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Exam Overview
About the STAAR Grade 3 Mathematics Test
The STAAR Grade 3 Mathematics test is the statewide end-of-year mathematics assessment for third graders in Texas public schools. It is developed and administered by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and measures the Grade 3 mathematics TEKS.
The test is given in the spring and is taken online on the state testing platform. Paper, large-print, and braille versions are available for students who qualify. Third graders also take the STAAR Reading Language Arts test on a different day. Grade 3 is the first year students take STAAR.
Test Format at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of questions | 30 questions (TEA test blueprint) |
| Total points | 37 points: 23 questions are worth 1 point and 7 questions are worth 2 points |
| Question types | Multiple choice plus non-multiple-choice items such as multiselect, drag and drop, inline choice (drop-down), hot spot, number line or graph items, and equation (typed answer) items |
| Testing time | Designed so most students finish in about 3 hours; sessions are usually scheduled for 3 to 4 hours, and students who need more time may keep working until the end of the regular school day |
| Calculator | Not permitted (only for students approved for a calculator accommodation) |
| Reference materials | The STAAR Grade 3 Mathematics Reference Materials list measurement conversions for length, capacity, weight and mass, and time. There are no formulas on it. |
| Delivery | Online, in one day, during the spring testing window |
Reporting Categories
TEA's test blueprint groups the Grade 3 TEKS into four reporting categories. The five sections of this guide cover all of them.
| Reporting Category | Questions | Points | What It Includes | In This Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Numerical Representations and Relationships | 7–9 | 10–12 | Place value to 100,000, comparing and rounding, fractions and equivalent fractions | Topics 1.1, 1.2, 1.7, 1.8 |
| 2. Computations and Algebraic Relationships | 11–13 | 13–17 | Adding and subtracting within 1,000, money, multiplication and division, word problems, unknowns, number pairs | Topics 1.3–1.6; Section 2 |
| 3. Geometry and Measurement | 5–7 | 6–10 | 2D and 3D figures, quadrilaterals, area, perimeter, time, liquid volume and weight | Section 3 |
| 4. Data Analysis and Personal Financial Literacy | 3–5 | 3–6 | Frequency tables, dot plots, pictographs, bar graphs; income, scarcity, spending, credit, saving | Sections 4 and 5 |
Computations and Algebraic Relationships is the largest category. Every standard can appear, though, so study all five sections. Thirteen of the standards are readiness standards, the skills TEA considers most important for Grade 4. They make up most of the points and are tested every year.
Scoring and Performance Levels
Your raw score (the number of points you earn) is converted to a scale score. The scale score places you in one of four performance levels. Approaches Grade Level is the passing standard.
| Performance Level | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Masters Grade Level | Strong command of Grade 3 mathematics; well prepared for Grade 4 |
| Meets Grade Level | Prepared for Grade 4 mathematics; may need short-term support in some areas |
| Approaches Grade Level | Likely to succeed in Grade 4 with targeted academic support |
| Did Not Meet Grade Level | Unlikely to succeed in Grade 4 without significant support |
The raw scores needed for each level are set for each test form, so they can change slightly from year to year. TEA posts the raw score conversion tables on its website after each administration.
What the Test Looks Like
- Most questions are set in real-world situations: school, shopping, gardens, sports, and saving money
- Many questions include a model, number line, table, graph, or figure
- Two-step questions are common: you may add two amounts and then subtract, or multiply and then add
- Non-multiple-choice items ask you to type a number, drag values into place, choose from a drop-down menu, select every correct answer, or place a point on a number line
What Happens After the Test
Results show families and teachers which Grade 3 skills a student has mastered. A student who does not pass receives accelerated instruction (extra, targeted teaching) in mathematics during the next school year. STAAR results are not used by the state to decide promotion to Grade 4.
Changes Ahead
Texas law (House Bill 8) replaces STAAR with three shorter tests given at the beginning, middle, and end of the school year, starting in a later school year. The end-of-year STAAR test described here is the test for the school year this edition covers. The Grade 3 mathematics TEKS stay the same, so the content review in this guide applies to both.
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