The Illinois Standards Achievement Test

This test measures reading, math, and writing. It is administered at levels 3, 5, 8, and 10. The third grade reading test consists of three parts like the 5, 8,10th grade tests. However, the third grade test is slightly different. It consists of three thirty-five minute sessions. The first session has 12-15 word analysis questions and a reading with questions following (approximately 15 multiple choice). The other two sections involve the student reading one essay, answering 15-20 multiple choice questions, and answering one question in essay form. The 5, 8, and 10th grade ISAT tests also involve three thirty-five minute sessions. The first session is a reading followed by 15-20 multiple choice questions related to a reading. There is one essay question also in response to the reading.

The writing portion of the ISAT tests three types of writing: persuasive, expository, and narrative. In third grade there is just one session which involves a reading and then an essay question. In 5, 8, and 10th grades there are two forty minute sessions which involve two readings. The two types of reading essays are literary and informational. The first reading consists of an essay question and then a prompted response style (narrative, expository, or persuasive). The second reading involves one essay question and the response writing style is left at the choice of the student. The math portion of the ISAT in third grade involves 82 questions: 80 multiple choice and 2 short answer. In grades 5,8, and 10 there are 92 questions: 90 multiple choice and 2 short answer. In third grade the first thirty five minute session will be all multiple choice and so will the second thirty five minute session. The last session will be multiple choice with one short answer. In grades 5, 8, and 10 the first session will be multiple choice and the last two will be multiple choice plus one short answer. The question structure will include single-right answer, multiple choice, and short answer. Students are allowed to use calculators.