All students enrolled in grades 4–10 will participate in the B.E.S.T. Writing assessment each spring. Writing scores will be reported separately from Reading; they will not contribute to an overall ELA score. 

About the Test  

The assessment is delivered on a computer-based testing platform. B.E.S.T. Writing assessments consist of one text-based constructed-response item (students read a variety of texts and respond to a prompt).  

Click below for more information about the B.E.S.T. Writing test design and scoring: 

• BEST Writing Fact Sheet 

• Test Design Summary and Blueprint (embedded in FAST English Language Arts Summary) 

• Grades 4-6 Argumentative Rubric 

• Grades 4-6 Expository Rubric 

• Grades 7-10 Argumentative Rubric 

• Grades 7-10 Expository Rubric 

• BEST Writing Scoring Samplers 

Testing Window

• March 31 - April 11, 2025 

Preparing for the Test  

Sample test materials allow teachers, parents/guardians, and students to become familiar with the format of the assessments, as well as the system, functionality, and tools on computer-based tests. 

Computer-based and paper-based practice tests and answer keys for each assessment are available on the Students & Families portal page. For resources to better understand the standards to which the assessments are aligned, please visit CPALMS. 

Accessing and Interpreting Test Results 

Directions on how to access test results can be found by clicking HERE.  You will be able to view the student’s written response along with the scoring rubric.