Revised 10/1/2007

Format of the Elementary Science CMT - Grade 5

Item Distribution

 

Content Knowledge

Scientific Inquiry, Literacy and Numeracy

 

Selected Response*

Constructed

Response*

Selected Response*

Total Points

Life Science

6

1

6

14

Physical Science

6

1

6

14

Earth Science

6

1

6

14

Total Points

24

18

42

* Each selected response item is worth 1 point.  Each constructed response item is worth 2 points.

General Test Format

The Elementary Science CMT is a cumulative test administered at Grade 5.  It includes science knowledge described in the Core Science Curriculum Framework for grades 3, 4, and 5. .  It includes science knowledge described in Framework Expected Performances B.1 through B.25 and science inquiry skills described in BINQ 1 through BINQ 10.  Some of the elementary Inquiry Expected Performances are assessed through district and classroom assessments.  These include BINQ 2, BINQ 7 and BINQ 8.

 There are a total of 39 test questions: 36 selected response items and 3 constructed response items. Of the 36 selected response items, 18 assess Content Knowledge and 18 assess processes of Scientific Inquiry, Literacy and Numeracy.  The 3 constructed response items assess Content Knowledge.

Test Scoring

The selected response items are scored electronically as correct or incorrect.  Constructed response items are hand-scored by trained readers using a 3 point scale (0-2).

Curriculum-Embedded Performance Tasks

SDE has developed curriculum-embedded performance tasks related to one Content Standard from Grades 3, 4 and 5.  The performance tasks are posted at www.ct.gov/sde under the curriculum site.  Districts are encouraged to utilize these inquiry investigations when their curricula address the Content Standard related to each task.  The Elementary Science CMT will include two to three Scientific Inquiry, Literacy and Numeracy selected response items related to each of the embedded performance tasks.

 

Reporting

A Total Science Score will be reported based on all 42 points.  In addition, the following subscores will be reported:

 

·        Life Science                                                                   14 points           (33⅓ %)          

·        Physical Science                                                            14 points           (33⅓ %)          

·        Earth Science                                                                 14 points           (33⅓ %)          

 

·        Content Knowledge                                                      24 points           (57%)

·        Scientific Inquiry, Literacy and Numeracy           18 points           (43%) 

 

Testing Time - 65 minutes