The state's winter End of Course window runs November 16, 2026, to January 8, 2027, and it's mostly for high schoolers finishing a course in one semester. GCPS hasn't posted its dates yet. Which courses, how the score counts and what happens after a miss.

The Georgia Milestones Winter Main End of Course (EOC) window runs Monday, November 16, 2026, through Friday, January 8, 2027, according to the Georgia Department of Education's 2026 to 2027 Student Assessment Handbook, dated July 2026. Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) has not set its own days inside that window yet. As of November 11, 2026, the district's test dates page lists "Georgia Milestones Winter Main Administration" for grades 9 to 12 "For Schools/Courses taught on the Accelerated Block Schedule," with the test dates and the date scores reach ParentVUE both marked TBD.

The page tells families to check with their child's school for the schedule.

Which courses have a Georgia Milestones EOC?

Four. The state handbook lists EOC tests for Literature and Composition II, Algebra: Concepts and Connections, Biology and U.S. History. Peachtree Ridge High School's 2026 to 2027 course offerings handbook, posted as a file labeled draft, lists the same four and calls the EOC "a cumulative state exam."

The tests are online. The state's Georgia Milestones questions and answers for parents says paper versions, such as Braille forms, are available for the small number of students who can't use a computer because of a disability.

Who takes the winter EOC instead of the spring one?

Students who finish an EOC course at the end of the fall semester. The state handbook says students "who complete a course at the end of one semester or some block scheduling models will be tested at the completion of the course." Students in a traditional 36 week course "will be tested at the end of the second semester."

That's why the GCPS listing is tied to the accelerated block schedule. On a block, a full course can finish by December. Peachtree Ridge's handbook describes its 4x4 block this way: "students are enrolled in 4 courses a day which last approximately 90 minutes each," with quarters 1 and 2 in the fall semester and quarters 3 and 4 in the spring.

Not every GCPS high school schedules the same way. The Peachtree Ridge handbook says that because the school is on a 4 x 4 block, "missing one day of school is equivalent to missing two days of school at other schools in GCPS." We couldn't find a GCPS list of which high schools use a block. If you aren't sure, check your school's current course offerings handbook for its scheduling model, or ask your child's counselor whether any of their fall courses end with an EOC in December.

Everyone else tests in spring. The handbook lists the Spring Main window as April 12 to May 21, 2027. GCPS lists those dates as TBD too.

How much does the EOC count toward my child's grade?

At least 10% of the final course grade. The state handbook says that, beginning in 2023 to 2024, the numeric EOC score "shall count for at least 10% of the student's final numeric grade in the course," and students need a final course grade of 70 or higher to pass and earn credit. The Peachtree Ridge handbook says, "The EOC grade is 10% of the student's final grade."

At Peachtree Ridge, the EOC also stands in for part of the final exam. Its handbook says, "For courses with a state-required EOC, that exam serves as the objective final, and a classroom assessment is given on exam day." Ask your own school how it handles exam day in an EOC course.

GCPS high schools hold first semester district finals December 15 to 18, 2026, the test dates page shows, and the district's student calendar marks December 16 to 18 as high school early release days for exams.

How long does each EOC take?

Most students finish each section in under an hour. The state handbook's timing table gives these typical and maximum times per section:

  • Literature and Composition II: three sections, 40 to 60 minutes for the first with a 90 minute maximum, and 30 to 50 minutes for each of the other two with a 75 minute maximum.

  • Algebra: Concepts and Connections: two sections, 30 to 50 minutes each, with a 65 minute maximum.

  • Biology: two sections, 20 to 30 minutes each, with a 40 minute maximum.

  • U.S. History: two sections, 15 to 25 minutes each, with a 35 minute maximum.

Those times don't include directions and handing out materials.

When during the week can EOC testing happen?

Only on school days. The handbook says state tests "may be administered Monday through Friday only and during a system's/school's normal operating hours."

That matters this window. GCPS students are out for Thanksgiving break November 23 to 27, 2026, and for winter break from December 21, 2026, until classes resume Tuesday, January 5, 2027, on the approved 2026 to 2027 calendar. The window's last day, January 8, 2027, falls in the first week back.

The handbook also says districts "must set testing dates across all schools within the LEA for each course content assessment," so every GCPS school testing a given course should use the same days. Sessions for one test must be finished on the same day or on consecutive days in the same week, and Literature and Composition II sections must be completed within the same week, the handbook says. Its block or hybrid scheduling options include giving the Algebra test's two sections on a Monday and a Tuesday, or splitting students into a Monday group and a Tuesday group.

Can a parent opt a child out of the EOC?

No. The state's parent Q&A says neither an Individualized Education Program team, a 504 plan team nor a parent can request an exemption from the assessment program. Students who qualify for the Georgia Alternate Assessment take that instead.

There's also a U.S. History exemption. The handbook says a student is exempt from the U.S. History EOC if they pass an AP, International Baccalaureate or dual enrollment U.S. History course for core credit.

Middle schoolers aren't exempt either. The handbook says students enrolled in an EOC course in middle school take the related EOC "regardless of whether they are awarded high school credit." GCPS lists the grade 8 spring EOC date as TBD.

What if my child is absent or scores below 70?

A missed test can be made up. The handbook says that if a student misses an EOC administration, the district may issue an Incomplete and let the student test in a later window. If the student still doesn't test after documented attempts, the course grade "shall reflect that the student did not participate," and the district may count a zero toward the final grade.

A low score can be retaken once, but not this winter. Students with a grade conversion score below 70 are eligible to retest, the handbook says, and "Retests may NOT be conducted during the Spring and Winter Main Administration windows." A student who scores below 70 in the Winter Main window can retest in a spring mid month window or the Summer Main window. The handbook lists spring mid month windows January 18 to 29, February 8 to 19 and March 1 to 12, 2027, and Summer Main June 7 to July 9, 2027. Retests are online and should follow targeted remediation, and the handbook says it's recommended that parents be told about retest opportunities. Students who scored 70 or above can't retest.

What should families do this week?

Ask your child's high school two questions: does any fall course end with a winter EOC, and on what dates? The answer should come from the school, since the GCPS test dates page still says "Please check with your child's school for the district specific schedule." When the school answers, put the dates next to the December 15 to 18, 2026 finals and the Thanksgiving break, and plan absences around all three.