WebXam Update Highlights:

• Test Security Rulebook Updated: Scientific calculators are now permitted during testing. An integrated online calculator will be added to WebXam soon. Review the updated Test Security Rulebook.
• New Proctoring Handbook: All proctor-related policies, procedures, and guidance have been consolidated into a single Proctoring Handbook.
• New Professional Development Learning Modules: Online learning modules are now available to help teachers and administrators build their WebXam knowledge and skills.
• Field Test Retakes Available: All students who participated in field testing during the current school year are eligible for a same-year field test retake. Review the field test retake policy for eligibility and requirements.
• Practice Test Availability: Teachers can now access WebXam Practice Tests year-round from the sidebar menu in their WebXam account. Practice Tests may be activated for students only during the Post Test window. Each Practice Test includes questions from all courses within a pathway, helping students become familiar with the WebXam testing interface, question formats, and testing experience before taking their required end-of-course Post Tests.

The full 2026-27 WebXam Update slide deck can be found below:

OHACTE2026-WebXamUpdate.pdf

Testing Windows

Fall Pretesting: 8/12/2026 – 10/2/2026
Field Testing: 10/12/2026 – 4/16/2027
Post-testing: 10/12/2026 – 5/28/2027
Winter Pretesting: 1/4/2027 – 1/29/2027

Important Dates

User’s Workshop (online only): Multiple dates throughout the school year
Target for Field Test Finalization: 5/3/2027
Target for end-of-year reports release: 6/11/2027

Field Testing

The Manufacturing and Engineering and Science Career Areas will be in Field Testing next year. That includes:
F6 Engineering Design (26MC)
F7 Robotics
F8 Mechatronics (NEW for 2027)
R7 Precision Machining (28MC)
R8 Metallurgy
R9 Advanced Manufacturing (NEW for 2027)

The Center on Education and Training for Employment in collaboration with the Ohio Department of Education and Department of Higher Education, launched an end of test student acknowledgement survey, enhancing a students’ ability to access college transfer credit earned through one of Ohio’s Career-Technical Assurance Guides (CTAGs). The student survey appears at the completion of each WebXam test a student takes associated with one of Ohio’s Career-Technical Assurance Guides (CTAGs).

The student survey allows students, who are proficient on the taken test, to grant permission to Ohio’s public colleges or universities to post transfer credit earned through meeting the requirements of the associated Career-Technical Assurance Guide (CTAG). The student survey enhancement address needs for a uniform method of communication between Ohio’s secondary students and Ohio’s public colleges and universities to simplify awarding credit through career-technical credit transfer (CT²). 

For more information about Career-Technical Assurance Guides (CTAGs), please visit the Ohio Department of Higher Education Career-Technical Articulation and Transfer Page.

In response to the ongoing challenges schools have faced due to COVID-19, the Ohio General Assembly passed House Bill 67 that allows juniors and seniors to use course grades in place of or in addition to test scores for the 2020-2021 school year to meet graduation requirements.

Please review the linked newsletter to learn more.

In response to the ongoing challenges schools face due to COVID-19, the Ohio General Assembly passed an amended version of House Bill 67. HB 67 includes language that allows juniors and seniors to use course grades in place of or in addition to test scores for the 2020-2021 school year to meet graduation requirements. Please review the policy documentation on ODE’s Career-Technical Education Assessment System webpage.

Once details are finalized WebXam will announce and provide data submission templates and grade submission deadlines for participating school districts. School districts must provide the required data during the allowed timeframe to ensure proper reporting. There will be no additional windows for reporting grades.

End-of-course assessments are a way to assess technical knowledge and skill attainment by the students. Teachers can analyze end-of-course assessment data to identify student performance gaps. After identification of student learning gaps, teachers can provide interventions and remediation to students to close the performance gaps. Documentation of technical attainment can allow teachers to better prepare, ultimately improving teacher effectiveness, which is beneficial to the student, the teacher, local programs, and to Ohio business and industry. Schools should post-test juniors and seniors first, and if the grade substitution is advantageous for the student for the 2020-2021 school year, districts may use the grade substitution option.