What are the FastBridge Assessments?
The FastBridge assessments are comprised of several tests in the subjects of Math, Reading, and social-emotional behavior. These are administered by Illuminate Education.
The assessments are computer-adaptive, meaning that the difficulty of the questions changes based on the student's previous answers. For example, if a student answered correctly on their previous question, then the next question they will receive would be more difficult and vice versa. This testing method allows for a more precise measurement of the student's skills and knowledge.
The tests are usually taken three times throughout the school year, allowing teachers to track student progress and make data-informed decisions about instruction and intervention.
Fastbridge Reading Assessment
The FastBridge Reading assessment is called aReading - The test is utilized to monitor students' reading achievements.
Questions for grades K-5 focus on targeting skills related to:
- Concepts of print
- Phonological awareness
- Phonics
- Vocabulary
- Comprehension
Questions for grades 6-12 are designed to target skills related to:
- Orthography
- Morphology
- Vocabulary
- Comprehension
The Reading test consists of 30-60 questions and has no time constraint, although it typically takes about 30-45 minutes to complete.
Below you will find sample questions that cover several subdomains that are found in the FastBridge Reading Assessment.
Read the sentence.
They weren't speaking all week, but today they finally made up.
Which of the following meanings of the verb "made up" is used in the sentence?
A. used cosmetics
B. invented story
C. restored a relationship
D. compensated for something bad
Answer
The correct answer is (C).
In this type of questions, it is recommended to eliminate the answers that do not make sense in the context. Since the sentence is about two people who were not speaking to each other, the only meaning that makes sense is "restored a relationship." Therefore, the correct answer is (C).
Which of the following is a run-on sentence?
A. I baked a cake yesterday. It was delicious
B. I ate a lollipop it was sweet and tasty
C. We went to the park and played soccer
D. I turned on the air conditioner, so it was cool
Answer
The correct answer is (B).
A run-on sentence is made up of two sentences that are joined without a conjunction or a period. For example: I opened the door, went outside.
On the contrary, a complete sentence is a group of words that forms a complete thought. It has both a subject and a verb. For example: I opened the door.
A compound sentence is two sentences joined by a comma or a conjunction such as and, but, or, or so.
For example: I opened the door and went outside.
To convert a run-on sentence into a complete sentence, separate it into two sentences and add a period after the first sentence.
To convert a run-on sentence into a compound sentence, add a conjunction between the two sentences.
The only run-on sentence is in answer (B). It is made up of two sentences: "I ate a lollipop" and "it was sweet and tasty." These sentences are joined without end punctuation or a conjunction. Therefore, the correct answer is (B).
On the surface Ben seems _____ but to all of his close peers he is _____ .
A. awakward ... clumsy
B. peculiar ... weird
C. attentive ... shallow
D. shy ... outgoing
Answer
The correct answer is shy .. outgoing.
"Shy" means being reserved and "outgoing" means someone who is friendly and enjoys being around people.
In this sentence, it is important to pay attention to the signal word "but," which suggests that this is a contrast question. In other words, the correct pair of words will need to be contrasting ones. Ben seems to be one way, but around his peers (friends) he acts differently. The pair of words, "shy" and "outgoing" complete the sentence as they are antonyms or contrast words.
The pairs awkward .. clumsy and peculiar .. weird are incorrect because they are synonyms (words with very similar meanings) instead of antonyms.
traditional .. observant is incorrect because, in general usage, the words describe two unrelated character traits rather than two opposite character traits. In a specifically religious context the two words can be synonyms, but even in that case the pair is still incorrect because the words are not antonyms.
Read the sentences.
I was so disappointed in that art museum. I was sure it was going to be eclectic, but there were only paintings and they were all from the medieval era. That was not what I was looking forward to.
Based on the sentences, what it the meaning of the word eclectic?
A. funny and amusing
B. of very high quality
C. made up of various sources and styles
D. extremely loud and boisterous
Answer
The correct answer is (C).
In this type of questions, it is recommended to rely on the information given in the paragraph to understand the meaning of the underlined word, then rule out the answers that are unrelated. The paragraph states that the narrator was sure the museum was going to be eclectic, but in contrast, it only presented paintings and they were all from the same era. From this it is possible to infer that the narrator was looking forward to some diversity. The only answer that relates to diversity is (C), "made up of various sources and styles." Therefore, this is the correct answer.
The other answers are incorrect because they do not contain words that are related to what the narrator was looking forward to. Answer (B) might be something to look forward to in a museum, but since it is not what the narrator complains about, it is possible to infer that this is not the meaning of the word.
Fastbridge Math Assessment
The FastBridge Math assessment is called aMath – The test measures broad mathematics skills.
These are the following sub-topics the aMath (grades K-12) is comprised of:
- Operations and Algebraic Thinking
- Number and Operations
- Geometry
- Measurement and Data
- Number and Operations in Base 10
- Counting and Cardinality
The Math assessment typically consists of 30-60 questions and takes approximately 20-30 minutes to finish, but it has no time limit.
How many lines of symmetry are there in the shape?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 4
D. 8
Answer
The correct answer is (D).
A line of symmetry splits a shape into two identical halves. If no such line can be drawn, then there is no line of symmetry.
There are eight lines of symmetry in a regular octagon, as shown in the diagram.
Therefore, the correct answer is (D).
What is 6398 ÷ 14?
A. 457
B. 467
C. 452
D. 362
Answer
First, set up the division:
Take the first pair of numbers and divide by 14. 14 divides into 63 four whole times. Write this four above the 63. Then, subtract the four batches of 14 (4 x 14 = 56) from the 63 to find the remainder.
4 x 14 = 56.
63 – 56 = 7.
The remainder of that division is seven.
To do the next division, bring down the next number in the dividend, which is 9.
Now, divide 79 by 14. 14 divides into 79 five whole times, as 5 x 14 = 70. Write the 5 above the 9.
To find the remainder, subtract 70 from the 79. Therefore, the remainder is 9.
Once again, bring down the next number in the dividend, the 8. Then, divide 98 by 14. 14 divides into 98 seven times exactly. Write the 7 above the 8.
After the last division, there are no remainders, as 14 is a factor of 98. Therefore, the correct answer is 457.
Sharon drove for two hours at 30 miles per hour and then for one hour at 60 miles per hour. What was Sharon's average speed for the journey?
A. 40 mph
B. 45 mph
C. 47.5 mph
D. 55 mph
Answer
One method to solve this is by using the formula for average speed:
Average Speed = Total Distance ⁄ Total Time
To find the total distance she traveled, add up the distances from each part of her journey:
First part: 30 mph for 2 hours = 30 x 2 = 60 miles.
Second part: 60 mph for 1 hour = 60 x 1 = 60 miles.
Total distance = 60 + 60 = 120 miles.
The total time she traveled was 2 hours + 1 hour = 3 hours.
Therefore, average speed = 120 miles/3 hours = 40 mph.
Another method is to use the two speeds given in the question. Sharon spent 2/3 of her journey going at 30 mph and only 1/3 going at 60 mph. So, find 2/3 of 60 and add it to 1/3 of 30:
2/3 of 30 = 30 ÷ 3 × 2 = 20.
1/3 of 60 = 60 ÷ 3 = 20.
Therefore, average speed = 20 + 20 = 40 mph.
FastBridge Scores
The FastBridge Assessments uses a scaled score system, for the Math assessments it ranges between 145-275 and for the Reading it’s 350-750.
A scaled score adjusts a student's raw score based on the difficulty level of the questions on the assessment, allowing for comparisons between different versions of the assessment. This helps to standardize scores and ensure fair comparisons, as some versions of the assessment may be more challenging than others.
To determine how your child's test performance compares to that of their grade-level peers, refer to the table provided below.
How to Prepare for the FastBridge Assessments?
- Utilize practice materials: Such as sample questions and full-length practice tests. These materials can help students become familiar with the types of questions they will encounter on the assessment, and simulate a similar testing environment
- Master basic math concepts: Make sure you understand the basics for each subject as these appear in the assessment. For example, in the math test you should familiarize yourself with concepts such as: Converting between units of measurement; Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers and decimal; Using graphs and tables to represent relationships between variables; etc.
- Master basic reading concepts: For example, Understanding the relationship between letters and sounds, using context clues to determine word meaning, making predictions and inferences based on text, etc.
- Get plenty of rest: A good night's sleep before the assessment can help students feel more alert and focused during the test.
- Talk to teachers: Teachers can provide guidance and support for students who are preparing for the assessments. They may be able to suggest specific areas where a student should focus their study efforts.
FastBridge Administration
The aReading and aMath tests are usually administered 3 times a year. The test is taken on a computer. Students are allowed to use a pen and paper but not a calculator. There is a sample question for students in grades K through 2, before the test begins. While for students in grades 3 and above, the test starts after the audio directions have been given.
FAQ’s
For the Reading assessment, the highest score possible is 750 and for the Math assessment, it’s 275.
The aMath and aReading tests are untimed but they take around 20-30 minutes and 30-45 minutes respectively.
Because the tests are adaptive the number of questions varies per student but the number of questions range between 30-60.
The FastBridge assessments were developed to assist educators in evaluating and monitoring the academic abilities and behavioral development of their students , thereby enabling them in determining the specific areas where individual students may need support, allowing them to provide targeted interventions and personalized instruction.
A "good" FastBridge score would depend on the specific assessment being administered, as well as the grade level of the student being assessed. FastBridge scores are typically reported as a percentile rank and scaled scores, which compares the student's performance to that of their peers. A score at or above the 50th percentile indicates that the student is performing as well as or better than average, while a score below the 50th percentile suggests that the student may need additional support or intervention. If you’re child scored in the 90th percentile or above that would be considered a very good score. Look at the chart above to understand which scaled score range is above the 90th percentile.
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