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Valor AZ – Standardized Testing Information (Grades 6–12)

A group of students doing school works

Schools use a variety of measures to evaluate student learning and identify the key skills each student has mastered. Standardized assessments allow us to clearly pinpoint areas of strength and determine which skills still need development. These tools provide the most reliable data available, helping us create individualized plans that support your student’s continued growth and long-term success.

The State of Arizona does not have an Opt-Out policy for statewide standardized testing. The state statutes A.R.S. 15-102, A.R.S 1-601, and A.R.S. 1-602. The office of the Arizona Attorney General does have an opinion published on whether parents can opt their children out of state standardized assessments, and can be found at this website specifically addressing this topic.

  • ADE Website for Parents and Students: Click here
  • A Guide to Arizona’s Statewide Assessments Click Here

What to Expect

  • Testing is required for enrolled Valor AZ students in the grades listed below.
  • Families will receive communication with testing location, arrival time, and preparation details.
  • Students should bring a valid photo ID (if applicable) and arrive on time.
  • Attendance on testing days is important, as results contribute to school accountability and student progress monitoring.
Grade(s); Assessment & Date(s)
8th & 11th Grade AZSci – March 23 & 24
6th, 7th & 8th Grade AASA Writing – March 30
6th, 7th & 8th Grade AASA ELA – April 6 & 7
9th Grade / 11th Grade ACT Aspire (9th) & ACT (11th) – April 10
6th, 7th & 8th Grade AASA Math – April 13 & 14

AASA Grades 6-8

Arizona’s Academic Standards Assessment (AASA) is the statewide achievement test. Arizona public school students in Grades 3 through 8 will be assessed at their grade level English (ELA) and Mathematics. Valor Preparatory Academy will administer the AASA as a Computer-Based Test for grades 6-8 at campus (required). Tests are not administered remotely.

Spring 2026 Testing Dates per AASA Test:

AASA Writing Test (Grades 6-8)
8:00 AM March 30th

AASA ELA Test (Grades 6-8)
8:00 AM April 6th-7th (both days)

AASA Math Test (Grades 6-8)
8:00 AM April 13th-14th (both days)

Practicing for the AASA tests:

AASA Student Readiness Tool (Link):
Directions: Click the Student Readiness Tool link and select your grade level to start sample test. This will teach you how to get around the test, use helpful tools for testing, and much more!

AASA Sample Tests (Link):
Directions: Select Arizona, then select “Mic check and Sample Tests“.

Content Areas Grade(s) Test Unit(s) Estimated Times
ELA Writing Grades 6-8 Unit 1 Only 60-90 min.
ELA Reading Grades 6-8 Unit 1 45-75 min.
Unit 2 45-75min.
Math Grades 6-8 Unit 1 60-85 min.
Unit 2 60-85 min.

AzSCI (Science) Test Grades 8 and 11

AzSCI is the statewide achievement test for Science. AzSCI Grade 8 test equally covers domains from Grade 6, 7, and 8 standards. AzSCI Grade 11, cohort 2027, equally covers domains from Grade 9, 10, and 11 high school standards. The AzSCI will be administered as a Computer-Based Test at campus (required) over two days.

Spring 2026 AzSCI Testing Dates (Grades 8 & 11):

AzSCI Testing Units 1 and 2
March 23rd
Grade 8 – 8:00 AM
Grade 11 – 12:00 PM

AzSCI Testing Unit 3
March 24th
Grade 8 – 8:00 AM
Grade 11 – 12:00 PM

AzSCI Sample Tests (Link):
Directions: Select Arizona, then select “Mic check and Sample Tests“.

Content Areas Grade(s) Test Unit(s) Estimated Times
Science Grades 8 and 11 Unit 1 60-90 min.
Unit 2 60-90 min.
Unit 3 60-90 min.

ACT Aspire Grade 9

ACT Aspire is the statewide high school achievement test administered to students in Grade 9 in Spring 2026. While ACT Aspire is being discontinued at a national level, ACT is supporting ACT Aspire as Arizona’s Grade 9 Statewide Assessment. The ACT Aspire is a timed test, the timing of each subject test varies by subject. The ACT Aspire will be administered in one day as a Computer-Based Test at campus (required).

ACT Aspire Testing Date (Grade 9 only)
8:00 AM Friday, April 10th

Practicing for the ACT Aspire test:

ACT Aspire Exemplars and Tutorial (Link): login information is not required.
━ To access Exemplars, scroll to bottom of screen and select “Exemplars”.
━ Next, select the content area, followed by the Exemplar for “Early High School Grade 9 & 10”.

Example Booklets:
━ English
━ Math
━ Reading
━ Science
━ Writing: See page 5 for Writing Rubric

ACT Aspire Sample Test (Link)

Important notice for Grade 9 ACT Aspire students:
Arrive at campus by 7:45 AM. Testing will start at 8:00 AM sharp. If late, students will be asked to reschedule for the designated make-up date.

ACT Aspire Test Times: Students should plan to be on campus until approximately 1pm

Test Sections   Time per Test
Test 1 English 45 min.
Test 2 Mathematics 75 min.
Test 3 Reading 65 min.
Test 4 Science 60 min.
Test 5 Writing 40 min.

ACT Grade 11

ACT is the statewide high school assessment for Grade 11. The ACT tests students in English Language Arts (Writing/Reading) and Mathematics. The ACT measures what students need to know to be ready for entry-level college-credit courses. The ACT is a timed test, the timing of each subject test varies by subject. The ACT will be administered in one day as a Computer-Based Test on campus (required).

ACT Test Date
8:00 AM Friday, April 10th

Free Online Test Prep – Test your knowledge with free prep from the makers of the ACT test, click HERE.

Preparing to take the ACT Test in TestNav. TestNav is the testing platform the students will log in to, to access the ACT Test. English Booklet Spanish Booklet

Information for Examinees – Click here to access ACT Online

Important notice for Grade 11 ACT students:
Arrive at campus by 7:45 AM. Testing will start at 8:00 AM sharp. If late, students will be asked to reschedule for the designated make-up date.

Valid photo identification is required to be admitted to the test center. You will not be admitted to test if your ID does not meet
ACT requirements.

Valid ID:

  1. Must be an original, current (valid) ID issued by a city/state/federal government agency or your school.
  2. ID must be in hard plastic card format. Paper or electronic formats are NOT acceptable.
  3. Your first and last names must match our student information system. The photo must be clearly recognizable as you.

If you do not have valid ID:

  1. Valor Preparatory Academy can issue you a student ID. You will need to submit a request by completing our Google Form using your student gmail address, so we can process your ID request as quickly as possible. All form submissions MUST BE COMPLETED by Monday, March 2nd, 2026 at 12:00 PM. Any submissions after that deadline will not be processed and we cannot guarantee the ID will be waiting on site at check in.
  2. Google Form Link: Click Here

You will not be admitted to test if you present any forms of ID other than those listed as acceptable above.

ACT Test Time: Students should plan to be on campus until approximately 1pm

Test Sections   Time per Test
Test 1 English 35 min.
Test 2 Mathematics 50 min.
Test 3 Reading 40 min.
Test 4 Science 40 min.
Test 5 Writing 40 min.

Full-length practice tests are available in timed and untimed versions, as well as sample questions and online quizzes. Access free practice tests and additional resources at ACT’s Practice Test website.

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