Iowa Assessments and ITBS Test (Iowa Test of Basic Skills)

The University of Iowa publishes the Iowa Tests, which are part of “The Iowa Testing Programs.” The two most commonly given Iowa Tests are the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS) and the Iowa Assessments. They are achievement tests, not cognitive or IQ tests, assessing a child’s school learning. Despite the name, many states and private schools administer Iowa Tests. TestingMom.com offers a variety of prep materials for the Iowa Tests.

What do people use the Iowa Tests for?

Schools frequently use the Iowa Assessments to assess students for admission into gifted and talented or accelerated learning programs. They combine Iowa Assessments with cognitive tests like NNAT or CogAT to assess a student’s achievements and potential. Additionally, schools may administer a creativity test such as the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking.

Even smart kids can struggle to show what they know on standardized tests like the Iowa Assessments. Preparing for these exams boosts confidence by increasing familiarity with the format and question types.

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What is the difference between the Iowa Assessments and ITBS Test?

In the 2011-2012 school year, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt replaced the ITBS and Iowa Tests of Educational Development with the newly designed Iowa Assessments. This change aimed to align more closely with the Common Core State Standards.

Schools have flexibility in how they administer the Iowa Assessments, allowing for paper/pencil or online methods. It’s essential to check with your child’s school to determine their chosen testing approach.

While the Iowa Assessments align with Common Core, the ITBS, which goes up to 8th grade (level 14), does not. Although no updated ITBS versions have been released since around 2011, many school districts still use it.

Both the Iowa Test of Basic Skills and Iowa Assessments assess a student’s school learning. While the Iowa Assessments align with Common Core, the ITBS remains a popular admissions test for Gifted and Talented programs.

Iowa Test levels 5-8 are administered to Kindergarten through 2nd-grade students, while levels 9-14 are for 3rd to 8th-grade students. Each level comprises subtests, divided by content, and administered in sections.

History of the ITBS and Iowa Test

The ITBS was the original Iowa Achievement Test. Developed in 1935 and originally named the “Iowa Every Pupil Test of Basic Skills”.  The ITBS persists as a tracking tool. It remains relevant for over 80 years. It still serves as a valuable tool for monitoring and tracking student progress over time.

Several individuals participated in developing the Iowa Tests:

• Everett Franklin Lindquist
• Harry Greene
• Ernest Horn
• Maude McBroom
• Herbert Spitzer

Homeschooling and the Iowa Assessments

Homeschooling families can also use the Iowa Assessments and the ITBS to confirm a child’s learning progress. The tests are sufficient to meet state homeschooling requirements.

What Material is on the Iowa Test and ITBS?

Levels 5-14 include written tests with some overlap between them.

• Level 5 (K.1 – Grade 1.5): Assesses basic skills for students in the latter half of kindergarten and the first half of first grade. It covers letter and number recognition, early reading, and math.
• Level 6 (K.7 – Grade 1.9): For those in the second half of kindergarten to just before second grade. It evaluates reading and math development. Introducing basic word problems and reading comprehension.
• Level 7 (Grade 1.7 – 2.4): Targets students in the latter half of first grade and the first half of second grade. It assesses advanced reading comprehension, math problem-solving, and basic writing.
• Level 8 (Grade 2.5 – 3.5): Geared towards the latter half of second grade up to the mid-third grade. It emphasizes complex math, reading, and introduces subjects like science and social studies.
• Level 9 (Grade 3): Tailored for third graders, this test measures progress in reading, math, science, and social studies. Introducing complex concepts and problem-solving.
• Level 10 (Grade 4): For fourth graders, it covers advanced topics in all subjects. With a focus on reasoning skills and applying knowledge.
• Level 11 (Grade 5): Tests students on sophisticated content in all areas. Including complex reading, advanced math, and deeper questions in science and social studies.
• Level 12 (Grade 6): Designed for sixth graders. It expects advanced skills in reading, math, and applying knowledge in science and social studies.
• Level 13 (Grade 7): Measures mature reading, math, science, and social studies skills for seventh graders. Requiring complex and abstract application of knowledge.
• Level 14 (Grade 8): For eighth graders, it evaluates abilities in comprehending complex texts. Solving advanced math problems, understanding, and applying concepts in science and social studies. Preparing students for high school.

Each test level within the ITBS consists of a series of subtests administered in content sections. Sections in the ITBS test for kindergarten to 2nd grade (levels 5-8) include:

• Vocabulary Test: Assesses word understanding, starting with picture vocabulary for younger students who choose a picture matching a word’s meaning. As they progress, they select a word for a sentence’s meaning.
• Word Analysis Test: Evaluates phonics skills, involving identifying letter sounds and matching words starting with the same sound for younger students. Older students focus on syllables and word parts like prefixes and suffixes.
• Reading Comprehension Test: Measures reading comprehension, beginning with listening to stories and answering questions for younger students. As they advance, they read passages and demonstrate text comprehension.
• Listening Test: Assesses listening skills, requiring students to understand spoken language by listening to passages or instructions and answering questions or completing tasks based on what they heard.
• Language Test: Evaluates grammar, usage, and writing mechanics understanding. Tasks include identifying correctly written sentences, matching words to complete sentences, and correcting grammatical errors.
• Mathematics Test: Assesses mathematical concepts and problem-solving skills, from basic number recognition and counting for younger students to more complex operations and word problems as they progress.
• Social Studies Test (Levels 7/8): Begins at Level 7, evaluating basic social studies comprehension.  This includes identifying community roles, understanding maps and globes, and recognizing historical events.
• Science Test (Levels 7/8): Also introduced at Level 7, assesses basic science understanding. It involves tasks like identifying animals and their habitats, understanding matter properties, and recognizing scientific method steps
• Computation Test (Levels 7/8): Introduced at Level 7, focuses on computation skills such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers.

Sections for 3rd grade to 8th grade (levels 9-14) include:

• Vocabulary Test: Assesses word understanding. Students choose the closest meaning based on context, evaluating vocabulary and inference skills.
• Word Analysis (3rd grade, level 9 only): Evaluates phonics and word structure. It tests syllables, prefixes, suffixes, and word families.
• Listening (3rd grade, level 9 only): Assesses comprehension as students listen to passages and answer questions based on what they heard.
• Reading/Reading Comprehension: Measures text comprehension. Students read passages and answer questions assessing comprehension, inference, and more.
• Spelling, Capitalization, Punctuation, Usage and Expression: Evaluates writing and grammar. It covers spelling, capitalization, punctuation, word usage, and expression.
• Mathematics Concepts and Estimation, Problem Solving, Data Interpretation, Computation: Tests mathematical understanding and problem-solving skills.  This includes estimation, computation with whole numbers, fractions, decimals, data interpretation through charts and graphs, and word problems involving mathematical reasoning.
• Social Studies: Assesses history, geography, government, and economics comprehension. Tasks may include map interpretation, identification of historical events, and understanding basic economic concepts.
• Science: Measures life science, earth science, and physical science understanding, testing skills like identifying plant parts, understanding the water cycle, and recognizing the effects of forces on motion.
• Sources of Information (Maps, Diagrams, Reference Materials): Evaluates effective use of different information sources, tasks may include map interpretation, diagram understanding, and utilization of table of contents, index, or glossary.

Want to give your children the resources they need to meet all the sections of the Iowa Assessment with confidence?

We have hundreds of questions for each grade level to help your child build comfort and familiarity for Test Day. Plus, you’ll also get access to the 30+ games in our Skill Building Academy to develop your child’s math, ELA, science and social studies skills.

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What does grades 1.7 or 1.9 mean?

The ITBS or the Iowa Assessments Test is a test that is written in levels and these levels overlap some grades. The chart shows this overlap and what grades fall into each level. Level 7 for example is written for grades 1 and 7 months to grade 2 and 4 months in the school year.

What Time of Year is Each Level Given and to What Grade Levels?

Test Timing Per Section – Level 5

Test Timing Per Section – Level 6

Test Timing Per Section – Level 7

Test Timing Per Section – Level 8

Looking for more resources to help your child approach their Iowa Assessment with confidence? TestingMom.com can help with:

• Hundreds of questions that build the skills needed for confidence when taking the Iowa Assessments, for every grade level.
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