New Jersey's annual assessments of students are underway for high school students for 2026, giving parents and educators a look at how well students are prepared to graduate along with how they are progressing.
The NJ Graduate Proficiency Assessments in English and math were given to 11th graders in March. Later in April testing for ninth graders in English and math, along with testing for Algebra 1, Algebra 2, geometry and 11th grade science are scheduled.
The tests aim to assess how well New Jersey students are meeting the Student Learning Standards set by the state Department of Education for each grade level. The assessments are used by the state to determine whether students need additional help and whether a school is meeting students' educational needs.
To be considered proficient, students need to score above 750 — on a scale of 650 to 850 — on math and English/language arts. The science scale is 100 to 300, with 200 points considered proficient, according to Pearson, the company that handled the testing last year.
Those who do not achieve a proficient score on the NJGPA can meet the graduation requirement by passing one of four other standardized tests — the PSAT, SAT, ACT, or ACCUPLACER — or by submitting a portfolio appeal to the state Department of Education.
According to the state data, 81.3 percent of New Jersey students passed the English language arts portion of the NJGPA, and 58.5 percent were proficient in math.
Below are the mean scores — the average — for ninth grade English/language arts, Algebra 1, Algebra 2, geometry and 11th grade science and the English/language arts and math NJGPA tests for every school that assessed students in New Jersey in the spring of 2025.
For comparison, the statewide mean scores for the Spring 2025 assessments are as follows:
Ninth Grade English/language arts: 745
Geometry: 752
Algebra 1: 741
Algebra 2: 780
NJGPA (given to 11th graders): English/language arts, 768, math 736
11th Grade Science: 173
The chart below can be searched by district or school.
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