FastBridge Math: A Parent’s Guide to Preparing for the Assessment

Here is a breakdown of some of the sorts of questions you might get asked if you are in 2nd or 3rd Grade and are about to take a Fastbridge Test. We have broken them down into the domains tested by Fastbridge aMath and we are concentrating on the domains for grades K-5.

This domain is typically taught in Kindergarten through Grade 2. 

Key Skills: Knowing number names and counting in sequence. 

Purpose: This domain ensures that students can identify and sequence numbers correctly, laying the foundation for all subsequent math skills. 

Examples: 

• Reciting numbers in order. 

• Counting objects to determine a total. 

• Recognizing numbers in written and spoken form. 

Sample Fastbridge aMath Questions 

• Count forward from a given number: "What is the next number after 48?" 

• Identify smaller or larger numerals: "Which is larger, 7 or 9?" 

Key Skills: Understanding addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division principles and facts. 

Purpose: Students build the ability to perform and understand basic arithmetic operations, which are fundamental to solving complex problems. 

Examples: 

• Solving word problems using arithmetic operations. 

• Understanding properties like commutative, associative, and distributive laws. 

• Recognizing patterns and relationships in numbers. 

Sample Fastbridge aMath Questions 

• Solve addition word problems: "If you have 5 apples and buy 7 more, how many apples do you have?" 

• Determine missing factors: "Find the unknown number: 6 × ? = 42." 

If you like these sample questions, try more Fastbridge sample questions before you buy a test prep pack.

Key Skills: Working with numbers in relation to their base-ten values. 

Purpose: This domain focuses on understanding place value and using it to solve mathematical problems. 

Examples: 

• Adding and subtracting multi-digit numbers. 

• Understanding the value of digits in large numbers (e.g., the "5" in 150 represents 50). 

• Multiplying and dividing using base-ten concepts. 

Sample Fastbridge aMath Questions 

• Place value understanding: "What does the 3 represent in 345?" 

• Add multi-digit numbers: "What is 256 + 487?" 

Key Skills: Working with fractions and mixed numbers. 

Purpose: Students learn to interpret and solve problems involving parts of a whole. 

Examples: 

• Adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing fractions. 

• Converting between improper fractions and mixed numbers. 

• Comparing fractions with different denominators. 

Sample Fastbridge aMath Questions 

• Compare fractions: "Which is greater, 3/4 or 2/3?" 

• Solve word problems involving fractions: "If you eat 1/2 of a pizza and then 1/4 of the remaining half, how much pizza did you eat?" 

Key Skills: Classifying, describing, measuring, and analyzing data. 

Purpose: Students apply measurement concepts and work with data to draw meaningful conclusions. 

Examples: 

• Measuring length, weight, and volume using appropriate units. 

• Creating and interpreting charts, graphs, and tables. 

• Solving problems involving time, money, and measurement conversions. 

Sample Fastbridge aMath Questions 

• Solve measurement problems: "If a rectangle has a width of 4 meters and a length of 6 meters, what is its area?" 

• Interpret data: "Which day had the highest temperature based on this bar graph?" 

Key Skills: Identifying, describing, analyzing, comparing, and measuring shapes.

Purpose: This domain helps students understand spatial relationships and properties of geometric figures.

Examples:

• Recognizing and naming shapes (e.g., triangle, square, circle).
• Measuring angles and determining area and perimeter.
• Analyzing the properties of two- and three-dimensional shapes.

Sample Fastbridge aMath Questions

• Classify shapes: "Is a square a rectangle? Why?"
• Solve for area: "Find the area of a triangle with a base of 5 cm and a height of 8 cm."

The FastBridge Math Assessment is a computer-adaptive testing system designed to measure and monitor students' mathematical skills from kindergarten to 12th grade. The aMath component within the Fastbridge Assessments suite is a core assessment that evaluates a wide range of mathematical abilities, including foundational skills like number sense and operations, as well as more complex concepts such as algebra and geometry. By analyzing student performance on aMath, educators can gain valuable insights into individual strengths and weaknesses, identify areas for improvement, and tailor instruction to meet the specific needs of each learner.

Explore our instant AI math tutoring help options 

Key Features: 

• Shorter format with 30-60 items. 

• Measures broad math abilities including counting, operations, geometry, and measurement. 

• Immediate scoring for actionable results. 

Adaptive testing is a type of test that changes as your child answers questions. If your child gets a question right, the next one is a bit harder; if they get it wrong, the next question is a bit easier. This way, the test finds the level where your child is challenged but not overwhelmed, giving a much clearer picture of what they really know and what they’re ready to learn next.

The new +2 grade level cap means the test will only give questions up to two grade levels above your child’s current grade. For example, if your child is in 3rd grade, the hardest questions they’ll see will be at a 5th grade level. This helps in two big ways:

• Less Stress: Kids won’t face questions that are way too advanced for them, so they’re less likely to feel frustrated or discouraged.
• More Accurate Results: The test focuses on your child’s real learning zone, so teachers and parents get better information about what your child needs next.

In short, adaptive testing with the +2 grade level cap makes testing fairer, more comfortable, and more useful for every student.

The aMath assessment employs a score range from 145 to 275, organized into bands of approximately 50 points, to evaluate students' mathematical proficiency across various domains. Each score band corresponds to specific skill categories, descriptions, and instructional recommendations tailored to student needs. 

Skill Progression: 

• 145-200: Basic skills like counting objects to 20 and identifying shapes. 

• 200-250: Intermediate skills such as fraction operations and place value. 

• 250-275: Advanced concepts like unit rates with fractions and scientific notation. 

This structured approach allows educators to pinpoint students' strengths and areas for growth, ensuring targeted instruction that aligns with their current skill level. This personalized learning is key to succeeding on any 3rd grade math test, as it allows students to focus on mastering the specific concepts they need most.