SBAC for 3rd, 4th & 5th Grade: Practice Tests & Study Guides
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About the SBACs for 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade
The SBAC Summative Assessments for 3rd–5th grade are year-end tasks that track how students are progressing toward their academic goals. SBAC results are often used to determine student eligibility into accelerated programs in elementary school years. SBAC Tests are aligned with the Common Core. This means that every component of the SBAC for 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade is based on content claims and assessment targets that correspond with Core Curriculum standards. Like all the SBAC Tests, SBAC for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade assesses students in both English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics.
Sample SBAC ELA Questions for Elementary School
SBAC English Language Arts (ELA)
The ELA Test for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades is comprised of two types of exams: the performance task (PT) and the computer adaptive test (CAT). Both tests are designed using content claims that have been predetermined by the SBAC Board of Education. The content claims for the ELA Test cover the following topics:
- Reading
- Writing
- Listening and speaking
- Research and inquiry
The ELA performance task provides students with two short texts that they must research and use as reference to answer a series of questions. Additionally, students must complete one writing task that demonstrates their grasp of proper writing organization, proper writing conventions and appropriate evidence usage. Students are given two hours to complete the performance task.
The ELA CAT is an untimed computerized test that increases or decreases in difficulty depending on student response. Students are tested using multiple-choice questions or short answer questions that assess them across all four content claim areas. For more information about the SBAC ELA Test, and for even more SBAC practice online, visit our SBAC ELA page.
3rd Grade Question (Punctuation - Quotation Marks and Commas)
Read the paragraph and answer the question that follows.
Last Saturday, my dad and I visited the zoo to see the new baby elephant. When we got there, my dad pointed to the elephant and said to me Look at how tiny she is compared to her mom! The baby elephant was playing in the water while her mother watched nearby. We stayed for almost an hour watching them splash around. Before we left, I bought a stuffed elephant from the gift shop to remember our special day.
What are the two changes in punctuation that will correct the underlined sentence?
TestPrep-Online Tutor's Tip:
"When I see someone talking in a story, I look for two things: a comma before the talking starts (after words like "said") and quotation marks around the exact words the person said out loud."
4th Grade Question (Word Choice - More Precise Language)
A student is writing a story about helping in the kitchen. Read this portion of the story and answer the question that follows.
My grandmother was teaching me how to make her famous apple pie. First, we gathered all the ingredients on the counter. Then, she showed me how to mix the flour and butter together. Next, we put apples in the pie crust and added cinnamon and sugar. Finally, grandmother did something to the top crust to make it stay on the pie.
Which of the following is a more exact way to say what the writer means in the underlined phrase?
TestPrep-Online Tutor's Tip:
"When I write, I try to use specific action words that paint a clear picture. Instead of saying "did something," I think about exactly what my hands or tools are doing - like pressing, twisting, or folding."
5th Grade Question (Verb Tenses - Future Perfect)
Read the sentences below and complete the task that follows.
Our class has been preparing for the school science fair for three months. We chose to build a model solar system that shows how planets orbit the sun. Each student researched a different planet and created a detailed information card. We practiced our presentation many times to make sure everyone knew their part. By the time the science fair opens next Friday, we practiced our presentation at least twenty times. I'm confident our hard work will pay off!
Edit the underlined sentence by selecting the sentence that uses the correct helping verb.
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SBAC Math for 3rd, 4th and 5th Grade
The SBAC Math Test for grades 3, 4, and 5 uses a consistent two-part structure: a Performance Task section with 4-6 multi-step, real-world problems taking up to two hours, and an untimed Computer Adaptive Test with multiple-choice questions. All grades assess four content claims: applying concepts, problem-solving, communicating reasoning, and modeling/data analysis. Core areas include Operations and Algebraic Thinking, Number Operations in Base Ten, Fractions, and Geometry (plus Measurement and Data for grades 4-5). Complexity increases by grade level—while 3rd graders work with basic shapes, 4th grade sample questions involve identifying lines and angles, and 5th graders analyze coordinate planes for real-world problem solving.
For a more detailed explanation of the SBAC Math Test, and for even more SBAC practice, visit our SBAC Math page.
The following sample questions are taken from the 4th grade SBAC Math Test.
Multiplicative Comparison
A small popcorn has 12 pieces. A large popcorn has 48 pieces. Which equation can be solved to figure out how many times as many pieces the large popcorn has than the small popcorn?
TestPrep-Online Tutor's Tip:
""I always tell my students to look for the phrase 'how many times as many' - it's your signal that you need multiplication! Think of it like this: if I have 12 pieces and I want to get to 48 pieces, I need to ask myself '12 times WHAT equals 48?' That's exactly what option B is asking!""
Question 2: Fraction Multiplication Estimation
A bakery is making 9 loaves of bread. It takes 2/3 of a cup of oil to make each loaf. The total number of cups of oil needed is between which two numbers?
TestPrep-Online Tutor's Tip:
"When I'm estimating with fractions, I like to think about benchmarks. Since 2/3 is close to 1/2 and also close to 1, I can estimate: 9 × 1/2 = 4.5 and 9 × 1 = 9. So my answer should be between 4.5 and 9. Looking at the choices, 6-7 makes perfect sense"
Question 3: Fraction Operations with Real-World Context
Each marble weighs 2/5 pound. How many marbles are needed to have a total weight between 2 and 3 pounds?
TestPrep-Online Tutor's Tip:
"I teach my students to think of 2/5 as 0.4 pounds - it's easier to multiply! So 3 marbles = 3 × 0.4 = 1.2 pounds, which fits perfectly in the 1-2 range. Converting fractions to decimals can make these problems much more manageable, especially when you're checking if your answer fits in a range."
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SBAC Scores for 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade
SBAC tests are scored using two methods. The first method, the scale score method, provides each student with a numerical value ranging between 2000 and 3000. These scores can be used to compare students within a given class or for national ranking comparisons. The second score method utilized is achievement level scores. These levels range from 1–4 and are determined based on student scale scores. To view a breakdown of achievement levels and scale scores corresponding to grade level, visit the scores section of our SBAC Practice page.
SBAC Practice Tests for 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade
3rd through 5th grade are big years for your child. These are the years when he or she will begin the SBAC testing system. Ensuring that your 3rd, 4th, or 5th grader succeeds on the SBAC Test this year and in future years requires serious practice and preparation. TestPrep-Online has the resources available to ensure proper preparation. With our 3rd–5th Grade SBAC Practice Pack, your child will have access to full-length, authentic SBAC practice tests, detailed study guides, and information that will foster his or her success. Let TestPrep-Online help your child walk into test day feeling confident and prepared.
FAQs
Our practice tests are expertly designed to mirror the actual SBAC format, question types, and difficulty levels. While not official SBAC materials, they're created by education experts who understand exactly what students need to succeed.
Each question comes with detailed explanations, and our expert tutoring tips help break down complex concepts. Plus, our customer support team can provide additional guidance and study recommendations.
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We're the only company that combines expert-created content with personalized tutoring insights from specialists like Ariav. Our materials are specifically designed for elementary school learners, making complex concepts accessible and engaging for young students.
