New Mexico Practice Tests
New Mexico Practice Books and Flashcards
New Mexico's State Tests at a Glance
In grades 3 through 8, the NM-MSSA covers English language arts and math every year, and the NM-ASR (New Mexico Assessment of Science Readiness) covers science in grades 5 and 8. The tests are given on a computer, and paper versions are used only for students whose IEP calls for them. Neither test is timed: students may take more time, and the times below are the state's recommended times for scheduling. Testing takes place in the spring.
English Language Arts
| Grade | Format | Time | What’s tested |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grades 3, 4 and 5 | Two sessions: reading, then writing and language; computer-based, fixed form; one passage-based essay in Session 2 | Untimed; about 60 minutes for reading and 90 minutes for writing and language | Reading: literary text (65%) and informational text (35%); writing and language: writing analysis (42 to 52%), English language conventions (14 to 23%), and the essay, scored for production of writing (19%) and use of conventions (14%) |
| Grades 6, 7 and 8 | Two sessions: reading, then writing and language; computer-based, fixed form; one passage-based essay in Session 2 | Untimed; about 60 minutes for reading and 90 minutes for writing and language | Reading: literary text (35%) and informational text (65%); writing and language: writing analysis (42 to 52%), English language conventions (14 to 23%), and the essay, scored for production of writing (19%) and use of conventions (14%) |
Students get separate scores in reading and in language usage. Eligible English learners may take the Spanish version of the language arts test.
Mathematics
| Grade | Format | Time | What’s tested |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 3 | Two sessions; computer-based, fixed form; no calculator in Session 1, basic calculator in Session 2; no reference sheet | Untimed; about 60 minutes per session | Operations and algebraic thinking (32 to 39%), measurement and data (24 to 31%), fractions (12 to 19%), number and operations in base ten (8 to 15%), geometry (4 to 11%) |
| Grade 4 | Two sessions; computer-based, fixed form; no calculator in Session 1, basic calculator in Session 2; no reference sheet | Untimed; about 60 minutes per session | Fractions (30 to 37%), number and operations in base ten (19 to 25%), operations and algebraic thinking (18 to 25%), measurement and data (10 to 17%), geometry (4 to 11%) |
| Grade 5 | Two sessions; computer-based, fixed form; no calculator in Session 1, basic calculator in Session 2; no reference sheet | Untimed; about 60 minutes per session | Number and operations in base ten (22 to 29%), fractions (22 to 29%), measurement and data (22 to 29%), operations and algebraic thinking (8 to 15%), geometry (6 to 13%) |
| Grade 6 | Two sessions; computer-based, fixed form; no calculator in Session 1, basic calculator in Session 2; no reference sheet | Untimed; about 60 minutes per session | Expressions and equations (26 to 33%), the number system (22 to 27%), ratios and proportional relationships (15 to 22%), geometry (9 to 16%), statistics and probability (9 to 16%) |
| Grade 7 | Two sessions; computer-based, fixed form; no calculator in Session 1, scientific calculator in Session 2; no reference sheet | Untimed; about 60 minutes per session | Expressions and equations (28 to 35%), ratios and proportional relationships (15 to 22%), statistics and probability (15 to 22%), the number system (13 to 20%), geometry (9 to 16%) |
| Grade 8 | Two sessions; computer-based, fixed form; no calculator in Session 1, scientific calculator in Session 2; no reference sheet | Untimed; about 60 minutes per session | Expressions and equations (28 to 34%), geometry (18 to 25%), functions (16 to 23%), statistics and probability (13 to 19%), the number system (5 to 12%) |
Most questions are machine-scored, and each test also has two constructed-response questions that are scored by hand for both the math and the reasoning. A calculator is built into the online test, and students may use their own if it is the allowed type. When a question needs a ruler, protractor or formula, it is shown inside the question. Eligible English learners may take the Spanish version.
Science
| Grade | Format | Time | What’s tested |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 | Three sessions; computer-based; built-in basic calculator, no handheld calculators; no formula sheet | Untimed; about 50 minutes per session | Physical sciences (38 to 44%), Earth and space sciences (28 to 35%), life sciences (28 to 35%), each through science practices and crosscutting concepts |
| Grade 8 | Three sessions; computer-based; built-in basic calculator, no handheld calculators; no formula sheet | Untimed; about 50 minutes per session | Life sciences (31 to 38%), physical sciences (31 to 38%), Earth and space sciences (28 to 35%), each through science practices and crosscutting concepts |
The NM-ASR is built on the New Mexico STEM Ready! Science Standards, which include the Next Generation Science Standards and New Mexico-specific standards. Many questions are grouped around a science scenario, and a glossary of science terms is available in English and Spanish.