IAR Practice Tests 2025
Illinois Assessment of Readiness

What is IAR testing?

The Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR)  is a state-mandated assessment test for students in grades three, five, seven, and nine. This is the first time that Illinois has taken this type of standardized test. The IAR will be administered in spring 2018, and it is necessary for you to be prepared before it happens or your school could face consequences.

The IAR test assesses Illinois students’ reading, writing, math, and science skills in English language arts (ELA) and mathematics as well as Critical Thinking strand grades 3-8. 

This article will explain what the IAR’s purpose is and what grade levels will be tested on them. It also explains how the statewide assessment was developed to measure student readiness for college and careers rather than their grade level performance.

IAR test practice is recommended, but it is not mandatory. Parents can write a statement to excuse their children from IAR test prep. However, if students do not practice for the IAR test and they do poorly on it, their schools will face consequences, such as a school grade of “F” for the school year. 

We have some FREE quizzes to practice the IAR test:

3rd Grade Math Test 1
IAR 3rd Grade Math Test 1
Free IAR Practice Test covering 3rd Grade Mathematics with IAR Answers for Number Operations, Basic Arithmetic, Measurement Concepts, geometry fundamentals, and problem-solving strategies certification.
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3rd Grade Math Test 2
IAR 3rd Grade Math Test 2
IAR Test Online featuring 3rd Grade Math with IAR Questions covering Elementary Mathematics, data interpretation, Geometric Shapes, measurement skills, and computational fluency protocols.
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3rd Grade ELA Test 1
IAR 3rd Grade English Language Arts Test 1
IAR Mock Test covering 3rd Grade ELA with IAR Sample questions on Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary Development, grammar basics, Writing Fundamentals, and literary analysis assessment.
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3rd Grade ELA Test 2
IAR 3rd Grade English Language Arts Test 2
IAR Exam Online featuring 3rd Grade Language Arts with IAR Practice Exam covering Reading Skills, sentence structure, Spelling Patterns, comprehension strategies, and textual understanding mastery.
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4th Grade Math Test 1
IAR 4th Grade Math Test 1
IAR Quiz Online covering 4th Grade Mathematics with IAR Study Guide for Advanced Arithmetic, Fractions and Decimals, multiplication and division, Geometric Reasoning, and data analysis protocols.
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4th Grade Math Test 2
IAR 4th Grade Math Test 2
IAR Assessment featuring 4th Grade Math with IAR Prep covering Mathematical Problem-Solving, algebraic thinking, Data Representation, word problems, and numerical reasoning evaluation.
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4th Grade ELA Test 1
IAR 4th Grade English Language Arts Test 1
IAR Resources Online covering 4th Grade ELA with IAR Materials for Advanced Reading Comprehension, Complex Vocabulary, Written Expression, Textual Evidence analysis, and critical thinking protocols.
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4th Grade ELA Test 2
IAR 4th Grade English Language Arts Test 2
IAR Readiness covering 4th Grade Language Arts with IAR Review for Inferential Reading, argumentative writing, Grammar Mastery, literary devices, and composition skills assessment.
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IAR Practice Test Questions and Answers PDF

What does IAR test consist of?

IAR Illinois test consists of two components (two IAR assessment tests), the IAR ELA Assessment and the IAR Mathematics Assessment. The IAR Mathematics Assessment is the test that includes three parts: Number Sense, Algebra and, Pre-Algebra.

IAR has two major components: Cognitive Skills Assessment (CSA) for students in grades 5-8 and a Critical Thinking component for students in grades 3-8. Students are tested on these two components on different days during spring break from April 25 – May 9, 2025. For example, on April 26 they will take the Math portion of the assessment while on April 27 they will take the ELA portion of the assessment.

IAR test scores

IAR test scores scale from 0-100. The ACT and the PLAN use the same scoring system. Ninety is considered a good score and it implies that the student has mastered the content and skill being assessed. The ACT/PLAN score of zero indicates that the student knows nothing about the concept or skill being assessed. 
For example, if a student got a score of 50 on the IAR test results, it means that the student is doing well on that subject. For example, if a student got a score of 0 on the IAR test, it means that the student has mastered all content and skill mentioned in that subject. For example, if a student got a 70 out of 100 on the IAR Mathematics Assessment, it means that he/she knows what to do in order to master mathematics but he/she just does not know how to do those tasks or skills. 
 
IAR Test Certification Guide
What is IAR?The Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) is a standardized test used to assess the academic proficiency of students in grades 3 through 8 in Illinois. It measures skills in English Language Arts and Mathematics.
Why is IAR important?The IAR is important for evaluating student progress, identifying academic gaps, and informing instructional decisions. It helps determine the effectiveness of education programs and is used for accountability purposes in schools.
Who takes the IAR test?The IAR test is administered to students in grades 3-8 in public schools in Illinois. It is part of the state’s accountability system under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
What subjects are tested on the IAR?The IAR assesses students’ skills in two primary subjects: English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics. It includes reading comprehension, writing, and math problem-solving skills aligned with state standards.
What is the format of the IAR test?The IAR test is a computer-based assessment with multiple-choice questions, short-answer questions, and performance tasks. Students are required to read passages, solve math problems, and answer questions based on the materials provided.
How long is the IAR test?The IAR test is typically administered over several days, with each subject area (ELA and Mathematics) taking approximately 1.5 to 2 hours to complete.
Is the IAR test timed?Yes, the IAR test is timed, with each section having a set amount of time. However, students are given ample time to complete each section, and the test is designed to accommodate different learning speeds.
What kind of questions are on the IAR test?The IAR test includes a mix of multiple-choice questions, short-answer questions, and constructed-response questions. The test focuses on assessing students’ ability to analyze texts, solve mathematical problems, and apply reasoning skills.
How do I register for the IAR test?Students do not need to register for the IAR test, as it is administered by the school district. The test is typically given during the spring semester of each academic year.
What are the IAR test dates?The IAR test is usually administered in March or April, with specific dates determined by the school district. Schools will inform students and parents of the exact testing schedule.
What documents do I need for the IAR test?No specific documents are required for the IAR test. Students will need to bring a pencil or stylus for the computer-based portion, and any additional materials will be provided by the testing center or school.
Can I reschedule the IAR test?The IAR test is administered by schools on specific dates, so it is not typically possible to reschedule the test. If a student misses the test, they may be required to make up the test at a later date, depending on school policies.
How is the IAR test scored?The IAR test is scored based on the number of correct answers. The results are then converted into a scaled score, with proficiency levels indicating whether students are meeting, approaching, or exceeding state standards.
When will I receive my IAR test results?Results from the IAR test are typically available in late spring or early summer, depending on the school district. Parents will be notified when scores are ready to be reviewed.
What does it mean to be "proficient" on the IAR?Being proficient on the IAR means that a student has met or exceeded the state’s academic standards for their grade level in English Language Arts and Mathematics.
Can I retake the IAR test?No, the IAR test is a state-mandated assessment, and students cannot retake the test if they do not perform well. However, schools provide opportunities for students to receive additional support based on test results.
How can I prepare for the IAR test?Preparation for the IAR test involves reviewing reading and math concepts, practicing with sample test questions, and taking practice tests to familiarize yourself with the format and types of questions.
Are there any IAR test prep courses?Yes, there are online and in-person preparation courses available to help students improve their skills in English Language Arts and Mathematics. These courses may offer practice tests and strategies for answering questions.
What topics should I focus on for the IAR test?Focus on reading comprehension, vocabulary, math problem-solving, and reasoning skills. It is also helpful to practice writing short responses and essays for the English Language Arts section.
How long should I study for the IAR test?It is recommended to start studying at least 2-3 months before the test. Focus on strengthening weak areas and taking practice tests to gauge progress.
Taking IAR Practise test

IAR practice test Illinois online is a good way to prepare for the IAR test, since it will be similar to the actual IAR test. In order to prepare for the IAR practice test online, students should take actual practice tests and IAR practice tutorials. IAR online test prep can be taken for free and students can receive a printable certificate after completing the assessment. Once the students are done with IAR, they will receive a score report and school administrators should use those scores to improve their schools. 

Listed below are the IAR assessment practice test online that you can find : 
 
IAR Practice Test Math
It is important for students to practice for the assessment. The IAR test is considered to be similar to the ACT/SAT in terms of difficulty. In order for students to learn about algebra and pre-algebra skills, they should take this assessment.
 
IAR Practice Test Language Arts
This is intended for students in grades 3-8. The test contains 50 multiple choice questions and it is just like the actual IAR. The ACT/PLAN uses this same test design to measure student readiness for college and careers.
 
IAR Practice Test Pearson
This makes it easy for students to practice for the assessments. Students should take the practice tests / IAR sample test multiple times in order to understand what is test about as well as what kind of questions will appear on the test. IAR practice test Pearson makes it mandatory to answer all questions and if a student gets a score of 0, he/she will have to retake the assessment in order to see if they can improve the score.
 
IAR Reading Practice Test
This is also used to measure student readiness for college and careers. It has 50 multiple choice questions and students are given 75 minutes to complete them.
IAR writing practice test content focuses on the students’ ability to develop their arguments, set a purpose, organize information, and use appropriate language conventions. It is intended for students in grades 5-8. The assessment contains 55 multiple-choice questions and students are given 75 minutes to finish it. Once completed, the score report provides detailed feedback on how well the student did on each task within the writing assessment.
 
IAR Practice Test 3rd Grade
This is another great resource for IAR practice tests online. There are 2 practice exams for IAR assessment. One is for 3rd grade and the other is for 4th grade. They are in pdf so the IAR practice test 3rd grade can be printed out. There is no answer key, but the test has review questions that allows students to show how much they know and don’t know. There are two versions of the IAR practice test in 3rd grade: with or without picture support. 
 
Strategies to support students at home
1. IAR Text-to-Self Support: This is a strategy that helps students to support themselves by writing a summary of the reading, answering any questions they have, or recording their own reflections. They can write on a piece of paper and tape it to their book or they can type it into their textbook.
 
2. IAR Text-to-Text Support: This strategy guides the student in reading and writing the same text. It also supports them with making an explanation of what they read and asking themselves questions about the text.
 
3. IAR Language Feature Support: This strategy provides students with the ability to support themselves by making inferences about any parts of the text that don’t make sense to them. For example, a student might have a tough time understanding what a character is feeling or thinking because there is no language model in their environment.
 
4. IAR Response Support: Students can use this strategy by writing down their own response to a text. They can use the strategies page on our website to facilitate this strategy, which provides students with prompts for writing and sets up an expectation for them about what an answer should look like.
 
5. IAR Text-to-Self Response: This strategy helps the student to provide evidence to support the way they feel about a text. You can do this by reading the text and then thinking about what you think or feel about it.
 
6. IAR Retell Strategy: The retell strategy can be used with any story that you want your student to retell for practice. It will help them to organize the story and make sense of it because they will have a visual model of how it should be put together.
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IAR Questions and Answers

IAR Frequently Asked Questions

The IAR test is typically administered in the spring, with testing dates set by individual school districts across Illinois. Students usually take the test between March and May each year.

The IAR test is taken by students in grades 3 through 8 in public schools across Illinois. It is part of the state's accountability system under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

Yes, the IAR test is mandatory for students in grades 3 through 8 in Illinois public schools. It is used to assess students' academic progress in key subjects.

The IAR test typically takes around 2-3 hours for each subject area. It is usually spread over multiple days to allow students to complete the test without feeling rushed.

Yes, the IAR test results are part of the state’s accountability system, which evaluates how well schools are meeting educational standards. The results are used to assess overall school performance.

No, the IAR test is not offered for retakes. However, students can receive additional educational support, such as tutoring or remedial programs, based on their performance.

You can help your child prepare by reviewing key skills in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics. Practice tests, study guides, and working with teachers on areas of improvement can be beneficial.

The IAR test assesses reading comprehension, writing, and mathematics problem-solving skills based on state standards. It measures students' readiness for future academic success.

Yes, the IAR test is a computer-based assessment, which allows for adaptive testing. The test adjusts the difficulty of questions based on students' responses, providing a personalized experience.

The IAR test results are typically available in late spring or early summer. Parents and schools will be notified when results are ready to be reviewed and discussed.

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