The Provincial assessments explained for Saskatchewan parents
Saskatchewan is bringing in a provincial student assessment program based on the Saskatchewan Curriculum. The plan is for students in Grades 5 and 9 to write a mathematics assessment and students in Grades 4, 7 and 10 to write an English language arts assessment. The program is being introduced in stages, starting with field testing, so check the Ministry's website for the current schedule. The assessments are separate from report cards, and the Ministry has said teachers may choose to use them as part of a student's grades.
The Provincial assessments at a glance
- Who takes it
- The announced plan is Grade 5 and Grade 9 mathematics, and Grade 4, Grade 7 and Grade 10 English language arts.
- What it covers
- The Ministry says the assessments are developed with Saskatchewan teachers and based on the Saskatchewan Curriculum students are already learning.
- When
- The program is being introduced in stages, starting with the 2025–26 school year. Dates and grades can change, so ask your school or check saskatchewan.ca.
- Why
- The Ministry describes the aim as a fair and objective measure of how students are doing, to guide teaching and help schools and divisions improve.
- Report card link
- The assessments are separate from report cards. Your school will tell you how results are shared and whether teachers use them.
Dates and details change from year to year. Your school and the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education (saskatchewan.ca) have the current information.
How to help your child feel ready
- Keep routines simple: regular sleep, a good breakfast and a calm morning.
- Read together often, then ask your child to retell what happened and explain why.
- Encourage short, regular writing: a journal line, a note or a postcard.
- Practise math with real problems, such as shopping, cooking and travel times, as well as number facts.
- Tell your child it is a check of what they know, not a test they can fail.
Practise the grade-level skills with Gradelings: Grade 4 and Grade 5 and Grade 7 and Grade 9.
Common questions
Which grades write the provincial assessments?
The announced plan is Grade 5 and Grade 9 mathematics, and Grade 4, Grade 7 and Grade 10 English language arts. The rollout is in stages, so check with your school for this year.
Are the provincial assessments part of my child's report card?
They are separate from report cards. The Ministry has said teachers may choose to use them as part of a student's grades, so ask your child's teacher how they will be used.
Should my child study for them?
Cramming is not needed. The assessments check skills built over years, so short, regular practice in reading, writing and math is more helpful than a last-minute push.
Where can I find the current schedule?
The Ministry of Education publishes the schedule and family information at saskatchewan.ca. Your school will also tell you when your child's grade takes part.
Can Gradelings help my child get ready?
Gradelings practises the math and language outcomes taught in these grades with kind feedback and no timers unless you want them. It isn't a copy of the provincial assessments and doesn't predict a result.
Also see: Saskatchewan report cards explained and Cross-curricular competencies.
Ready to try Gradelings?
Curriculum-matched practice for Kindergarten to Grade 9 in British Columbia and Ontario and Alberta and Saskatchewan, with kind hints, learning games and no ads. Free for 30 days, no card needed.