The Smarter Balanced Assessment is an important opportunity for your child to show what they’ve learned in reading, writing, and math. Find the dates for SBA and 5th-grade WCA (Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science) testing below:

Test	Dates For Each Tested Grade
SBA ELA CAT	5/11/26 grades 3,4,5
SBA ELA PT	5/13/26 grades 3,4,5
SBA Math CAT	5/27/26 grades 3,4,5
SBA Math PT	5/28/26 grades 3,4,5
WCAS	5/4/26 grade 5

While your child’s teacher will prepare them at school, there are many meaningful ways you can support their success at home. Here are practical strategies to help your student feel confident and ready:

Practice Simple Test-Taking Strategies

• Read carefully: Remind your child to read questions slowly and completely before answering. Rushing leads to mistakes.
• Take breaks: It’s okay to take a breath, stretch, or look away for a moment if feeling stuck.
• Try, try again: If an answer doesn’t come right away, encourage your child to skip it and come back later. Don’t give up!
• Check their work: When finished, reviewing answers is a great habit to build.

Reduce Test Anxiety

• Keep it positive: Use encouraging language like “Do your best” and “I believe in you” rather than focusing on scores.
• Practice at home: Work on reading, writing, and math together in fun, low-pressure ways. Play word games, read together, or solve puzzles.
• Normalize testing: Explain that tests help teachers understand what students know and what to teach next—they’re not about perfection.
• Stay calm: Children pick up on parental stress, so model confidence and a relaxed attitude about the assessment.

In the Days Before the Test

• Review the school’s testing schedule so your child knows what to expect.
• Avoid cramming or intensive studying the night before—it can increase anxiety.
• Pack a water bottle.
• Lay out comfortable, familiar clothes.
• Keep the evening before the test relaxed—maybe read a favorite book or play a game together.

On Test Day

• Serve a good breakfast and send your child off with a smile.
• Avoid saying things like “Don’t be nervous” or “This is really important”—keep the tone upbeat and normal.
• Let your child know you’re proud of them, no matter what.

Your encouragement and support matter far more than perfect scores. By helping your child develop good sleep, eating, and study habits, you’re setting them up for success—not just on this test, but throughout their education. Thank you for partnering with us to support your child’s learning!