The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (Smarter Balanced) is a state-led consortium working to develop next-generation assessments that accurately measure student progress toward college- and career-readiness. Smarter Balanced is one of two multistate consortia awarded funding from the U.S. Department of Education in 2010 to develop an assessment system aligned to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) by the 2014-15 school year.
The work of Smarter Balanced is guided by the belief that a high-quality assessment system can provide information and tools for teachers and schools to improve instruction and help students succeed – regardless of disability, language or subgroup. Smarter Balanced involves experienced educators, researchers, state and local policymakers and community groups working together in a transparent and consensus-driven process.
About Testing:
Practice Tests
The Smarter Balanced Practice Test allows teachers, students, parents, and other interested parties to experience a full grade-level assessment and gain insight into how Smarter Balanced will assess students’ mastery of the Common Core. The Practice Tests mirror the year-end assessment. Each grade level assessment includes a variety of question types and difficulty (approximately 30 items each in ELA and math) as well as an ELA and math performance task at each grade level (3–8 and 11). The May 2014 version of the Practice Tests include additional universal tools, designated supports, and accommodations that were not available in the previous version. All language supports, including translated glossaries and stacked Spanish translation, are available on mathematics Practice and Training Tests
It is important to get students started early with practicing the technology skills required to be successful on the SBAC Exam.
Below you will find several suggestions (by grade level) to help students build and improve these skills.
For a good site for some free grade appropriate activities, https://sites.google.com/a/desertsands.us/assessment-accountability/sbac/sbac-skills-practice
Training Tests
The Training Tests are designed to provide students and teachers with opportunities to quickly familiarize themselves with the software and navigational tools that they will use on the upcoming Smarter Balanced Field Test and/or the spring 2015 Smarter Balanced Assessments. The Training Test is organized by grade bands (grades 3 to 5, 6 to 8, and high school) and each test contains 14-15 questions. The questions on the Training Test were selected to provide students with an opportunity to practice a range of question types. The Training Tests do not contain performance tasks. Similar to the Practice Test, the the Training Test includes all embedded universal tools, designated supports, and accommodations.
Practice Test Options:
Take the Practice Test Just click log in and you are off to chose what subjects and experience smarter balance first hand.
Calculators for test Just choose the appropriate calculator needed for your test.
Scoring Guide Chose the subject and grade level that is appropriate.