ELA practice tests – 3rd to 5th grade (Common Core)

These are US practice tests (grades, Common Core). In the UK? Try the UK version →

Free ELA practice tests for 3rd, 4th and 5th grade: stories, poems, articles, vocabulary and grammar, matched to the Common Core. Marked instantly. For 3rd to 5th grade (ages 8–11). In the UK, that's Year 4 to Year 6.

The tests

About these tests

Seven free English language arts practice tests for each of 3rd, 4th and 5th grade. Two reading literature tests (stories, then poems and drama), two reading informational text tests (articles, then paired texts on the same topic), a vocabulary test, a grammar, capitalization and punctuation test, and a mixed state test-style review.

The reading tests use original passages written by Classfern, with about 16 questions on two texts. The vocabulary and grammar tests draw 20 questions from a larger bank, so every try is different. Long written answers are not included, because they cannot be marked automatically.

Key facts

The Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts are organized in strands, including Reading: Literature, Reading: Informational Text and Language. Source: thecorestandards.org

How to use these tests

Choose Practice to see each answer straight away, or Test to see all the answers and explanations at the end.
In the reading tests, the passage stays on screen, so you can look back at it at any time.
Vocabulary and grammar tests pick 20 questions from a bank of about 30, so trying again gives a different set.

How we wrote these tests

Every passage and question was written by Classfern; none is copied or adapted from a real test or textbook. Each question is tagged with the Common Core standard (RL, RI or L) it practices. Answers are checked by computer programs, and every test is reviewed by an independent AI checker that didn't write it. Spot a mistake? Use the Report button.

Plan the teaching

Use these tests for review at home or in class. See what to teach in Grade 3 ELA, Grade 4 ELA, Grade 5 ELA, then plan lessons with the free Lesson Plan Maker.

Suggest a test – or, after a test, use “Report a problem with this question” on the answers screen.

Official sources

Common Core-aligned practice only. Not an official test and not affiliated with or endorsed by the NGA Center, CCSSO or any state education agency.

Standards codes from the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts. © Copyright 2010. National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and Council of Chief State School Officers. All rights reserved. Summaries are Classfern’s own words.