NYS Math Practice Test 6th Grade + How to Ace the NYS Math Exam

NYS Math practice test 6th grade

If your child is a sixth grade student in a New York public school, he or she will be required to take the NYS Math assessment.

The exam is linked to the Common Core math standards: a rigorous set of skills and knowledge that students should master at each grade level.

We want you and your child to feel confident and prepared as testing season approaches. This article will include helpful information, sample questions, and an NYS math practice test 6th grade to put your child on the path to success.

So let’s get started! First, click the button below to get a NYS math practice test for your 6th grader. Along with this test, you will also receive a bonus PDF "5 Top Tips to Use Practice Tests Effectively" to help your child study for the test.

NYS Math Basics

NYS Math is administered to New York students in grades 3-8 annually. It is aligned with Common Core standardsand constructed by Questar Assessments Inc.

Previously, the test was available only in paper-pencil format, but schools will be permitted to administer a computer-based version starting in 2017.

All test questions are multiple choice, short response, or extended response. Recently, New York teachers have had an increased role in evaluating and selecting test questions.

Starting with the NYS Math test 2016, the exam was administered with no time limit. This change will continue into the upcoming school year. Students who are working productively may have a full school day to complete the test if needed.

NYS Math 6th Grade

Below, we’ll explore the structure and content specific to the NYS Math 6th grade assessment.

Test Structure

For sixth grade students, NYS Math consists of three test session administered over three days. Although the test is untimed, students typically need 70-80 minutes to complete Sessions 1 and 2 and 80-90 minutes for Session 3.

The structure of the NYS Math test 2017 is unchanged from the NYS Math test 2016.

Session 1 includes 26 multiple choice questions.

Session 2 consists of 27 multiple choice questions.

For Session 3, sixth grade students must answer six short response questions and four extended responses.

Sixth grade students may use a four-function or scientific calculator for Session 2 and Session 3 only.

Test Content

Sixth grade students are assessed in the following categories:

  • Ratios and Proportional Relationships

  • NYS Math Practice Test 6th Grade - Ratio sample

    NYS Math Practice Test 6th Grade - Ratio sample

  • The Number System

  • NYS Math Practice Test 6th Grade - Number System sample

    NYS Math Practice Test 6th Grade - Number System sample

  • Expressions and Equations

  • NYS Math Practice Test 6th Grade - Inequality sample

    NYS Math Practice Test 6th Grade - Inequality sample

  • Measurement and Data

  • NYS Math Practice Test 6th Grade - Measurement sample

    NYS Math Practice Test 6th Grade - Measurement sample

  • Statistics and Probability
  • NYS Math Practice Test 6th Grade - Probability sample

    NYS Math Practice Test 6th Grade - Probability sample

    More specifically, Common Core math standards for sixth grade students focus on the following critical areas:

  • Connecting ratio and rate to whole number multiplication and division and using concepts of ratio and rate to solve problems
  • NYS Math Practice Test 6th Grade - Solving with Ratio sample

    NYS Math Practice Test 6th Grade - Solving with Ratio sample

  • Completing understanding of division of fractions and extending the notion of number to the system of rational numbers, which includes negative numbers
  • NYS Math Practice Test 6th Grade - Negative Numbers sample

    NYS Math Practice Test 6th Grade - Negative Numbers sample

  • Writing, interpreting, and using expressions and equations
  • NYS Math Practice Test 6th Grade - Expressions sample

    NYS Math Practice Test 6th Grade - Expressions sample

  • Developing understanding of statistical thinking
  • We’ve mentioned that there are three question types on NYS Math:

  • Multiple choice

  • Short response

  • Extended response
  • As you can see in the multiple-choice sample questions above, “distractors” (wrong choices) include plausible errors that students may make while solving the problem. Many of these questions also require students to complete multiple steps.

    The short response questions require students to show their work or explain their reasoning. Students must apply mathematical concepts to real world situations. Below are three sample sixth grade short response questions.

    NYS Math Practice Test 6th Grade - Short Responses 1 sample

    NYS Math Practice Test 6th Grade - Short Responses 1 sample

    NYS Math Practice Test 6th Grade - Short Responses 2 sample

    NYS Math Practice Test 6th Grade - Short Responses 2 sample

    NYS Math Practice Test 6th Grade - Short Responses 3 sample

    NYS Math Practice Test 6th Grade - Short Responses 3 sample

    Extended response questions are very similar to short response questions, both of which appear only in Session 3. However, these questions may be more extensive or require students to complete multiple tasks. Students may need the ability to explain their reasoning or critique the arguments of others.

    NYS Math Practice Test 6th Grade - Extended Response sample

    NYS Math Practice Test 6th Grade - Extended Response sample

    Although these question types are challenging, working through NYS math practice tests 6th grade can help your child effectively prepare.

    How to Ace NYS Math 6th Grade

    There are several steps you can take to help your child conquer this challenging assessment.

    First, remember that both the test and your child’s curriculum are aligned with the Common Core standards for mathematics. This means that what your child learns in math class can be directly applied to the NYS Math exam.

    You always want your child to work hard in class, but be sure to emphasize the importance of paying attention, taking notes, completing classwork and homework, and asking for help if necessary in math class this year.

    If your child falls behind in math class, you may want to ask the teacher for additional assistance, hire a tutor, or take advantage of any free tutoring programs available at your child’s school. It’s also a good idea to contact your child’s teacher to ask about his overall performance in math class and any strengths or weaknesses.

    Your child can also gain extra practice through the use of math workbooks, online math programs, or even math-related Youtube videos. Of course, you must ensure that these are reliable sources with content related to NYS Math/Common Core standards.

    For any assessment, it’s always helpful to work through sample questions or practice assessments. In this case, we highly recommend having your child complete an NYS Math practice test 6th grade.

    Discuss your child’s wrong answers to ensure he understands why these answers are incorrect. Help him develop better approaches to similar questions in the future. Work on test-taking strategies like process of elimination, skipping difficult questions and coming back to them later, etc.

    Although you should practice consistently, you also want to avoid your child developing test anxiety or feeling burnt out. Keep test sessions short, engaging, and encouraging.

    By following these simple tips and utilizing the NYS Math practice test 6th grade, you’ll help your child ace this assessment!