Computer-Based Testing

  • The goal is that all Grades 3-8 testing will be delivered on computers by 2020. To achieve this goal, the New York State Education Department has initiated a phase-in approach to Grades 3-8 Computer-Based Testing or CBT. Beginning with the 2016–17 school year, schools had the option of administering the operational tests and the stand-alone field tests either by computer or on paper.

    ELA & Mathematics Tests

    As with the previous year, in the 2017-2018 school year, schools that are prepared and technologically ready may choose to administer by subject area and grade-level to test their students on a computer. For CBT, there are six primary testing days for each subject area, English Language Arts (ELA) and Math. The testing window for ELA computer-based tests is April 10 – April 17, 2018. The testing window for math computer-based tests is May 1 – May 8, 2018.

    Stand-Alone ELA & Mathematics Field Tests

    The stand-alone field tests in ELA and mathematics will be administered by schools during the spring of 2018. The testing window for stand-alone field tests on computers is May 21 – June 8, 2018. Schools that select CBT as their field testing format will be notified of their field testing subject and grade level in the spring.

    Question Sampler

    Again, this spring, some students across New York State will take the New York State Grades 3-8 ELA and Mathematics Tests and/or Field Tests on a computer for the first time. Educators, students, and parents need tools to help students get comfortable taking a test on computer.

    A New York State Question Sampler is available for educators, students, and parents to preview computer-based testing for answering test questions and using online testing tools. Additionally, test accommodation features, such as Text-to-Speech, Reverse Contrast, and more are available in the online Question Sampler.

    The Question Sampler, provided by Questar Assessment Inc., is accessible from any computer and provides computer-based sample questions in ELA and math for every grade 3-8. Teachers can use the Sampler in class, and students and parents can try it out at home.

    The Question Sampler allows users to preview test questions in a platform that closely resembles the secure browser test platform that students will use for the actual test. The Sampler gives users the opportunity to practice using the built-in features like the highlighter, notepad, and answer eliminator, all of which will be available to students taking the computer-based test.

    The Question Sampler includes previously released New York State test questions and shows the types of questions students will encounter on the operational CBT and computer-based field tests this spring. The Question Sampler does not represent the full length of the actual test.

    Use the Google Chrome browser for the best experience with the Question Sampler. Chrome most resembles the Nextera secure browser used by Questar to administer the real test.

     

    Additional Links

     

    Computer-Based Testing Support

    For more information or help with implementing Computer-Based Testing, visit CBTSupport.nysed.gov or email CBTSupport@nysed.gov.

    **Information from the New York State Education Department**