Format of the Middle School Science CMT - Grade 8

Item Distribution

 

Content Knowledge

Scientific Inquiry, Literacy and Numeracy

 

 

Selected Response*

Selected Response*

Constructed Response*

Total Points

Life Science

10

5

1

17

Physical Science

10

5

1

17

Earth Science

10

5

1

17

Total Points

30

21

51

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

General Test Format

The Middle School Science CMT is a cumulative test administered at Grade 8.  It includes science knowledge described in the Core Science Curriculum Framework for grades 6, 7, and 8. .  It includes science knowledge described in Framework Expected Performances C.1 through C.30 and science inquiry skills described in CINQ 1 through CINQ 10.

 

There are a total of 48 test questions: 45 selected response items and 3 constructed response items. Of the 45 selected response items, 30 assess Content Knowledge and 15 assess processes of Scientific Inquiry, Literacy and Numeracy.  The 3 constructed response items will assess Scientific Inquiry, Literacy and Numeracy in the context of the Grade 6, 7 and 8 Curriculum-Embedded Performance Tasks.

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 a performance task related to a Content Standard in Grade 6, 7 and 8. These 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 Middle School Science CMT will include one Scientific Inquiry, Literacy and Numeracy constructed response item related to each of the three curriculum-embedded performance tasks. 

 

Reporting

A Total Science Score will be reported based on all 51 points.  In addition, the following subscores will be reported:

 

·      Life Science                                                           17 points         (33⅓ %)         

·      Physical Science                                                    17 points         (33⅓ %)                     

·      Earth Science                                                         17 points         (33⅓ %)

           

·      Content Knowledge                                              30 points         (59 %)                        

·      Scientific Inquiry, Literacy and Numeracy            21 points         (41 %)

 

Testing Time - 70 minutes