What is the STAR test?

The STAR (Standardized Testing and Reporting) test was California’s statewide K–12 standards-based assessment program, administered annually from 1998 to 2013. It measured student proficiency in English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and History–Social Science using the California Standards Test (CST) and the California Achievement Test (CAT/6) for lower grades. The California Department of Education used STAR results to calculate school Academic Performance Index (API) scores and report Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) under federal No Child Left Behind requirements.

What score do you need to pass the STAR test?

The STAR test uses a five-level performance scale rather than a pass/fail cutoff. The key benchmark is Proficient , which corresponds to a scaled score of 400–499 on any given subtest. A score of 350–399 (Basic) indicates partial proficiency, while 400 and above is considered meeting the California Content Standard. Scores of 500–600 indicate Advanced performance, which exceeded grade-level expectations.

What subjects does the STAR test cover?

The STAR program covered four subject areas: English Language Arts (grades 2–11), Mathematics (grades 2–11), Science (grades 5, 8, 10), and History–Social Science (grades 8, 10, 11). High school mathematics was assessed through course-specific tests including Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II rather than a single grade-level math test.

Is the STAR test still used in California?

No. California discontinued the STAR program after the 2012–2013 school year. Beginning in 2014–2015, the state adopted the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) assessments aligned to the Common Core State Standards. STAR test score archives remain available through the California Department of Education for researchers and educators who need longitudinal performance data from the 1998–2013 testing period.

How long is the STAR test?

STAR test length varied by grade and subject. The California Standards Test (CST) typically contained 65 multiple-choice items for most subjects, which students completed in one to two class periods (roughly 60–90 minutes). The California Achievement Test (CAT/6) used in grades 2–3 was untimed, administered across multiple sessions, and covered reading, language arts, mathematics, spelling, and science. The STAR writing tests in grades 4, 7, and 10 were administered in a separate 45-minute session.

What replaced the STAR test in California?

The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) assessments replaced the STAR program for ELA and Mathematics in grades 3–11 starting 2014. For science, California adopted the California Science Test (CAST) , aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), beginning in 2018. History–Social Science standardized testing did not receive a direct replacement at the state level following STAR’s discontinuation.

Where can I find STAR test practice questions?

You can access STAR practice questions from two main sources: (1) the California Department of Education STAR Released Test Questions archive, which contains actual past items organized by grade and subject; and (2) PracticeTestGeeks.com, which offers free STAR practice tests modeled after the CST format for reading, mathematics, early literacy, and English language proficiency. Using released items is the most direct preparation method because they reflect the exact item format, difficulty distribution, and content standards weighting used on official STAR assessments.

STAR Test Guide 2026: California Standards-Based Assessment

Complete STAR test guide 2026: what the California Standards-Based Assessment measures, score ranges, grade levels, testing windows, and free STAR practice questions.

STAR - STAR Assessment Test By Thomas WrightApr 17, 20264 min read

STAR Test Guide 2026: California Standards-Based Assessment

📚2–11Grades TestedCalifornia K–12 public school students

📊150–600Score RangeScaled score across all STAR subtests

🎓5Performance LevelsFar Below Basic to Advanced

📅SpringTesting WindowApril–May each academic year

📝4Core SubjectsELA, Math, Science, History–Social Science

🏷️CCS AlignedStandardsCalifornia Content Standards

Take a Free STAR Practice Test

Far Below Basic

Below Basic

Basic

Proficient

Advanced

📊

Annual Spring Window

🏫

School and District Reporting

📅

Score Release Timeline

🔄

Transition to SBAC (2014)

✅Pros

+Standards are clearly defined in the California Content Standards documents — every tested skill is listed
+Multiple-choice format eliminates partial-credit ambiguity — each item is right or wrong
+Score reports include strand-level breakdowns so students know exactly which sub-areas need work
+Practice tests and released item sets from the California Department of Education cover every grade and subject
+The five-level performance scale gives students and families clear, actionable feedback on grade-level readiness

❌Cons

−High-stakes accountability pressure — school API scores and district funding were tied to STAR results
−One-time annual spring window — there was no retake option within the same academic year
−ELA and Math tested every grade 2–11, meaning students faced testing across seven to ten consecutive years
−Science and History–Social Science tested only at selected grade levels, limiting diagnostic utility in non-tested years
−STAR was discontinued in 2014 — archived data and released items require navigating older CDE databases

Download the official released test questions from the California Department of Education STAR Resources archive for your specific grade and subjectIdentify your target performance level (Proficient = 400–499; Advanced = 500+) and benchmark your starting scaled score on a practice testFocus ELA preparation on reading comprehension strategy: main idea, author’s purpose, text evidence, and vocabulary in contextFor Math, master the California Content Standards strand by strand — use the CST blueprints to weight your study toward highest-frequency domainsScience review should start with the grade-level disciplinary core ideas: physical science for grade 5, physical science and chemistry for grade 8, and biology or chemistry for grade 10Complete at least two full-length STAR practice tests under timed conditions before your scheduled exam windowReview every incorrect answer against the California Content Standard it maps to — do not re-read; re-practice the specific standardUse the STAR score calculator tools to convert practice raw scores to scaled score estimates and track weekly progress

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About the Author

Thomas WrightRS, HACCP Certified, BS Food Science

Registered Sanitarian & Food Safety Certification Expert

Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Thomas Wright is a Registered Sanitarian and HACCP-certified food safety professional with a Bachelor of Science in Food Science from Cornell University. He has 17 years of experience in food safety auditing, regulatory compliance, and foodservice management training. Thomas prepares food industry professionals for ServSafe Manager, HACCP certification, and state food handler examinations.