May 2005 Grade 8 Mathematics (MA) Test

 

	Raw Score Range 2005	Scale Score Range	Performance Level
MA 8	0-20	517-680	1
	21-38	681-715	2
	39-60	716-759	3
	61-69	760-882	4

 The Grade 8 MA test was designed to measure student progress in Mathematics as defined by the New York State Learning Standards. The chart above shows three types of information that can be derived from the test: raw scores, scale scores, and performance levels.

 Raw Score

Raw scores are a numerical representation of the number or degree of correct responses.

The raw score is derived by using all multiple-choice and open-ended items on the Grade 8 MA Test. Each multiple choice item is worth 1 point. The value of each open-ended item depends on the number of points in the rubric used to score the item. For instance, if a 4-point rubric is used, the item would be worth 4 points. For the Grade 8 MA Test, the maximum total raw score is 69 points. Raw scores cannot be compared from year to year.

 Scale Score

The scale score shows the level of proficiency a student has in Mathematics (e.g., Operations, Measurement, and Mathematical Reasoning). Scale scores were arrived at through a standard setting study conducted with an expert panel of New York State teachers. The Grade 8 MA scale scores use a numerical scale that runs continuously from beginning skills (scale score range of 517-680) to advanced skills (scale score range of 760-882). The scale scores enable comparisons from year to year because the same scale score represents the same level of achievement for the New York State Standards, even if slight changes in the test from year to year cause slight changes in the raw scores.

 Performance Level

Students are classified into one of the four levels of performance based on their overall performance on the test as determined by their MA scale scores. A student's performance level provides information on a student's abilities in relation to the New York State MA Learning Standards. New York State teachers established descriptions of the skills and knowledge required in each performance level. These descriptions are part of the individual student score report that is sent to schools by CTB/McGraw-Hill.  Below is the raw score-to-scale score conversion table for 2005 8MA.

 More information on scoring can be found in the two-part electronic publication, "Determining the Scoring for the Grade 4 and the Grade 8 English Language Arts and Mathematics Examinations":  http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/osa/elintmath.html