Effective with the 2002-03 school year, the North Carolina End-of-Grade Reading Comprehension Tests measure the goals and objectives as specified in the 1999 North Carolina English Language Arts Standard Course of Study (Content Standards). Reading comprehension is assessed by having students read authentic selections and then answer questions directly related to the selections. Knowledge of vocabulary is assessed indirectly through application and understanding of terms within the context of selections and questions. The authentic selections selected for the reading tests are chosen to reflect reading for various purposes such as literary experience, gaining information, and performing a task.