Nebraska Practice Tests
Nebraska Practice Books and Flashcards
Nebraska's State Tests at a Glance
In grades 3 through 8, the Nebraska Student-Centered Assessment System (NSCAS) covers English language arts and math every year, plus science in grades 5 and 8. The tests are taken online, and paper forms are used only for students with a documented need. The ELA and math tests are computer-adaptive, so students cannot go back to earlier questions; the science test is a fixed form. The tests are untimed, schools may give each test in one session or two, and testing takes place in the spring.
English Language Arts
| Grade | Format | Time | What’s tested |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 3 | Online; computer-adaptive | Untimed; typical test time is no more than 90 minutes | Reading prose and poetry (28 to 33%), reading informational text (28 to 33%), vocabulary (15 to 20%), writing (23 to 28%) |
| Grade 4 | Online; computer-adaptive; short written responses | Untimed; typical test time is no more than 90 minutes | Reading prose and poetry (28 to 33%), reading informational text (28 to 33%), vocabulary (15 to 20%), writing (23 to 28%) |
| Grades 5 and 6 | Online; computer-adaptive | Untimed; typical test time is no more than 90 minutes | Reading prose and poetry (28 to 33%), reading informational text (28 to 33%), vocabulary (15 to 20%), writing (23 to 28%) |
| Grades 7 and 8 | Online; computer-adaptive; short written responses | Untimed; typical test time is no more than 90 minutes | Reading prose and poetry (25 to 30%), reading informational text (30 to 35%), vocabulary (15 to 20%), writing (23 to 28%) |
In grades 4, 7 and 8, the written responses show students a short sample of student writing and ask them to add a few sentences to reach a writing goal, such as a conclusion. Human scorers grade these answers with a rubric. The reading passages are always in English.
Mathematics
| Grade | Format | Time | What’s tested |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 3 | Online; computer-adaptive; no calculator; no reference sheet | Untimed; typical test time is no more than 90 minutes | Number (35 to 45%), algebra (15 to 20%), geometry (20 to 30%), data (15 to 20%) |
| Grades 4 and 5 | Online; computer-adaptive; no calculator; reference sheet | Untimed; typical test time is no more than 90 minutes | Number (35 to 45%), algebra (20 to 30%), geometry (15 to 25%), data (10 to 20%) |
| Grade 6 | Online; computer-adaptive; calculator on some questions; reference sheet | Untimed; typical test time is no more than 90 minutes | Number (20 to 30%), ratios and proportions (15 to 25%), algebra (20 to 30%), geometry (10 to 20%), data (10 to 20%) |
| Grade 7 | Online; computer-adaptive; calculator on some questions; reference sheet | Untimed; typical test time is no more than 90 minutes | Number (15 to 25%), ratios and proportions (5 to 15%), algebra (20 to 30%), geometry (15 to 25%), data (20 to 30%) |
| Grade 8 | Online; computer-adaptive; calculator on some questions; reference sheet | Untimed; typical test time is no more than 90 minutes | Number (20 to 30%), algebra (25 to 35%), geometry (25 to 35%), data (10 to 20%) |
In grades 6 to 8, the online test provides the Desmos calculator on the questions where a calculator is allowed. In grades 4 to 8, the reference sheet is built into the online test, and schools may also hand out a printed copy. The math test is also offered in Spanish for eligible English learners.
Science
| Grade | Format | Time | What’s tested |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 | Online; fixed form; 4 to 6 science tasks, each with several questions | Untimed; about 60 minutes suggested for scheduling | Earth and space sciences (33 to 62%), physical sciences (23 to 39%), life sciences (16 to 31%) |
| Grade 8 | Online; fixed form; 4 to 6 science tasks, each with several questions | Untimed; about 60 minutes suggested for scheduling | Physical sciences (27 to 60%), life sciences (17 to 33%), earth and space sciences (14 to 27%) |
Each science task is an extended task with several prompts that ask students to use science and engineering practices to make sense of science ideas. Science scores are not broken into reporting categories on the student report.