For more than 25 years, Texas has had a statewide student assessment program.  The Texas Assessment of  Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) measures a student's mastery of the state-mandated curriculum, the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).  The TAKS test is currently administered for the following grades and subjects for elementary students:

Reading - Grades 3, 4 and 5
Math - Grades 3, 4 and 5
Writing - Grade 4
Science - Grade 5

TAKS testing dates are as follows:

March 3 - 4th Grade Writing TAKS
April 6 - 5th Grade Math TAKS
April 7 - 5th Grade Reading TAKS
April 27 - 3rd/4th Grade Math TAKS
April 28 - 3rd/4th Grade Reading TAKS
April 29 - 5th Grade Science TAKS

**5th Grade students must pass the reading and math portion of the TAKS test in order to be promoted to the next grade.  They have three chances to take the test.  The retest dates are:

May 18 - retest for math
May 19 - retest for reading
June 29 - 2nd retest for math
June 30 - 2nd retest for reading

TEST TAKING TIPS:

1.  Get a good night of sleep the night before the test.
2.  Eat a good breakfast and drink a lot of water.
3.  Check back over your answers - the test is not timed.
4.  Use the test taking strategies that your teachers have taught you.
5.  Focus and read every question very carefully to determine what it is asking.