The test is a computer based exam that is categorized under the K-12 assessment group under English Language Arts/ Literacy and Mathematics. The results from PARCC examination help instructors, districts, schools, and teachers track their students’ performance. At a personal level, the result can also help teachers develop a customized instruction method for their students who need special attention in specific areas. It is important to point out that the PARCC program is a relatively new concept and it is reasonable for parents and students to have questions regarding the tests and its objectives. To learn more about the PARCC program, visit the official website of the exam to gather in-depth insight about it.
Coverage Scope of PARCC Test
The PARCC test covers two different subjects, and namely, Mathematics, and English Language Arts/ Literacy. The exam is meant for students in Grade 3 to Grade 11. The test is designed as an academic pointer for the students’ needs and progress for their teachers to discover and work on. There are two broad areas of the examinations that are administered. They are:
- Performance Based Assessment Component which is usually administered at the end of the completion of about 75% of the academic year.
- End of Year Assessment Component which will be administered at the end of the completion of 90% of the academic year.
It is important to mention that the date for these exams vary and will be published at the appropriate time. The details of each of these assessments are enumerated below:
Performance Based Assessment Component
This covers English Language Art/Literacy. The exam is designed for the students within the academic range of Grade 3 to 11. In addition to this, Grade 3 to 8 will also take Performance Based tests in mathematics covering Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Geometry. Each of the Performance Based Assessment components at the different grade level will require five different sessions: two sessions in Mathematics and three sessions in English Language Art/Literacy.
End of Year Assessment Component
This covers End of Year tests in English Language Arts/Literacy for Grade 3 to 11. It also covers End of Year tests in Mathematics for Grade 3 to 8. The mathematics tests involve Algebra 1 and Geometry. The exam components for each of the grade levels require four different sessions: two sessions in Mathematics and two sessions in English Language Art/Literacy.
It is crucial to mention that the scores of the PARCC test are reviewed in four different steps. These steps are detailed below:
1) Overall Performance
This covers the student’s overall scores and the performance level. The overall score is based on units of 850 and the performance level is measured on a scale of 1 to 5. A student rated on performance level 1 would be requiring the highest need for improvement while the one rated on level 5 shows the highest level of performance. The scores of the individual on this level show a good indication of whether the student is on track with their grade level expectations.
2) Performance Levels
This step details the student’s performance on each level of the overall performance. The individual is reviewed on key levels and this shows how well the student is able to meet the grade level expectations. It is analysed in a colour-coded indicator close to the overall performance.
3) Score Graph
This comes in a coloured graph that indicates the ranges of score of the student for each of the performance levels. It also indicates the position where the student’s score falls within a particular range, showing how close he/she is to the next performance level. In this section, the student’s performance in relation to that of other individuals from the same school, state, district, and other states taking the PARCC test will also be indicated.
4) Score Breakdown
This step shows the overall performance of the student in writing and reading, as well as the student’s mathematics scores for a sub set of test questions in some categories. It will also show information about the individual’s performance level on specific skills in the English Language Arts. This allows you to see the student’s area of strengths, as well as where he needs extra support.
How to Get PARCC Practice Tests
As mentioned earlier, the PrepAway PARCC practice test is relatively new in the academic scene and as such there are not many practice materials and resource materials available on this exam. Due to the fact that many different tests are administered at different grade levels of 3 to 11, it is quite hard to collate practice tests for each of the groups of students. Also, the PARCC practice tests are not designed as admission ones as offered by the ACT or SAT exams. They are state examinations designed to measure the progress and competency of the student at an aggregate level. The implication of this is that many test prep organizations are not encouraged to develop practice materials on the test.
However, the fact that there are not many companies developing practice tests does not mean you do not have materials to prepare for it. For instance, you can access the English practice test along with the answers keys on the Internet. You can also access the Mathematics practice tests and the answers keys on the same platform.
It is important to mention that the PARCC tests are often administered through a computer system. Therefore, when choosing your exam option, it is recommended that you choose Computer Based Practice Tests for each of the grade. Be sure to pay attention to the different information offered at each stage of selecting the tests so as to be sure you are writing the correct exam for your grade and level.
Conclusion
Do not stress over the PARCC exam because there is no student that will experience negative consequences due to low score during this test. As a matter of fact, it will expose their area of weaknesses, so that they can get the additional help they require. The scores on this examination do not have any impact on the student’s GPA or their admissions into higher institution of learning.