K-12 Testing

  • Students in Cincinnati Public Schools are tested throughout the school year to determine knowledge and skill levels. These tests measure students' achievement to determine strengths and weaknesses, so teachers can adjust instruction to meet students' needs.

    Have Questions?

    Contact Cathleen Spellman, Director of Performance and Accountability: 513-363-0378 

    Grades K-8

    State-Required Testing

    Elementary students participate in testing required by the Ohio Department of Education. This includes:

    • State Diagnostic Assessments in grades K-3
    • Ohio's State Tests (Grades 3-8)
    • Ohio's High School End-of-Course (EOC) Exams
    • Practice Tests for Students & Families

    Instructional Assessments

    Students in grades K-8 participate in a series of assessments throughout the school year in reading, mathematics, science and social studies. These assessments are timed to parallel the teaching of the district's curriculum and are tools to alert teachers to students' academic strengths and weaknesses.

    Nationally Norm-Referenced Standardized Tests

    Cincinnati Public Schools uses the Iowa Assessments norm-referenced standardized test published by Riverside Insights. This test compares a student's performance to a standard of average performance of other students across the nation. Students in grades 2 and 6 are tested in September/October."

    Walnut Hills Entrance Exam (Special College Preparatory Program (SCPP) Examination)

    Students must pass an entrance examination to enroll in the Special College Preparatory Program (SCPP) at Walnut Hills High School.

    Full WHEE Testing Information

    All Cincinnati Public Schools' sixth-graders take the WHEE (Walnut Hills Entrance exam) in October. Students may take the WHEE examination each school year from grades 6 to 11. (Students entering Walnut Hills High School after grade 9 also must meet SCPP graduation requirements to graduate on time.) A retest of the WHEE can be scheduled after receiving written notification of failing scores. Students must wait a minimum of two months before taking a retest, and only one retest per year may be taken.

    Non-CPS Students: Students who live within the CPS district boundaries but attend private or charter schools, or are home-schooled, also may take the SCPP exam in grades 6–11. 

    Out of District: Students who live outside the CPS district boundaries may take the SCPP entrance examination for a $55 fee.

    For additional information, call CPS' Test Administration — Phone: 513-363-0186 Supported by Cincinnati Public Schools - Family Technology Support Center Monday - Friday 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Email: whee@cps-k12.org  Website: tinyurl.com/wheetest  

    State-Required Testing

    Information about Ohio's new graduation requirements is on the Ohio Department of Education's website.

    College-Preparatory Examinations

    All CPS students in 10th and 11th grades may participate in the PSAT (Pre-SAT), which helps students prepare for successful performance on the ACT and SAT college-entrance tests.

    All CPS 11th-graders also take the ACT.

    Full CPS Testing Information