Our Guide to the STAAR Math Test

The STAAR Test aligns with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), which outlines what students should know and be able to do in mathematics. The content includes: 

• Numbers and Operations: Understanding and working with whole numbers, fractions, decimals, ratios, proportions, and percentages. 
• Algebra: Solving equations, understanding variables, and beginning to work with functions in higher grades. 
• Geometry and Measurement: Concepts like area, perimeter, volume, angles, and basic geometric shapes. 
• Data Analysis, Statistics, and Probability: Interpreting data, understanding probability, and working with statistics. 
• Mathematical Processes: Beyond content knowledge, students are assessed on: 
• Problem-Solving: Applying mathematical concepts to solve problems. 
• Reasoning: Justifying solutions and evaluating the reasonableness of results. 
• Communication: Expressing mathematical ideas clearly. 
• Connections: Linking mathematical ideas and applying them in various contexts. 
• Question Types: The STAAR Math test includes multiple-choice questions and open-ended questions where students might need to show their work or explain their reasoning. 

• Multiple Choice: The bulk of STAAR Math questions are multiple-choice, where students choose from four options. These questions can range from straightforward computations to more complex problem-solving scenarios.
• Griddable or Open-Ended: Especially in higher grades, there might be questions where students must fill in their answer rather than choosing from options. These could involve anything from simple calculations to word problems where the student writes down the final number or decimal.
• Short Constructed Responses (SCRs): These are less common in math but can appear, requiring a brief explanation or a step-by-step solution, especially in more advanced topics or to demonstrate understanding of mathematical concepts.

Read the Question Carefully:

Every detail in the question is there for a reason. Pay attention to keywords like "least," "greatest," "approximately," or specific units of measurement.

Understand the Math Concept:

Ensure you know what the question is asking in terms of math concepts. Is it geometry, algebra, statistics, etc.? Knowing this helps in choosing the right approach.

Visualize:

For many math problems, drawing a diagram or a simple sketch can make the problem clearer. This is especially true for geometry or word problems.

Estimate Before Calculating:

Before diving into complex calculations, do a quick estimation to see if your answer makes sense. This can save time and prevent errors in calculation.

Work Backwards for Multiple Choice:

If you're stuck, test the given options by working backwards. Sometimes, it's quicker to see which answer fits than to solve the problem from scratch.

Use All Given Information:

Every piece of information in the question is there for a reason. Make sure you've used all the provided data in your solution.

Time Management:

STAAR tests are timed, so practice pacing yourself. If a question is too time-consuming, mark it and move on, returning if time permits.

Check Your Work:

If time allows, go back to check calculations, especially for griddable questions. A simple arithmetic error can cost points.

Practice with Released Tests:

Like with RLA, using previous STAAR tests or sample questions from our test prep packs can familiarize you with the question format, common pitfalls, and the level of difficulty.

Understand Common Distractors:

In multiple-choice questions, be aware of common distractors. For example, one answer might be the result if you forgot to carry a number, or another might be the result of a common mistake like dividing instead of multiplying.

For Griddable Questions:

Be precise with your answer. If the answer is a fraction, make sure it's in its simplest form unless specified otherwise.

Confidence in Your Math Skills:

Trust your math knowledge but also be open to rechecking if something feels off. Sometimes, confidence in one's ability can lead to overlooking small details.

By integrating these strategies, students can approach STAAR Math questions with more confidence and accuracy. Remember, the test is as much about applying mathematical concepts as it is about careful reading and strategic thinking.

Grades 3-8:  

STAAR Grade 3:

• Number and Operations: Understanding place value, comparing numbers, basic addition, subtraction, multiplication (limited to 2, 5, and 10), and division (limited to single-digit divisors).
• Fractions: Introduction to fractions as numbers, representing fractions on a number line.
• Geometry: Attributes of 2D and 3D shapes, area of rectangles, and partitioning shapes into equal areas.
• Measurement: Telling time, measuring lengths, understanding concepts like area and perimeter.

STAAR Grade 4:

• Number and Operations: Extending multiplication and division, including multi-digit numbers, understanding place value to hundred-thousands, and rounding.
• Fractions and Decimals: Comparing fractions, adding and subtracting fractions with like denominators, understanding decimals to hundredths.
• Geometry: Angles, symmetry, and more complex shapes.
• Measurement: Converting measurements within the same system, understanding volume.

STAAR Grade 5:

• Number and Operations: Operations with whole numbers, fractions, and decimals; understanding the order of operations.
• Fractions: Adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators, multiplying fractions with whole numbers.
• Algebra: Simple expressions, equations, and understanding the coordinate plane.
• Geometry: Volume of rectangular prisms, classification of triangles by angles.
• Data Analysis: Interpreting data from graphs, understanding mean, median, mode, and range.

STAAR Grades 6:

• Number and Operations: Rational numbers, including integers, fractions, and decimals; ratios and rates.
• Proportions: Solving proportion problems.
• Algebra: One-step equations, expressions, and understanding the distributive property.
• Geometry: Area of triangles, parallelograms, trapezoids; understanding 3D figures and their nets.
• Data Analysis: Representing and interpreting data, including dot plots, histograms, and box plots.

STAAR Grades 7:

• Number and Operations: Operations with rational numbers, understanding percents.
• Proportions and Percentages: Solving problems involving percentages, interest, taxes, tips, etc.
• Expressions, Equations, and Inequalities: Solving two-step equations and inequalities.
• Geometry: Scale drawings, circumference and area of circles, surface area and volume of prisms.
• Probability and Statistics: Probability, including simple and compound events; statistical measures like mean absolute deviation.

STAAR Grades 8:

• Number and Operations: Real numbers, including irrational numbers like pi or square roots.
• Algebra: Linear equations and systems of equations, understanding and using the Pythagorean Theorem.
• Functions: Linear functions, their graphs, and slope-intercept form.
• Geometry: Transformations (translations, reflections, rotations, dilations), angle relationships, and volume of cones, cylinders, and spheres.
• Data Analysis: Bivariate data, scatter plots, and interpreting trends.

High School (End-of-Course Assessments): 

Students must pass the Algebra I EOC (End-of-Course) assessment for high school graduation. Other EOC assessments include English I, English II, Biology, and U.S. History, but Algebra I is specifically relevant to math progression. 

Performance Standards: Students are categorized into four performance levels: 

• Masters Grade Level: Indicates a high understanding and ability to apply math in various contexts. 
• Meets Grade Level: Shows strong knowledge but might need some targeted intervention for complex topics. 
• Approaches Grade Level: Indicates partial understanding and a need for additional academic support. 
• Did Not Meet Grade Level: Suggests significant intervention is needed for the student to succeed in the next grade or course. 
• Progress Measures: STAAR assessments track student progress not just within a single test but over years, helping educators identify growth or areas needing attention. 

Students are expected to not only learn new concepts each year but also to build upon and integrate previous knowledge, showing increasing complexity in their understanding and application of mathematics. This progression ensures that by high school, students are prepared for more abstract and complex math required for college and career readiness. 

Here are five tips to ace the STAAR Math assessment:

• Reach out to your child’s math teacher. No one knows your child’s mathematical abilities better than your child’s math teacher. See if you can set up an appointment with the instructor to discuss both areas of strength and growth. This will help you map out your child’s prepping process, and let you know what material to prioritize.
• Step away from the text book! Well, not always. But enough to allow your child to acquire a better understanding of mathematical processes. We recommend a mathematically themed game, or even certain activities that involve math, such as cooking and baking.
• Use past STAAR math problems. This will give your child a feel for the format of the questions as well as their content. You can even set a timer to help ease your child into the required time limit of the test.
• Bring on the brain food. As you probably know, math involves a good amount of thinking and concentration. Make sure your child is well-equipped for this task by providing him or her with the appropriate nutrition to succeed. Have a look at this list of recommended brain foods to help you.
• Before you start studying and practicing with the full-length simulation, go over the study guides and read up on what you have seen in class to refresh your memory.