Smarter Balanced Tests Explained

What are the Smarter Balanced Assessments?

The Smarter Balanced assessments are a series of tests taken by students in 17 states, including California.  The tests are administered to students only in grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 11.  Students in other grades are not assessed by Smarter Balanced.

The tests themselves are different from traditional tests in that the students complete them using a computer.  Schools provide appropriate laptop, "chromebooks" or traditional desktop computers securely connected to the Internet, to complete each test.  Students must TYPE their open ended and essay responses, and use the mouse or trackpad to select other responses and move from question to question.

Test #1 Math Computer Adaptive Test

Each student takes a total of FOUR individual tests.  The first is a Math test of approximately 35 to 50 questions that requires students to identify the correct answers from pre-determined answers, enter their own "open-ended" responses with no answer prompts, and complete matching activities.   This is called a "Computer Adaptive Test" because the test is supposed to respond to how well the student is doing, and adjust the difficulty level of the questions accordingly.  As a result, some students may complete only 35 questions, while others may complete as many as 50 individual questions.   Some students may finish in 60 minutes, while others take 90 minutes or even longer.  Since there is no pre-determined time limit, some students may even take 3 or 4 hours to complete each test!  (This creates a set of new challenges for teachers and administrators, who must now accomodate longer testing periods with the additional hurdles of having reliable internet networks and sufficient computer equipment.)

Most, but not all, of the CAT test is graded by the computer. Only the "open-ended" responses on this test require a teacher to evaluate and score, and this is done by the publisher of the test, the Educational Testing Service.  So it is very unlikely that your student will be evaluated by his or her own teacher.

Test #2 Math Performance Task

The second test, also in Mathematics, is a so-called "Performance test."  This test, like the three others, is also conducted online using a computer.  Unlike the Computer Adaptive Test or "CAT" test, however, the Performance test or (PT) is characterized by a longer, more complex problem or activity that involves a number of different standards and ideas.  Students give essay-type responses of varying length, and usually answer between 3 and 8 questions.  Despite the smaller nubmer of questions, the PT takes just as long, or longer, for the students to complete.   All of the PT tests 

Each Performance Task is preceded by a short, teacher-led, classroom lesson.  This "mini-lesson" is designed to provide a "level playing field" for students.  This activity helps students who might not be familiar with the specific subject matter being discussed, or English language learners or students with special needs.  The mini-lesson is usually taught by the student's own classroom teacher, though if the student misses the lesson they must make up the mini-lesson later and usually do so in a much smaller group of students.  Managing the make-ups has become a major challenge for teachers and administrators using the Smarter Balanced test system.

Test # 3 English Language Arts Computer Adaptive Test

The third test repeats the cycle of Computer Adaptive Test, Classroom Activity mini-lesson, and Performance Task Test, this time in English Language Arts.  The CA test has approximately 35 to 50 questions that requires students to identify the correct answers from pre-determined answers, enter their own "open-ended" responses with no answer prompts, complete matching activities.   This is called a "Computer Adaptive Test" because the test is supposed to respond to how well the student is doing, and adjust the difficulty level of the questions accordingly.  As a result, some students may complete only 35 questions, while others may complete as many as 50 individual questions.   Some students may finish in 60 minutes, while others take 90 minutes or even longer.  Since there is no pre-determined time limit, some students may even take 3 or 4 hours to complete each test!

Test # 4 English Language Arts Performance Task

The fourth and last test is another Performance Task test that requires students to complete a smaller number of more complex questions. Together, these components will provide student data throughout the academic year that will inform instruction, guide interventions, help target professional development and ensure an accurate measure of each student’s progress toward career- and college-readiness.The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium is a multistate consortium working collaboratively to develop a student assessment system aligned with a common core of academic content standards for English language arts/literacy and mathematics. As a Smarter Balanced governing state, California is a decision-making member. Smarter Balanced assessments are designed to measure student progress toward college and career readiness.

Visit the CDE's Smarter Balanced Assessment System Web page for additional information about the Smarter Balanced Assessment System.