FastBridge Testing: What Parents Need to Know

FastBridge is a robust, evidence-based testing system that effectively combines curriculum-based measures (CBM) and adaptive tests (CAT) to give teachers the information they need to boost student performance. 

We will focus on the computer-adaptive tests for math and reading, known as aMath and aReading. These assessments are designed to dynamically adjust the difficulty of questions based on student responses, offering a precise measure of each student's skills and growth in these critical academic areas. 

As part of the Fastbridge Reading Suite the FastBridge aReading is a universal screener designed to identify students’ reading proficiency levels, monitor their progress, and guide instructional decisions to support literacy development effectively. 

The FastBridge aReading assessment evaluates: 

• Reading comprehension 

• Vocabulary knowledge 

• Background knowledge 

• Word recognition 

• Decoding skills 

• Phonemic awareness 

• Fluency development 

The FastBridge aReading assessment is a comprehensive, adaptive tool that evaluates a range of reading skills aligned with Common Core State Standards (CCSS). It measures students’ proficiency in: 

• Foundational reading skills
• Informational reading 
• Language
• Reading comprehension 

For younger students, the focus includes alphabetic principles, phonemic awareness, and vocabulary acquisition. As students progress to higher grade levels, the assessment emphasizes advanced comprehension, text analysis, and understanding of rhetorical and literary elements. 

In addition to FastBridge aReading, the system includes FastBridge Math assessments, another essential component to evaluate students’ math proficiency and growth. FastBridge aMath is a  universal screener provides educators with a clear baseline of students' skills, enabling them to: 

• Identify areas where students may need additional support 

• Track progress over time 

• Tailor instruction to meet individual needs effectively 

By utilizing aMath, educators can make data-driven decisions to foster mathematical understanding and success for all learners. 

The FastBridge aMath assessment measures: 

• Number sense 

• Operations and algebraic thinking 

• Measurement and data analysis 

• Geometry concepts 

• Problem-solving abilities 

• Mathematical reasoning 

• Computational fluency 

FastBridge aMath assesses a broad spectrum of mathematical skills across multiple domains, including: 

• Counting and Cardinality 

• Number and Operations 

• Measurement and Data 

• Geometry 

• Advanced topics like Statistics and Probability 

For early learners, the focus is on basic counting, numeral recognition, and shape identification. As students advance, the test evaluates their ability to: 

• Solve equations 

• Interpret data 

• Apply concepts like algebraic reasoning, geometry, and functions in real-world contexts. 

Student Login Process 

Students can log in to FastBridge through their school's designated portal. Your child's teacher will provide: 

• The specific web address for your school's FastBridge login 

• Individual student login credentials 

• Instructions for accessing practice materials 

Parent Resources 

Find out how to log in and access your child's FastBridge results 

• Parents cannot directly log in to see their child's FastBridge results. However, schools can share assessment data with parents through reports and during parent-teacher conferences. For specific questions about test results, parents should contact their child's teacher or guidance counselor. 

FastBridge testing uses a standardized scoring system that gives clear, actionable insights into student performance on both reading (aReading) and math (aMath) assessments. Using a scaled scoring range, educators can track student progress, identify areas for intervention, and develop targeted instructional strategies. Here's an overview of the general scoring methodology and its application.

Scaled Scoring Overview 

FastBridge uses a consistent scale to report scores, grouping performance into bands of approximately 50 points. This system allows for clear differentiation of skill levels and instructional needs: 

• aReading: Scores range from 350 to 750 points, assessing reading proficiency through foundational skills, comprehension, and text analysis. 

• aMath: Scores range from 145 to 275 points, evaluating mathematical skills from basic counting to advanced algebra and geometry. 

FastBridge Percentiles and Testing Scores: Here's how the results are interpreted to track growth and achievement: 

Percentile Rankings 

FastBridge uses percentile rankings to compare a student's performance to their peers: 

• High Risk: Below 15th percentile 

• Some Risk: 15th to 39th percentile 

• Low Risk: 40th to 70th percentile 

• On Track: Above 71st percentile 

These percentile ranges help educators quickly identify students who may need additional support or intervention. 

Growth Percentiles 

In addition to achievement percentiles, FastBridge also measures student growth: 

• Flat Growth: Below 15th percentile 

• Modest Growth: 15th to 39th percentile 

• Typical Growth: 40th to 74th percentile 

• Aggressive Growth: 75th percentile and above 

Growth percentiles reflect how much progress a student has made compared to peers who started at a similar achievement level. 

Interpreting Scores 

FastBridge provides several key metrics for interpreting student performance: 

• Raw Scores: The actual number of correct responses or points earned on an assessment. 

• Scale Scores: A converted score that allows for comparison across different grade levels and time periods. 

• Percentile Ranks: As described above, these indicate a student's standing relative to peers. 

• Risk Indicators: Exclamation marks (! or !!) are used to denote levels of risk based on national norms 

Reporting Features 

FastBridge offers various reports to help educators analyze data: 

• Individual Reports: Show a single student's performance over time. 

• Class Reports: Display data for an entire class, allowing for easy comparison. 

• Grade-Level Reports: Provide an overview of performance across a grade. 

• School and District Reports: Allow for broader analysis of trends and needs 

Using FastBridge Results: Teachers use these scores to personalize instruction and set meaningful learning goals.   

Educators can use FastBridge data to: 

• Identify students needing intervention 

• Set appropriate learning goals 

• Monitor progress over time 

• Evaluate the effectiveness of instructional strategies 

• Allocate resources based on student needs 

To find sample questions for the Fastbridge assessment tests, we have dedicated test prep packs:

FastBridge Math Practice and FastBridge Reading Sample Questions Test for 2nd Grade 

Give your 2nd grader a head start with targeted preparation tools. Resources include: 

• Sample questions that mirror the actual test structure. 

• A structured overview of test topics.

FastBridge Math Practice and FastBridge Reading Sample Questions Test for 3rd Grade 

Prepare your child for success with comprehensive resources tailored for 3rd-grade FastBridge tests. Our materials include: 

• Sample questions designed to familiarize your child with the test format. 

• Comprehensive reviews of key concepts.