Provincial assessment · School programs · BC Ministry of Education and Child Care

Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA) in Grades 4 and 7

A provincial reading, writing and math check that every Grade 4 and Grade 7 student writes in the fall. In 2026 schools give it between September 28 and November 6.

Last checked October 4, 2026 against the official page

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What do I need to do?

Nothing to book: your child writes it at school this fall

Who acts
Your child's school
Preparation
No preparation
Eligible grades
Grades 4–7
Format
Written at school during class time, partly on paper and partly online.
Cost
Free.
Official site
www2.gov.bc.ca

Key dates

  • ConfirmedFSA writing window underway (opened September 28, closes November 6)Mon, September 28, 2026
  • ConfirmedLast day schools give the FSAFri, November 6, 2026
  • ConfirmedSchools finish scoring; booklets and reports go home after thisFri, December 4, 2026

Confirmed official date · Expected based on last year · Not announced yet

What it is

The FSA is written only in Grade 4 and Grade 7. It checks literacy and numeracy, and is done in class as part of regular school work.

It has five parts: a paper and an online literacy task, a paper and an online numeracy task, and a short self-reflection. No part is longer than an hour, and schools can spread the parts over several days or weeks.

It does not affect your child's marks or report card. The ministry says it is not meant to rank students, teachers or schools.

Results use three levels: Emerging, On Track and Extending. You get your child's marked booklet back with a results report.

A good fit if: Every family with a child in Grade 4 or Grade 7. Useful as an outside check on reading and math.

How to register

  1. Nothing to do. All Grade 4 and 7 students in public and independent schools are expected to write it, including French Immersion, online learning, students with disabilities and English language learners.
  2. There is no parent opt-out. The principal can excuse a student only for set reasons: learning standards in an IEP that differ a lot from the curriculum, early-stage English learners, a student who already wrote it, or a family emergency or long illness. The school must talk with you first.

How to prepare

  • The ministry says your child does not need to prepare. Talking about what the FSA is for can help a nervous child feel calmer.
  • When the booklet comes home, look at the teacher's comments. An Emerging result in Grade 4 is an early sign to ask the teacher what help is available.

For grade-by-grade options see Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7.

Common questions

Can I opt my child out of the FSA in BC?

Not just by asking. The ministry says all Grade 4 and 7 students must write it. A principal can excuse a student for specific reasons, such as an IEP, early English learning, or a family emergency or long illness, after talking with the parent.

Does the FSA count on my child's report card?

No. It does not affect marks or report cards. It shows whether your child is Emerging, On Track or Extending in literacy and numeracy.

When do we get FSA results?

After teachers finish scoring. For 2026 the scoring deadline is December 4, then schools send the marked booklet home with a results report.

What comes next

Provincial assessment · School programs

Graduation Numeracy and Literacy Assessments (Grades 10 and 12)

Three provincial assessments every BC student must write to graduate: Grade 10 Numeracy, Grade 10 Literacy and Grade 12 Literacy. 2026–27 sessions are in November, January, April and June.

Grades 10–12FreeSome preparation

Sources

Last checked October 4, 2026. Dates can change, so always confirm with the organizer.