South Carolina

SC READY Score Ranges Explained: What Do They Mean for Your School?

Each spring, students in grades 3–8 across South Carolina take the SC READY assessments. These tests measure mastery of the South Carolina College and Career-Ready Standards and serve as a key accountability metric for schools. For educators, understanding the score ranges, and what they mean, can help shape instruction and support at every level of student performance.

SC READY Score Ranges by Subject and Grade

Here’s a breakdown of score cut ranges by subject. We’ve also added estimated correct answer ranges (based on a 40-question model) to help make the levels more tangible.

ELA Score Ranges

Grade Performance Level Scale Score Correct Answers
(out of 40)
3 Does Not Meet 100–358 0–19
Approaches 359–451 20–27
Meets 452–539 28–35
Exceeds 540–825 36–40
4 Does Not Meet 100–418 0–19
Approaches 419–508 20–27
Meets 509–591 28–35
Exceeds 592–850 36–40
5 Does Not Meet 100–448 0–19
Approaches 449–556 20–27
Meets 557–652 28–35
Exceeds 653–875 36–40
6 Does Not Meet 100–454 0–19
Approaches 455–574 20–27
Meets 575–666 28–35
Exceeds 667–900 36–40
7 Does Not Meet 100–511 0–19
Approaches 512–614 20–27
Meets 615–703 28–35
Exceeds 704–925 36–40
8 Does Not Meet 100–536 0–19
Approaches 537–641 20–27
Meets 642–736 28–35
Exceeds 737–950 36–40


Math Score Ranges

Grade Performance Level Scale Score Correct Answers
(out of 40)
3 Does Not Meet 100–359 0–20
Approaches 360–437 21–28
Meets 438–542 29–35
Exceeds 543–825 36–40
4 Does Not Meet 100–400 0–20
Approaches 401–480 21–28
Meets 481–562 29–35
Exceeds 563–850 36–40
5 Does Not Meet 100–447 0–20
Approaches 448–534 21–28
Meets 535–621 29–35
Exceeds 622–875 36–40
6 Does Not Meet 100–452 0–20
Approaches 453–542 21–28
Meets 543–626 29–35
Exceeds 627–900 36–40
7 Does Not Meet 100–487 0–20
Approaches 488–576 21–28
Meets 577–648 29–35
Exceeds 649–925 36–40
8 Does Not Meet 100–526 0–20
Approaches 527–614 21–28
Meets 615–682 29–35
Exceeds 683–950 36–40


Science Score Ranges

Grade Performance Level Scale Score Correct Answers
(out of 40)
4 Does Not Meet 1370–1433 0–22
Approaches 1434–1449 23–27
Meets 1450–1467 28–34
Exceeds 1468–1530 35–40
6 Does Not Meet 1570–1636 0–22
Approaches 1637–1649 23–27
Meets 1650–1664 28–34
Exceeds 1665–1730 35–40



 

Understanding the Ranges & How to Support Students

Every SC READY performance level tells a different story about where a student is in their learning journey, and what kind of support will help them move forward. Below is a breakdown of what each range means and how schools can respond effectively using targeted strategies and tools like Progress Learning.

Does Not Meet Expectations

These students are significantly below grade level and often struggle with the foundational skills needed to succeed. They may experience difficulty with reading comprehension, basic math fluency, or scientific reasoning and vocabulary.

Instructional Focus:

  • Implement intensive remediation focused on core foundational skills.
  • Use diagnostic tools like Progress Learning’s Liftoff to precisely identify gaps and generate individualized learning paths.
  • Deliver small-group or one-on-one instruction to increase engagement and provide immediate feedback.
  • Monitor progress regularly through formative assessments to adjust instruction as needed.

Goal: Close gaps quickly with structured intervention to build a strong academic foundation and boost confidence.

Approaches Expectations

Students in this range are just below proficiency. They’ve grasped many key concepts but may have inconsistencies in understanding or performance. This group is highly responsive to strategic support.

Instructional Focus:

  • Identify and focus on priority standards where performance was just under mastery.
  • Use “quick-click remediation” in Progress Learning to reteach with targeted videos and reassess immediately.
  • Group students based on shared needs for differentiated instruction that zeroes in on specific misconceptions.

Goal: Accelerate these learners toward proficiency by removing the final obstacles in their understanding.

Meets Expectations

These students are performing on grade level and demonstrate mastery of grade-level standards. However, maintaining momentum is key: they need challenge and exposure to higher-order thinking.

Instructional Focus:

  • Enrich and extend learning through complex tasks, writing-based responses, and performance-based assessments.
  • Incorporate technology-enhanced items (TEIs) like drag-and-drop, multi-select, and constructed-response to build assessment readiness.
  • Foster metacognitive strategies, encouraging students to articulate their reasoning and reflect on their thinking.

Goal: Sustain progress and deepen understanding to prevent plateauing and support long-term academic growth.

Exceeds Expectations

High achievers are working above grade level and often thrive when given autonomy and challenge. Without new academic goals, these students can become disengaged or under-stimulated.

Instructional Focus:

  • Offer higher Depth of Knowledge (DOK) tasks and opportunities to apply learning to real-world scenarios.
  • Integrate cross-grade or interdisciplinary projects to stretch their thinking.
  • Use adaptive assignments that respond to performance and continuously push their zone of proximal development.

Goal: Keep advanced learners engaged and growing by offering meaningful intellectual challenges.

Why This Matters

Score ranges aren’t just numbers—they represent learning opportunities. Each level tells a story about a student’s journey, and understanding those stories can drive better decisions in classrooms and school leadership.

How Progress Learning Supports SC READY Prep

Progress Learning is designed specifically to support South Carolina educators in helping students succeed on the SC READY assessments. Every question and assessment is aligned to the South Carolina College- and Career-Ready Standards—ensuring students practice with content that mirrors what they’ll see on test day.

Our platform goes beyond traditional multiple-choice practice. With a 200,000+ item bank that includes rigorous Technology-Enhanced Items (TEIs), students engage with the same question types they’ll encounter on SC READY, such as drag-and-drop, multi-select, constructed response, and more. These formats are often challenging—not because of the content, but because of unfamiliarity. Progress Learning ensures students are ready for both.

We also offer:

From test readiness to year-round growth, Progress Learning equips schools to meet every learner where they are—and move them forward with purpose.

Subscribe below for more help navigating the SC READY exams.

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