2026 Texas Testing Calendar: When are STAAR, AP, and SAT / PSAT Test Dates?
- Spencer Costanzo
- Dec 9
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 12
Texas schools follow a predictable testing rhythm each year — and for substitute teachers, these testing windows often bring increased demand, schedule changes, and short-term coverage opportunities.
This guide breaks down the official 2025–26 testing calendar for Texas, including STAAR, AP exams, and SAT / PSAT School Day windows. Dates below reflect statewide or national testing windows. Individual districts and campuses select specific days within these ranges.
When are STAAR Testing Dates in 2026? (Texas Testing Calendar)
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) sets statewide STAAR testing windows. Schools choose exact test days inside these windows.
Spring 2026 STAAR Testing Windows
When is STAAR Reading / Language Arts Testing?
Grades 3–8 Reading / Language Arts
English I and English II
April 6 – April 17, 2026
When is STAAR Science & Social Studies Testing?
Grade 5 Science
Grade 8 Science
Grade 8 Social Studies
Biology and U.S. History (EOC)
April 13 – April 24, 2026
When is STAAR Mathematics Testing?
Grades 3–8 Math
Algebra I (EOC)
April 20 – May 1, 2026
When is STAAR Alternate 2 Testing?
Grades 3–8 and all EOC subjects
March 16 – April 17, 2026
When is STAAR End-of-Course (Summer Administration)?
Algebra I, English I, English II, Biology, U.S. History
June 15 – June 26, 2026
What subs should know:
During STAAR weeks, schools often need coverage for:
Testing rooms and proctor relief
Teachers pulled for testing coordination
Make-up testing days
Demand often spikes before, during, and immediately after these windows.
End-of-Year Testing in Texas ISDs (2026)
In addition to STAAR, many districts schedule:
Local benchmark exams
Final exams for middle and high school
EOC remediation and retesting
Most end-of-year assessments occur:
Late April through late May 2026
Exact schedules vary by district, but substitute needs often increase as teachers rotate through testing duties, grading sessions, and end-of-year meetings.
AP Exam Dates 2026 (Texas & National Testing Calendar)
Advanced Placement exams follow a national schedule set by the College Board.
AP Testing Schedule
Week 1: May 4 – May 8, 2026
Week 2: May 11 – May 15, 2026
Late Testing: May 18 – May 22, 2026
AP exams can affect regular school schedules, especially in high schools with large AP populations. Substitute teachers may see:
Coverage for non-testing classes
Schedule reshuffling
Multi-day AP testing assignments
SAT & PSAT School Day Dates (Texas Calendar 2026)
Texas districts administer SAT and PSAT exams during statewide testing windows, selecting specific dates for each campus.
Texas SAT / PSAT School Day Windows
SAT / PSAT Fall 2025 (for reference)
SAT / PSAT School Day window
October 1 – October 31, 2025
SAT / PSAT Spring 2026
SAT School Day
PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, PSAT 8/9
March 2 – April 30, 2026
Schools may test on regular school days, often altering bell schedules or assigning teachers to proctoring roles.
What subs should know:
In-school testing days often require:
Short-notice coverage
Half-day or single-period assignments
Extra classroom supervision
How Testing Season Affects Substitute Teachers
Testing season is one of the most reliable sources of substitute demand in Texas schools.
You may see:
Increased last-minute requests
Multi-day assignments
Consistent coverage needs across multiple campuses
Subs who stay active during March through May often see the most opportunities.
Looking for Substitute Teaching Jobs During Testing Season?
Testing windows create steady demand for substitute teachers across Texas.
You can view current opportunities and get notified when schools need coverage near you:
👉 Find substitute teaching jobs in Texas
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