What Is the Math TAKS Test?

An Overview of the Math TAKS Test

In Texas, all public school students in grades 3-10 must take the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) test. Additionally, public school students in grades 11 and 12 will be required to earn a passing score on an exit exam before graduating. The TAKS test is a standardized test that measures a student's performance of knowledge and skills at the end of each grade level. It is important that your child can accurately apply mathematical skills and knowledge to demonstrate a competent level of mathematical understanding.

A combination of multiple-choice and written questions are used in this assessment to gauge a student's abilities in writing, math, reading, social studies and science. Each of the tested items, which are developed and scored by Pearson Education Measurement, is directly aligned to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards and the statewide curriculum.

The information obtained from this assessment is often used to guide teacher development or grade-level meetings. For teachers, scores on the TAKS allow them to identify where students are struggling the most. As a result, they can develop new lessons to meet the students' needs and reevaluate old lesson plans. Similarly, the TAKS results can help parents to better understand their child's academic strengths and weaknesses.

How Can I Help my Child Prepare for the TAKS Test?

No matter what grade your child is in, there are a few fun ways you can help your child be as prepared as possible for the TAKS test. For instance, you could create a memory game that requires your child to match a mathematical vocabulary term with its correct definition. Or, have your child use a deck of cards to create addition, subtraction or multiplication problems in a more interactive way.

Additionally, there are numerous math skills you can practice with your child in the kitchen. For example, your child can practice fractions by following a given recipe. If your child has been introduced to decimals, you could have him or her convert the fraction to a decimal amount. Remember, the more engaged your child is in the learning process, the more likely he or she is to retain the skill being learned.