STAAR Practice Test 2026

The STAAR test (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) is the standardized assessment administered by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to students in grades 3–8 and end-of-course (EOC) subjects in high school. In 2026, Texas replaced the old multiple-choice STAAR with a new format featuring more open-ended, technology-enhanced items. This guide explains the current STAAR format, what each grade tests, passing score requirements, and how to use STAAR practice test materials effectively to prepare for the 2026 administration.

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.

Key facts about STAAR 2026:

Who takes it: Texas public school students in grades 3–8 and all EOC subjects in high school
When: Spring administration (April–May), with a summer retest opportunity in June–July for students who did not pass
Format: Online, computer-adaptive for some grades; mix of multiple choice, short answer, and technology-enhanced items
Stakes: Students must pass EOC exams to meet graduation requirements. Grade promotion decisions for grades 5 and 8 involve STAAR performance.

2026 redesign — what changed: TEA redesigned the STAAR in 2026, reducing the percentage of multiple-choice questions and adding open-ended "constructed response" questions. The redesigned test also introduced multi-select items, drag-and-drop ordering, and inline-choice questions. Paper-based STAAR tests were eliminated for most students — the test is now delivered online.

Use our STAAR practice test to familiarize yourself with current question types before test day.

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). Students must pass to be considered for promotion.
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. These exams count 15% of the final course grade. EOC passing is a graduation requirement under Texas law.

Practice for your specific grade with our STAAR practice test 2026 — organized by grade and subject area.

STAAR Test Preparation Checklist

Download released STAAR tests from TEA.Texas.gov — TEA publishes past tests with answer keys 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 2026 redesign increased constructed response weight significantly

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 under timed conditions before your test date

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

STAAR Key Concepts

📝 What is the passing score for the STAAR exam?

Most STAAR exams require 70-75% to pass. Check the official exam guide for exact requirements.

⏱️ How long is the STAAR exam?

The STAAR exam typically allows 2-3 hours. Time management is critical for success.

📚 How should I prepare for the STAAR exam?

Start with a diagnostic test, create a 4-8 week study plan, and take at least 3 full practice exams.

🎯 What topics does the STAAR exam cover?

The STAAR exam covers multiple domains. Review the official content outline for the complete list.

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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 high school End-of-Course (EOC) subjects. It tests mastery of Texas TEKS standards in Reading Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. The test was redesigned in 2026 to include more open-ended and technology-enhanced question types, reducing reliance on multiple choice only.

How many questions are on the STAAR test?

The number of questions varies by grade and subject. Most STAAR administrations include 30–52 items, with a mix of multiple choice (now approximately 60–70%), short constructed response, and technology-enhanced items. EOC exams typically have more questions than grades 3–8 assessments. The 4-hour testing window provides ample time — most students finish within 2–3 hours. Students with IEPs or 504 plans may receive extended time accommodations.

What is a passing score on the STAAR test?

The STAAR passing score is the 'Approaches Grade Level' performance standard. The exact scaled score varies by grade and subject and is set by the Texas Education Agency each year. For EOC exams, passing (Approaches Grade Level) is required for graduation. For grades 5 and 8, students who do not reach Approaches in Reading and Math are subject to the grade retention review process. Check TEA.Texas.gov for the current year's performance standards and cut scores.

When is the STAAR test in 2026?

The primary STAAR 2026 administration window is in spring, typically April through May. The Texas Education Agency publishes the exact test dates by grade and subject in the fall preceding the test year. A summer retest is offered in June–July for students in grades 5 and 8 who did not pass, and for high school students retaking EOC exams. Check TEA.Texas.gov for the official 2026–2026 testing calendar.

What happens if a student fails the STAAR test?

The consequences of not passing depend on grade level. For grades 3–4, 6–7: no automatic retention, but students may receive additional support or be required to attend summer school. For grades 5 and 8: students who do not pass Reading or Math STAAR may be retained unless a Grade Placement Committee (GPC) approves promotion with a documented plan. For high school EOC exams: students must pass all 5 EOC exams (Algebra I, English I, English II, Biology, US History) to graduate. Students who do not pass receive retake opportunities each semester.

Where can I find STAAR practice tests?

TEA publishes released STAAR tests on TEA.Texas.gov — these are the most accurate preparation materials since they are real past exams with official answer keys. Released tests are available for all grades and subjects going back several years. Online STAAR practice test platforms (including PracticeTestGeeks) provide additional practice with explanations. For the redesigned 2026+ format with technology-enhanced items, use TEA's TestNav practice portal to familiarize yourself with the online testing platform before test day.

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