How do I schedule and administer an Assessment Series test?
This article is intended only for customers and partners using the Assessment Series.
Overview
The CommonLit Assessment Series is available each school year beginning in late July.
In this article, we will cover:
For more information about Assessment Series scheduling considerations, please visit this FAQ.
Scheduling an Assessment
You can schedule an assessment for classes between 3rd-12th grades a few different ways:
1. Click on the Assessment Series tile from your Home Page or click Assessment Series (the gauge) in the menu on the left.
2. Click on the Schedule button next to the assessment you wish to schedule.
3. In the window that appears, choose the class(es) for which you wish to schedule the test.
- Choose which grade level(s) to assign.
- If all students are in the same grade, choose “Assign X grade to all students
- If student grade levels vary, choose "Assign by student grade level"
- Select the test start date.
- Finally, click the Schedule button to finish scheduling the assessment.
- Please note: if you choose a test date in the future, your students will not see or be able to complete their assessment until that test date arrives.
- OPTIONAL: Enable Read Aloud for students with that accommodation. You can read more about enabling read aloud for assessments in this FAQ.
Preparing for Testing
Plan ahead for ideal test conditions
Before testing begins, complete the following steps to ensure an optimal experience for students during the assessment:
- Develop a plan for providing universal accessibility supports and testing accommodations for students who require them.
- Note: Read Aloud is now available in assessments. Follow the instructions to enable Read Aloud for specific students.
- Ensure a quiet testing environment with minimal distractions.
- Make sure that students will have adequate time to complete their tests. Most students complete the tests in 50-60 minutes.
- Plan to prevent cheating during testing, including by setting up the classroom for active monitoring during testing, reviewing academic honesty expectations with students, and ensuring that students’ desks or work areas are clear other than the necessary testing materials.
For more information, you can review our Assessment Series Administration Checklist and Assessment Series Administration Guide here.
Complete last minute checks & troubleshooting
- Confirm that the correct grade-level test has been assigned to the correct students on the Student Status page
- Confirm that any students who have enrolled in their class mid-year have been assigned the correct test.
- Check the scheduled start date listed for the assessment in the Assessment Series tab of the Classes and Assignments page to confirm it is correct
- Ensure that students’ devices, software, and browsers are up to date
- Check that all students have their CommonLit usernames and passwords (if they do not log in via Google, Clever, or ClassLink and are not completing the assessment in Canvas)
- Check that all devices are charged and connected to the Internet
- Confirm that Read-Aloud is enabled for any students whose IEPs or 504 plans require it.
Administering the Assessment Series
It is best for students to complete their assessment in one sitting and with minimal distractions. Most students complete the test within 50-60 minutes.
When you are ready to begin testing, explain to students the process of finding, beginning, and submitting their tests. You should provide students with directions before they open their tests on CommonLit’s website.
As students are taking their tests, be sure to:
- Circulate around the room to monitor students’ progress and ensure that they are on task.
- During testing, you may answer questions about navigating CommonLit’s website (e.g., “How do I see the next question?”). However, you should not answer any questions about test content, including reading passages and the questions themselves.
If students are unable to complete their assessment in one sitting, you can lock students’ assessments from the Student Status page to prevent them from working on the assessment outside of class.