Test preparation in the 2020s requires more than a brain full of knowledge and a sharp number two pencil. In New Jersey, after a brief hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, spring summative Student Learning Assessments are back — and their computer-based format means students need to be well-versed in virtual testing technology in order to show off everything they’ve learned.
Online practice NJSLA tests make gaining this familiarity a snap. But before we get into that, let’s talk about the NJSLA tests themselves. Here’s what you need to know.
What is NJSLA?
The New Jersey Student Learning Assessments (NJSLA) are annual summative assessments for students in grades 3 and up. Covering the typical subjects — English language arts, mathematics, and science — NJSLA tests measure student achievement against the New Jersey Student Learning Standards and they provide insight on how schools and districts are doing academically.
NJSLA tests the following subjects and grade levels:
- English language arts (grades 3–9)
- Mathematics (grades 3–8)
- Science (grades 5, 8, 11)
- Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II (high school, in tandem with corresponding courses)
NJSLA tests are primarily administered via computer, though paper accommodations are available for qualifying students. Certain tests are also available in Spanish. As computer-based tests, NJSLA exams include a variety of questions types, including multiple choice, constructed response, multiple selection, and technology-enhanced items.
Starting with the class of 2023, New Jersey students must also take the New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment (NJGPA) and earn a passing score on the English language arts and mathematics sections in order to earn their diploma. NJGPA is administered on the same testing platform as the NJSLA tests.
New Jersey students with significant cognitive disabilities who can’t meaningfully access the NJSLA tests — even with special accommodations — may qualify to take the Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) alternate assessment instead. DLM covers the same grades and subjects as the NJSLA tests and is administered on the computer.
In addition to taking the other assessments, English language learners are assessed on their academic English language proficiency with the ACCESS for ELLs. Kindergarten English learners take the Kindergarten version, a paper-based test, while grades 1 through 12 take the standard computer test. English learners with significant cognitive disabilities take the Alternate ACCESS for ELLs.
The testing windows for NJSLA and other New Jersey assessments usually start in April.
How to Prep Your Students for NJSLA
NJSLA practice tests can help your student develop the skills and confidence they need to do well on the real NJSLA tests. Administer NJSLA practice tests on an online platform like Edulastic, and your students will learn how to navigate through the virtual test and properly interact with different question types along the way to provide their answers.
When they take the real NJSLA tests, they won’t be caught off-guard by drag-and-drop or graph building features — they’ll know exactly how to use those features to arrive at their answers.
Along with developing digital testing skills, practice NJSLA tests develop student confidence. They’ll get a sense for what they’ll encounter on the real test, while also gaining assurance that, yes, they know how do this. Testing will be a piece of cake.
Administer your NJSLA practice tests (or your own low-stakes assessments) through Edulastic, and you’ll get the added benefit of insights on what learning standards and types of questions your students are struggling with. New Jersey learning standards are already plugged into the platform, so mapping your questions to the appropriate standards is easy. Get these insights from Edulastic, and you can turn around and use them to guide your lesson plans and classroom activities.
Pro tip: Search our Edulastic Item Bank by learning standards to find questions you can use to assess your students on those standards. This is useful even if state testing wasn’t happening!
NJSLA Test Prep Is Easy with Edulastic
Edulastic has everything set up to make NJSLA test prep as easy as possible for you and your class. All you have to do is sign up for a free account, and you can get started creating and administering NJSLA practice tests and other low-stakes (or real!) assessments to your students.
Ready to get started?
NJSLA Practice tests
PARCC Grade 3 ELA 2017 Released Items – Literary Analysis
7 questions
|
ELA By PARCC Assessments
Assign
PARCC Grade 4 ELA 2017 Released Items – Research Simulation
10 questions
|
ELA By PARCC Assessments
Assign
PARCC Grade 5 ELA 2017 Released Items – Narrative Writing
9 questions
|
ELA By PARCC Assessments
Assign
PARCC Grade 6 ELA 2017 Released Items – Narrative Writing
7 questions
|
ELA By PARCC Assessments
Assign
PARCC Grade 7 ELA 2017 Released Items – Narrative Writing
8 questions
|
ELA By PARCC Assessments
Assign
PARCC Grade 8 ELA 2017 Released Items – Narrative Writing
7 questions
|
ELA By PARCC Assessments
Assign
PARCC Grade 8 ELA 2017 – Literary Analysis
8 questions
|
ELA By PARCC Assessments
Assign
PARCC Grade 3 2017 Released Items
36 questions
|
Math By PARCC Assessments
Assign
PARCC Grade 4 Math 2017 Released Items
33 questions
|
Math By PARCC Assessments
Assign
PARCC Grade 5 Math 2017 Released Items
34 questions
|
Math By PARCC Assessments
Assign
PARCC Grade 6 Math 2017 Released Items
30 questions
|
Math By PARCC Assessments
Assign
PARCC Grade 7 March 2017 Released Items
28 questions
|
Math By PARCC Assessments
Assign
PARCC Grade 8 Math 2017 Released Items
22 questions
|
Math By PARCC Assessments
Assign
