PARCC Test: Preparation Guide for Students
If you have a PARCC test coming up, you may be feeling overwhelmed, and maybe even a bit stressed. After all, this assessment plays a role in whether you will be moving on to the next grade. This is why it is important to make sure you do it right when it comes to preparing for your PARCC test.
Before completing your PARCC test, there are a few things that you need to know about this assessment that will help you increase your chances of passing the test.
To help make sure you achieve the best score that you can for your PARCC test, we have highlighted what you need to know about the exam in this article, including a few tips to help you prepare for both the practice and final assessment.
Table of Contents
About PARCC Test
PARCCA test stands for the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers test, a required assessment by nine states to assess students from grades 3 to 11. This assessment is an online-based test, and students will usually have around 60 to 110 minutes to complete the assessment, depending on their grade level.
The PARCC test aims to help educators assess whether a student meets the Common Core State Standards by measuring the academic goals of that student. The PARCC test scoring system includes five levels of performance.
The higher the level, the better the student’s score. The PARCC test has two sections, this includes the mathematics portion of the assessment and the second section focuses on the literacy portion.
PARCC Math test
The mathematics portion of the PARCC exam will require students to include questions that incorporate real life0sceanios and maths problems to test thee students’ abilities to solve these problems. To answer these questions, students will need to apply their mathematical reasoning skills to prove that they can meet the Common Core State Standards.
PARCC ELA test
The PARCC English Language Arts portion of the test aims to assess whether a student is able to analyze text and text to speech critically. This section of the test also aims to assess the student’s level of understanding of vocabulary, syntax, and the English language.
The ELA sections of the test consist of fiction, non-fiction passages, and audio files on which the questions in these will be based. Tests like NWEA MAP, Staar also includes ELA section in their exam pattern.
PARCC States
The nine states which have implemented the PARCC assessment into their education system, making it a requirement for all students to complete, include:
- Colorado – from Grades 3 to 9
- Rhode Island -from Grade 3 to 9
- Maryland – from Grades 3 to 8
- New Mexico – from Grades 3 to 8
- New Jersey – from Grades 3 to 8
- Illinois – from Grades 3 to 8
- Lousiana – partially participating from Grades three to eight. However, students have the choice between the LEAP or the PARCC test.
- Massachusetts – partially participating from Grades three to eight
- Burea if Induan Education – partially participating
- Department of Defense schools – partially participating
Different Types of Questions Asked In the PARCC Tests
The PARCC practice test and official exams are multiple-choice assessments that will be completed online. The multiple-choice testing format applies to both the math and ELA portion of the assessment.
The questions asked in the PARCC assessment are usually scenario-based and give the student a bit of insight before asking a question. In both of the sections, the student receives a statement that is followed by a question. The student will then have to select the option that they believe is correct.
Tips to Prepare for the PARCC Practice Test
Once you know what to expect in your upcoming PARCC assessments, you can start preparing for this exam. It is important to remember the earlier you start preparing for your PARCC assessment, the better. Here are a few preparation tips to help you get started:
1. Complete PARCC practice test in formal test conditions
The best way to prepare students for their upcoming PARCC test is to complete a few practice tests. What’s great about these practice tests is that there are free PARCC practice tests available online, which means that you can complete quite a few practice tests before your official test.
After all, the best way to prepare for any test is to complete a practice test because these tests will give you a better idea of the types of questions you can be expected to ask. After completing a practice test, you will also have a better idea of the topics to which you need to pay more attention.
2. Focus on the questions you answered incorrectly.
Once you have completed your practice test, the best thing to do is to note the questions you answered incorrectly. You should pay more attention to these topics when going over the content before your final assessment to ensure that you will have a better understanding of these topics.
3. Practice time management skills
Since the PARCC assessments have a time limit, it is important you practice your time management skills before completing this test. The last thing you want to happen is not being able to complete the test because of poor time management skills. The best way to practice this skill is to complete your PARCc practice test within the time limit you will be given for your assessment.
Final Thoughts
The PARCC test is a requirement for all students from grades 3 to 11 to pass in order to advance to the next grade. This test asses students’ abilities in English Language Arts and Maths. The PARCC test includes a maximum of 6 sections. This includes 3 ELA sections and 3 Maths sections. However, this depends on the grade of the test.
Now that you know everything, you need to know about the PARCC test, including the types of questions you will be asked. This will give you a better idea of what you can expect to be tested on in both your practice and the official assessment.
Don’t wait any longer, and start preparing for your upcoming PARCC test to ensure you can score as high as possible.
Sarah is an accomplished educator, researcher and author in the field of testing and assessment. She has worked with various educational institutions and organisations to develop innovative evaluation methods and enhance student learning. Sarah has published numerous articles and books on assessment and learning. Her passion for promoting equity and fairness in the education system fuels her commitment to sharing insights and best practices with educators and policymakers around the world.
