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.

Ohio law requires public school districts to administer state assessments assigned to each student’s enrolled grade level or course, regardless of the student’s time in Ohio public schools. There is no process allowing parents and/or students to indicate their choices to not participate in state testing. Schools must account for and report any student who did not participate in a required state test. These state assessments tell us how well our students are growing in the knowledge and skills outlined in Ohio’s Learning Standards, as well as how our schools are performing compared to others
throughout Ohio.

If you're looking for information on the Walnut Hills High School Entrance Exam, please visit: Walnut Hills Entrance Exam (WHEE)

Full CPS Testing Information

Have Questions?

Contact Cincinnati Public School Testing: cpstesting@cpsboe.k12.oh.us or call: 513-363-0180

State Tests

Ohio law requires public school districts to administer state assessments assigned to each student’s enrolled grade level or course, regardless of the student’s time in Ohio public schools. These state assessments tell us how well our students are growing in the knowledge and skills outlined in Ohio’s Learning Standards, as well as how our schools are performing compared to others throughout Ohio. The Grade 3 English Language Arts assessment is also used for the state’s Third Grade Reading Guarantee, which is a program to identify students from kindergarten through grade 3 who are behind in reading. High School End-of-Course exams may also be used to meet two of the three components required for graduation.

Grades K-8

KRA (Kindergarten)
State Diagnostic Assessments in grades K-3
Ohio's State Tests (Grades 3-8)
Gifted screening assessments (Grades 2 and 6)

High School

Ohio's High School End-of-Course (EOC) Exams
ACT (Grade 11)
While not required by the state, CPS also administers the PSAT to all 10th and 11th grade students
End-of-Course (EOC) Retakes

Third Grade Reading Guarantee

As part of Ohio State law, third grade students have to reach a certain score on a state-approved reading assessment to be promoted to fourth grade (referred to as the Third Grade Reading Guarantee).

Third-grade students must meet a promotable score on the state reading test to move on to the fourth grade. The minimum score for advancement is 700 on the Third Grade ELA OST or a score of 50 on the Reading subtest of the Third Grade ELA OST. The score must be attained either in the fall, spring, or summer administration of the Third Grade ELA Ohio State Test.

Cincinnati Public Schools also administers the iReady Reading assessments. This assessment can also be used to achieve a promotable score as defined by the state of Ohio when administered in the winter, spring, or summer. The minimum score for advancement on iReady Reading assessments is 524.

Unless your child attains a promotable score on at least one of the assessments described above by the end of third grade, your child will be retained under the State of Ohio Third Grade Reading Guarantee legislation. However, beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, a student’s parent or guardian, in consultation with the student’s reading teacher and principal, may request that a student be promoted to fourth grade regardless of the student’s score on Ohio’s State Test for grade 3 English language arts. Students promoted to fourth grade through this exemption must continue to receive intensive reading instruction until the student is able to read at grade level. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s teacher.

View and download a letter to families: Third Grade ELA Ohio State Test
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Instructional Assessments

Students in grades K-12 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. Students also participate in nationally normed benchmark assessments (iReady and/or MAP Growth assessments) to measure achievement and growth 2-3 times throughout the school year.

Walnut Hills Entrance Exam (WHEE)

All CPS sixth grade students will be administered the Walnut Hills Entrance Exam at their home school in the Fall. If students do not receive eligible scores, families can choose to have their students retested at their home school in the winter. Students may test up to twice a year for eligibility for enrollment in Walnut Hills High School. Non CPS students and CPS students in grades 7 and above, can participate in Saturday WHEE testing opportunities.

For more information: Walnut Hills Entrance Exam (Whee)