New York State Tests
The New York State Tests are a series of Grade 3-12 standardized exams issued each spring that act as a measurement of student’s achievements. Beginning in Grade 3 and ending in high school, students take benchmark examinations that evaluate their competency in English language arts (ELA), mathematics, and science. Beginning in high school, students will test their competency on social studies too.
Eligibility for New York State Tests
- All the students studying in Grade 3 till High School.
- To take ELA, students must have lived in the United States for at least one year and be fluent in English.
Syllabus of New York State Tests
The exams have multiple-choice, untimed questions consisting of four subjects:
- English language arts
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social studies (high school)
This section of the exam evaluates a student’s competency in the English language as it relates to the core subject area. It is a measurement of their progress in school and used to determine future instruction.
This section is used to test students’ understanding of fundamental mathematic concepts as it pertains to their progress towards high school graduation. A variety of subject areas are evaluated which may include: Geometry, Algebra, and Algebra II / Trigonometry.
This section of the exam measures competency of science-related concepts. It is used to evaluate a student's proficiency in these areas and whether they are on track to graduate. Various subject areas are tested and may include: Earth Science, Living Environment, Physics, and Chemistry.
This section of the exam evaluates a student’s understanding of basic social studies concepts. Subjects may include the following: Global History, Geography and U.S. History.
Format of New York State Tests
The New York State Test (NYST) is an untimed test and covers the following topics by using multiple-choice and open-ended questions:
English
- Includes a written section.
- Offered to Grade 3-8 and high school students.
- English Language Learners (ELL) who have not lived in the United States for over a year are not required to take the English language arts exam. After one year, they are required to take the exam.
Math
- Includes open-ended questions.
- Offered to Grade 3-8 and high school students.
- English Language Learners (ELL) are required to take math exams.
These exams may be translated into their native language.
Science
- This section has multiple choice questions only.
- Offered to Grade 4, Grade 8, and high school students.
- Grade 7 Intermediate-level students may take a placement exam to join advanced placement programs.
- English Language Learners (ELL) in grades 4 and 8 are required to take the State Science Assessment.
Social Studies
- Includes multiple choice and open-ended questions.
- Untimed.
- Offered only to high school students.
Per the NY State Education Department DOE, all tests are scored by teachers. However, no teacher from the students’ school may score a student's exam from their own school. Students with a disability may take alternative examinations through the New York State Alternative Assessment, (NYSAA). This computer-based test is a reduced version of the regular state examination and does not include the social studies component.
After completing their timed exam, students' results are scored, and they receive a scaled score. They are then divided into four performance levels and information on their strengths and weaknesses are reported to their parents.
New York State Tests Study Guide
A Complete New York State Tests Study Guide that includes sample questions, test tips, and a complete study plan prepared by a team of expert and dedicated researchers. Cost-effective and qualified exam help from a committed exam preparation company.
All Subjects Workbooks include both the English Language Arts and Mathematics Workbooks for that grade level.
Science Grade 4 Sample Questions
Q1. Heating a piece of ice can cause which change to happen?
A. A change from a liquid to a solid
B. A change from a gas to a solid
C. A change from a liquid to a gas
D. A change from a solid to a liquid
Q2. Matter that has a fixed volume but NOT a fixed shape is a
A. Solid
B. Liquid
C. Gas
Q3. Which kind of energy do you feel as a heat?
A. Mechanical
B. Electrical
C. Thermal
D. Light
Q4. An electrical circuit is
A. A tool that changes light to electrical energy.
B. A tool that changes electrical energy to light.
C. The path that an electrical current takes.
D. The flow of electric charge.
Q5. Some soil material comes from the remains of plants and animals. The material is called
A. Soil
B. Silt
C. Loam
D. Humus
Q6. Which of these is a renewable resource?
A. Oil
B. Water
C. Coal
D. Iron
Q7. What does an anemometer measure?
A. Air pressure
B. Wind speed
C. Amount of rainfall
D. Air temperature
Q8. During which season is the sun highest in the sky at noon?
A. Spring
B. Summer
C. Winter
D. Fall
Q9.What does a plant need to make its own food?
A. Sunlight only
B. Sunlight and water only
C. Carbon dioxide and water only
D. Sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide
Q.10 A plant lives in a shady area that has plenty of rain. Which of these would MOST LIKELY help the plant survive?
A. Short, thick stem
B. Very long roots
C. Very tiny leaves
D. Wide, flat leaves
Correct Answers with Explanation
Answer 1.Correct Answer is D. A change from a solid to a liquid. If a solid gets hot enough, the solid may change into a liquid. The change from a solid to a liquid is called melting.
Answer 2.Correct Answer is B. Liquid. Explanation – A liquid is matter that has a fixed volume but not a fixed shape. A liquid takes the shape of its container. If you pour a liquid from a bottle into a bowl, the shape of the liquid changes. But the amount of space that the liquid takes up stays the same.
Answer 3. Correct Answer is C. Thermal Energy. Explanation – Thermal energy moves from warmer things to cooler things. Hence you feel this energy as heat. Heat warms your hands.
Answer 4.Correct Answer is C. The path that an electrical current takes.Explanation - The circuit is made up of a battery, wire and a lightbulb. The battery is the source of electrical energy. The wire connects each end of the battery with the lightbulb. The wire has metal inside it. Electric current moves easily through the metal in the wire.
Answer 5.Correct Answer is D. Humus. Explanation – Soil is made up of remains of dead plants and animals. These remains rot and form a dark material called humus. Humus is an important part of soil because it gives plants many of the nutrients they need.
Answer 6.Correct Answer is B. Water. Explanation – Water moves from place to place on Earth in a process called the water cycle.
Answer 7.Correct answer is B. Wind speed. Explanation – An anemometer measures wind speed. An anemometer has several cups attached to a post. When wind blows into the cups, they spin around the post. The faster the wind blows, the faster the cups spin. The anemometer counts how many times it spins in a certain amount of time.
Answer 8.Correct answer is B. Summer. Explanation – During the summer, the sun is very high in the sky at noon. Days are longer and nights are shorter. Lots of sunlight makes the air warm.
Answer 9.Correct answer is D. Sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide. Explanation – To make its own food, a plant needs water, sunlight, and carbon dioxide. Water moves into the leaves from the plant’s roots and stems. The energy of sunlight enters through the leaves. Carbon dioxide, a gas in the air, also comes in through the leaves.
Answer 10.Correct Answer is D. Wide, flat leaves. Explanation – Plants in a shady area that has plenty of rain tend to have large, wide leaves. Big leaves gather more sunlight than small leaves.
For more questions Study Guide and Preparation- State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR)
| Grade 4 Success Strategies Workbooks | All Subjects* (printed) (ebook) |
Reading (printed) (ebook) |
Mathematics (printed) (ebook) |
*All Subjects Workbooks include both the Reading and Mathematics Workbooks for that grade level.
| Grade 4 | All Subjects* (printed) (ebook) |
Reading (printed) (ebook) |
Mathematics (printed) (ebook) |
Writing (printed) (ebook) |
*All Subjects Study Guides include each individual subject guide for that grade level.
STAAR Mathematics Grade 4 Sample Questions
Q1. Which digit is in the ten thousands place in 273,578?
A. 5
B. 2
C. 7
D. 3
Q2. Round 33, 256 to the nearest 100.
A. 33, 250
B. 33,000
C. 33,200
D. 33,300
Q3. Hena makes $20 per hour when she babysits. How much will she make in all if she works for 12 hours?
A. 240
B. 32
C. 8
D. 200
Q4. Katie rides her bicycle for 12 miles a day. If she does this for 100 days, how many miles will she ride in all?
A. 1,200
B. 1,000
C. 1200
D. 1100
Q5. What are the number of vertices in solid figure cube?
A. 10
B. 12
C. 8
D. 6
Q6. Mr. Robert is 6 feet 8 inches tall. How tall is Mr. Robert in inches?
A. 75
B. 60
C. 80
D. 100
Q7. Soccer practice began at 8:30 A.M. It lasted 2 hours 40 minutes. At what time did soccer practice end?
A. 11: 00 am
B. 11:10 am
C. 12:30 pm
D. 10:45 am
Q8. Ron went to the grocery store. He needs to buy milk for $2.79, cereal for $3.65, and apples for $5.25. He has a $10 bill in his pocket. Is this a reasonable amount to have for the items he needs to buy?
A. Yes
B. No
Q9. A machine can make 343 erasers in 7 minutes. About how many erasers can the machine make in 1 minute?
A. 60
B. 30
C. 40
D. 50
Q10. How many cups are equal to 3 pints?
A. 4 cups
B. 6 cups
C. 9 cups
D. 15 cups
Correct Answers with Explanation
Answer 1. Correct Answer is C. 7. The digit 7 is in the ten thousandth place.
Answer 2.Correct Answer is D. Explanation –
Step 1- Use the rounding rules. As we are rounding to the nearest hundred, so look at the tens digit. The tens digit is 5. Round up.
Step 2. Add one to the hundreds digit. Change the digits to the right to zeros.
33,256 ----33, 300
Answer 3. Correct Answer is A. Explanation – Here we look for key words then decide which operation to use.
Step 1. The key words in the problem are per hour and in all.
The problem asks for a total, so multiply.
Step 2 - Multiply
$20 x 12 = $240
Solution – She will make $240.
Answer 4.
Correct Answer is A. Explanation –Step 1, Decide how to solve the problem. Multiply 12 x 100
Step 2 – Multiply. Any number multiplied by 100 is the number with two zeros placed on the end of the number.
12 x 100 = 1,200
Solution = She will ride 1,200 miles in all.
Answer 5.Correct Answer is C. Count the number of vertices – 8
Answer 6.Correct Answer is C. Explanation.
Step 1 – Multiple to convert feet to inches. There are 12 inches in 1 foot.
12 x 6 = 72
Step 2 – Add the extra inches.
72 + 8 = 80
Solution – Mr. Robert is 80 inches tall.
Answer 7.Correct Answer is B. Explanation.
Step 1 – Add the hours and minutes from 8:30 AM.
First add the hours. After 1 hour it is 9:30 A.M.
After 2 hours it is 10:30 A.M.
Step 2 – Add the minutes.
It takes 30 minutes to get from 10:30 A.M. to 11:00 A.M.
40 minutes – 30 minutes = 10 minutes left over
11:00 A.M. + 10 minutes = 11:10 A.M.
Solution – Soccer practice ended at 11:10 A.M.
Answer 8. Correct Answer is B. Explanation –
Round each amount. Then find the estimated sum.
Step 1 – Round each money amount to the nearest dollar.
$2.79 rounds to $3.
$3.65 rounds to $4.
$5.25 rounds to $5.
Step 2 – Add the rounded numbers.
$3 + $4 + $5 = $12
He will not have enough money for all the items.
Solution - $10 is not a reasonable amount for the items he needs to buy.
Answer 9.Correct Answer is D. Explanation – Estimate 343/7. Use compatible numbers.
Think of a number that is closer to 343 and has 7 as a factor. Look for a basic fact:35/7 = 5 so 350/7 = 50.
Solution – The machine can make about 50 erasers in 1 minute.
Answer 10.Correct Answer is B. Explanation – Use the relationships between units to convert the units.
Step 1 – Write the relationships between cups and pints.
1 pint = 2cups
Step 2 – Multiply to determine how many cups are equal to 3 pints.
2 x 3 = 6
Solution – 3 pints = 6 cups
For more questions Study Guide and Preparation- State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR)
| Grade 4 Success Strategies Workbooks | All Subjects* (printed) (ebook) |
Reading (printed) (ebook) |
Mathematics (printed) (ebook) |
*All Subjects Workbooks include both the Reading and Mathematics Workbooks for that grade level.
| Grade 4 | All Subjects* (printed) (ebook) |
Reading (printed) (ebook) |
Mathematics (printed) (ebook) |
Writing (printed) (ebook) |
*All Subjects Study Guides include each individual subject guide for that grade level.
NYSTCE - New York State Teacher Certification Examination Study Guide and Test Preparation
New York State Teacher Certification Examination or the NYSTCE is a set of exams designed by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) and administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). This test documents the individuals intellectual capabilities and accesses his knowledge in compliance to the standards of an entry level educator in new York public school system.
Basically in NYSTCE examination the individual general and specific teaching skills are accessed. NYSTCE exams cover specific topics such as art, dance, computer science, chemistry, English as a second language, English language arts, health, history, journalism, mathematics, music, physical science, social studies, and other similar topics. The candidates can also go for specific exams within these topics who are intended to a certain grade level.
NYSTCE - New York State Certification Examination Study Guide
A Complete New York State Teacher Certification study guide and Flashcard that includes sample questions, test tips, and a complete study plan prepared by a team of expert and dedicated researchers. Cost-effective and qualified exam help from a committed exam preparation company
How to Prepare for Multiple Choice Questions
Tips and tricks that can help you prepare for multiple choice questions and increase your mark. Prepared by professionals these tricks help you excel in New York State Teacher Certification Examination multiple choice exam.
