Researching. Synthesizing. Reasoning with evidence. The PARCC and Smarter Balanced assessments are clearly setting their sights on complex thinking skills. Researchers Joan Herman and Robert Linn look at the new assessments to see how they stack up against Norman Webb's depth of knowledge framework as well as against current state tests. The authors find that approximately one-third of the items on the new assessments fall in the cognitively demanding levels 3 and 4 in the depth of knowledge framework. Current state tests lack such rigor. The increased rigor embodies the intent of the Common Core State Standards and the desire for students in the United States to be internationally competitive and prepared for college and career. The authors note, however, that the demands of these tests are likely to come as a shock for teachers and students alike. "Being forewarned," they note, "is being forearmed."