PSSA Mathematics Grade 5 Reference - General Description of Scoring Guidelines for Mathematics Open-Ended Questions - Scoring Levels 4-0

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by Grenda

Reference guide for scoring PSSA Mathematics Grade 5 open-ended questions. It defines what performance at each scoring level (4 through 0) looks like, focusing on the depth of understanding of required mathematical concepts and procedures, correctness of answers, completeness of shown work, and quality of explanations. Level 0 includes insufficient evidence and notes special zero categories (blank, off task, language other than English, illegible). It also provides standard and metric conversions, time conversions, and rectangular prism volume formulas for use during the test.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Scoring Guidelines for Mathematics Open-Ended Questions

Scoring Levels 4, 3, 2, 1, 0

Special Zero Categories

Reference Conversions and Formulas

Standard Conversions

Metric Conversions

Time Conversions

Rectangular Prism Volume

PSSA MATHEMATICS GRADE 5 REFERENCE GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF SCORING GUIDELINES FOR MATHEMATICS OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS 4 – The response demonstrates a thorough understanding of the mathematical concepts and procedures required by the task. The response provides correct answer(s) with clear and complete mathematical procedures shown and a correct explanation, as required by the task. The response may contain a minor “blemish” or omission in work or explanation that does not detract from demonstrating a thorough understanding. 3 – The response demonstrates a general understanding of the mathematical concepts and procedures required by the task. The response and explanation (as required by the task) are mostly complete and correct. The response may have minor errors or omissions that do not detract from demonstrating a general understanding. 2 – The response demonstrates a partial understanding of the mathematical concepts and procedures required by the task. The response is somewhat correct with a partial understanding of the required mathematical concepts and/or procedures demonstrated and/or explained. The response may contain some work that is incomplete or unclear. 1 – The response demonstrates a minimal understanding of the mathematical concepts and procedures required by the task. The response is marginally correct with a minimal understanding of the required mathematical concepts and/or procedures demonstrated and/or explained. The response may contain work that is undeveloped and rudimentary in nature. 0 – The response has no correct answer and insufficient evidence to demonstrate any understanding of the mathematical concepts and procedures required by the task for that grade level. The response may show only information copied from the question. Special Categories within zero reported separately: BLK (blank) Blank, entirely erased, or written refusal to respond OT Off task LOE ......................... Response in a language other than English IL............................. Illegible Formulas and conversions that you may need on this test are found below. 2026 You may refer back to this page at any time during the mathematics test. Grade 5 Standard Conversions 1 mile (mi) = 1,760 yards (yd) 1 mile = 5,280 feet (ft) 1 yard (yd) = 3 feet (ft) 1 foot = 12 inches (in. ) 1 ton (T) = 2,000 pounds (lb) 1 pound = 16 ounces (oz. ) 1 gallon (gal) = 4 quarts (qt) 1 quart = 2 pints (pt) 1 pint = 2 cups (c) 1 cup = 8 fluid ounces (fl oz. ) Metric Conversions 1 kilometer (km) = 1,000 meters (m) 1 meter = 100 centimeters (cm) 1 centimeter = 10 millimeters (mm) 1 kilogram (kg) = 1,000 grams (g) 1 gram = 1,000 milligrams (mg) 1 liter (L) = 1,000 milliliters (mL) Time Conversions 1 century = 10 decades 1 decade = 10 years (yr) 1 year (yr) = 12 months (mo) 1 year = 52 weeks (wk) 1 year = 365 days 1 week = 7 days 1 day = 24 hours (hr) 1 hour = 60 minutes (min) 1 minute = 60 seconds (sec) Rectangular Prism l Volume = length × width × height V = l × w × h Volume = area of the base × height V = B × h Volume = area of the base × width V = B × w Volume = area of the base × length V = B × l Volume = side edge × side edge × side edge V = s × s × s Copyright © 2026 by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

FAQs

How does a response earn a score of 4 in Grade 5 open-ended questions?

A score of 4 requires a thorough understanding of the mathematical concepts and procedures. The response includes correct answers with clear, complete mathematical procedures and a correct explanation, with only minor blemishes or omissions.

What does a score of 0 mean for a Grade 5 open-ended response?

A score of 0 means there is no correct answer and insufficient evidence of understanding for the grade level. It may also reflect that the response copied information only from the question, and it includes special subcategories reported separately.

What formulas and conversions are provided for test use?

The reference includes standard and metric conversions, time conversions, and formulas for rectangular prism volume, such as V = l × w × h and V = B × h, where B is the base area.

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by Grenda