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What is the NYC English Language Arts (ELA) Assessment?

The NYC ELA Test is a timed test with multiple-choice questions. Students are given 65 minutes to answer 50 multiple-choice questions. The questions are based on short reading passages consisting of original stories, articles, and poems. Students answer questions based on these reading passages.

Each test includes three types of written material: creative, informational, and functional.

  • Creative - Material read for enjoyment and/or for the literary experience, including fiction, poetry, and humor.
  • Informational - Non-fiction material read for information, with content from science, social studies, and various cultures and also includes biographies and general nonfiction materials.
  • Functional - Material read for directions on how to perform a task or written to sway the reader, including advertisements, schedules, posters, multi-step instructions, labels, and brochures.

The level of difficulty ranges from easy to challenging and complex. Test questions ask students to:

  • Recall details or sequence of events
  • Select a main idea
  • Analyze plot, characters, setting, or tone
  • Distinguish between cause and effect
  • Analyze use of language
  • Draw conclusions
  • Predict outcomes

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions about the test:

Click here for further information from the Department of Education.


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Why is this test given?

The purpose of the NYC ELA Test is to determine if the student is meeting the learning standards in reading comprehension and other language skills. New York State and New York City have high learning standards that describe what students should know and be able to do. These standards require students to read, write, and listen for:

  • Information and understanding
  • Literary response and expression
  • Critical analysis and evaluation

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How is the score reported?

The results are reported as scale scores and performance levels.

  • Scale score. A score that accounts for all the correct answers on the test according to the difficulty level of the questions.
  • Performance levels. The four proficiency levels shown in the table below show how students have mastered the knowledge and skills that make up the learning standards. When a student is at level 3 or 4, he or she has met or exceeded the standard.

Meeting Standard

  • Level 4 (Advanced) - Students exceed the learning standards for English Language Arts. Their performance shows superior understanding of written and oral text.
  • Level 3 (Proficient) - Students meet the learning standards. Their performance shows thorough understanding of written and oral text.

Below Standard

  • Level 2 (Basic) - Students show partial achievement of the learning standards. Their performance shows partial understanding of written and oral text.
  • Level 1 (Below Basic) - Students do not meet the learning standards. Their performance shows minimal understanding of written and oral text.

Schools distribute test results on "Grow Reports" to every parent. These reports include the student's scale score, performance level, and information on his or her strengths and weaknesses in the different skill areas tested.

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How are the test results used?

Teachers and principals use the results from the ELA Test to help them make decisions about whether or not a student will be promoted. They also use the results to place students in appropriate classes and in special programs, to provide students with Academic Intervention Services such as before or after-school tutoring or extra help during school, and to place students in summer school.

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