PARCC 2025 Practice Test
Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers
The mission of Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) 2025 is to ensure all students are prepared for college and the workplace. The PARCC assessments are used to determine college readiness and career preparedness in kindergarten through grade twelve students. These assessments are used to help students and parents determine if they are on target in meeting their long-term goals and are used to assist teachers in developing curriculums in compliance with the Common Core State Standards.
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PARCC Test Content
The PARCC Test is available in two formats:
PARCC ELA/Literacy Exam
Students must demonstrate competency in reading, writing, speaking/listening, language, and vocabulary on the PARCC ELA/Literacy Exam, which has five performance objectives. These are assessed using the relevant Common Core State Standards for the grade level of the learner.
PARCC Mathematics Exam
Students must demonstrate mastery in various grade-appropriate problems on the PARCC Mathematics exam, which is divided into three components. Make sure you’re studying PARCC practice tests that are appropriate for your grade level.
| What Is The PARCC Assessment? | PARCC is a standardized assessment that measures student readiness in English language arts/literacy and math across participating states and districts. |
| What Does PARCC Stand For In Education? | PARCC stands for Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, a consortium that created common K–12 ELA and math assessments. |
| Who Takes The PARCC Assessment In School? | PARCC is typically administered to students in tested grades where the state or district uses PARCC-aligned assessments for accountability and progress monitoring. |
| Which Grades Take The PARCC Test In New Jersey? | In New Jersey, PARCC was historically given in tested grades for ELA and math; exact grade participation depends on the year and state assessment policy. |
| What Subjects Are Tested On The PARCC Test? | PARCC focuses on English language arts/literacy and mathematics, emphasizing grade-level standards, problem solving, and evidence-based responses. |
| How Are PARCC Questions Structured (Multiple-Choice, EBSR, And Writing)? | PARCC items can include multiple-choice, technology-enhanced tasks, evidence-based selected response (EBSR), and writing prompts that require citing evidence. |
| Is The PARCC Assessment Test Computer-Based Or Paper-Based? | PARCC was primarily computer-based, though some locations offered paper options depending on accessibility, infrastructure, and policy for that administration year. |
| How Long Is The PARCC Exam For Each Section? | Testing time varies by grade and subject, but PARCC sessions are typically split across multiple units with set time limits per unit. |
| When Does PARCC Testing Usually Happen During The School Year? | PARCC testing generally takes place during spring testing windows set by the state, with schedules determined by districts and testing centers. |
| Where Can Students Find Official PARCC Released Items? | Official released items are commonly published by the state or PARCC-aligned resources and can be used to practice the item types and rigor students will see. |
| How Do You Use Released PARCC Items For Targeted Practice? | Use released items as mini-lessons: identify the skill, practice one set, review the rationale, then retest the same standard with a new problem. |
| Are PARCC Practice Assessments Aligned To Grade-Level Standards? | Practice assessments are designed to reflect grade-level standards and item types, helping students build familiarity with tools, timing, and expectations. |
| How Are PARCC Scores Reported And What Do The Performance Levels Mean? | PARCC score reports typically show a scale score and a performance level, which helps indicate whether a student is approaching, meeting, or exceeding expectations. |
| How Soon Are PARCC Results Available After The Assessment? | Results timelines vary, but many states release reports weeks to months after the testing window once scoring and validation are complete. |
| Is There A Passing Score On PARCC, Or Is It Reported By Performance Level? | PARCC is generally not a pass/fail exam; performance is reported by level and used for instructional decisions, accountability, and progress reporting. |
| How Are PARCC Results Used In New Jersey Schools? | In New Jersey, PARCC results were used for reporting and instructional planning; current use depends on the state’s assessment system and reporting rules. |
| What Is The Best Way To Use A PARCC Practice Test For Improvement? | Take a full practice test under timed conditions, review missed questions by standard, then redo similar item types to turn mistakes into strengths. |
| What Topics Show Up Most Often On A PARCC Math Practice Test? | Common math focus areas include fractions and ratios, multi-step word problems, algebraic reasoning, geometry, and interpreting data in graphs and tables. |
| Are Calculators Allowed On PARCC Practice Test Math Sections? | Calculator rules depend on grade and unit; many PARCC-style tests allow calculators only on designated sections to mirror assessment design. |
| How Many PARCC Practice Exams Should A Student Take Before Test Day? | Most students benefit from multiple practice exams spaced over time, with review between attempts to build accuracy, pacing, and confidence. |
PARCC Test Cost
Each of the PARCC participating states has signed a separate contract with Pearson Education, the PARCC’s major exam vendor. The PARCC state testing materials cost an average of $23.97 per student in math, reading, and writing.
- This cost includes the PARCC test’s computer-based administration as well as any administrative expenses.
- Schools that choose to deliver the PARCC test on paper may have to pay a higher per-student price.
- The fee per student includes both an ELA/Literacy and a Mathematics exam.
- For all assessments, the per-student pricing includes both performance-based and short-answer test items.
PARCC Scoring System
Students’ PARCC scores are divided into five separate performance levels, each of which describes how well they met the requirements for their grade level/course:
Level 1 – Did not yet meet expectations. A down arrow is used to represent this.
Level 2 – Partially met expectations. A down arrow is used to represent this.
Level 3 – Approached expectations. This is the minimal PARCC score required for students to pass. A bidirectional arrow is used to represent this.
Level 4 – Met expectations. Students who scored at level 4 or higher proved that they were ready for the following grade level/course and, eventually, college and a profession. An up arrow is used to represent this.
Level 5 – Exceeded expectations. An up arrow is used to represent this.
Aside from a raw score, PARCC scorecards provide a wealth of other information: the average score by unit across their school, district, state, and cross-state; visual graphs showing how your child compared to these averages; percentages of students who performed at each level; and verbal descriptions of where your child excelled in the exam and where he or she could use a little more help.
PARCC Questions and Answers
Yes—students can practice at home using printable PDFs or online platforms, but timed practice works best when it mirrors the test environment.
It uses PARCC-style item types and multi-step reasoning, so it often feels more standards-based and problem-solving focused than many classroom quizzes.
Look for official released items and state practice sets; use answer keys to learn the reasoning, not just the final number.
Choose ELA sets that include reading passages with evidence-based questions, vocabulary-in-context, and short writing tasks that cite text evidence.
Many states provide score reports through parent portals or district communications; availability and timing depend on the local reporting process.
New Jersey moved from PARCC to the New Jersey Student Learning Assessments (NJSLA), which kept many standards-based design elements while updating the program.
Opt-out rules are set by the state and district; families typically submit a written request and should confirm the consequences for makeup testing or records.
The PARCC exam is typically funded by districts or the state and is not usually a direct student fee; broader costs depend on contracts, scoring, and administration.
PARCC-related roles vary widely, but assessment and program positions are commonly aligned with education program management pay bands in the relevant employer market.
PARCC results are mainly used for K–12 accountability and instructional decisions; graduation or admissions impact depends on state policy, which can vary by year.