Time to Prepare for Spring CAASPP Tests

For Grades 6, 7, 8, 11 & 12

It’s February and that means that Caaspp spring testing is right around the corner. Are you ready? Use the information and strategies below so that you are prepared to rock the test come your testing day.

What is CAASPP Testing? CAASPP stands for California Assessment of Student Performance Progress, and houses all of the California State testing requirements. At CalPac students are required to complete summative assessments in Math, English and Science using the tests issued from CAASPP. Tests are designed to measure growth and show what students can do. Please visit the CAASPP website for more information:  http://www.caaspp.org/index.html.

What Tests Will I Take? Students in grades 6, 7, 8, 11 & 12 will participate in CAASPP testing. Students in grades 6-8 and 11 will take the Smarter Balanced English and Math tests. Students in 8th, 11th and 12th grade will take the California Science Test (CAST). Your testing registration email will let you know which tests you will be taking.

When & Where Do I Take the Tests? Testing takes place in person over a two day period starting in April. We have testing locations throughout Southern California and there will be an option close to you. There is no test from home option. Starting in March, parents and students will be sent spring testing information, including a link to select their preferred testing location. Every effort is made to have enough testing sites close to all students with a manageable commute time.  

How Do the Tests Work? All tests are completed on a computer provided to you at your test site. You will sign into your test using a unique username and password given to you by the testing teacher. You can not use your own computer. You will have as much time as you need for each test, but most students finish the English and Math tests in about three and a half hours, and the science test in an hour.

Test questions consist of a variety of multiple choice, short response, matching, and longer essay responses. Questions are very similar to what you’ve been doing all year in your courses. The tests are “Computer Adaptive” so the questions will either get more difficult or easier depending on if you get the answers correct or incorrect. Always try your best and show what you know!

What Resources Can I Use to Prepare? Students are encouraged to practice as much as possible so they know what to expect come the day of the test. Review the links below and information below so you are ready!

• The CalPac CAASPP Site: http://calpac.online/caaspp has links to practice test and test information for each type of test. Make sure to bookmark it!
• CAASPP Practice Tests: https://sites.google.com/cpcschools.org/caaspp/test-practice
• Attend the online CAASPP Bootcamp Sessions - Room Link: http://calpac.online/mpr
• Wednesday, 2/27 at 12pm - Session 1: Introduction to CAASPP, Test Strategies and Universal Tools
• Wednesday, 3/6 at 12pm - Session 2: Preparing for the English SBAC Test (Grades 6-8, 11)
• Wednesday, 3/13 at 12pm - Session 3: Preparing for the Math SBAC Test (Grades 6-8, 11)
• Wednesday, 3/20 at 12pm - Session 4: Preparing for the Science CAST Test (Grades 8, 11, 12)
• Wednesday, 3/27 at 12pm - Session 5: CAASPP Bootcamp Challenge (Grades 6-8, 11, 12)
• OVERVIEW OF CAASPP TESTS & RULES
• CAASPP UNIVERSAL TOOLS GUIDE
• GENERAL TEST TAKING STRATEGIES
• SBAC ENGLISH TEST STRATEGIES
• SBAC MATH TEST STRATEGIES
• CAST SCIENCE TEST STRATEGIES (8TH AND HS ONLY)
• CAST SCIENCE TEST REVIEW RECORDINGS
• CAASPP PARENT GUIDE

Most importantly go into testing confident! You know more than you think and will do great! All of your teachers believe in you and are proud as long as you try your best.