A 2026 study of 67 school districts, or local groups of schools, across 38 US states examined required testing before high school. Pupils took between 35 and 88 tests, with a median of 57: the middle number in the results. Researchers found no relationship between the number of tests and pupils’ achievement or progress in English and maths.
US public schools must give standardised tests, which compare pupils’ performance, in reading and maths every year from grades three to eight and at least once in high school. Results can affect school ratings and decisions about state intervention. Testing has also influenced lesson time. Many districts increased the time spent on English and maths, while some reduced time for other subjects and activities, including the arts.
Preparing for tests adds to teachers’ work. In a 2016 survey, 62% of public school teachers said they spent too much time on preparation for state-required exams. They estimated an average of 14 preparation days in a 180-day school year. Research also identified dissatisfaction with standardised testing as an important reason teachers left the profession. A separate 2026 study found lower job satisfaction among teachers who worried about work-related consequences of test results.
