SBAC Prep 2: Math CAT Equation Editor

Equation Editor Item Tutorial When students are taking the math test there is a pad that looks a lot like a calculator.  Not only is it NOT a calculator, it has some tricky ways to create fractions and exponents.  It would be wise to work through this tutorial in class with your students before taking them to the lab to practice on their own. 

The link to the tutorial is: https://tds2.airws.org/EQTutorial/?c=SBAC_PT Try it yourself first.

On this page the introduction reads: Hello! The purpose of this tutorial is to explain how to use the Equation Response Editor tool, and to let you practice using it. You will be using this tool to enter answers that are numbers, expressions, or equations.

1. The tool is not a calculator—it will not perform calculations for you. The tool is designed to allow you to enter your answer to a question.
2. You can enter your answer using your keyboard, the on-screen keypad, or a combination of both. As you practice, you may want to decide which method is most comfortable for you, and focus on creating your answers that way.

Suggestion: 

• Work through the steps that are grade level appropriate before sending them to the lab.  Some students tend to not listen once they are in the computer lab.  

Accountability:

• You  may have students write down what they did on an index card so they stay focused.   

SBAC Prep 1: A Problem A Day

Practice a problem each day!  Almost as good as an apple… never mind, an apple would be better! 

See below for links to take you directly to PDF versions of the SBAC Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) practice tests. You may want to print off and use as a “Problem of the Day” or bell work or sponge work…  or where ever it might fit. 

The benefit of this is to hold their attention in front of the room, solve together, model thinking and discover multiple ways of solving each problem.  Doing this before they go into the computer lab will ensure the time on the computer is more valuable as they have an idea of how the problems work.  The practice in the lab is more for the mechanics of the assessment than the actual content. Keep in mind there is not a score at the end, often students are disappointed to discover this on the practice test. 

English Language Arts Computer Adaptive Test (2014)

• Grade 3 Math
• Grade 4 Math
• Grade 5 Math

Mathematics Computer Adaptive Test (2014)

• Grade 3 ELA
• Grade 4 ELA
• Grade 5 ELA

Suggestions:

• In teams, work through the problems in the classroom from the document camera to model the thinking and problem solving strategies.
• Log onto the practice test live and navigate to that problem to model the moveable tools that students might have to use when answering the questions
• When skipping through the practice test you DO need to click something in order to pass through the questions
• The test will time out on you so keep moving the mouse every once in a while. 

Additional sources:

This link will take you to the website that the attachments are from. http://sbac.portal.airast.org/practice-test/resources/  If you scroll down to the bottom of the page you will see a column for 2013 tests and 2014 tests.  Attached are the 2014 tests as they have the rubrics.  The 2013 do not have the domain, key, DOK, etc. across the top of each question.  Still might be a useful resource.