Learn More About State Testing at SCVCS
All students at South Carolina Virtual Charter School are required to participate in mandatory state testing. For any questions about testing, please contact the appropriate Testing Coordinator.
Elementary and Middle School – Cissy Floyd, cfloyd@scvcs.org
High School – Pam Helzer, phelzer@scvcs.org.
You can learn more about testing by visiting the SC Department of Education’s page for Parents and Students.
Elementary Testing – Grades K-5
| Test Name | Who and What? | When and Where? |
| Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA) | Given to all students in Kindergarten to measure a child’s school readiness. | The KRA must be given within the first 45 days of the school year. SCVCS typically gives the KRA in October at various sites throughout the state. |
| Gifted and Talented Assessments – CogAt and Iowa | Given to all students in 2nd Grade to measure a child’s aptitude and achievement. | CogAt and Iowa will be given at various sites throughout the state in late October / early November. Testing takes 2 days to complete. |
| Gifted and Talented Assessments – Performance Tasks Assessments | Given to students identified by the state in grades 2-5. | Locations and dates will be determined based on who is selected by the state. |
| ACCESS for ELLs | Given to any student who is identified as an English Language Learner to determine English proficiency. | Locations will be determined based on who needs to test. Testing takes place in February or March. |
| SC Ready | Given to all students in Grades 3-8. Students will take an assessment in Reading, Writing, and Math. | Testing will occur in May at various sites throughout the state. There will be 3 days of testing for SC Ready. |
| SC PASS | Given to all students in Grades 4-8. Students in grades 4, 6, and 8 will take a Science assessment. Students in Grades 5 and 7 will take a Social Studies Assessment. | Testing will occur in May at various sites throughout the state. There will be 1 day of testing for SC PASS. |
Middle School Testing – Grades 6-8
| Test Name | Who and What? | When and Where? |
| PSAT | The PSAT is the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Available to students in Grades 8-11. 8th graders will be required to pay a $18 fee. | The PSAT is given on one day in October at our office in Columbia. The date is set by the College Board. |
| ACCESS for ELLs | Given to any student who is identified as an English Language Learner to determine English proficiency. | Locations will be determined based on who needs to test. Testing takes place in February or March. |
| End of Course Examination | EOC exams are for any student taking certain high school courses (English 2, Algebra 1, Continuing Algebra, Biology, US History). The exam counts as 20% of the student’s final grade in the course. | Testing will occur in May at various sites throughout the state. |
| SC Ready | Given to all students in Grades 3-8. Students will take an assessment in Reading, Writing, and Math. Grades 4 and 6 will take an assessment in Science. | Testing will occur in May at various sites throughout the state. |
High School Testing – Grades 9-12
| Test Name | Who and What? | When and Where? |
| PSAT | The PSAT is the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Available to students in Grades 8-11. 8th graders will be required to pay a $18 fee. | The PSAT is given on one day in October at our office in Columbia. The date is set by the College Board. |
| ACCESS for ELLs | Given to any student who is identified as an English Language Learner to determine English proficiency. | Locations will be determined based on who needs to test. Testing takes place in February or March. |
| College Entrance Assessments | Offered to students in their 3rd year of high school. Students may choose to take either the SAT or ACT at no cost (only one assessment may be chosen). | Locations will be determined based on who chooses to test. ACT will likely happen in February. SAT will likely happen in March or April. |
| South Carolina Career Readiness Assessment (WIN) | Required of all students in their 3rd year of high school. The exam measures a student’s career readiness in four areas: Math, Reading, Data, and Soft Skills. | Testing will take place in April at various locations throughout the state. |
| End of Course Examination | EOC exams are for any student taking certain high school courses (English 2, Algebra 1, Continuing Algebra, Biology, US History). The exam counts as 20% of the student’s final grade in the course. | Testing will occur in May at various sites throughout the state. |
| Advanced Placement (AP) Exams | Students taking AP courses have the option to take the AP exam to earn college credit. | Testing will occur in May at our office in Columbia. Students may elect to take the test at a local school. Contact the Testing Coordinator for more information. |