PSSA Test Information

Students in grades 3-8 take PSSAs in the spring of each school year in the areas of reading and math. Students in grades 4 and 8 also take a Science PSSA.

The Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) is an annual assessment administered in commonwealth classrooms in grades 3 through 8, and in English Language Arts and Mathematics. Pennsylvania adopted more rigorous PA Core Standards in late 2013 and the 2015 PSSA marked the first time the assessment were fully-aligned to the standards. These new, more rigorous standards aim to better prepare students for the 21st century work force. 

Assessment scores represent a snapshot in time of student performance, and should not be considered the sole indicator of student achievement. Standardized assessments, like the PSSA, help Pennsylvania meet federal and state requirements, as well as provide educators, stakeholders, and policymakers with important information about the commonwealth’s students and schools, and inform instructional practices.