Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR)

  • IAR LogoThe Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) is the state-wide assessment and accountability measure for all Illinois students enrolled in public schools. IAR assesses the New Illinois Learning Standards, incorporating Common Core, and is administered in English language arts and mathematics to all students in grades 3-8.​

    2023 IAR Testing Dates

    • Paper: March 6, 2023 (earliest) – April 7, 2023 (latest)
    • Online: March 6, 2023 (earliest) – April 21, 2023 (latest)​​​

    IAR Parent Portal

    The Illinois Assessment of Readiness Parent Portal is available for parents/guardians to get online access to your child’s performance on the IAR tests. The IAR Parent Portal User Guide is available and has information on how to create an account, log in to the account, and add claim codes to access student score reports and videos of Individual Student Reports (ISRs). The portal will also allow parents/guardians to track their student’s scores from year to year, beginning with the spring 2021 results. The unique access code can be found on each student's ISR.

    IAR Practice Tests

    Want to know what taking the English language arts or mathematics portion of the IAR tests is like? A practice test for each grade is available to familiarize yourself or your student with the kinds of items and format used for the tests.

    IAR Digital Item Library

    The IAR Digital Item Library provides access to thousands of items/questions that were previously asked on an Illinois English language arts or mathematics assessment. You can search the library by Evidence Statements or Common Core State Standards, as well as by subject and grade, to help prepare students for upcoming IAR tests.

IAR Parent Info Meetings

  • The DPS Department of Teaching & Learning is hosting a webinar to provide support for families so they can prepare their child to be successful on the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) test. You'll learn about:

    • Testing dates
    • Academic skill practice
    • Online resources
    • Parent tips for IAR success
    • Parent Q&A

    The webinar content is the same and is being offered on two dates:

    1. Wednesday, March 1 @ 5:00 p.m.: Click here to watch a recording of this webinar
    2. Thursday, March 9 @ 5:30 p.m.: Click here to watch a recording of this webinar

    Click Here to Register

SAT with Essay, PSAT 10, PSAT 8/9

  • PSAT and SATThe State of Illinois requires that all public school students in grade 11 to take the SAT with Essay. The state also requires all public school students in grade 9 take the PSAT 8/9, and all public school students in grade 10 take the PSAT 10.

    2023 Testing Dates

    • SAT with Essay for Grade 11
      • Primary Test Date: Wednesday, April 12, 2023
      • Makeup Test Date: Tuesday, April 25, 2023 
    • PSAT 10 for Grade 10: Testing Window April 12-28, 2023 
    • PSAT 8/9 for Grade 9: Testing Window April 12-28, 2023 

    Practice Resources

    ​The College Board offers many free ways to practice and resources for both students and families for the SAT and PSAT tests.

FastBridge Testing

  • FastBridge TestingDPS utilizes FastBridge testing to track student progress throughout the school year. FastBridge assessments​ ​help​ ​us​ ​determine​ ​a student’s​ ​instructional​ ​level​ ​and are additional tools that we use to meet the needs of students at their level, while also measuring growth.​ ​Students​​ ​take​ FastBridge ​assessments​ ​in​ ​the​ ​fall,​ ​winter​, ​and​ ​spring each​ ​year.