MS Math Testing Out Q&As

  •  

    Middle School Mathematics Testing Out Q&A

    Testing Out of Middle School Mathematics Courses

    Updated 3/1/23

    1. What middle school courses may students test out of?

    Incoming 6th graders may register to test out of Math 6.  Students who have completed Math 6 may register to test out of Math 7. Students who have completed Math 7 may register to test out of the Algebra 1AC course.

     

    2.  What students are eligible to test out of the courses?

    Any student who is currently enrolled in an AAPS middle school in the fall is eligible to participate in the testing.  Students who have historically been successful in testing out of a middle school math course have exhibited the following benchmarks.

    Current 5th graders who would like to attempt to test out of Math 6:

    • Students are prepared to show proficiency on the Math 6 Standards.
    • NWEA test scores in the 75th percentile or higher on at least one of the last two tests
    • Previous M-Step scores of a 3 (proficient)  or 4 (advanced proficient) on the last assessment
    • Math report card standards assessed at 3 or 4 for 70% or greater of the total number of standards

    Current 6th graders who would like to attempt to test out of Math 7:

    • Students are prepared to show proficiency on the Math 7  Standards.
    • Previous M-Step scores of a 3 (proficient) or 4 (advanced proficient) on the last assessment
    • As & Bs (demonstrated mastery) in Math 6 on report cards for the current school year
    • NWEA test scores 75th percentile or higher on at least one of the last two tests 
    • Two or fewer standards identified for intervention in Delta Math Screeners during the school year.
    • A score of at least 70% on the district common assessment for Math 6.

    Current 7th graders who would like to attempt to test out of Algebra 1AC: 

    • Students are prepared to show proficiency on the Grade 8 Math/Algebra 1AC Standards
    • Previous NWEA test scores at 75th percentile  on at least one of the last two tests
    • M-Step score of a 3 (proficient)  or 4 (advanced proficient) on the last assessment
    • As & Bs (demonstrated mastery) in Math 7 on report cards for the current school year
    • A score of at least 70% on the Math 7 district common assessment.
    • Two or fewer standards identified for intervention in Delta Math Screeners during the school year.

    Current 7th graders who would like to enroll in Algebra 1AC (instead of Grade 8 Math)

    • Students are enrolled in this course based on prior math performance and teacher/parent recommendations.
    • A testing out exam is not required.

     

    1. Can a student test out of Math 6, Math 7, and/or Algebra 1AC in the same school year?

    No.

    4.  What will be tested?

    Students will be tested on their knowledge of the content taught in Math 6, Math 7, or Algebra 1AC (a course that combines the outcomes of both the Math 8 and Algebra 1), which are aligned to the State of Michigan academic standards. Want to learn what will be assessed on a test?  Select  Math 6 or Math 7 or Math 8/Algebra IAC.

    5.  How does a student register to take the test?

    Click on the registration link found on the Middle School Mathematics Testing Out webpage and answer all of the questions.  An email will be sent to the family confirming eligibility, or lack thereof,  for testing.  

    1. If my child will be a new student in the district in the fall, how can I register him/her for math testing?

    Students who are enrolled after April 12  will be tested at the beginning of the school year in September. When registering for classes at the middle school, please inform the staff that you are interested in having your child tested. They will provide you with the information you need to register.

    7.  If my child completed Math 6, Math 7, or Algebra 1 online through A2 Virtual+, will he or she have to take the testing out examination for that course before moving on to the next math course?

    No.

    8.  How can a student drop his/her registration for testing?

    To cancel your registration, send an email to msmathtesting@a2schools.org. State the student's first and last names and student ID number along with a statement that the student would like to be dropped from registration.

    9.  Does the district provide or loan textbooks and other resources that students may use to prepare for the tests?

    No.  Neither the district office nor the middle schools provide or loan materials to prepare for the tests.  For the purposes of preparing and focusing on individual student needs in mathematics, K-8 students are encouraged to use Dreambox as a tool that is aligned state standards and consistent with the models used on state assessments.

    All students in Grades K-8 have access to DreamBox through Clever, and DreamBox does help students fill skill gaps and accelerate.  The models used in DreamBox match the state standards closely, and many of those models will be seen on the tests.  DreamBox skills range from K-Algebra 1, which will give students practice in questions that are similar in content to the testing out exams.

    10.  How long are the tests?

    The maximum allotted time for the Math 6 and Math 7 tests is 1 hour and 30 minutes.  The allotted time for the Algebra 1AC test is 3 hours.

    11.  What are the tests like?

    The test is a combination of question types, including multiple-choice, short-answer, and multiple-response questions.  Some questions require work to be shown to receive full credit.  Students may use a hand-held calculator on the test, but not a cell phone.  A Desmos graphing calculator is available within the test for all students to use.  A tutorial for the graphing calculator is found at this link.  https://learn.desmos.com/graphing

    1. How will the testing take place?

    Testing will be completed on district-owned Chromebooks.  If a student does not have a district-owned chromebook, they will be given the opportunity to check one out before the testing date.  Specific details will be sent to families of the students who are eligible for testing, two weeks before the testing date.  

    1. Does it cost anything to take the test?

    No, testing is free.

    1. What is the minimum passing score?

    The minimum passing score is 87% (B+) for Math 6 and Math 7. A student who earns 87% (B+) or higher will be placed in the next level math course. For 6th graders, the next course will be Math 7.  To receive high school graduation credit for Algebra 1AC, the minimum passing score to test out of a course is 77% (C+). For 7th graders, the next course will be Algebra 1AC.  For students who test out of Algebra 1AC, the next course will be Geometry AC.

    1. What happens if a student fails his/her test?

    If a student does not pass the examination, there is no negative impact on the student's school record, but the score of the attempt is stored in PowerSchool.  Students will be placed in the next appropriate course, based on the course they complete in June.

    1. If my child misses the testing in April, will he or she be allowed to take the test at another time?

    No. If an AAPS student misses the April testing, he or she will not be able to test out of Math 6, Math 7, or Algebra 1AC for the upcoming school year. Only students new to the district will be allowed to take the tests in September.

    1. How many opportunities are there for a student to take a test?

    A student will have only one chance to try to pass a test. There are no retakes.

    1. How will I find out if my child passed the test?

    Student results will be emailed home after the tests have been scored.

    1. Are tests released for students or families to review?

    No. Tests questions are not released, students and families may not see the exam.  No specific content mastery information is shared with families.  Families will not recieve a report detailing specific content standards missed.

    20.  Who should I contact with questions?

    Please contact the middle school advanced mathematics testing coordinator at msmathtesting@a2schools.org.

     

    21.  My child has accommodations for an IEP, 504 plan, or is an English Language Learner.  Will the plans be followed?

    Yes, accommodations that are regularly used in the classroom will be allowed during testing.

     

    Specific FAQ Information for testing out of Algebra 1AC:

     

     

    1. How long is the test?

    The allotted time for a test is a maximum of 3 hours.

    2.  What is the minimum passing score?

            To receive high school graduation credit for Algebra 1AC, the minimum passing score to test out of a course is 77% (C+), in accordance with requirements in the Michigan Merit Curriculum.          

    3.  Will the test out score be calculated in the high school GPA?

    No. Regardless of the result, testing out of courses is not factored into the district-calculated GPA.

     

    1. What will be reported on the student’s high school transcript?

    If a student passes the exam, the name of the course and the credit earned, accompanied by “TO” indicating test out, will be reported on the student’s transcript.  The student’s exam score will not be shown on the transcript.  The credit earned will count toward the student’s graduation requirements, but students will still be required to take mathematics during their senior year.   No record will appear on the transcript if the student does not pass.

    5.  Are tests released for students or families to review?

    No. Tests questions are not released, students and families may not see the exam.  No specific content mastery information is shared with families.