5. “What is the CST/STAR?”
The California Standards Test (CST) /
Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR)
The CST test is a standardized test. That
means all 2nd -11th grade public school students
in California take the same test, at the same
time, in the same way.
Approximately 1.5 million students will take the
CST this year.
The CST will test 4 areas English, Math,
History/Social Science, and Science.
7. 6th Grade Language Arts
• Word Analysis 13
• Reading Comprehension 17
• Literary Response and Analysis 12
• Writing Strategies 17
• Written Conventions 16
• TOTAL 75
8. 6th Grade Mathematics
• Number Sense – Ratios, Proportions, Percentages,
and Negative Fractions 15
• Number Sense – Operations and Problem Solving
with Fractions 10
• Algebra and Functions 19
• Measurement and Geometry 10
• Statistics, Data Analysis, and Probability 11
– TOTAL 65
9. 7th Grade English Language Arts
• Word Analysis 11
• Reading Comprehension 18
• Literary Response and Analysis 13
• Writing Strategies 17
• Written Conventions 16
TOTAL 75
10. 7th Grade Mathematics
• Number Sense – Rational Numbers 14
• Number Sense – Exponents, Powers, and Roots 8
• Algebra and Functions – Quantitative Relationships and
Evaluating Expressions 10
• Algebra and Functions – Multi-step Problems, Graphing,
and Functions 15
• Measurement and Geometry 13
• Statistics, Data Analysis, and Probability 5
– TOTAL 65
11. 8th Grade Language Arts
• Word Analysis 9
• Reading Comprehension 18
• Literary Response and Analysis 15
• Writing Strategies 17
• Written Conventions 16
– TOTAL 75
12. “Why do we spend so much time
reading and reviewing the
directions?”
13. “Why do we spend so much time
reviewing the directions?”
If you do not understand how
to take the test, YOU could
make a major mistake that
could negatively affect your
score.
If you read and follow the
directions your score will be
higher than if you do not read
the directions. It is as simple
as that.
14. “Why do we spend so much time
reviewing the directions?”
If you have any questions
about the test ASK THE
TEACHER. It’s our job to
answer the questions you
have.
Teachers cannot give you
the answers, but we can
explain what the test is
asking you to do.
15. “Can my test score be lowered if I do
not bubble in my answer the right
way?”
16. “Can my test score be lowered if I do not
bubble in my answer the right way?”
o YES! Make sure you are bubbling in the answer
completely, and not outside the lines.
o Use a dark, #2 pencil.
o Keep track of answers you skip . Make sure
your questions and answers match up on the
answer sheet.
o Stop after a few questions (5,10, 15, so on) and
check to make sure your test booklet and
answer sheet match up.
17. “Why do we have to take these
tests?”
• The state of California wants
to know how much you
know compared to other
students in the same grade.
• Your teachers need to know
what you know and what
you still need to learn. That
way, they will be able to
teach you better.
18. “How well are we expected to do on the test?”
• You should always do your
best on tests and
assignments. Expect
Excellence!
• This test is what we use to
decide which classes you
will take next school year.
• You should use this to show
yourself and your parents
how good a student you
really are.
19. “How well are we expected to do on the
English Language Arts CST?”
• Scores range from 150-600
• Far Below Basic Score =
– 6th: 150-267
– 7th: 150-262
– 8th: 150-265
• Below Basic Score =
– 6th: 268-299
– 7th: 263-299
– 8th: 266-299
20. “How well are we expected to do on the
English Language Arts CST?”
• Scores range from 150-600
• Basic Score =
– 6th: 300-349
– 7th: 300-349
– 8th: 300-349
• Proficient Score =
– 6th: 350-393
– 7th: 350-400
– 8th: 350-394
21. “How well are we expected to do on the
English Language Arts CST?”
• Scores range from 150-600
• Advanced Score =
– 6th: 394-600
– 7th: 401-600
– 8th: 395-600
• Our goal is for ALL students to
achieve at the Proficiency Level
and above.
22. “How well are we expected to do on the
Mathematics CST?”
• Scores range from 150-600
• Far Below Basic Score =
– 6th: 150-252
– 7th: 150-256
– 8th (General Math): 150-256
– 8th (Algebra): 150-252
• Below Basic Score =
– 6th: 253-299
– 7th: 257-299
– 8th (General Math): 257-299
– 8th (Algebra): 253-299
23. “How well are we expected to do on the
Mathematics CST?”
• Scores range from 150-600
• Basic Score =
– 6th: 300-349
– 7th: 300-349
– 8th (General Math): 300-34956
– 8th (Algebra): 300-349
• Proficient Score =
– 6th: 350-414
– 7th: 350-413
– 8th (General Math): 350-413
– 8th (Algebra): 350-427
24. “How well are we expected to do on the
Mathematics CST?”
• Scores range from 150-600
• Advanced Score =
– 6th: 415-600
– 7th: 414-600
– 8th (General Math): 414-600
– 8th (Algebra): 428-600
• Our goal is for ALL students to
achieve at the Proficiency Level
and above.
25. What’s the difference between my
“Scale Score” and my “Raw Score?”
• Your “Raw Score” is the total number of
questions you answered correctly.
• Your “Scale Score” is the CST score that is
reported
• You can find out how many questions you
need to answer correctly for each
performance level by examining the “CST
score conversion table” (ask your teacher)
26. Remember, this test is used to
measure what you do know,
not to make you feel stupid
because of what you don’t know.
28. Getting Stuck
“What should I do if I
get stuck on a question?
Should I work at it for
a while, or should I skip
it?”
29. Getting Stuck
• Skip it. If you don’t get it
within a minute you are wasting
time.
• Leave that space blank and
move on to the next problem.
• When you get to the end of the
test, come back and use the
strategies for guessing.
• If you run out of time, make
sure you answer every question.
30. Guessing
“If I don’t know the
answer should I
guess, or is it better
to leave the answer
blank?”
31. Guessing
• Guess, but only if you
don’t know the answer.
• You are not marked down
for wrong answers, so a
guess is better than a
blank space.
• Eliminate any obviously
wrong answers first, your
chances of guessing right
are better if you do.
32. Guessing
• Think very carefully on questions with “never”
and “always.”
• Once you guess, stick with your answer. Only
change if you are absolutely sure you are
wrong.
• If you get 5 “All or None of the above” in a
row….you may want to go back and double
check.
33. Guessing
• Many questions have the word “not,” for
example, “which of the above is not an
example…
• Be sure not to miss the word “not.”
34. “What if there is a question we
haven’t covered in class?”
35. “What if there is a question we
haven’t covered in class?”
• That is expected. The CST is designed to test state
standards and there is a LOT to remember.
• Since the test is administered before the end of the
year, some of the information may not have been
covered yet in your classes.
• Do your best on what you do know and remember
from class.
• It is okay.
37. You better be really Sick!
• Do your best to be here
every day.
• You will have to make
up the test eventually,
so make it if you can.
• If you are too ill to
effectively take the test,
stay home.
39. Test anxiety!
• It is normal to be nervous.
• Just slow down and relax.
• Think of something peaceful.
• Very few people get it all right.
• Remember: No one, that we
know of, has ever died from
taking the CST.
• Take the tests one day at a time.
Concentrate on English while
taking the Reading section and
Math while taking the
Mathematics portion, etc.
40. Fight Test Anxiety!
• If you have a positive attitude
going into the test, chances
are you will do better.
• Having a positive attitude
will only make you feel
better, it can’t make you do
worse.
42. What can I do to be
physically ready?
• Sleep! You need to be rested and ready
for the challenge of the new day.
• This does not mean sleep in and get to
school late, it means go to bed earlier.
• Eat a good breakfast (not one full of
empty calories).
• Stay away from soda, candy and coffee.
They will make you too hyper to take the
test.
43. How Can I Prepare For the CST?
• Pay attention in class
• Carefully work through the
CST Release Test Questions
and the standards your
teachers have been going
over with you.
• Analyze the Released Items
to become familiar with the
format of the CST.
45. Tip #1-Read the question first!
• When you read the questions first you
prepare your mind for reading the
selection.
• Study any graphs, charts and/or
diagrams.
• Get an idea of what the passage will be
about.
• Pay attention to any vocabulary words
they give. Write them on your scratch
paper.
• Make sure you understand what each
question is asking you.
46. Read the passage carefully!
• Read the selection
carefully, twice if
necessary.
• Use your scratch paper to
write down any important
words.
• Use your scratch paper to
take notes about important
ideas.
47. Look for Clues!
• Check the text and question
for clues to the meaning.
• Look for relationships
between words in definition
questions.
• Break down large words to
figure out their meaning.
• Use the reading strategies
you learned in class.
48. Answer the Questions!
• Eliminate any obviously
wrong answers.
• Choose the best answer
from the remaining choices.
• Bubble in the answer on
your answer sheet; make
sure you bubble in the
correct space.
49. Analogies
• Open is to close as up is to Down
• Back is to rear as under is to Below
• Hand is to write as foot is to Kick
-Or-
• bed : sleep :: chair : Sit
• Fish : school :: student : Class
Analogies can be written either way.
50. Analogy Tips
• Figure out the relationship between the two
words; try to use them in a sentence.
• Choose the pair of words that best fits the
original short sentence.
• Consider all 5 choices before you pick your
answer, the first one you pick may not be
the BEST answer.
• Bubble in the best answer on the answer
sheet.
51. Sentence Completion
The Civil War documentary did a good job of
showing the ___________ of the
battlefield.
a) stellar
b) aqueduct
c) carnage
d) recapitulate
e) asteroid
52. Sentence Completion
Fill in the blank
• Try to answer the question first,
without looking at the choices.
• Look at the choices, chances are the
right answer will be obvious.
• Pay attention to key words such as
not, never, although, because,
however, if, but, and since.
53. Don’t Give Up Too Quickly!
• Don’t give up without going part way. You
may be able to eliminate some wrong answers.
54. Get Back to Basics!
• Many items on the test are simply checking to
see if you know what the vocabulary and if you
know how to perform basic tasks.
55. Get a Direction!
• Think…What is this problem asking me to
solve???
• Think…What steps would I use to get
there?
• Think…What tools can I use?
• Remember…there are often many ways to
solve the problem.
56. Check Your Work!
• When you finish you’re the last question, go
back and check your work for careless
mistakes. Sometimes this buys you the one or
two questions that can make a difference in
proficiency level.
57. Check Your Work!
• The STAR portion of the CST is untimed, so
relax and enjoy! Take a deep breath, go back,
and do your best. The results affect your
future, your school and your community.
58. If can eliminate wrong answers or
if you don’t have a clue...Guess!
• If you can eliminate two obviously wrong
answers you have a 50-50 chance of guessing
the right one…do you feel lucky?
59. If can eliminate wrong answers or
if you don’t have a clue...Guess!
• Remember, guessing is not as good as
reasoning out the correct answer, so try
your best before the last resort…
guessing.
61. Solve the problem!
• Use the process of elimination. Substitute
in the answers until the correct answer is
found.
• MAKE SURE YOU USE YOUR
SCRATCH PAPER. DO NOT WRITE
ON THE TEST!!!
62. Evaluate and Check the Solution
• Does the solution answer the question?
• Does the solution make sense? In other
words, is your answer reasonable?
• Check your solution among the answer
choices.
63. Evaluate and Check the Solution
• Remember to eliminate wrong
answers if you need to guess.
• BUBBLE IN THE CORRECT
ANSWER ON YOUR ANSWER
SHEET.
64. The Goal for You is to Achieve
Proficiency on the CST !
• All 2nd -11th grade students
will take this exam during
the months of April & May
• If we begin preparing for it
now, you are sure to
succeed.
65. Do Your Best!
If you want:
• To have the option to choose an elective
like music, theater, or dance,
• To have more equipment in the school,
• To have teachers that are happy (or at least
less grumpy),
• To graduate with a high school diploma,
• To have more fun days and school trips,
Then you need to . . .
