Practice for the 8th Grade CRCT Test

Preparing for the 8th Grade CRCT

What Is the CRCT?

The CRCT (Criterion-Referenced Competency Test) is administered to 1st-8th grade students in Georgia. Your 8th grader will be tested in English, language arts, math, social studies and science. All of the questions on the exam are based on Georgia's performance standards. Many years ago, children needed to practice for standardized tests, like the CRCT, with paper and pencil, which was usually provided by schools. Thanks to the Internet, your child can now practice online and from home.

What Will the Test Cover?

The 8th grade CRCT is comprised of five main sections your child will need to prepare for. All questions are presented in a multiple-choice format. Here is a summary of what can be expected from each section:

English

For the English section of the 8th grade CRCT, your child will be required to read passages and then answer a series of questions proving comprehension.

Language Arts

For this portion of the test, the questions address your child's understanding of grammar, punctuation, sentence structure and paragraph structure.

Math

The math section of the test covers basic algebra, equations, fractions, averages, degrees, percentages, shapes, distances and square roots.

Social Studies

American history, geography, politics and economics are all covered by the social studies part of the exam. Students are expected to know the history of the United States - and specifically the part that the state of Georgia played - as well as the Native American cultures in North America.

Science

Your child can expect the science portion of the exam to cover basic physics, including the Law of Conservation of Energy and Mass. In addition, students should know laboratory measurements and methods.

How Can My Child Get Ready?

You can find out exactly what will be on the test by reviewing the study guide provided by the Georgia Department of Education. Once you've reviewed what will be on the test and identified the areas in which your child needs extra help, he or she can complete standards-based online activities available from a number of websites.

The Georgia Department of Education offers a free Grade 8 Study Guide in PDF format. The study guide shows the specific skills tested on the CRCT. If your child needs extra work on these skills, he or she can watch free instructional videos about the CRCT test, which are also available online. Consult with your child's teachers for any extra advice they may have on getting your child's specific needs met before the test day.

Administer Practice Exams

One way to help your child get ready for the 8th grade CRCT is to give him or her practice exams. Create a quiet atmosphere similar to a real testing environment and time your child. Correct the exam and go over it with your child when he or she is finished. You can determine your child's strengths and weaknesses this way and focus on helping him or her in the areas where it's most needed. For example, your child may excel at the math portion of the exam, but need help remembering the court system for the social studies portion.

Georgia schools use the Online Assessment System to practice for the CRCT. Your child's school will assign him or her a specific login and password to access the system where the practice tests are located. If your child doesn't have a school-assigned password and login, you can use the generic password and login of 'Grade8'. This is provided for free by the state of Georgia.