1. NEW JERSEY ASSESSMENT OF
SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
(NJ ASK)
May 2011

2. What Is The NJ ASK?
n The NJ ASK is an assessment which
measures proficiency in language arts
and math for grades 7 & 8, and
science for grade 8
n NJ ASK test scores enable schools to
determine students strengths and
weaknesses, as well as measure
mastery

3. How are my NJ ASK scores
used by the school and why are
they important? W
Since scores are used to measure achievement
and understanding of previously learned material,
schools use the NJ ASK to help place and track
students. It s important for students to do their
best on this assessment so that are placed in the
appropriate level classes.

4. What Does My Score Mean?
§ Scores are placed into one of
three categories
§ Below 200 Partial
Proficiency
§ Below 250 Proficient
§ At or Above 250 Advanced
Proficiency
Every student should score at or above proficiency as a New
Jersey standard

5. TEST DATES
AND TIMING
Day 1 Lang. Arts
May 3 Grade 7 1 hour, 45 min
Grade 8 1 hour, 45 min
Day 2 Lang. Arts
May 4 Grade 7 2 hours
Grade 8 2 hours
Day 3 Math
May 5 Grade 7 1 hour, 4 min
Grade 8 2 hours, 13 min
Day 4 Math- Grade 7 1 hour, 9min
May 6 Science- Grade 8 2 hours

6. Language Arts- May 3 & 4, 2011
Days 1 & 2 (Grades 7 and 8)
36 MULTIPLE CHOICE
4 OPEN-ENDED
2 WRITING TASKS

7. Language Arts Overview
Reading Passages
Narrative (story)
Informational (expository)
Interpreting and Analyzing / Critiquing
Text
10 Multiple-Choice
2 Open-Ended Questions for each
passage

8. Language Arts Overview
Writing Prompts
Persuasive (45 minutes)
5 paragraph essay
(A)Explanatory OR (B)Speculative
(30 minutes)
(A) life experience or quotation based
(B) writing a short story with characters,
dialogue, etc.

9. Mathematics Overview- Grade 7
Days 3 and 4
Type of Question # Questions
Multiple Choice 42
Extended Constructed-Responses 5
Short Constructed-Response 10

10. Mathematics Overview- Grade 8
Day 3, Thursday, May 5
Type of Question # Questions
Multiple Choice 42
Extended Constructed-Responses 5
Short Constructed-Response 10

11. Mathematical Areas of Focus
Constructed-Response Questions
Have no answer choices. Students must write answers to mathematical questions.
Answers require techniques of listing, counting and reasoning.
Calculators are not allowed to be used in this section
An example of a constructed-response question is: How many ways can a teacher
choose 2 students from a group of 4 students? Answer: 6
Multiple-Choice Questions
Students choose the one best answer from four answer choices
An example of a multiple choice question is: What is the value of the expression
15 3(2+1)? A. 108 B. 36 C. 23 D. 6 Answer: D

12. Mathematical Areas of Focus, Cont d
Extended Constructed-Response Questions
Ø Have no answer choices. Students must write or draw answers to
questions.
Ø Answers require techniques of recognizing, describing, extending and
creating patterns involving whole numbers, rational numbers and integers.
Ø Students may or may not use a calculator in this section,
An example of an extended constructed-response is: The first 4 terms of
Sequence A are shown below.
3, 5, 7, 9,
This sequence can be described by the rule, NEXT = NOW + 2
Give the first 4 terms of a different sequence that has the same rule.
Sequence A, above, has a rule for the nth term. It is 2n + 1. Give the rule
for the nth term of your sequence
What is the 100th term of your sequence? Show your work or explain your
answer.

13. vo1
CALCULATOR
REQUIREMENT
v Bring your own or use a school
issued
BEST Calculator = The one you
use EVERYDAY in Math Class
v Calculators will be used for 50%
of the test

14. Slide 13
vo1 vorsi, 12/30/2004

15. vo2
MINIMUM
ACCEPTABLE
FUNCTIONS
v Operations-should have the ability to
perform the four basic mathematical
operations and have the ability to do powers
and roots of any degree
v Memory - at least one memory cell
v Clearing mechanism
Memory MUST BE CLEARED
v Remove all reference materials

16. Slide 14
vo2 vorsi, 12/30/2004

17. test taking tips
üListen to and read the directions carefully BEFORE you
look at any answers that may be provided.
üUnderline important points in the question.
üMake sure you answer the question being asked.
Be complete and thorough.
üUse the space provided in your ANSWER
FOLDER to WRITE and SHOW your work.
üAsk yourself, Does my answer make sense?
üIf you don t know the answer, take an educated guess!
ü Do your best and answer as many questions as possible.
ü Check your work when finished each section.
ü Trust yourself; you have a lot of knowledge!!

18. Preparing for NJ ASK
nGet a good nights rest
n Eat a healthy breakfast
n Wear comfortable clothes &
wear layers
n Make an educated guess on
every test question
n Bring a #2 pencil
n Do your best

19. TESTING SITE NO NO S