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Exam Overview
The STAAR Grade 8 Reading Language Arts (RLA) test is the end-of-year state assessment for eighth-grade reading and writing in Texas public schools. It is developed and administered by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and measures the Grade 8 English Language Arts and Reading Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).
Test Structure
Every question is tied to a passage. You read literary selections (fiction, poetry, drama, literary nonfiction), informational and argumentative selections, paired selections that you compare, and student-written drafts that you revise and edit.
| Part of the test | What you do | Scoring |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple-choice questions | Choose the best of four answer choices (A–D) about a passage or a draft | 1 point each |
| Other selected-response items | Multipart (Part A and Part B), multiselect, inline choice, and text entry items | 1–2 points each |
| Short constructed response (SCR) | Write a brief answer supported with evidence from the passage | Scored 0–2 points |
| Extended constructed response (ECR) | Write an essay (informational or argumentative) based on one or more passages | 10 points on the Grade 8 test |
Reporting Categories
| Reporting category | What it covers | Share of points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 · Reading | Comprehension, vocabulary, response skills, multiple genres, author's purpose and craft | About half (28 of 56 points on a recent test) |
| 2 · Writing | Revising and editing student drafts, plus the composition (SCR and ECR) skills | About half (28 of 56 points on a recent test) |
The exact number of questions and points can change slightly from one administration to the next. On the spring Grade 8 RLA test TEA released most recently, there were 45 items worth 56 points, including one 10-point ECR.
Timing
- The test is given in one school day.
- Most students are expected to finish in about three to four hours.
- A student who needs more time may keep working until the end of the school day.
- There are no separate timed sections, so you set your own pace. Leave about 45 to 60 minutes for the ECR.
Testing Mode and Tools
- STAAR is taken online. Paper versions are given only to students who need them as an accommodation.
- The online test includes tools such as a highlighter, a notepad, and a built-in dictionary. A dictionary must be available to every student taking the RLA test.
- You may move back and forth between questions and mark questions to review before you submit.
Scores and Performance Levels
Your raw score (the points you earn) is converted to a scale score, which places you in one of four performance levels:
| Performance level | What it means |
|---|---|
| Masters Grade Level | Expected to succeed in the next grade or course with little or no academic intervention |
| Meets Grade Level | High likelihood of success in the next grade or course, with some short-term intervention possible |
| Approaches Grade Level | Likely to succeed in the next grade or course with targeted academic intervention |
| Did Not Meet Grade Level | Unlikely to succeed in the next grade or course without significant, ongoing intervention |
Aim for at least Meets Grade Level. There is no penalty for a wrong answer, so answer every question.
Changes Ahead
Texas law (House Bill 8) replaces STAAR with three shorter assessments given at the beginning, middle, and end of the school year, starting in a later school year. The end-of-year STAAR test described in this guide is the test for the school year this edition covers. The Grade 8 reading and writing TEKS stay the same, so the content review in this guide applies to both.
- Base every answer on the passage, not on outside knowledge
- Return to the paragraph or sentence a question names
- Support written responses with specific text evidence
- Use the dictionary tool for an unfamiliar word, then check the meaning against the context
- Pace yourself and save 45 to 60 minutes for the ECR
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