Guam District-Wide Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment - Adaptive CAT and Performance Tasks

Oct 3, 2026

Uploaded by Kyle

Guam District-Wide Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment is structured into two main components: a Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) and grade-level performance tasks. The CAT selects questions for each student based on responses, adjusting difficulty so items are neither too hard nor too easy. It may include audio, pop-up glossaries, and interactive questions. Performance tasks evaluate integrated skills across multiple standards, such as research, essay writing, complex analysis, and math problem solving, reflecting college- and career-readiness.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

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Pages31

Reading Time1 h 18 min

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District-Wide Summative Assessment Structure

Computer Adaptive Test (CAT)

Performance Tasks

Guam District-Wide Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment District-Wide Summative Assessment The District-Wide Summative consists of two components: • A Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) -The District-Wide Smarter Balanced Assessment is designed to assess how well a student has mastered the expectations of the Common Core State Standards in ELA and Math for his or her grade level. G3 ELA Performance Task G3 ELA CAT Session Complete ELA Testing Experience • Performance Task Test-A performance task, also referred to as a PT, is a portion of the test that requires students to answer a set of questions centered on a common topic or problem. There is one performance task per content area on the summative assessment. G3 Math CAT Session G3 Math Performance Task What is a CAT? What is CAT? What is a CAT? In the adaptive portion of the Guam District-Wide Summative, the questions (or items) are chosen for each student so that the test is neither too hard nor too easy. Provides a unique and effective way to test what a student has learned. ADAPTIVE is what makes the CAT different for other traditional tests by making the test unique for every student. The CAT automatically adjusts to fit the ability. Items might include audio, pop-up glossaries, interactive test questions. How will it work for the student? Test starts The test starts with an item from a pre-determined difficulty level. It may be based on average difficulty for the grade, or it may be based on information known about the student’s ability level from previous tests. Question Selection The student receives questions based on his or her response to the previous questions. The computer program quickly selects a new question after reviewing how well the student performed on all the previous questions. Based on the responses, the programselects a question that fits the test blueprint and gives the best information about what the student knows. This is how a CAT can customize each test so it is an accurate measure of any student’s skills. How will it work for the student? Questions will ADAPT If the student continues to answer questions correctly, the questions covering the blueprint will continue to get more challenging. If the student starts missing the answers to questions, the program will start to select questions that are easier. The program adapts to how the student is performing. Responses • Because the program knows which questions are harder and which are easier, several students may have answered a similar number of questions correctly, but the student who has answered the more challenging questions correctly will achieve a higher score. Performance Tasks Performance Tasks measure a student’s ability to integrate knowledge and skills across multiple standards in a coherent task that requires use of integrated skill sets—a key component of college-and career readiness. Performance tasks measure capacities such as essay writing, research skills, and complex analysis, which are not as easy to assess with individual, discrete items. What is a Performance Task? Mathematics Math PTs require students to integrate skills across multiple domains, clusters, and standards to demonstrate their ability to use their math knowledge to solve real-world problems. What is a Performance Task? ELA In ELA, PTs require students to integrate research and writing to inform/explain, to narrate, or to support an opinion/argument fora designated audience.

FAQs

What are the two components of the Guam District-Wide Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment?

The summative assessment includes a Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) and performance tasks. The CAT adapts question difficulty based on student responses, while performance tasks require integrated skills across standards.

How does the CAT adapt questions for each student?

The test starts at a predetermined difficulty level and then selects new questions based on how the student performed on previous items. If answers are correct, questions become more challenging; if not, the program selects easier questions.

What is a performance task, and what does it measure?

A performance task (PT) is a portion of the test centered on a common topic or problem. It measures students’ ability to integrate knowledge and skills across multiple standards, including tasks such as essay writing, research skills, and complex analysis.

Oct 3, 2026

Uploaded by Kyle