California CAASPP Grade 5: Guide and Practice

Grade 5 California assessment guidance, original ELA and math practice, CAST science, curriculum connections and official resources.

What students take

Grade 5 students take Smarter Balanced English language arts/literacy (ELA) and mathematics as part of CAASPP. ELA includes reading, writing, listening, and research/inquiry within the assessment; writing is not a separate CAASPP exam. The official tests use computer adaptive questions and performance tasks. They are untimed.

Students also take the California Science Test (CAST). Grade 5 science draws on Grades 3–5, with foundational K–2 concepts. It covers physical science, life science, and earth/space science, with engineering and scientific practices integrated into phenomena and tasks.

California does not use Florida's FAST PM1–PM3 schedule for CAASPP. Schools set local summative testing dates within state rules. Ask your school for its 2026–27 dates and check the official assessment system chart; earlier school-year dates on an official page should not be read as this year's schedule.

History/social studies is a classroom subject, without a separate regular CAASPP summative exam. Eligible students may participate in the IEP-designated alternate assessments, and students may take the optional Spanish literacy assessment. See participation and official preparation links.

Start practicing

This is independent, untimed practice using original classroom material and hypothetical data. It samples selected skills and curriculum connections; it does not cover every standard, assessment target or official item format. It is shorter than an official assessment and is not adaptive, calibrated, official released material, an official score estimate or evidence of full curriculum mastery.

Skills in these practice banks

These are selected curriculum connections, not a complete standards checklist. A short item may practice one part of a standard. Use the official standards and blueprints below to plan the rest of instruction.

ELA: Reading, Writing, Listening, Research/Inquiry
Math: Concepts, Problem Solving, Reasoning, Modeling/Data
CAST: Physical, Life, Earth/Space Sciences

A useful practice routine

  1. Read the skill and curriculum connection, then try an item before opening its hint.
  2. For listening, play the passage first. A transcript or an adult reading aloud is available if audio does not work.
  3. For written responses, draft an answer, check the task-specific criteria, and revise with evidence. A checklist is self-review, not an official rubric score.
  4. Explain mathematical reasoning and scientific evidence, including units, patterns and limits of conclusions.
  5. Use the official practice tests to become familiar with the state's full item formats and tools. Discuss further learning needs with your teacher.

Official curriculum and preparation resources

Research reviewed October 1, 2026. Use the official practice platform for the state's item formats, tools and accessibility features. Local schools confirm testing dates, participation and individual supports.