[MeganC]

I wonder how many New York State teachers would pass that exam?

[Michael.SF.]

I want to know why Pedro, Carlos and Tina were all late for school.

[ConservativeInPA]

I looked at the sample exam questions. My conclusion is simple. If they expect 3rd graders to solve these problems then their expectations of 3rd graders are wrong. Making things overly difficult or complex does not improve education. The ability to multiply and divide in 3rd grade is appropriate. The ability to reason and solve problems happens at a later age for most children. I should also note that a little thing called algebra solves these math problems. Few 3rd graders are able to handle algebra as it requires abstract thought which doesn't develop until children are older.

Educators have lost focus In the race to make our children mathematical wonders. They should let 3rd graders learn their multiplication tables and have some childhood fun instead of losing focus on fundamentals. In other words, educators haste leads to a lack of the fundamental building blocks to achieve in the future.

[forgotten man]

The test is obviously racist. Look at the names in the examples. I don’t see no nobody wid names like Tyrone, Javeriouss, Tamkika, Propecia or LaQuann.

[Vermont Lt]

Wow. While I had no problem with the test, the questions were pretty tough for someone with two years of mathematics instruction.

[Pentagon Leatherneck]

question 31 answer is wrong: 480-450=30.

TC

[jpsb]

pinging the math teacher

[P-Marlowe]

The answer to question 17 is 8 not 6. C not D.

No wonder the kids missed it. The answer key was incorrect.

[9YearLurker]

The first three are simple. Question #53 is worded badly, however, though the graph gives sufficient context.

“The total area of both floors she tiled was 92 feet.”

That could well be interpreted to mean for both floors, the total area was 92 feet. It would have been more clear if the wording was “The area of both floors combined...” or, “The total area for the two floors together” or some such.

Again, one look at the graph and you see one floor was less than 92 feet and so you can deduce from that what they meant. But the question is just not very well done.

[Gideon7]

The questions require a good reading vocabulary (’difference’, ‘identical’, ‘diagram’) in addition to math ability.

[donna]

I’m really confused.

[Lizavetta]

Sorry, but these questions are way beyond what an 8-year-old should be expected to understand. They’re still trying to master their times tables.

[egfowler3]

While everyone is asking about the questions and such, I’m wondering how LONG it took them to just answer the questions! I bet they had few questions and took LOTS of time to answer them. You can only count so far on your two hands before getting lost and starting over.