Public schools do not test private school students. Many private schools administer a version of the SAT-9, but it doesn't include the additional tests that assess the California Academic Content Standards in Reading/Language Arts and Mathematics.

No public school tests any group of students early. The window for the administration of the test was set by the state, and all schools gave the test during the same weeks in May (except year-round schools, which tested in March). The testing materials are only in the schools during the testing time established by the state, and all test booklets are sent to the testing company to be scored at the same time. Scores for this year's tests were released at the same time for all schools. The only way that scores would be available to any school for admission purposes would be through a release of records signed by the parents. Student records are confidential and are not shared without parents' permission.