Exam for Acceleration

Highly advanced kindergarten students who are currently enrolled in kindergarten in LISD can accelerate to first grade ONLY if they qualify through the Kindergarten Exam for Acceleration (EA) into first grade process.

Students will be accelerated into First Grade if they achieve a minimum score of 80% on the grade-level exam in both of the following subject areas: language arts and mathematics.

The summer testing window is July 29 – 30, 2025, and will take place at Camacho Elementary School. Registration is done with your elementary campus counselor. Registration ends May 16, 2025.

Grades 1–5: Grade Level Acceleration Only

A student in grades 1-5, who has not received instruction at the grade level tested, must be accelerated (promoted) one grade if the student meets the following requirements:
A. The student scores 80 percent or above on a criterion referenced test for the grade level to be skipped in each of the following areas: language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies;
B. A district representative recommends that the student be accelerated; and
C. The student’s parent or guardian gives written approval of acceleration.

Grades 6–12: Credit by Academic Subject

A student in any of grades 6-12 must be given credit for an academic subject in which he or she has had no prior instruction if the student scores:
A. a three or higher on a College Board advanced placement examination that has been approved by the school district board of trustees for the applicable course;
B. a scaled score of 50 or higher on an examination administered through the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) and approved by the school district board of trustees for the applicable course; or
C. 80% on any other criterion-referenced test approved by the school district board of trustees for the applicable course.

Exam for Acceleration testing is also available through UT for students in grades 3-12. Kinder through second grade exams are not available out of the district windows as UT does not proctor these exams. Options outside the district testing window must be taken through UT. A discussion to discuss testing option with your campus counselor is strongly recommended prior to submitting test requests to UT.

Exam Results Inquiry
Exam results are provided directly from UT High School. To get additional information regarding exam results, contact UT High School using the inquiry form: https://utexas.app.box.com/v/uths-inquiry-form. 

• Exams are eligible for inquiry up to 60 days after the date the test was taken
• Credit by Exams and Finals inquiries are processed within 15 business days after the receipt of the exam from the proctor.
• The confidential results of the inquiry request and the subsequent student’s information are delivered via email.

Exam Results
Official results are only accepted by Leander ISD campuses reported on the official transcript from UT.  Counselors and registrars will receive official grade reports/transcripts and will advise families on next steps for course or grade level placement.  For course or grade acceleration, grade results must be received before the start of the school year to be considered for acceleration.  Plan to complete test in time for results to be received before the start of the academic year.

Exam Retake:
If a student does not receive an 80% or higher on their first testing attempt, the student can elect to retake the exam through UT High School. Parents/guardians will have to arrange and pay for this second attempt using this form: https://utexas.box.com/v/uths-cbe-reexam. The UT EID number for the form can be provided by UT. UT will have this information based on your student’s previous exam. Keep in mind that testing must be completed and scores must be received by the campus prior to the start of the school year to accelerate.  Scores are sent to LISD and LISD provides scores to the campus. Campus counselors will be able to advise students on the next steps for placement when they return to campus after summer break. 

To order first attempt or second attempt exams, scan the form and send it with payment information by email to [email protected].  For more information regarding the exam or retakes here is the contact information for UT K-16:

Phone: (512) 232-3503
Email: [email protected]