requirements can enter the National Merit Scholarship Program, an academic competition for recognition and scholarships conducted by National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). For more information, please visit NMSC’s website at www.nationalmerit.org.
- TMSA Triangle students can help pay for college. Taking this test gives our students the chance to access over $300 million in other scholarship opportunities.