NSCAS Alternate Practice Test - Grade 11 - English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science Test Administration Manual

Sep 30, 2026

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NSCAS Alternate Practice Test Grade 11 aligns extended indicators from Nebraska College-and Career-Ready Standards across English Language Arts, mathematics, and science. The manual explains purpose and uses for familiarizing students and test administrators with item formats, test procedures, and accommodation access. It details Depth of Knowledge alignment using DOK stages, describes multiple-choice item structure with one correct answer and two distractors, and provides administration guidelines for paper-based practice testing, including before-and-during testing procedures.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages35

Reading Time1 h 28 min

AccessFree to download

General Introduction

Purpose and Uses

Depth of Knowledge

Item Format

Description of Practice Test Items

Administration Guidelines

Paper Practice Tests

Online Practice Tests

Online Tools

Grade 11 Alternate English Language Arts

Grade 11 Alternate Mathematics

Grade 11 Alternate Science

NSCAS Alternate Practice Test Grade 11 English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science Test Administration Manual Nebraska Department of Education 2026 Copyright © 2026 by the Nebraska Department of Education. No part of this publication may be reproduced, copied or distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the Nebraska Department of Education. Table of Contents General Introduction ...................................................................................................................... iv Purpose and Uses....................................................................................................................... iv Depth of Knowledge................................................................................................................... iv Item Format................................................................................................................................. iv Description of Practice Test Items ............................................................................................ v [Administration Guidelines .............................................................................................................vi](Administration Guidelines .............................................................................................................vi) Paper [Practice Tests ...................................................................................................................vi](Practice Tests ...................................................................................................................vi) [Online Practice Tests................................................................................................................](Online Practice Tests................................................................................................................).vii Online Tools ..............................................................................................................................viii Grade 11 Alternate English Language Arts .................................................................................. 1 Grade 11 Alternate Mathematics................................................................................................ 10 Grade 11 Alternate Science ......................................................................................................... 19 General Introduction The Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) provides districts and schools with tools to support focused instructional programs aligned to the state assessment system. These tools include Table of Specifications documents, administration manuals, and grade-specific practice tests. This practice test is designed to assist Nebraska educators in preparing students for the statewide Nebraska Student-Centered Assessment System (NSCAS) Alternate Assessment. Purpose and Uses This practice test includes items aligned to the extended indicators derived from the Nebraska College-and Career-Ready Standards. The items reflect the types of questions students will encounter on the operational NSCAS Alternate Assessment in English Language Arts (ELA), mathematics, and science. Each item has undergone a rigorous review process to ensure alignment with the extended indicators. The purpose of the practice test is to: • Familiarize students and test administrators with item formats and content. • Confirm that students have appropriate access to accommodations prior to test day. Depth of Knowledge In addition to alignment with extended indicators, practice test items are developed with attention to cognitive complexity, or Depth of Knowledge (DOK) . Each item’s DOK level is noted in the Test Administration Manual (TAM) . NSCAS Alternate items are classified into DOK stages, which are subsets of the four DOK levels.

FAQs

What is the purpose of the NSCAS Grade 11 alternate practice test?

It helps Nebraska educators prepare students for the statewide NSCAS Alternate Assessment by familiarizing students and administrators with item formats, content types, and test procedures. It also supports confirming accommodation access prior to test day.

How are the practice test items aligned to learning expectations?

Items are aligned to extended indicators derived from the Nebraska College-and Career-Ready Standards. A rigorous review process ensures the questions reflect what students will encounter on the operational NSCAS Alternate Assessment.

How does the manual define Depth of Knowledge for alternate items?

Each item is assigned a DOK level and further categorized into DOK stages. Stage descriptions include tasks such as copying or recalling information for Level 1 stages and comprehension, processing, decision-making, and pattern identification for Level 2 stages.

Sep 30, 2026

Upload by SANS