What your state tests
Colorado uses the CMAS (Colorado Measures of Academic Success) for grades 3–8, plus a college-entrance suite in high school: the PSAT in grades 9 and 10 and the SAT in grade 11. All are run by the Colorado Department of Education and aligned to the Colorado Academic Standards.
Which tests, which grades
- CMAS ELA & MathEnglish language arts and mathematics in grades 3–8
- CMAS ScienceScience in grades 5, 8, and 11
- CMAS Social StudiesSampled at grades 4 and 7
- PSAT 9 & 10 / SAT 11The college-entrance suite in high school
- CoAltAlternate assessment for eligible students
Format & subjects
CMAS is online with varied item types. The high-school PSAT/SAT follows the national College Board format and gives students a college-usable score.
Is passing required to graduate?
No exit-exam gate. Colorado does not require passing a state test to graduate. Districts set graduation requirements, guided by the state's graduation guidelines and each student's ICAP (Individual Career and Academic Plan); the grade-11 SAT is one menu option for demonstrating readiness.
How it's scored
CMAS reports performance levels indicating whether students met grade-level expectations. The grade-11 SAT is scored 400–1600.
Testing windows
CMAS and the PSAT/SAT are given in a spring window (roughly March–April) set by each district.
How to prepare
- SAT/PSAT prepOur SAT guide and free Khan Academy Official SAT Practice apply to the grade-9–11 tests
- CMAS practiceCDE provides online practice resources matching the real format
Participation & opting out
Colorado law gives parents strong opt-out rights — a parent may excuse their child from state assessments without penalty to the student. Ask your district about its process.
Accommodations & multilingual learners
Accommodations follow a student's IEP or 504 plan; eligible students take the state's alternate assessment. Multilingual learners take an English proficiency test (WIDA ACCESS or the state equivalent) and may receive designated supports.
Accountability & promotion
Results feed accountability and school performance frameworks, guide instruction, and — via the grade-11 SAT — give students a college-usable score.
Key facts
- Grades 3–8CMAS (ELA & Math)
- ScienceCMAS Science (gr 5, 8, 11)
- High schoolPSAT (9, 10) & SAT (11)
- Exit examNone
- Opt-outStrong parent rights
- AgencyColorado Dept. of Education
Where to learn more
Confirm current details with the official source and your district: