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Exam Overview
About the STAAR Grade 5 Mathematics Test
The STAAR Grade 5 Mathematics test is the statewide end-of-year mathematics assessment for fifth graders in Texas public schools. It is developed and administered by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and measures the Grade 5 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 for them. Fifth graders also take STAAR Reading Language Arts and STAAR Science, each on its own day.
Test Format at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of questions | 34 questions on the most recent released test |
| Total points | 42 points: 26 questions are worth 1 point and 8 questions are worth 2 points |
| Question types | Multiple choice plus non-multiple-choice items: multiselect, drag and drop, inline choice, hot spot, 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 5 Mathematics Reference Materials (perimeter, area, and volume formulas and measurement conversions) are provided |
| Delivery | Online, in one day, during the spring testing window |
Reporting Categories
TEA's test blueprint groups the Grade 5 TEKS into four reporting categories. The five sections of this guide cover all of them.
| Reporting Category | What It Includes | Where It Is in This Guide |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Numerical Representations and Relationships | Decimal place value, comparing and rounding decimals, prime and composite numbers, parentheses and brackets, simplifying expressions | Topic 1.1; Topics 2.1 and 2.2 |
| 2. Computations and Algebraic Relationships | Whole-number, decimal, and fraction operations; equations for multi-step problems; number patterns | Topics 1.2 to 1.6; Topics 2.3 and 2.4 |
| 3. Geometry and Measurement | Perimeter, area, and volume; classifying two-dimensional figures; unit cubes; conversions; the coordinate plane | Topic 2.5; Section 3 |
| 4. Data Analysis and Personal Financial Literacy | Frequency tables, bar graphs, dot plots, stem-and-leaf plots, scatterplots; taxes, income, payment methods, records, budgets | Sections 4 and 5 |
Computations and Algebraic Relationships is the largest category: almost half the questions. Every standard can appear, though, so study all five sections. About one-third of the standards are readiness standards, the skills TEA considers most important for success in Grade 6. These are tested every year and in more depth.
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 5 mathematics; well prepared for Grade 6 |
| Meets Grade Level | Prepared for Grade 6 mathematics; may need short-term support in some areas |
| Approaches Grade Level | Likely to succeed in Grade 6 with targeted academic support |
| Did Not Meet Grade Level | Unlikely to succeed in Grade 6 without significant support |
The raw scores needed for each level are set separately for each test form, so they can change slightly from one test to the next. 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: shopping, building, cooking, travel, sports, and saving money
- Many questions include a table, graph, model, coordinate grid, or figure
- Multi-step questions are common: you may need to convert units and then find a volume, or find a total and then share it equally
- 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 click on a graph, so you cannot rely on answer choices alone
What Happens After the Test
Results show families and teachers which Grade 5 skills a student has mastered. Under Texas law, a student who does not pass receives accelerated instruction (extra, targeted teaching) in that subject during the next school year. Grade 5 students no longer have to pass STAAR to be promoted to Grade 6; promotion decisions are made by the school.
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 5 mathematics TEKS stay the same, so the content review in this guide applies to both.
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