The swimming test for the 2026 exam in the United States is scheduled to take place on June 1, 2026. This date has been set by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), which administers the exam. The swimming test is a component of the physical fitness assessment for students in grades 5, 7, and 9, and it is designed to evaluate students' proficiency in basic swimming skills.

The decision to include a swimming test in the NAEP exam is based on the importance of water safety and swimming skills in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drowning is the fifth leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children ages 1 to 19 years. Furthermore, the American Red Cross reports that 70% of African American children, 60% of Hispanic children, and 40% of Caucasian children cannot swim. These statistics highlight the need for comprehensive water safety education and swimming skills among all students.

The swimming test for the 2026 exam will consist of three components: a timed swim, a water safety knowledge test, and a self-rescue demonstration. The timed swim requires students to swim 25 yards (about 23 meters) in a continuous motion, demonstrating the front crawl or breaststroke. The water safety knowledge test assesses students' understanding of water safety rules and procedures. The self-rescue demonstration requires students to demonstrate the ability to perform a self-rescue in the water.

The inclusion of the swimming test in the NAEP exam is part of a larger effort to promote physical education and water safety education in schools across the country. The test is intended to encourage schools to provide quality swimming instruction and to raise awareness about the importance of water safety. By evaluating students' swimming skills, the NAEP exam aims to contribute to the reduction of drowning incidents and to improve overall water safety among young people in the United States.