What's New
It is our consistent goal to provide you with tools to make your life easier and to enhance your students’ learning experience.
We’re pleased to confirm that the following feature updates are available in Benchmark Universe now:
Skip Begin Now Videos in Test Taker
Those who are already familiar with Test Taker can now skip the Begin Now videos and move directly into their assessment. This enhancement provides a more streamlined experience for returning students and teachers, while keeping helpful guidance available for those who need it.
ePocket Chart Update
Your ePocket Chart experience has been updated! Enjoy additional customization options, including a new individual card coloring option and new work view background options. Learn more about your new ePocket Chart experience here.
The Text Editor within Test Taker Has Been Updated!
Students can now upload images to constructed response questions within Test Taker! Our Text Editor has also been enhanced with additional formatting options. Read more about the updates here.
New OpenDyslexic Font Option in Test Taker!
We’ve added a new font option, OpenDyslexic, to Test Taker! You can now switch the Test Taker display to the OpenDyslexic font, an accessibility font designed to support readers with dyslexia. Learn more about this new font option here.
Access BU Announcements from Anywhere in BU
You can now access BU Announcements from anywhere in Benchmark Universe through the Announcement icon in the BU Header next to your Profile Image. Read more about this update here.
eAssessment Live View Update
For eAssessment users, the Live View feature on the Grade View page has been discontinued. Stay tuned for an exciting new feature that brings back key Live View functionality with an enhanced experience.
Updated Back-to-School Resources Now Available!
Get ready for a successful school year with our newly updated Back-to-School Resources page! Explore tips, best practices, and the latest Benchmark Universe feature updates, including what's available now and what's coming soon.
New Clear Cache Page
A new Clear Cache Page has been added to assist you with clearing your cache and cookies. Visit here to learn more.
New Look for Resource Thumbnails in the Resource Library!
The Resource Library in Benchmark Universe has been updated! Hovering over a resource thumbnail now displays the resource title as well as other options such as: assigning, adding to a bookshelf, and accessing more information about the selected resource. Visit here to learn more.
Ability to launch Assess360 tests in Test Preview mode
For users utilizing Assess360, teachers and administrators can now launch Assess360 tests from the Resource Library, with the ability to quickly review various sections of a test with the use of a subtest dropdown. Learn more here.
Updates Made to Our Whitelist
An update to the whitelist has been released. Please refer to our System Check & Requirements page to ensure your whitelist is current.
Add Instructional Recommendations to a Bookshelf from Reports
Teachers can now add Instructional Recommendations to a Bookshelf, directly from the Reports application! Learn more about this new feature here.
Reading Log Access Now Available for Administrators!
School and district administrators can now access the Reading Log for a chosen class! Learn more about this new access here.
Terms of Use Updated
We've updated our Terms of Use to reflect how our digital products may differ from our print counterparts, along with an explanation of our policy on product updates. We've also added a section to our Terms of Use for School Rostering Information. In addition, an update was made to the Limitations on Use section, to reflect our stance on the use of our content being used with non-BEC AI tools.
New Filters in Your Reading Log!
Your Reading Log has a new filter section. Learn more about the updates here.
Enhanced Bookshelf Sharing
Your Bookshelves page has some enhanced share options! You can now unshare bookshelves that you have previously shared with other teachers, administrators, and students. To learn more about other Bookshelves enhancements, please visit here.
Modify a Plan in Plan & Teach
Exciting enhancements have been made to the Plan & Teach application for this new school year. You will be greeted with a new Plan & Teach home page and can now modify a Plan. To learn more about your updated Plan & Teach experience, please visit here.
New Reports Filter
Assessment Report users that are licensed to more than one program can now filter by Program. Utilize this filter on the Reports Widget on the Dashboard, in Assessment Summary Reports, and from the Test Tab within the Universal Selector.
Greater AI Grading Assistant Availability
AI Grading Assistant is now available for users utilizing Benchmark Advance Florida 2026, Benchmark Adelante programs, and Taller de Lector. For a full list of programs supported by the AI Grading Assistant, please visit here.
Work with Student One-on-One is now Enter Responses Manually
Work with Student One-on-One has had a name change and is now known as Enter Responses Manually. You will see updated language throughout Benchmark Universe reflecting this change.
Enhanced Create Assignment Experience
The Create Assignment pop-up has been enhanced to better serve you. Please visit here for more information about the changes made to your assignment creation experience.
View eAssessment Audio Usage Data in Reports!
Users can now view data regarding student use of audio in the Single Test Analysis Report. Learn more about this new feature here.
Privacy Policy Updated
We have updated our Privacy Policy to reflect how Benchmark does not use any personal information to develop, improve, or train generalized artificial intelligence or machine learning models.
New Dashboard for Teachers and Administrators
After being available as a preview this past school year, teachers and administrators now have a new, data-filled dashboard. This dashboard is fully customizable and gives you the ability to view real-time assignment and assessment data! Learn more about the widget-based dashboard here.
Student Assignment Refresh
Thanks to your valued feedback, we’ve completely redesigned the student Assignments page. Students will now find streamlined navigation for a more intuitive experience, clear due date indicators to help them stay on track, and advanced filtering tools to help focus on what matters.
AI Grading Assistant Availability & Grade View Enhancements
Our time-saving AI Grading Assistant tool is now available to more programs than ever before! We’ve also made improvements to the tool based on your feedback, such as more student-friendly language and more override options. Learn more about it here.
Sign-in Page Redesign
Enjoy a variety of new, rotating backgrounds featuring illustrations from our robust eBook library with our updated Sign-in page!
eAssessments Can Now be Administered in One-on-One Mode!
Teachers can now choose whether test content is sent to or hidden from student devices. Effortlessly digitize paper-and-pencil test results in just a few seconds! Need to evaluate speaking skills? Our innovative Work with Student One-on-One mode transforms the assessment process, letting you capture student responses in real-time and grade them on the spot. This is testing reimagined for today's dynamic classroom! Learn more about this exciting new feature here.
New Customizable Idle Timeout Settings for District Administrators
We’re excited to introduce a new feature that puts you in control: you can now customize idle timeout durations for your district and users directly from the Profile Settings page. This enhancement gives you greater flexibility to manage user sessions in a way that best fits your district’s security and workflow needs.
Back-to-School Resources
We’re thrilled to provide enhancements to your Benchmark Universe experience! Read about the updates currently available and those to come here.
Earn Incentives Through User Testing
We’re inviting teacher and administrators to join our newly launched User Testing Networks! As a member, you will be contacted for user testing opportunities where your feedback will directly shape the future of our products, plus you'll earn incentives!
You will play a crucial role in making our tools more intuitive, effective, and user-friendly. By observing how you interact with our products and gathering your thoughts and reactions, we’ll make informed decisions to improve your experience.
Ready to make an impact? Join in through our new User Testing Help Page or use the links below.
Please note: You’ll be redirected to an external site to complete the sign-up process. A school email is required to verify your eligibility and access the appropriate testing network.
Our New Accessibility Section is Here to Help
To help celebrate GAAD (Global Accessibility Awareness Day) we’re premiering our new Accessibility section in Help. Find out about all the Accessibility tools available to you and how to locate them. We’re always thinking about Accessibility and how to help a diverse population of students access the best educational tools available to them.
Privacy Policy Updated
We have updated our Privacy Policy due to the retirement of the Student Privacy Pledge by the Future of Privacy Forum.
Instructional Recommendations Now Available for Grades K-6
Instructional recommendations are now available for Grades K-6 in all editions of Benchmark Advance, beginning with 2021, and Benchmark Adelante 2022.