Parents across the city and state drew a thick line in the sand Tuesday, boycotting high-stakes standardized tests that they blame for unnecessary student anxiety and unfair teacher evaluations.

Vowing to shatter last year’s opt-out numbers, Common Core test opponents organized a social media campaign and got the backing of the state teachers union to encourage students to put down their pencils.

Anecdotal evidence suggests they succeeded.

The number of students statewide who balked at taking Tuesday’s English exam for third- to eighth- graders will likely surpass last year’s 60,000.

At the Institute for Collaborative Education on the Lower East Side, 85 percent of the students opted out, according to parents.

At PS 321 in Brooklyn’s Park Slope, parents said 35 percent of the students refused, up from 30 percent last year.

And at PS 29 in nearby Cobble Hill, the opt-out jumped from 20 to 25 percent.

Organizers set a goal of 250,000 boycotters, but official numbers won’t be available for weeks.

One parent said he pulled his kid on the advice of teachers.

“I am not opposed to tests,” said Danny Katch, 40, whose fourth-grade daughter, Lila, did not take the test at PS 69 in Jackson Heights, Queens.

“I certainly want my kids to respect their teachers and do what the school encourages them to do. But these tests aren’t coming from the teachers and their tests aren’t coming from the school. In fact, almost every teacher I talked to doesn’t believe these tests are effective at all.”

The math exams will be given next week.

The state Education Department has repeatedly said there would be financial consequences in the form of reduced federal aid if participation on the tests drops below 95 percent.

“Those who call for opting out really want New York to opt out of information that can help parents and teachers understand how well their students are doing,” said Jeanne Beattie, a state Education Department spokeswoman. “We can’t go back to ignoring the needs of our children.”

Pablo Reyes, 40, of East Harlem had his son Shiloh, a third-grader, in an after-school program two days a week to study for the tests.

“I do feel the tests stress the kids out,” Reyes said.

“But he’s confident and thriving, so I think the tests are a good thing.”

Additional reporting by Leonard Greene

Took the Test

Instead of playing video games or hanging outside with his friends, 8-year-old Furqan Shabazz spent every Saturday this year in school, of all places, studying for an exam.

Furqan was one of hundreds of thousands of students across the state who sat down Tuesday for a Common Core test designed to determine student progress.

“I’ve studied for these tests for years, since first grade. I was a little nervous because there were a lot of questions . . . but we talked earlier about the best way to finish the test.”

“I’m happy to have my son take the test,” said Furqan’s mother, Brenda Rodriguez, of East Harlem.

Jennifer Bain

Opted Out

Brooklyn parent Liza Ezbiansky said she wouldn’t mind the statewide English and comprehension tests if they were actually about English or comprehension.

“It sounds like what they’re testing is really more about executing and functioning, how well the kids can stay organized and actually complete the paperwork of the test versus actually understanding anything about English or comprehension,” Ezbiansky said.

Ezbiansky’s daughter Elli, 8, is a student at Park Slope’s PS 321, where parents strongly back the opt-out movement.

About 35 percent of the students at the elementary school declined to take Common Core tests Tuesday.

Reuven Fenton

Mixed Feelings

Philosophically, Gia Sharp is opposed to the controversial standardized tests that have divided parents in school districts across the state.

But her son took it anyway.

“I was not happy about him having to take it, but he’s going to middle school, so I wasn’t sure what the stakes were for him personally as far as opting out,” said Sharp, whose son, Ryan, 11, is a student at PS 321 in Park Slope.

After Day One, it didn’t take long for them to have regrets.

“He finished in less than half the time, and he had to sit there for an hour and 45 minutes extra,” Sharp said.

“I was tired and bored while I waited,” Ryan said.

Reuven Fenton