STAAR Practice Test 2026
The STAAR test (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) is the standardized assessment the Texas Education Agency (TEA) gives to public school students in grades 3–8 and in five high school end-of-course (EOC) subjects. STAAR was redesigned beginning with the spring 2023 administration: it is delivered online through the Cambium testing platform and mixes multiple-choice questions with new item types such as multiselect, inline choice, drag-and-drop, hot spot, equation editor, and short and extended constructed-response writing. This guide explains the current STAAR format, what each grade tests, the Approaches / Meets / Masters passing standards, the 2026–27 testing windows, the House Bill 8 changes that replace STAAR with the Student Success Tool (SST) in 2027–28, and how to use STAAR practice test materials effectively.
What changed for STAAR in 2026–27
- 2026–27 STAAR testing calendar (published August 2026): EOC fall window Nov 30–Dec 11, 2026 (Algebra I, English I, English II, Biology, U.S. History); spring windows Apr 5–16, 2027 (grades 3–8 RLA, English I, English II), Apr 12–23, 2027 (grade 5 and 8 science, grade 8 social studies, Biology, U.S. History), Apr 19–30, 2027 (grades 3–8 mathematics, Algebra I); summer EOC window Jun 14–25, 2027. (source)
- House Bill 8 (89th Legislature, 2nd Called Session, passed September 2025) replaces STAAR with the Student Success Tool (SST) beginning in the 2027–28 school year: adaptive beginning-of-year (BOY) and middle-of-year (MOY) assessments plus an end-of-year (EOY) assessment. Most students are expected to finish BOY/MOY tests in 60 minutes (grades 3–4) or 75 minutes (grades 5–8) and EOY tests in 90 or 105 minutes. (source)
- A stand-alone SST field test runs Feb 1–5, 2027 in mathematics, RLA, science, and social studies to build the new item banks; TEA's optional STAAR Interim Assessments continue only through 2026–27. (source)
- English II EOC graduation requirement ends for students who graduate after August 31, 2027; students enrolled in English II in 2026–27 must still take it as first-time testers. Students graduating before that date must still pass all five EOCs or qualify through an Individual Graduation Committee or substitute assessment. (source)
- Testing time (2026–27 STAAR Test Administrator Manual): students are expected to complete each STAAR in three to four hours, must finish within the same school day, and may test for up to seven hours if needed. (source)
- Passing standard: STAAR reports four performance levels; scoring Approaches Grade Level or higher means the student passed, and Did Not Meet Grade Level means the student did not pass. Any student without a passing score must receive accelerated instruction under TEC §28.0211. (source)
- Spring 2026 released tests are available now on the Cambium practice test site, with answer keys and item rationales posted by TEA for every grade and subject. (source)
- Biology and elementary science blueprints were updated for spring 2026: Biology has 33–35 questions worth 40 points and grade 5 science has 24–26 questions worth 30 points, including cluster question sets of 3–5 questions built around one scenario. (source)
Last verified: September 18, 2026 against the Texas Education Agency (tea.texas.gov).
What Is the STAAR Test?
The STAAR test is Texas's primary student academic assessment program, administered annually to measure whether students are mastering grade-level content in Reading Language Arts (RLA), Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. All Texas public school students in grades 3–8 take the STAAR test each spring. High school students take End-of-Course (EOC) assessments in Algebra I, English I, English II, Biology, and U.S. History. Practice with the free STAAR practice test on PracticeTestGeeks (100+ questions with answer explanations).
Key facts about STAAR for 2026–27:
- Who takes it: Texas public school students in grades 3–8 and all EOC subjects in high school
- When: Spring administration Apr 5–30, 2027 (RLA and English EOCs first, then science and social studies, then mathematics and Algebra I). EOC assessments are also offered Nov 30–Dec 11, 2026 and Jun 14–25, 2027.
- Format: Online through the Cambium testing platform (paper only by special request); a fixed-form test, not adaptive, mixing multiple-choice questions with 2-point non-multiple-choice items such as multiselect, inline choice, drag-and-drop, equation editor, and constructed response
- Stakes: Students must pass five EOC assessments (Approaches Grade Level or higher) to meet the testing requirement for graduation. In grades 3–8 there is no automatic retention rule, but any student who does not pass must receive accelerated instruction.
The STAAR redesign — what changed: Beginning with the spring 2023 administration, TEA redesigned STAAR to reduce the share of multiple-choice questions and add open-ended constructed-response writing. The redesigned test also introduced multiselect, drag-and-drop, inline-choice, hot spot, hot text, equation-editor, graphing, and multipart questions. Paper-based STAAR tests are now used only by special request or approved accommodation; the test is delivered online.
What comes next: Under House Bill 8 (2025), STAAR is replaced by the Student Success Tool (SST) in the 2027–28 school year, with shorter adaptive beginning-of-year and middle-of-year tests plus an end-of-year test. The 2026–27 school year is the final year of STAAR as the required state test.
Use our STAAR practice test to familiarize yourself with current question types before test day.
Free STAAR Study Tools
Interactive STAAR resources on PracticeTestGeeks, free to start:
Every STAAR is a fixed-form online test given through the Cambium testing platform. TEA's 2026–27 Test Administrator Manual says students are expected to complete each assessment within three to four hours, must finish on the same school day, and may keep working for up to seven hours if they need more time. Questions are either 1-point items (multiple choice and simple non-multiple-choice items) or 2-point items (multiselect, inline choice, multipart, equation editor, drag-and-drop, short and extended constructed response). Approved calculators are provided for grade 8 mathematics, Algebra I, and science EOCs under TEA's calculator policy.
Question counts from the official TEA blueprints:
- Grade 3 Math: 30 questions, 37 points (23 one-point, 7 two-point)
- Grade 8 Math: 40 questions, 48 points
- Grade 8 Reading Language Arts: 45 questions, 56 points (includes an extended constructed-response essay)
- Grade 5 Science: 24–26 questions, 30 points (blueprint effective 2025–26)
- Algebra I EOC: 50 questions, 59 points
- English I EOC: 52 questions, 64 points
- Biology EOC: 33–35 questions, 40 points (blueprint effective spring 2026)
- U.S. History EOC: 64 questions, 78 points
Readiness standards make up roughly 55–70% of points and supporting standards 30–45%. The exact split for every grade is on TEA's STAAR Resources page.
STAAR Passing Scores: Approaches, Meets, Masters
STAAR does not report a percentage score. Each test converts the raw points into a scale score and places the student in one of four performance levels: Masters Grade Level, Meets Grade Level, Approaches Grade Level, and Did Not Meet Grade Level. Approaches Grade Level or higher is a passing result; Did Not Meet Grade Level is not passing. The minimum scale score for each level is set per grade and subject and published in TEA's performance standards tables. For the five EOC assessments, reaching Approaches Grade Level satisfies the graduation testing requirement, and students who do not pass get three testing opportunities per year (fall, spring, and summer). Under House Bill 8, the English II EOC is no longer a graduation requirement for students who graduate after August 31, 2027.
Because STAAR scoring is standards-based rather than a fixed percentage, the best preparation is to work through TEA's released tests and our STAAR practice test until you can answer the two-point item types confidently.
STAAR Tests by Grade and Subject
Each grade tests different subjects and TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) standards. Understanding what is tested at each grade level helps focus STAAR practice test preparation on the right content.
Grades 3–4 (Reading Language Arts and Math only):
- Grade 3 Reading: Literary and informational text comprehension, author's purpose, theme, vocabulary in context
- Grade 3 Math: Place value, addition/subtraction to 1,000, multiplication/division foundations, fractions, area/perimeter
- Grade 4: Same subjects as Grade 3 with increased complexity — multi-step problems, paragraph writing, extended reading passages
Grades 5–6 (adds Science for Grade 5):
- Grade 5 Science: Life science (organisms, ecosystems), physical science (matter, energy), earth science (weather, solar system). The updated 2025–26 blueprint has 24–26 questions worth 30 points, including cluster question sets.
- Grade 5 Math: Fractions, decimals, volume, coordinate plane, algebraic thinking
- Grade 6: RLA and Math only — ratios, proportionality, integers, expressions, informational/argumentative writing
Grades 7–8 (Grade 8 adds Science and Social Studies):
- Grade 7: Proportionality, equations, geometry; literary analysis, persuasive writing techniques
- Grade 8 Math: Linear equations, functions, transformations, Pythagorean theorem
- Grade 8 Science: Forces and motion, matter, Earth and space, organisms
High School EOC Assessments: Students must pass Algebra I, English I, English II, Biology, and U.S. History EOC exams (Approaches Grade Level or higher) to meet the testing requirement for graduation under TEC §39.025. EOCs are offered three times a year (December, spring, and June), and qualifying ACT, SAT, or TSIA2 scores can substitute for some EOCs. For students who graduate after August 31, 2027, House Bill 8 removes the English II EOC from the graduation requirement.
Practice for your specific grade with our STAAR practice test 2026 — organized by grade and subject area.
STAAR Test Preparation Checklist
Work through the spring 2026 released STAAR tests on TEA's Cambium practice test site (txpt.cambiumtds.com) — TEA posts answer keys and item rationales for every grade and subject Identify your grade-level TEKS: focus on the specific standards tested, not all math or reading topics For Reading: practice with varied text types — literary fiction, informational nonfiction, poetry, and paired passages For Math: work on short answer and multi-step problems — the redesigned STAAR (since spring 2023) scores equation-editor, multiselect, and constructed-response items at 2 points each For Science (Grades 5 & 8): review lab safety, scientific method, and data interpretation questions — these appear on every administration Take at least 2 full-length STAAR practice tests in a single sitting — TEA expects students to finish the real test in three to four hours on one school day Review wrong answers carefully — understand WHY the answer is correct, not just WHAT the answer is For EOC Algebra I: master linear equations, systems, and functions — these account for the largest share of points Pros
- TEA releases the full spring test every year — the 2026 released forms are online now with official answer keys and item rationales
- The Cambium practice site uses the same tools, item types, and accessibility features as the live STAAR
- Every question is aligned to a published TEKS student expectation, so wrong answers point to exactly what to study
- EOC assessments offer three testing opportunities a year, so a retake is never far away
Cons
- Released tests show the fixed-form STAAR, but the 2027–28 SST beginning-of-year and middle-of-year tests will be adaptive and their questions will not be released
- Scale-score cut points differ by grade and subject, so a raw practice score does not translate directly to Approaches, Meets, or Masters
- Constructed-response writing is hand- and hybrid-scored on TEA rubrics, which self-graded practice cannot fully replicate
- Blueprints change — Biology and elementary science were revised for 2025–26, so older released tests may not match current point values
Sample STAAR Practice Questions
Try these questions from our free STAAR practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.
What does the term 'manifest destiny' refer to?
- A. The belief that the U.S. should remain neutral in foreign affairs
- B. The idea that American expansion across the continent was inevitable and justified
- C. A policy of free trade with all nations
- D. The right of states to leave the Union
Answer: B. The idea that American expansion across the continent was inevitable and justified
Manifest Destiny was the 19th-century belief that the United States was destined to expand across North America from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean.
What is the greatest common factor (GCF) of 36 and 48?
Answer: C. 12
The factors of 36 include 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 12, 18, 36; factors of 48 include 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 24, 48; the greatest common factor is 12.
In a persuasive text, what is the author's primary purpose?
- A. To entertain readers with a story
- B. To inform readers of facts
- C. To convince readers to agree with a viewpoint
- D. To describe a scene in detail
Answer: C. To convince readers to agree with a viewpoint
The primary purpose of persuasive writing is to convince the reader to agree with the author's position or take a specific action.
Which number is a prime number?
Answer: D. 23
23 has no factors other than 1 and itself, making it a prime number.
Take the full STAAR practice test
STAAR Test Questions and Answers
What is the STAAR test?
The STAAR test (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) is the standardized assessment administered annually by the Texas Education Agency to Texas public school students in grades 3–8 and in five high school End-of-Course (EOC) subjects: Algebra I, English I, English II, Biology, and U.S. History. It tests mastery of the Texas TEKS standards in Reading Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. STAAR was redesigned beginning with the spring 2023 administration to add technology-enhanced and constructed-response question types alongside multiple choice, and under House Bill 8 it will be replaced by the Student Success Tool (SST) starting in the 2027–28 school year.
How many questions are on the STAAR test?
The number of questions is set by TEA's blueprint for each grade and subject. Examples from the current blueprints: Grade 3 Math has 30 questions (37 points), Grade 8 Math has 40 questions (48 points), Grade 8 Reading Language Arts has 45 questions (56 points), Grade 5 Science has 24–26 questions (30 points), Algebra I has 50 questions (59 points), English I has 52 questions (64 points), Biology has 33–35 questions (40 points), and U.S. History has 64 questions (78 points). Most questions are 1-point multiple-choice items; multiselect, inline-choice, equation-editor, and constructed-response items are worth 2 points. TEA expects students to finish in three to four hours on a single school day, with up to seven hours allowed if needed; students with approved accommodations may receive additional supports.
What is a passing score on the STAAR test?
A passing score on STAAR is Approaches Grade Level or higher. TEA reports four performance levels — Masters Grade Level, Meets Grade Level, Approaches Grade Level, and Did Not Meet Grade Level — and only Did Not Meet Grade Level is a non-passing result. The minimum scale score for each level is set separately for every grade and subject and is published in TEA's STAAR performance standards tables. For EOC assessments, Approaches Grade Level satisfies the graduation testing requirement. Students in any grade who do not pass must be offered accelerated instruction under Texas Education Code §28.0211.
When is the STAAR test in 2026?
The next STAAR windows are on TEA's 2026–27 Student Assessment Testing Calendar. EOC assessments (Algebra I, English I, English II, Biology, U.S. History) are given Nov 30–Dec 11, 2026. The spring 2027 windows are Apr 5–16 for grades 3–8 Reading Language Arts, English I, and English II; Apr 12–23 for grade 5 and grade 8 science, grade 8 social studies, Biology, and U.S. History; and Apr 19–30 for grades 3–8 mathematics and Algebra I. A summer EOC window runs Jun 14–25, 2027. Spring 2027 is the last regular STAAR administration; the Student Success Tool (SST) begins with beginning-of-year testing Aug 23–Sep 30, 2027.
What happens if a student fails the STAAR test?
In grades 3–8, a student who does not reach Approaches Grade Level is not automatically retained; instead, Texas Education Code §28.0211 requires the district to provide accelerated instruction, and promotion decisions are made locally. For high school, students must pass all five EOC assessments (Algebra I, English I, English II, Biology, U.S. History) to meet the graduation testing requirement, and each EOC is offered three times a year — fall, spring, and summer — so students can retake it until they pass. Students who still fall short may qualify through an Individual Graduation Committee or by using an approved substitute assessment such as the ACT, SAT, or TSIA2. Under House Bill 8, the English II EOC is no longer required for students who graduate after August 31, 2027.
Where can I find STAAR practice tests?
TEA publishes released STAAR tests — including the full spring 2026 forms — on the Cambium practice test site (txpt.cambiumtds.com), with answer keys, item rationales, and the student expectations tested posted on TEA's STAAR Released Test Questions page. The practice site uses the same online tools and question types as the live test, which is the best way to get comfortable with multiselect, inline-choice, equation-editor, and constructed-response items. Online STAAR practice tests from PracticeTestGeeks add explanations for every question and let you drill by grade and subject.
Is STAAR being replaced by a new test?
Yes. House Bill 8, passed by the 89th Texas Legislature in its second called session in September 2025, replaces STAAR with the Student Success Tool (SST) beginning in the 2027–28 school year. SST has three parts: an adaptive beginning-of-year (BOY) assessment given between late August and September 30, an adaptive middle-of-year (MOY) assessment given between January 2 and February 21, and an end-of-year (EOY) assessment in May, with the RLA writing component in April. Most students are expected to finish BOY and MOY tests in 60 minutes (grades 3–4) or 75 minutes (grades 5–8) and EOY tests in 90 or 105 minutes. Fall and June EOC opportunities continue, and the practice test site will be updated for the new program.