State Test Questions and Practice/Sample Tests

Below are resources for educators and families to use for information regarding questions and items on our state tests. You can also find additional information by using the Teacher Resource Tool.

Mathematics

• Updates for 2012 - A summary of changes and new information in mathematics assessment, links to resources for teachers, and sample test items. Updates for 2012 has been customized into grade bands: Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, and End-of-Course Assessments.
• Released Items: Samples from Previous Tests - Previously released items based on the earlier mathematics standards. Some of the released items align to the new K-12 mathematics standards and can be used in the classroom as they appeared on the previous assessments. The Table of Contents in each grade-level Quick Guide document shows the previous released item number, the performance expectation the item aligns to, and the page number within the document.

Reading

• Updates for 2012 - A summary of changes and new information in reading assessment and links to resources for teachers. Updates for 2012 has been customized into grade bands: Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, and High School.
• Sample and Released Materials - Sample and previously released materials can be accessed for grades 3 through high school under the Reading Assessment Resources drop-down menu.

Science

• Updates for 2012 - Sample scenarios and items for science assessment and links to resources for teachers. Updates for 2012 are available for grade 5, grade 8, and Biology End-of-Course

Writing

• Annotated Anchor Sets - Anchor papers are concrete examples that illustrate the intent of the scoring guides. Scorers use these papers as a reference point or "anchor" to ensure that they interpret and apply the scoring guides consistently. Annotated Anchor Sets include several papers representing each score point with notations for each paper that explains why the paper received the score it was given. While these are used by scorers, they can also be used by teachers as an instructional tool. An instructional guide is included with each annotated anchor set. The guide is designed specifically for workshops to train others on the use of the Anchor Sets in order to improve student achievement.