Schools may utilize both ACT test windows in order to assess all Cohort 2028 students. Schools are encouraged to administer ACT during the first test window and may also use the second test window, as needed, to complete any makeup testing. Any schools that choose to administer ACT during only the second test window will not have an additional ACT test window to use for makeup testing. Test Coordinators will select the ACT test window for each school in the district or charter in ACT's PearsonAccess Next system in November 2026.
Schools should plan testing schedules thoughtfully within the established statewide test windows and take into consideration students' individual needs, including cultural or religious observations. Local scheduling decisions should be made to ensure that all students are given the opportunity to test within the required window. Per Arizona state policy, test windows cannot be extended for any reason.
Achievement Testing Mode
All statewide achievement tests (AASA, AzSCI, ACT Aspire, and ACT) are administered online by default. If any school wishes to switch to paper-based testing for any of the statewide achievement tests, a request must be submitted in the Achievement Testing Mode Application in ADEConnect, September 14 - October 9, 2026. A reminder email with further instructions will be sent to all Achievement District Test Coordinators when the application is open.
Please note the following additional information:
- No action needs to be taken if school site(s) will administer computer-based assessments.
- Only the Achievement District Test Coordinator can submit paper-based testing requests in the ADEConnect Application.
- Requests for paper-based testing will apply to the entire school.
- A separate request must be submitted for each assessment, as applicable.
- Requests for paper-based testing require an explanation of special circumstances for which paper-based testing is needed.
- All AzSCI paper tests are administered as Special Paper Version tests and require that all student responses be transferred into TestNav by a qualified Test Administrator prior to the end of the AzSCI test window. The qualified Test Administrator must have completed all required training and must have a signed 2026-2027 Achievement Tests Staff Security Agreement form on file with the district or charter.
PearsonAccess Next and TestNav
All of the statewide achievement tests, including AASA (Grades 3-8), AzSCI (Grades 5, 8, and 11 (Cohort 2028), ACT Aspire (Grade 9/Cohort 2030), and ACT (Grade 11/Cohort 2028), will utilize the PearsonAccess Next and TestNav platforms in Spring 2027.
There are three distinct PearsonAccess Next websites, linked below.
Dates that each PearsonAccess Next site will open for Spring 2027 test administration tasks will be published soon.
TestNav Technical Requirements
The new version of TestNav (Version 8.27) has been released. For the most up-to-date TestNav information, please visit and review the following Pearson webpages.
Special Paper Version Tests
Arizona offers three paper test formats (braille, large print, and regular print) to meet the needs of students who cannot access the test content through computer-based testing. Requests for Special Paper Version tests must be submitted to ADE for review and approval September 14, 2026 - February 5, 2027. Submissions must include pages of the student's current IEP or 504 Plan that indicate the need for a Special Paper Version of the test or documentation of a parent's request for the student to take a paper test. Additional information about Special Paper Version requests will be sent to District Test Coordinators prior to the request window opening.
Additional Accommodations Requests
Requests for the additional accommodations listed below must be submitted to ADE for review and approval
September 14, 2026 - February 5, 2027. Requests should not be submitted for Universal Test Administration Conditions and Universal Tools, as described in the Achievement Assessments Accommodations Manual. An updated 2026-2027 Achievement Assessments Accommodations Manual will be published on the
Accessibility page of our website soon.
AASA and/or AzSCI
- American Sign Language (ASL) test form
- Computer-based test in a paper-based testing school
- Assistive technology that is not included in the Achievement Assessments Accommodations Manual
- Testing accommodations due to student injury as described in the Achievement Assessments Accommodations Manual
ACT Aspire
- American Sign Language (ASL): Full Translation - This accommodation requires a paper test, one-to-one test administration, and must be administered during the paper-based testing window.
- Please note: The American Sign Language (ASL): Directions Only accommodations does not require a request be submitted to ADE.
- Computer-based test in a paper-based testing school
- Speech-to-Text - This accommodation requires a paper test, one-to-one test administration, and must be administered during the paper-based testing window.
ACT Webinars
ACT and ADE have scheduled the following webinars for test coordinators in preparation for Spring 2027 testing. All District Test Coordinators with Cohort 2028 students are expected to attend each webinar or view the webinar recording after it is posted on the
ACT-hosted website. Any updates for 2026-2027 testing will be presented. Webinar registration links are included below.
