THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234
New York State Testing Program
Grades 3–8 Mathematics
Released Questions from 2019 Exams
Background
In 2013, New York State began administering tests designed to assess student performance in accordance with
the instructional shifts and rigor demanded by the new New York State P-12 Learning Standards in
Mathematics. To help in this transition to new assessments, the New York State Education Department (SED)
has been releasing an increasing number of test questions from the tests that were administered to students
across the State in the spring. This year, SED is again releasing large portions of the 2019 NYS Grades 3-8
English Language Arts and Mathematics test materials for review, discussion, and use.
For 2019, included in these released materials are at least 75 percent of the test questions that appeared on
the 2019 tests (including all constructed-response questions) that counted toward students’ scores.
Additionally, SED is also providing a map that details what each released question measures and the correct
response to each question. These released materials will help students, families, educators, and the public
better understand the tests and the New York State Education Department’s expectations for students.
Understanding Math Questions
Multiple-Choice Questions
Multiple-choice questions are designed to assess the New York State P-12 Learning Standards for
Mathematics. Mathematics multiple-choice questions will be used mainly to assess standard algorithms and
conceptual standards. Multiple-choice questions incorporate both the grade-level standards and the
“Standards for Mathematical Practices.” Many questions are framed within the context of real-world
applications or require students to complete multiple steps. Likewise, many of these questions are linked to
more than one standard, drawing on the simultaneous application of multiple skills and concepts.
Short-Response Questions
Short-response questions require students to complete tasks and show their work. Like multiple-choice
questions, short-response questions will often require multiple steps, the application of multiple mathematics
skills, and real-world applications. Many of the short-response questions will cover conceptual and application
of the standards.
Extended-Response Questions
Extended-response questions ask students to show their work in completing two or more tasks or a more
extensive problem. Extended-response questions allow students to show their understanding of mathematical
procedures, conceptual understanding, and application. Extended-response questions may also assess student
reasoning and the ability to critique the arguments of others.