PSSA Mathematics Item and Scoring Sampler - August 2023 - Grade 4

Sep 30, 2026

A Pennsylvania Department of Education Mathematics Item and Scoring Sampler for PSSA grade 4, released August 2023, provides educators with aligned test item types and scored examples. It explains how the Pennsylvania Core Standards and Assessment Anchors/Eligible Content guide item development, includes item format and scoring rules for multiple-choice and open-ended responses, and outlines uses for classroom-level assessment preparation. Sample responses demonstrate the range of performance across scoring points, supporting consistent evaluation during both local assessments and PSSA mathematics administrations.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages48

Reading Time2 h 1 min

AccessFree to download

Information About Mathematics

Introduction

General Introduction

Pennsylvania Core Standards (PCS)

What Is Included

Purpose and Uses

Item Format and Scoring Guidelines

Item Alignment

Testing Time and Mode of Testing Delivery for the PSSA

Mathematics Reporting Categories

Item and Scoring Sampler Format

Grade 4 Protractor

General Description of Scoring Guidelines for Mathematics Open-Ended Items

Grade 4 Formula Sheet

PSSA Mathematics Grade 4

Mathematics Test Directions

Multiple-Choice Items

Open-Ended Question

Item-Specific Scoring Guideline

Mathematics—Summary Data

The Pennsylvania System of School Assessment Mathematics Item and Scoring Sampler Pennsylvania Department of Education Bureau of Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction—August 2023 TABLE OF CONTENTS INFORMATION ABOUT MATHEMATICS ............................................. 1 Introduction ................................................................ 1 General Introduction ...................................................... 1 Pennsylvania Core Standards (PCS) .......................................... 1 What Is Included ......................................................... 1 Purpose and Uses ........................................................ 2 Item Format and Scoring Guidelines ......................................... 2 Item Alignment .......................................................... 2 Testing Time and Mode of Testing Delivery for the PSSA .......................... 3 Mathematics Reporting Categories .......................................... 3 Item and Scoring Sampler Format ........................................... 4 Grade 4 Protractor ....................................................... 5 General Description of Scoring Guidelines for Mathematics Open-Ended Items ....... 6 Grade 4 Formula Sheet .................................................... 7 PSSA MATHEMATICS GRADE 4 .................................................... 8 Mathematics Test Directions ................................................... 8 Multiple-Choice Items ........................................................ 9 Open-Ended Question ....................................................... 28 Item-Specific Scoring Guideline ............................................ 30 Mathematics—Summary Data ................................................. 44 PSSA Grade 4 Mathematics Item and Scoring Sampler—August 2023 ii INFORMATION ABOUT MATHEMATICS INTRODUCTION General Introduction The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) provides districts and schools with tools to assist in delivering focused instructional programs aligned with the Pennsylvania Core Standards (PCS) . These tools include Academic Standards, Assessment Anchors and Eligible Content (AAEC) documents, assessment handbooks, and content-based item and scoring samplers . This Item and Scoring Sampler is a useful tool for Pennsylvania educators in preparing local instructional programs by providing samples of test item types and scored student responses . The item sampler is not designed to be used as a pretest, a curriculum, or any other benchmark for operational testing . This Item and Scoring Sampler is available in Braille format . For more information regarding Braille, call (717) 901-2238 . Pennsylvania Core Standards (PCS) This sampler contains examples of test questions designed to assess the Pennsylvania Assessment Anchors and Eligible Content aligned to the PCS . The Mathematics, Reading, and Writing PSSA transitioned to PCS-based operational Mathematics and English Language Arts assessments starting with the spring 2015 PSSA administration . The PCS-aligned Assessment Anchors and Eligible Content documents are posted on this portal: ¾ [www.education.pa.gov](www.education.pa.gov) [Hover over “Data and Reporting,” select “Assessment and Accountability,” and select “PSSA-PA System of School Assessment .” Then select“Assessment Anchors/Eligible Content” on the right side of the screen .] What Is Included This sampler contains test questions, or test “items,” that have been written to align to the Assessment Anchors that are based on the PCS . The sample test questions model the types of items that may appear on an operational PSSA . Each sample test question has been through a rigorous review process to ensure alignment with the Assessment Anchors prior to being piloted in an embedded field test within a PSSA assessment and then used operationally on a PSSA asse

FAQs

What is the purpose of the PSSA Mathematics Item and Scoring Sampler (Grade 4)?

It provides Pennsylvania educators sample PSSA item types and scored student responses aligned to Pennsylvania Core Standards, supporting preparation for local instructional programs and consistent scoring guidance.

How are multiple-choice items scored in this sampler?

Each multiple-choice item has four answer choices, and each correct response is worth one point.

How are open-ended (OE) items scored and how much time do they require?

OE items are designed to take about ten to fifteen minutes to complete and are scored using an item-specific guideline based on a 0–4 point scale, with examples of student responses for each score point.

Sep 30, 2026

Upload by Aria Callaghan