The PASS ELA tests for grades 3-8 will assess the reading and research standards of the 2008 South Carolina Academic Standards for English Language Arts. For each grade level, the reading standards are numbered 1, 2, and 3 (e.g., standards 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3 for grade 3), while the research standard is numbered 6 (e.g., 3-6 for grade 3).
For all grade levels, the PASS ELA tests will consist of reading passages and multiple-choice items. The tests will not include any constructed-response items. Click on the links below to access the ELA test blueprint and sample items for each grade level.
ELA Test Blueprint for Grades 3-8 (pdf) (Note added 11-6-08.)
ELA Sample Items (Grades 3-8) (pdf) (updated 10/17/08)
The PASS mathematics tests for grades 3-8 will assess the 2007
South Carolina Academic Standards for Mathematics. For each grade level, the mathematics standards are numbered 1 for Mathematical Processes, 2 for Number and Operations, 3 for Algebra, 4 for Geometry, 5 for Measurement, and 6 for Data Analysis and Probability. For example, 4-5 is Grade 4 Measurement and 6-2 is Grade 6 Number and Operations.
For all grade levels, the PASS mathematics tests will consist of multiple-choice items only. The tests will not include any constructed-response items. Click on the link below for a test blueprint. Sample items will be posted in the coming weeks.
Mathematics Test Blueprint for Grades 3-8 (pdf) (Note added 11-06-08.)
For the PASS mathematics tests, rulers will be provided for grades 3, 4, and 5 only. Protractors will be provided for grade 5 only. Links to the on-line versions of these tools are below.
The items on the grade 3 PASS mathematics test will NOT be read aloud to students.