What Arizona Parents Needs To Know About The AIMS Science Test
It's standardized testing time again in Arizona. Here's a look at what to expect from the AIMS Science test being given to students this spring.
What is AIMS Science?
An exam to measure science content being taught in several grades.
Why is it still called an AIMS test?
Because Arizona still has a contract with Pearson, which administers test. The state also has not adopted “next-generation” science standards, which would require a new exam.
Who is required to take it?
The science test will be given to students in fourth grade, eighth grade and high school.
When will it be administered?
The testing window is March 14 through April 22, 2016.
Can my child opt out?
No, students cannot opt out of the exam. Millions of dollars in federal funding depends on at least 95 percent of all students every year taking standardized tests.
What happens if my child doesn’t pass?
Unlike previous years, AIMS (and now AzMERIT) are not high-stake tests that require students pass before high school graduation. “There is no student-level accountability in AzMERIT or AIMS,” said Matt Strom, executive director of research and assessment for the Chandler Unified School District.
What is the test like?
It is a “selected response,” or multiple choice, exam covering grade-appropriate scientific concepts. The exam includes 40 to 60 questions and is given over a 120-minute time period.
Take a sample test from each level:
EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been modified to reflect that Pearson administers the AIMS Science test.
