To know the 2026 mid-year exam scores in the United States, students and parents typically follow these steps:

1. Check School Portal: Most schools have an online portal where students can access their grades and exam scores. This is the most common and direct method.

2. Contact Teachers: If the school does not have an online portal or if the scores are not yet available, students should contact their teachers directly.

3. Parent-Teacher Conferences: For some schools, mid-year scores are discussed during parent-teacher conferences.

4. School Office: If all else fails, students or parents can visit the school office to inquire about the scores.

The reason for these methods is that the United States has a diverse educational system with various school districts and institutions. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), approximately 50.9 million students were enrolled in public and private schools in the United States in 2021. This diversity necessitates different approaches to accessing exam scores. Additionally, the NCES reports that 91% of public schools in the United States offer online access to student records, which supports the first method mentioned above.