How to become a national merit semi finalist PSAT

taken from the collegeboard website:

 

Requirements and Instructions for Semifinalists

in the 2013 National Merit

® Scholarship Program

REQUIREMENTS FOR BECOMING A FINALIST

As a Semifinalist named in the fall of 2012, you must advance to Finalist standing before you can be considered

for a Merit Scholarship

® award to be offered in 2013. You must meet all specified requirements and

deadlines, or you will be withdrawn from the competition. To qualify as a Finalist, you must:

1. Continue to meet all program entry requirements (published in the 2011

Official Student Guide to the

PSAT

/NMSQT

®).

2. Be enrolled in the last year of high school and be planning to enroll full time in college in the fall of 2013

or

be enrolled in the first year of college, if grades 9 through 12 were completed in three years or less.

3. Be a citizen of the United States; or be a U.S. lawful permanent resident (or have applied for permanent

residence, the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at

the earliest opportunity allowed by law. If you have not yet become a U.S. citizen, see box below.

4. Be fully endorsed for Finalist standing and recommended for a National Merit Scholarship by your high

school principal (or school official designated by the principal).

5. Have a record of consistently very high academic performance in

all of grades 9 through 12

and in any college course work taken. Your school must provide a complete record of high school

courses you have taken, grades earned, and course work you will take in grade 12. The school should

also notify National Merit Scholarship Corporation (

NMSC) of any noticeable decline in your academic

performance during the current year. If you are now in college, high academic performance must continue

and must be documented by an official transcript of your record (see instructions on page 2 of

this document).

6. Submit the completed application to your high school official as soon as possible using the Online

Scholarship Application (OSA). The school official will complete the school’s sections of the application

for final transmittal to

NMSC by October 10, 2012.

7. Take the

SAT® and earn scores that confirm your 2011 PSAT/NMSQT performance. You must take (or

have taken) a national administration of the

SAT between October 2010 and December 2012. Also, it

is your responsibility

to file a request with the College Board SAT Program to have an official report

of your

SAT scores sent to NMSC (code 0085). See page 2 of this document for detailed information

about authorized

SAT administrations and score reporting.

8. Provide any additional documentation and information that

NMSC requests.

National Merit, Merit Scholarship, Merit Scholar,

and the corporate logo are federally registered service marks of National Merit Scholarship

Corporation.

PSAT/NMSQT is a registered trademark of National Merit Scholarship Corporation and the College Board. SAT is a registered trademark

of the College Board. The College Board was not involved in the production of this document.

Hurricaine Sandy Relief 5K Grant

http://www.nyc.gov/html/sbs/nycbiz/html/summary/grant_program_application.shtml

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How to Write an Effective SAT Essay

 

How to Write an Effective SAT Essay

 

  

  

How to Write an Effective SAT Essay

  

Obviously the SAT Essay carries a lot of importance—you already know that. Your score on the essay is going to be a major factor on how well you do on the writing section, which in turn is going to determine a third of your overall score. But—maybe even more importantly—the SAT Essay is going to be your first hurdle of an over 4-hour obstacle course. Your performance on this section is going to set the tone for the rest of the exam. You want to start off as well as possible, and carry over that positive energy to every other section. You don’t want to fall flat on your face right out of the gate…

  

But how do I do that you ask? How do I perform as well as possible on this critical section of my exam? Well that’s exactly why I’ve written this document! There is a very specific formula to follow that will allow you to score highly on your essay. And after reading this document carefully and thoroughly, and internalizing that formula through practice, you’re going to become a masterful SAT Essay writer.[1]

  

If you need to ask me any questions, feel free to reach out to me via email, text, or at our sessions!

  

  

PLANNING (5 minutes)

After everyone in your testing room has successfully bubbled in their names, addresses, registration numbers, and the rest of the information that the CollegeBoard deems relevant, you will begin the exam with the SAT Essay. First Step: Switch to your second pencil. All that bubbling in will likely have made your first pencil fairly dull—and you want to write your essay as neatly and legibly as possible! Second Step: Read the essay prompt slowly and carefully…

 After you read the essay prompt should NOT be to begin writing. You may feel pressured to get your thoughts on paper as quickly as possible because the exam is timed. You may also feel that the essay question is very vague or simple and does not merit a lot of thought. However, what your first step should be is to PLAN.

Planning your essay will allow you to organize and develop your thoughts before you commit them to paper in a final version. Having such a roadmap of your thoughts will make the actual writing process—when you do get to that point—significantly easier. While you may feel that planning is a drain on time, it will lead to a finished piece that is of higher quality in terms of content and structure. Planning may also save you time in the long run as you will not get stuck in the writing process thinking “what comes next?”

The question on the exam will be very straightforward. It will merit a Yes or No answer. Sometimes the answer will be so obvious that your decision will be made for you. Regardless, the first thing you should do is to:

Decide whether you agree or disagree with the prompt.

From there, ask yourself WHY you either agree or disagree. Jot down your answer. Then read over the essay prompt. Read your answer again. And ask yourself WHY your first answer. Develop your first answer a step further with more analysis and critical thinking. Now repeat. Repeat until you get stuck and can’t ask WHY anymore. Until you have nothing else to write down. Really push yourself to squeeze every last bit of meaning out of your initial answer. Think hard. This is one of the most important parts of your essay—the development of your THESIS!

Once you’ve exhausted your WHYs, look at the notes you’ve jotted down. Ask yourself how all the points you’ve made fit together. Then write a detailed and complex thesis synthesizing all of your points.

Congratulations! You have a thesis. That’s half the battle.

Now it’s time for your support. It’s time to rack your brain for all the literary, historical, and personal knowledge that can apply to this specific question. Think deeply…

  

Literature - Think of a book whose plot either focuses on the essay question or tangentially addresses it. If you’re stuck, turn to the classics. There are some books that have such a plethora of themes that they can apply to almost every SAT Essay question—The Iliad, The Odyssey, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Catcher in the Rye, The Bible. There’s a reason why they’re classics! Try to recall the ones you’ve read. If you haven’t… well I suggest you get cracking! You still have a month until the exam. Or read their SparkNotes profiles in depth. At least well enough so that you can write about one or two of these books with confidence. If you are wholly lost on this end, or simply curious, ask me for a list of good book recommendations and I will provide them for you.

  

History / Current Events - Now turn to your knowledge of historical events. Focus on what you’re studying in history class at the moment. It should be the easiest to recall. Assuming that you’re a junior in high school, that will likely be US History. Well… thought of something yet? You love your country don’t you? Tsk.. tsk.. If you’re having trouble with historical events, you’re welcome to use current events instead! Think about what’s happening in the world today. If you have no idea, start watching CNN or reading the Wall Street Journal / NY Times. It’s about time you got out of your bubble anyway…

  

Personal - Once you’ve gotten a book and a historical / current event, think of a personal event in your life that applies to the question at hand. This is very easy to do… Why, you ask? Because you can fake it! Come up with a story. Be creative. Be detailed. Just don’t be over the top! There is no way that the grader will know you’ve made it up.

  

Once you’ve thought of your three topics of support (and how they apply to the question at hand) it’ll be time to start writing. But before you do, you’ll have to memorize the outline below. Always keep it in mind as you write your essay. It’ll make the writing process quick, efficient, and successful! Each sentence will flow into the next, and your essay will practically write itself!

  

  

OUTLINE

  

Your Formula for a High-Scoring SAT Essay:

  

Introduction

-Hook (Use the information in the prompt. Regurgitate what is said in that little paragraph preceding the essay question. Be sure to use different words.)

Background Information (Briefly analyze the prompt. Discuss the opposing point of view to your argument, and explain why it’s incorrect. Doing this will show to the graders that you are capable of thinking at a high level.

Answer (Directly answer your question. Yes or No.)

Thesis (Rewrite the thesis you developed while planning. Then use a very basic sentence to end your introduction and outline what you will discuss in your body paragraphs, i.e. “This position is made evident in “Title,” by Author, in the “Historical / Current Event,” and in my personal experiences.”)

  

Body Paragraphs

Topic Sentence (Main idea of your paragraph, a mini-thesis just for that paragraph. It should be the unifying theme of that paragraph—make sure you include it. At times you may feel it is unnecessary to include a topic sentence because it will give away the point that you’re trying to make in that paragraph before you even make it! But that’s okay, this is a formal essay. It shouldn’t have any surprises. It should make your point as effectively as possible, and clarity and transparency are great tools to that end.)

Background Information (Set the stage for what you are writing about. Explain the basic plot of the book / historical or current setting / relevant personal details.)

Example (State the example in the book / historical or current event / your personal life that supports your answer to the question. You should have had this in mind the planning stage of your essay.)

Analysis (Explain how the example you’ve just used relates to the point you are trying to make.)

Transition Sentence (Lead into the next body paragraph—if possible. Not always necessary and sometimes hard to do. Don’t sink your time into this if it doesn’t flow right away.)

  

Conclusion

Conclusions (Reiterate your thesis in different words—your answer to the question. Also include your main pieces of evidence and briefly write how they prove your point. Bring the essay around full circle.)

Big Idea (What have you learned as a result of your personal event, how have you changed, what differences have there been in your life, and how does that apply to the world in relation to this question? This is a very open-ended part of your essay and can be interpreted in many different ways when writing. Try to be as creative as possible. Take your point a step further. This is the last part of your essay that the grader will read—be memorable, be interesting, and be intelligent. Leave the grader with a positive feeling about you once he has finished reading!)

  

GENERAL COMMENTS

Spelling errors, grammar errors, fragments, and illegibility. All of these can be problems in an essay and can also be easily be avoided if you THINK, PLAN, and DON’T RUSH when you're writing. It is also very important to REREAD your essay after completion and edit it accordingly to make sure these mistakes do not come up.

 Another thing to keep in mind: Write in the 3rd person in a formal essay—never the 1st ("I") or the 2nd ("You"). Unless you’re writing a personal example, of course. Then you can use “I”.

 Make an effort to write with a vocabulary that is a bit more formal and advanced than you would normally use for speaking. Try to write as if you were going to give this essay as a speech to President Obama, or Congress, or some important scientific body. Your audience is very intelligent—try to meet their expectations, and even impress them. Use advanced vocabulary. Throw in those SAT words you’ve spent so much time studying. Obviously don’t force them in. But if it feels appropriate and your writing flows, be sure to follow through. Write formally and follow the structure I detailed above.

 Never add new details or information about your examples in your conclusion that you have not already included in the body paragraphs. Only repeat and conclude on information you've already mentioned. If you want to write something new in the conclusion, stop and determine if what you want to include is important. If it is, then figure out how to incorporate that into the body paragraphs. Never the conclusion.

 Never use terms like "in conclusion" "therefore" "to sum up" and "so" in your conclusion. They are incredibly redundant and in poor form. The reader will know that this is your conclusion if you followed my steps above and structured your essay properly. There should be no need for these words.

 Best of luck,

Ani

 

[1] Please keep in mind that what you will soon read will only work for the SAT Essay. Do not attempt to apply the following formula and tactics directly to your Humanities essays in school. It will not end well… Trust me. The SAT Essay is a very different beast.

ELA & Math Classes Feb 16-April 14, 2013

Small Group classes and one-on-one private options available in Midtown Manhattan and in Forest Hills Queens

contact us at 1(800) 631-1757or email info@KwellerPrep.com

Here is our finalized weekend class schedule and grade by grade breakdown of what to expect on these treacherous exams.

Yes, NYS has officially lost its mind and decided to prepare grades 3 to 8 for college....

 

English Language Arts (ELA) Curriculum

10:00 am to 11:45 am	Vocabulary Building and Grammar -Learning vocabulary, integrating new vocab into sentences and paragraphs, deriving vocabulary meaning from context -Learning and practicing grammatical concepts:   -Verb tenses   -Subject/verb agreement   -Parts of speech   -Complete sentences vs. sentence fragments   -Adjectives vs. adverbs    -Nouns vs. pronouns   -Antonyms and synonyms
11:45 pm to 12:00 pm	Break
12:00 pm to 1:45 pm	Reading Comprehension and Critical Reading Strategies and practice exercises Skills: -Analyzing central ideas, style elements, character, and plot development, and vocabulary in context -Finding/using details to draw inferences Strategies: -Avoiding “distractor choices”: incorrect responses that, on the surface, appear plausible (designed to “trick” or mislead students) -Finding support for answers in text -Pre-reading vs. post-reading strategies -Utilizing process of elimination -Maximizing both time efficiency & accuracy
1:45 pm to 2:00 pm	Break
2:00 pm to 3:00 pm	Integration of skills- Constructing open responses -Short answer constructed responses (3 sentences) -Long answer constructed responses (1-2 paragraphs)             -Essay writing -Integrating vocabulary, grammar, and critical reading skills to develop efficient written responses

 

Math Curriculum

 

10:00 am to 11:45	Practice problems and content review – Operations and algebraic thinking, fractions/decimals/percentages, visual fraction models, establishing and continuing number patterns based on given rules
11:45 pm to 12:00 pm	Break
12:00 pm to 1:45 pm	Multiple choice math problems, strategies Strategies:             -Process of elimination             -Estimation             -Plugging in values to ensure correct answer -Working backwards             -Checking answers / developing multiple          solutions
1:45 pm to 2:00 pm	Break
2:00 pm to 3:00 pm	Math Open–Response World Problems Skills: -Integration of simple concepts to solve word problems -Articulate mathematical reasoning effectively -Solving multi-step world problems -Organizing and solving equations using unknowns denoted by letters Strategies: -Underlining key information and variables -Using keywords in world problems to determine variables -Identifying unknown variables and creating tables -Visualizing word problems using diagrams, graphs, and tables -Applying relevant equations and mathematical strategies to determine answers efficiently and accurately

 

*Towards the end of the course, we will modify the schedule to allow for full-length practice tests to recapitulate real test scenario and review responses with relevant strategies.

 

 

New York State English Language Arts Exam

Grade 3

 

“Common Core Reading and Language Standards”

 

The Common Core standards guide students toward building a foundation for “college and career readiness”.

 

-Reading:

-Students must read from a range of high-quality, challenging literary and informational texts, including stories, dramas, poems, myths, and articles.

-Writing:

-Students must support opinions in order to demonstrate understanding of the subjects they are studying.

-Students must gear the form and content of their writing toward their audience.

-Students must build knowledge on a subject through research and subsequently analyze literary and informational sources.

-Language:

-Students must understand conventions of English grammar, usage, and mechanics.

-Students must be able to determine the meanings of vocabulary words based on context.

-Students must appreciate words’ non-literal meanings and relationships to other words, thus expanding their vocabulary through studying content.

 

 

Test Duration and Format

 

-The 3^rd grade ELA exam spans three days:

-Day 1:

            -Book: 1

                        -Format: 5 passages and 30 Multiple Choice questions

                        -Time: Estimated 50 minutes; allowed up to 70 minutes

-Day 2:

            -Book: 2

                                    -Format: 1 passage and 7 Multiple Choice questions

                        -Book: 3

                                    -Format: 2 passages, 3 Short- and 1 Extended-Response

                                    -Time: Estimated 50 minutes; allowed up to 70 minutes

            -Day 3:

                        -Book: 4

                                    -Format: 3 passages, 5 Short- and 1 Extended-Response

                                    -Time: Estimated 50 minutes; allowed up to 70 minutes

            -Totals:

                        -Literary Passages: 4-7

                        -Informational Passages: 4-7

                        -Multiple Choice Questions: 37

                        -Short-Response Questions: 8

                        -Extended-Response Questions: 2

                        -Testing time: estimated 150 minutes; allowed up to 210          

 

 

Question Types and Skills Assessed

 

All question types are designed to assess Common Core Reading & Language Standards.

 

-In Multiple Choice questions, students must:

-Analyze central idea, style elements, character and plot development, and vocabulary

-Avoid “distractor choices”: incorrect responses that, on the surface, appear plausible (designed to “trick” or mislead students)

-In Short-Response questions, students must:

-Make a claim or draw a conclusion and provide textual evidence as support

-Write in complete sentences (no less or more than 3 complete sentences)

-In Extended-Response questions, students must:

            -Demonstrate comprehension & analysis of a text

-Take a position & demonstrate an ability to support it with text-based details

 

**As of 2013, 3^rd Grade ELA will NOT assess Speaking & Listening.**

 

 

New York State Math Exam

Grade 3

 

“Common Core Math Standards”

 

The Common Core standards guide students toward building a foundation for “college and career readiness”.

 

Students must:

 

                -Develop an understanding of multiplication and division and master strategies for     multiplication and division within 100

                -Develop an understanding of fractions, particularly unit fractions (fractions with       numerator 1)

                -Develop an understanding of the structure of rectangular figures and of area

                -Develop the ability to describe and analyze two-dimensional shapes

 

Test Duration and Format

 

-The 3^rd grade Math exam spans three days:

-Day 1:

            -Book: 1

                        -Format: 30 Multiple Choice questions

                        -Time: Estimated 50 minutes; allowed up to 70 minutes

-Day 2:

            -Book: 2

                                    -Format: 31 Multiple Choice questions

                                    -Time: Estimated 50 minutes; allowed up to 70 minutes

            -Day 3:

                        -Book: 3

                                    -Format: 5 Short-Response and 3 Extended-Response questions

                                    -Time: Estimated 50 minutes; allowed up to 70 minutes

            -Totals:

                        -Multiple Choice Questions: 61

                        -Short-Response Questions: 5

                        -Extended-Response Questions: 3

                        -Testing time: estimated 150 minutes; allowed up to 210          

 

Topics Tested & Distribution

 

-Numbers and Operations in Base Tens: 5-15%

-Numbers and Operations (Fractions): 15-25%

-Operations and Algebraic Thinking: 40-50%

-Measurement and Data: 15-25%

-Geometry: 5-15%

 

Question Types and Skills Assessed

 

All question types are designed to assess Common Core Reading & Language Standards.

 

-In Multiple Choice questions, students must:

            -Demonstrate knowledge of standard algorithms and concepts

            -Complete multiple steps and  simultaneously apply multiple skills and concepts

            -Avoid “distractor choices”: incorrect responses that, on the surface, appear             plausible (designed to “trick” or mislead students)

-In Short-Response questions, students must:

            -Complete a task and show their work

            -Complete multiple steps & simultaneously apply multiple skills & concepts

-In Extended-Response questions, students must:

            -Show their work in completing multiple tasks and/or extensive problems

            -Demonstrate understanding of mathematical procedures, conceptual            understanding, and application

                -Demonstrate their reasoning and explain the steps to and logic behind the solution

 

**Students must use rulers and may not use calculators.**

 

 

 

New York State English Language Arts Exam

Grade 4

 

“Common Core English Language Arts Standards”

 

The Common Core standards guide students toward building a foundation for “college and career readiness”.

 

-Reading:

-Students must read from a range of high-quality, challenging literary and informational texts, including stories, dramas, poems, myths, and articles.

-Writing:

-Students must support opinions in order to demonstrate understanding of the subjects they are studying.

-Students must gear the form and content of their writing toward their audience.

-Students must build knowledge on a subject through research and subsequently analyze literary and informational sources.

-Language:

-Students must understand conventions of English grammar, usage, and mechanics.

-Students must be able to determine the meanings of vocabulary words based on context.

-Students must appreciate words’ non-literal meanings and relationships to other words, thus expanding their vocabulary through studying content.

 

 

Test Duration and Format

 

-The 4^th grade ELA exam spans three days:

-Day 1:

            -Book: 1

                        -Format: 5 passages and 30 Multiple Choice questions

                        -Time: Estimated 50 minutes; allowed up to 70 minutes

-Day 2:

            -Book: 2

                                    -Format: 1 passage and 7 Multiple Choice questions

                        -Book: 3

                                    -Format: 2 passages, 3 Short- and 1 Extended-Response

                                    -Time (total): Estimated 50 minutes; allowed up to 70 minutes

            -Day 3:

                        -Book: 4

                                    -Format: 3 passages, 5 Short- and 1 Extended-Response

                                    -Time: Estimated 50 minutes; allowed up to 70 minutes

            -Totals:

                        -Literary Passages: 4-7

                        -Informational Passages: 4-7

                        -Multiple Choice Questions: 37

                        -Short-Response Questions: 8

                        -Extended-Response Questions: 2

                        -Testing time: estimated 150 minutes; allowed up to 210          

 

 

Question Types and Skills Assessed

 

All question types are designed to assess Common Core Reading and Language Standards.

 

-In Multiple Choice questions, students must:

-Analyze central idea, style elements, character and plot development, and vocabulary

-Avoid “distractor choices”: incorrect responses that, on the surface, appear plausible (designed to “trick” or mislead students)

-In Short-Response questions, students must:

-Make a claim or draw a conclusion and provide textual evidence as support

-Write in complete sentences (no less or more than 3 complete sentences)

-In Extended-Response questions, students must:

            -Demonstrate comprehension & analysis of a text

-Take a position & demonstrate an ability to support it with text-based details

 

**As of 2013, 4^th Grade ELA will NOT assess Speaking & Listening.**

 

 

New York State Math Exam

Grade 4

 

“Common Core Math Standards”

 

The Common Core standards guide students toward building a foundation for “college and career readiness”.

 

Students must:

 

                -Develop an understanding and fluency with multi-digit multiplication

                -Developing understanding of dividing to find quotients involving multi-digit dividends

                -Develop an understanding of fraction equivalence, addition and subtraction of fractions         with like denominators, and multiplication of fractions by whole numbers

                -Develop an understanding of properties of geometric figures such as having parallel                 sides, perpendicular sides, particular angle measures, and symmetry, as well as being             able to analyze and classify figures based on these properties 

 

Test Duration and Format

 

-The 4^th grade Math exam spans three days:

-Day 1:

            -Book: 1

                        -Format: 30 Multiple Choice questions

                        -Time: Estimated 50 minutes; allowed up to 70 minutes

-Day 2:

            -Book: 2

                                    -Format: 32 Multiple Choice questions

                                    -Time: Estimated 50 minutes; allowed up to 70 minutes

            -Day 3:

                        -Book: 3

                                    -Format: 6 Short-Response and 4 Extended-Response questions

                                    -Time: Estimated 70 minutes; allowed up to 90 minutes

            -Totals:

                        -Multiple Choice Questions: 62

                        -Short-Response Questions: 6

                        -Extended-Response Questions: 4

                        -Testing time: estimated 170 minutes; allowed up to 230          

 

Topics Tested & Distribution

 

-Numbers and Operations in Base Tens: 20-30%

-Numbers and Operations (Fractions): 20-30%

-Operations and Algebraic Thinking: 15-25%

-Measurement and Data: 15-25%

-Geometry: 5-15%

 

Question Types & Skills Assessed

 

All question types are designed to assess Common Core Reading & Language Standards.

 

-In Multiple Choice questions, students must:

            -Demonstrate knowledge of standard algorithms and concepts

            -Complete multiple steps & simultaneously apply multiple skills and concepts

            -Avoid “distractor choices”: incorrect responses that, on the surface, appear             plausible (designed to “trick” or mislead students)

-In Short-Response questions, students must:

            -Complete a task and show their work

            -Complete multiple steps & simultaneously apply multiple skills & concepts

-In Extended-Response questions, students must:

            -Show their work in completing multiple tasks and/or extensive problems

            -Demonstrate understanding of mathematical procedures, conceptual            understanding, and application

                -Demonstrate their reasoning and explain the steps to and logic behind the solution

 

**Students must use rulers and protractors and may not use calculators.**

 

 

New York State English Language Arts Exam

Grade 5

 

“Common Core English Language Arts Standards”

 

The Common Core standards guide students toward building a foundation for “college and career readiness”.

 

-Reading:

-Students must read from a range of high-quality, challenging literary and informational texts, including stories, dramas, poems, myths, and articles.

-Writing:

-Students must support opinions in order to demonstrate understanding of the subjects they are studying.

-Students must gear the form and content of their writing toward their audience.

-Students must build knowledge on a subject through research and subsequently analyze literary and informational sources.

-Language:

-Students must understand conventions of English grammar, usage, and mechanics.

-Students must be able to determine the meanings of vocabulary words based on context.

-Students must appreciate words’ non-literal meanings and relationships to other words, thus expanding their vocabulary through studying content.

 

 

Test Duration and Format

 

-The 5^th grade ELA exam spans three days:

-Day 1:

            -Book: 1

                        -Format: 6 passages and 42 Multiple Choice questions

                        -Time: Estimated 70 minutes; allowed up to 90 minutes

-Day 2:

            -Book: 2

                                    -Format: 3 passages and 21 Multiple Choice questions

                        -Book: 3

                                    -Format: 2 passages, 3 Short- and 1 Extended-Response

                                    -Time (total): Estimated 70 minutes; allowed up to 90 minutes

            -Day 3:

                        -Book: 4

                                    -Format: 3 passages, 5 Short- and 1 Extended-Response

                                    -Time: Estimated 50 minutes; allowed up to 90 minutes

            -Totals:

                        -Literary Passages: 5-9

                        -Informational Passages: 5-9

                        -Multiple Choice Questions: 63

                        -Short-Response Questions: 8

                        -Extended-Response Questions: 2

                        -Testing time: estimated 190 minutes; allowed up to 270          

 

 

Question Types and Skills Assessed

 

All question types are designed to assess Common Core Reading & Language Standards.

 

-In Multiple Choice questions, students must:

-Analyze central idea, style elements, character and plot development, and vocabulary

-Avoid “distractor choices”: incorrect responses that, on the surface, appear plausible (designed to “trick” or mislead students)

-In Short-Response questions, students must:

-Make a claim or draw a conclusion and provide textual evidence as support

-Write in complete sentences (no less or more than 3 complete sentences)

-In Extended-Response questions, students must:

            -Demonstrate comprehension & analysis of a text

-Take a position & demonstrate an ability to support it with text-based details

 

**As of 2013, 5^th Grade ELA will NOT assess Speaking & Listening.**

 

 

New York State Math Exam

Grade 5

 

“Common Core Math Standards”

 

The Common Core standards guide students toward building a foundation for “college and career readiness”.

 

Students must:

 

                -Develop fluency with addition and subtraction of fractions

                -Developing understanding of multiplication of fractions and of division of fractions in             limited cases (unit fractions divided by whole numbers and whole numbers divided by   unit fractions)

                -Extend division to 2-digit divisors, integrating decimal fractions into the place value                 system and developing understanding of operations with decimals to hundredths

                -Develop fluency with whole number and decimal operations

                -Develop understanding of volume.

 

Test Duration and Format

 

-The 5^th grade Math exam spans three days:

-Day 1:

            -Book: 1

                        -Format: 30 Multiple Choice questions

                        -Time: Estimated 50 minutes; allowed up to 90 minutes

-Day 2:

            -Book: 2

                                    -Format: 32 Multiple Choice questions

                                    -Time: Estimated 50 minutes; allowed up to 90 minutes

            -Day 3:

                        -Book: 3

                                    -Format: 6 Short-Response and 4 Extended-Response questions

                                    -Time: Estimated 70 minutes; allowed up to 90 minutes

            -Totals:

                        -Multiple Choice Questions: 62

                        -Short-Response Questions: 6

                        -Extended-Response Questions: 4

                        -Testing time: estimated 150 minutes; allowed up to 210          

 

Topics Tested & Distribution

 

-Numbers and Operations in Base Tens: 20-30%

-Numbers and Operations (Fractions): 30-40%

-Operations and Algebraic Thinking: 5-15%

-Measurement and Data: 20-30%

-Geometry: 5-15%

 

Question Types & Skills Assessed

 

All question types are designed to assess Common Core Reading & Language Standards.

 

-In Multiple Choice questions, students must:

            -Demonstrate knowledge of standard algorithms and concepts

            -Complete multiple steps & simultaneously apply multiple skills and concepts

            -Avoid “distractor choices”: incorrect responses that, on the surface, appear             plausible (designed to “trick” or mislead students)

-In Short-Response questions, students must:

            -Complete a task and show their work

            -Complete multiple steps & simultaneously apply multiple skills & concepts

-In Extended-Response questions, students must:

            -Show their work in completing multiple tasks and/or extensive problems

            -Demonstrate understanding of mathematical procedures, conceptual            understanding, and application

                -Demonstrate their reasoning and explain the steps to and logic behind the solution

 

**Students must use rulers and protractors and may not use calculators.**

 

 

New York State English Language Arts Exam

Grade 6

 

“Common Core English Language Arts Standards”

 

The Common Core standards guide students toward building a foundation for “college and career readiness”.

 

-Reading:

-Students must read from a range of high-quality, challenging literary and informational texts, including stories, dramas, poems, myths, and articles.

-Students must develop the ability to evaluate intricate arguments.

-Writing:

-Students must deliberately choose words, information, structures and formats based on careful consideration of their audience.

-Students must learn to produce complex and nuanced writing by combining different kinds of writing (e.g.: using narrative strategies within argument and explanation within narrative).

-Students must be able to use technology when creating, refining and collaborating.

-Students must adeptly gather information, evaluate sources, accurately cite material, and report findings from research and analysis of sources in a clear manner.

-Students must attain the flexibility, concentration, and fluency to produce high-quality, first-draft text under a deadline, as well as the ability to revisit and improve writing over multiple drafts when possible.

-Language:

-Students must firmly understand the conventions of English language.

-Students must choose words, syntax, and punctuation to express themselves to achieve particular rhetorical effects.

-Students must build extensive vocabularies through reading and study.

-Students must become skilled in determining meanings of words/phrases from context.

-Students must learn to see individual words as part of a network, thus understanding different connotations.

 

 

Test Duration and Format

 

-The 6^th grade ELA exam spans three days:

-Day 1:

            -Book: 1

                        -Format: 6 passages and 42 Multiple Choice questions

                        -Time: Estimated 70 minutes; allowed up to 90 minutes

-Day 2:

            -Book: 2

                                    -Format: 3 passages and 21 Multiple Choice questions

                        -Book: 3

                                    -Format: 2 passages, 3 Short- and 1 Extended-Response

                                    -Time (total): Estimated 70 minutes; allowed up to 90 minutes

            -Day 3:

                        -Book: 4

                                    -Format: 3 passages, 5 Short- and 1 Extended-Response

                                    -Time: Estimated 50 minutes; allowed up to 90 minutes

            -Totals:

                        -Literary Passages: 4-7

                        -Informational Passages: 7-10

                        -Multiple Choice Questions: 63

                        -Short-Response Questions: 8

                        -Extended-Response Questions: 2

                        -Testing time: estimated 190 minutes; allowed up to 270          

 

 

Question Types & Skills Assessed

 

All question types are designed to assess Common Core Reading & Language Standards.

 

-In Multiple Choice questions, students must:

-Analyze central idea, style elements, character and plot development, and vocabulary

-Avoid “distractor choices”: incorrect responses that, on the surface, appear plausible (designed to “trick” or mislead students)

-In Short-Response questions, students must:

-Make a claim or draw a conclusion and provide textual evidence as support

-Write in complete sentences (no less or more than 3 complete sentences)

-In Extended-Response questions, students must:

            -Demonstrate comprehension & analysis of a text

-Take a position & demonstrate an ability to support it with text-based details

 

**As of 2013, 6^th Grade ELA will NOT assess Speaking & Listening.**

 

 

New York State Math Exam

Grade 6

 

“Common Core Math Standards”

 

The Common Core standards guide students toward building a foundation for “college and career readiness”.

 

Students must:

 

                -Connect ratio and rate to whole number multiplication and division and use concepts              of ratio and rate to solve problems

                -Complete understanding of division of fractions and extend the notion of number to the         system of rational numbers, including negative numbers

                -Write, interpret, and use expressions and equations

                -Develop an understanding of statistical thinking

 

 

Test Duration and Format

 

-The 6^th grade Math exam spans three days:

-Day 1:

            -Book: 1

                        -Format: 34 Multiple Choice questions

                        -Time: Estimated 50 minutes; allowed up to 90 minutes

-Day 2:

            -Book: 2

                                    -Format: 34 Multiple Choice questions

                                    -Time: Estimated 50 minutes; allowed up to 90 minutes

            -Day 3:

                        -Book: 3

                                    -Format: 6 Short-Response and 4 Extended-Response questions

                                    -Time: Estimated 70 minutes; allowed up to 90 minutes

            -Totals:

                        -Multiple Choice Questions: 68

                        -Short-Response Questions: 6

                        -Extended-Response Questions: 4

                        -Testing time: estimated 150 minutes; allowed up to 210          

 

Topics Tested & Distribution

 

-The Number System: 15-25%

-Expressions and Equations: 35-45%

-Ratios and Proportional Relationships: 20-30%

-Geometry: 10-20%

-Statistics and Probability: 0%

 

Question Types & Skills Assessed

 

All question types are designed to assess Common Core Reading & Language Standards.

 

-In Multiple Choice questions, students must:

            -Demonstrate knowledge of standard algorithms and concepts

            -Complete multiple steps & simultaneously apply multiple skills and concepts

            -Avoid “distractor choices”: incorrect responses that, on the surface, appear             plausible (designed to “trick” or mislead students)

-In Short-Response questions, students must:

            -Complete a task and show their work

            -Complete multiple steps & simultaneously apply multiple skills & concepts

-In Extended-Response questions, students must:

            -Show their work in completing multiple tasks and/or extensive problems

            -Demonstrate understanding of mathematical procedures, conceptual            understanding, and application

                -Demonstrate their reasoning and explain the steps to and logic behind the solution

 

**Students must use rulers and protractors for all test sessions. Students must use a four-function or scientific calculator for Book 2 and Book 3. Students may not use a graphing calculator.**

 

Students will receive this detachable reference sheet in all three test books:

 

 

 

 

 

New York State English Language Arts Exam

Grade 7

 

“Common Core English Language Arts Standards”

 

The Common Core standards guide students toward building a foundation for “college and career readiness”.

 

-Reading:

-Students must read from a range of high-quality, challenging literary and informational texts, including stories, dramas, poems, myths, and articles.

-Students must develop the ability to evaluate intricate arguments.

-Writing:

-Students must deliberately choose words, information, structures and formats based on careful consideration of their audience.

-Students must learn to produce complex and nuanced writing by combining different kinds of writing (e.g.: using narrative strategies within argument and explanation within narrative).

-Students must be able to use technology when creating, refining and collaborating.

-Students must adeptly gather information, evaluate sources, accurately cite material, and report findings from research and analysis of sources in a clear manner.

-Students must attain the flexibility, concentration, and fluency to produce high-quality, first-draft text under a deadline, as well as the ability to revisit and improve writing over multiple drafts when possible.

-Language:

-Students must firmly understand the conventions of English language.

-Students must choose words, syntax, and punctuation to express themselves to achieve particular rhetorical effects.

-Students must build extensive vocabularies through reading and study.

-Students must become skilled in determining meanings of words/phrases from context.

-Students must learn to see individual words as part of a network, thus understanding different connotations.

 

 

Test Duration and Format

 

-The 7^th grade ELA exam spans three days:

-Day 1:

            -Book: 1

                        -Format: 6 passages and 42 Multiple Choice questions

                        -Time: Estimated 70 minutes; allowed up to 90 minutes

-Day 2:

            -Book: 2

                                    -Format: 3 passages and 21 Multiple Choice questions

                        -Book: 3

                                    -Format: 2 passages, 3 Short- and 1 Extended-Response

                                    -Time (total): Estimated 70 minutes; allowed up to 90 minutes

            -Day 3:

                        -Book: 4

                                    -Format: 3 passages, 5 Short- and 1 Extended-Response

                                    -Time: Estimated 50 minutes; allowed up to 90 minutes

            -Totals:

                        -Literary Passages: 4-7

                        -Informational Passages: 7-10

                        -Multiple Choice Questions: 63

                        -Short-Response Questions: 8

                        -Extended-Response Questions: 2

                        -Testing time: estimated 190 minutes; allowed up to 270          

 

 

Question Types & Skills Assessed

 

All question types are designed to assess Common Core Reading & Language Standards.

 

-In Multiple Choice questions, students must:

-Analyze central idea, style elements, character and plot development, and vocabulary

-Avoid “distractor choices”: incorrect responses that, on the surface, appear plausible (designed to “trick” or mislead students)

-In Short-Response questions, students must:

-Make a claim or draw a conclusion and provide textual evidence as support

-Write in complete sentences (no less or more than 3 complete sentences)

-In Extended-Response questions, students must:

            -Demonstrate comprehension & analysis of a text

-Take a position & demonstrate an ability to support it with text-based details

 

**As of 2013, 7^th Grade ELA will NOT assess Speaking & Listening.**

 

 

New York State Math Exam

Grade 7

 

“Common Core Math Standards”

 

The Common Core standards guide students toward building a foundation for “college and career readiness”.

 

Students must:

                -Learn to apply proportional relationships

                -Developing an understanding of operations with rational numbers and work with      expressions and linear equations

                -Solving problems involving scale drawings and informal geometric constructions

                -Work with two- and three-dimensional shapes to solve problems involving area,        surface area, and volume

                -Draw inferences about populations based on samples.

 

 

Test Duration and Format

 

-The 7^th grade Math exam spans three days:

-Day 1:

            -Book: 1

                        -Format: 34 Multiple Choice questions

                        -Time: Estimated 50 minutes; allowed up to 90 minutes

-Day 2:

            -Book: 2

                                    -Format: 34 Multiple Choice questions

                                    -Time: Estimated 50 minutes; allowed up to 90 minutes

            -Day 3:

                        -Book: 3

                                    -Format: 6 Short-Response and 4 Extended-Response questions

                                    -Time: Estimated 70 minutes; allowed up to 90 minutes

            -Totals:

                        -Multiple Choice Questions: 68

                        -Short-Response Questions: 6

                        -Extended-Response Questions: 4

                        -Testing time: estimated 150 minutes; allowed up to 210          

 

Topics Tested & Distribution

 

-The Number System: 15-25%

-Expressions and Equations: 30-40%

-Ratios and Proportional Relationships: 20-30%

-Geometry: 5-15%

-Statistics and Probability: 10-20%

 

Question Types and Skills Assessed

 

All question types are designed to assess Common Core Reading & Language Standards.

 

-In Multiple Choice questions, students must:

            -Demonstrate knowledge of standard algorithms and concepts

            -Complete multiple steps & simultaneously apply multiple skills and concepts

            -Avoid “distractor choices”: incorrect responses that, on the surface, appear             plausible (designed to “trick” or mislead students)

-In Short-Response questions, students must:

            -Complete a task and show their work

            -Complete multiple steps & simultaneously apply multiple skills & concepts

-In Extended-Response questions, students must:

            -Show their work in completing multiple tasks and/or extensive problems

            -Demonstrate understanding of mathematical procedures, conceptual            understanding, and application

                -Demonstrate their reasoning and explain the steps to and logic behind the solution

 

**Students must use rulers and protractors for all test sessions. Students must use a four-function or scientific calculator for Book 2 and Book 3. Students may not use a graphing calculator.**

 

**Students should learn that pi is an irrational number. In Book 3, students should use the pi key and full display of the calculator. They may not use approximate values of pi such as 3.14, 3.1416, or 22/7.**

 

Students will receive this detachable reference sheet in all three test books:

 

 

New York State English Language Arts Exam

Grade 8

 

“Common Core English Language Arts Standards”

 

The Common Core standards guide students toward building a foundation for “college and career readiness”.

 

-Reading:

-Students must read from a range of high-quality, challenging literary and informational texts, including stories, dramas, poems, myths, and articles.

-Students must develop the ability to evaluate intricate arguments.

-Writing:

-Students must deliberately choose words, information, structures and formats based on careful consideration of their audience.

-Students must learn to produce complex and nuanced writing by combining different kinds of writing (e.g.: using narrative strategies within argument and explanation within narrative).

-Students must be able to use technology when creating, refining and collaborating.

-Students must adeptly gather information, evaluate sources, accurately cite material, and report findings from research and analysis of sources in a clear manner.

-Students must attain the flexibility, concentration, and fluency to produce high-quality, first-draft text under a deadline, as well as the ability to revisit and improve writing over multiple drafts when possible.

-Language:

-Students must firmly understand the conventions of English language.

-Students must choose words, syntax, and punctuation to express themselves to achieve particular rhetorical effects.

-Students must build extensive vocabularies through reading and study.

-Students must become skilled in determining meanings of words/phrases from context.

-Students must learn to see individual words as part of a network, thus understanding different connotations.

 

Test Duration and Format

 

-The 8^th grade ELA exam spans three days:

-Day 1:

            -Book: 1

                        -Format: 6 passages and 42 Multiple Choice questions

                        -Time: Estimated 70 minutes; allowed up to 90 minutes

-Day 2:

            -Book: 2

                                    -Format: 3 passages and 21 Multiple Choice questions

                        -Book: 3

                                    -Format: 2 passages, 3 Short- and 1 Extended-Response

                                    -Time (total): Estimated 70 minutes; allowed up to 90 minutes

            -Day 3:

                        -Book: 4

                                    -Format: 3 passages, 5 Short- and 1 Extended-Response

                                    -Time: Estimated 50 minutes; allowed up to 90 minutes

            -Totals:

                        -Literary Passages: 3-8

                        -Informational Passages: 6-11

                        -Multiple Choice Questions: 63

                        -Short-Response Questions: 8

                        -Extended-Response Questions: 2

                        -Testing time: estimated 190 minutes; allowed up to 270          

 

Question Types and Skills Assessed

 

All question types are designed to assess Common Core Reading & Language Standards.

 

-In Multiple Choice questions, students must:

-Analyze central idea, style elements, character and plot development, and vocabulary

-Avoid “distractor choices”: incorrect responses that, on the surface, appear plausible (designed to “trick” or mislead students)

-In Short-Response questions, students must:

-Make a claim or draw a conclusion and provide textual evidence as support

-Write in complete sentences (no less or more than 3 complete sentences)

-In Extended-Response questions, students must:

            -Demonstrate comprehension & analysis of a text

-Take a position & demonstrate an ability to support it with text-based details

 

**As of 2013, 8^th Grade ELA will NOT assess Speaking & Listening.**

 

 

New York State Math Exam

Grade 8

 

“Common Core Math Standards”

 

The Common Core standards guide students toward building a foundation for “college and career readiness”.

 

Students must:

                -Develop skills in formulating and reasoning about expressions and equations, including           modeling an association in bivariate data with a linear equation, and solving linear                 equations and systems of linear equations

                -Grasping the concept of a function and use functions to describe quantitative                relationships

                -Analyze two- and three-dimensional space and figures using distance, angle, similarity,           and congruence

                -Understand and apply the Pythagorean Theorem.

 

Test Duration and Format

 

-The 8^th grade Math exam spans three days:

-Day 1:

            -Book: 1

                        -Format: 34 Multiple Choice questions

                        -Time: Estimated 50 minutes; allowed up to 90 minutes

-Day 2:

            -Book: 2

                                    -Format: 34 Multiple Choice questions

                                    -Time: Estimated 50 minutes; allowed up to 90 minutes

            -Day 3:

                        -Book: 3

                                    -Format: 6 Short-Response and 4 Extended-Response questions

                                    -Time: Estimated 70 minutes; allowed up to 90 minutes

            -Totals:

                        -Multiple Choice Questions: 68

                        -Short-Response Questions: 6

                        -Extended-Response Questions: 4

                        -Testing time: estimated 150 minutes; allowed up to 210          

 

Topics Tested & Distribution

 

-The Number System: 0%

-Expressions and Equations: 40-45%

-Functions: 20-25%

-Geometry: 25-30%

-Statistics and Probability: 10-15%

 

Question Types and Skills Assessed

 

All question types are designed to assess Common Core Reading & Language Standards.

 

-In Multiple Choice questions, students must:

            -Demonstrate knowledge of standard algorithms and concepts

            -Complete multiple steps & simultaneously apply multiple skills and concepts

            -Avoid “distractor choices”: incorrect responses that, on the surface, appear             plausible (designed to “trick” or mislead students)

 

-In Short-Response questions, students must:

            -Complete a task and show their work

            -Complete multiple steps & simultaneously apply multiple skills & concepts

 

-In Extended-Response questions, students must:

            -Show their work in completing multiple tasks and/or extensive problems

            -Demonstrate understanding of mathematical procedures, conceptual            understanding, and application

                -Demonstrate their reasoning and explain the steps to and logic behind the solution

 

**Students must use rulers and protractors for all test sessions. Students must use a four-function or scientific calculator for Book 2 and Book 3. Students may not use a graphing calculator.**

 

**Students should learn that pi is an irrational number. In Book 3, students should use the pi key and full display of the calculator. They may not use approximate values of pi such as 3.14, 3.1416, or 22/7.**

 

Students will receive this detachable reference sheet in all three test books: