HCMS
Testing Information
Quick Highlights
State and District Testing Information
North Carolina requires all students in grades 6–8 to participate in the state’s Annual Testing Program. This includes end-of-grade (EOG) assessments in reading, math, and science, as well as any required district assessments. For middle school students taking high school–level courses, End-of-Course (EOC) exams must also be taken, and the results count as a percentage of the student’s final course grade.
By law, we must share the testing calendar, explain how results will be used, and report results to parents within 30 days of receiving them. The state does not allow students to opt out of testing, except in rare cases involving significant medical emergencies.
To support families, we will break down each test below, explaining what it measures and how the results are used to guide instruction and support student success.
HCMS Testing Calendar:
NC Check-Ins
Who Takes Them: Reading (ELA): All students in grades 6–8 Math: All students in grades 6–8 Science: All 8th-grade students Required or Optional: Optional What It Is and Why It Matters: How Results Are Used:
NC Check-Ins are short, interim assessments aligned to North Carolina grade-level standards. Because they use the same question bank as the End-of-Grade (EOG) and End-of-Course (EOC) tests, students get early practice with the same types of questions and rigor they’ll see on those state tests.
Results are available quickly and provide teachers, parents, and students with a clear picture of current performance. This helps teachers adjust instruction and provide targeted support before the EOGs and EOCs.
NCDPI End-Of-Grade (EOG) Assessments
EOG assessments are state-mandated tests that measure how well students have mastered North Carolina’s grade-level standards. These assessments help ensure students are on track and provide valuable information to teachers, schools, and parents.
When:
- May 25: Mathematics
- May 26: Reading
- May 27: Science
Retests:
- June 1: Science
- June 2: Reading
- June 3: Mathematics
Who Takes Them:
Reading (ELA): All students in grades 6–8
Math: All students in grades 6–8 (except 8th graders enrolled in Math I)
Science: All 8th-grade students
Why They Matter:
EOGs measure mastery of grade-level standards in reading, math, and science. They help determine whether students are ready for the next grade level and provide an important checkpoint for key academic skills.
How Results Are Used:
EOG scores are used by the state for school accountability and to inform teacher and principal evaluations (per State Board policy GCS-A-016). Schools also use the results to plan for improvement and provide targeted support to students.
enVision Math Benchmarks
Who Takes It: All students in grades 6–8
Subject: Mathematics
Required or Optional: Required as part of the curriculum
What It Is and Why It Matters:
The enVision Math benchmarks are formative assessments given three times a year to measure students’ understanding of the math concepts taught in class. Similar to NC Check-Ins, these assessments help students practice key skills and prepare for state tests by providing exposure to question types and rigor aligned to grade-level standards.
How Results Are Used:
Benchmark results give teachers, students, and parents immediate feedback on learning progress. Teachers use the data to guide instruction, provide targeted support, and ensure students are on track to meet grade-level expectations.
i-Ready Reading Benchmarks
Who Takes It: All students in grades 6–8
Subject: Reading
Required or Optional: Required as part of the curriculum
What It Is and Why It Matters:
The i-Ready Reading benchmarks are formative assessments given three times a year to measure students’ understanding of the math concepts taught in class. Similar to NC Check-Ins, these assessments help students practice key skills and prepare for state tests by providing exposure to question types and rigor aligned to grade-level standards.
How Results Are Used:
Benchmark results give teachers, students, and parents immediate feedback on learning progress. Teachers use the data to guide instruction, provide targeted support, and ensure students are on track to meet grade-level expectations.
Individual Student Reports (ISRs)
Accessing Your Child’s Assessment Results
Parents can view their student’s state assessment scores—including NC Check-Ins, EOGs, and EOCs—through Individual Student Reports (ISRs) in Infinite Campus. ISRs are available on both the web and mobile app platforms.
To Access ISRs:
Log in to NCSIS via a web browser or the Campus Parent app.
Click More in the left-hand menu.
Select Assessments from the dropdown menu.
Click the link for Information about North Carolina Individual Score Reports.
On a phone, follow the same steps in the Campus Parent or Campus Student app.