Pennsylvania
PSSA: Score Ranges
Enter the scale score from your child's Pennsylvania System of School Assessment report to see which performance level it falls in. Proficient and Advanced count as meeting the standard.
Enter the scale score from your child's PSSA report to see the performance level.
PSSA English Language Arts score ranges
| Grade | Below Basic | Basic | Proficient | Advanced |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd grade | 600–904 | 905–999 | 1000–1142 | 1143 or above |
| 4th grade | 600–886 | 887–999 | 1000–1106 | 1107 or above |
| 5th grade | 600–892 | 893–999 | 1000–1138 | 1139 or above |
| 6th grade | 600–874 | 875–999 | 1000–1114 | 1115 or above |
| 7th grade | 600–844 | 845–999 | 1000–1129 | 1130 or above |
| 8th grade | 600–885 | 886–999 | 1000–1129 | 1130 or above |
PSSA Math score ranges
| Grade | Below Basic | Basic | Proficient | Advanced |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd grade | 600–922 | 923–999 | 1000–1109 | 1110 or above |
| 4th grade | 600–907 | 908–999 | 1000–1106 | 1107 or above |
| 5th grade | 600–900 | 901–999 | 1000–1112 | 1113 or above |
| 6th grade | 600–896 | 897–999 | 1000–1104 | 1105 or above |
| 7th grade | 600–903 | 904–999 | 1000–1108 | 1109 or above |
| 8th grade | 600–905 | 906–999 | 1000–1107 | 1108 or above |
What to know
The State Board's cut scores for the current ELA and math PSSA, the ones the Department still links. The document does not print a test year.
Science is not shown because the posted science ranges are for an older version of the test. Advanced has no fixed top score.
Frequently asked questions
What is a passing PSSA score?
Proficient and Advanced count as meeting the standard. In 3rd grade English Language Arts, the levels are Below Basic (600–904), Basic (905–999), Proficient (1000–1142), Advanced (1143 or above). The cut scores are different for each grade and subject.
Which year do these PSSA score ranges apply to?
The State Board's cut scores for the current ELA and math PSSA, the ones the Department still links. The document does not print a test year. Science is not shown because the posted science ranges are for an older version of the test. Advanced has no fixed top score.
Source: Pennsylvania Department of Education (pa.gov), read October 6, 2026. The State Board's cut scores for the current ELA and math PSSA, the ones the Department still links. The document does not print a test year. The PSSA is run by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, which is not affiliated with Dewey Smart.
