______________________________
Connecticut Mastery Test
Student Information
What is the role standardized tests (CMT,
CAPT, CAPT, PSAT, SAT/ACT) play in
impacting my academic career as a student
in the Norwalk Public School System?
CMT = Connecticut Mastery Test
CAPT = Connecticut Academic Performance Test
PSAT = Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test
SAT = Scholastic Assessment Test
ACT = American College Test
Connecticut Mastery Test
Are you going to “Master” this test?
 Three
major areas are assessed on each
grade level:
READING
WRITING
MATHEMATICS
Science (Grade 8 Students ONLY)
 Reading
has two sections
Degrees of Reading Power (DRP)
1.

DRP subtest tests your ability to understand what has
been read. You will read a nonfiction text with missing
words and then choose appropriate words to complete
the text/sentences.
Reading Comprehension
2.

Reading Comprehension subtest tests your
understanding of both fiction and nonfiction passages
through multiple-choice questions and open-ended
questions that require written responses.
Writing has two subsets
1. Direct Assessment of Writing (DAW)

DAW subtest requires you to draft a piece of
writing in response to a given topic. (Persuasive
Writing in Language Arts?????)
Editing & Revising
2.

Editing & Revising subtest requires you to
answer multiple-choice questions to show how
well you can edit and revise a written passage.
Math ability is measured through word problems
and basic math functions
 This test section measures your ability in areas
such as calculations, estimation, fractions, word
problems, and patterns
 Your score is determined from a range of skills
and concepts expected to be mastered by the
time of testing. The Mathematics test has
multiple-choice, open-ended and grid-in
questions. On grid-in questions (grades 6 through
8), the student must write the correct numeric
answer in boxes and then fill in the matching
bubble below each box.

Grade 8 Science
Below
Basic
Score = 1
Basic
Score = 2
Proficient
Score = 3
Goal
Score = 4
Advanced
Score = 5
I.
Follow multiple step direction as presented
by your teacher or as written in test
booklet
II.
Accurately shade in an answer bubble
III.
Write legibly in cursive or manuscript on
lines provided in the test booklet for open
ended questions
IV.
Use a calculator and ruler
The CMT’s will make you, your parents, school
staff and the community aware of the level of
learning and achievement at Ponus Ridge Middle
School
The CMT will show how you have performed
locally and statewide
Doing well creates opportunities in Middle and
High School class placements (Algebra,
Honors/AP classes)
The CMT will identify your strengths and
weaknesses
A source of information to begin to think of
career choices you may desire.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Be ready by knowing when (day/date &
time) and what test is being given
Get a good night sleep
Eat a good breakfast
Be on time to school
Invest effort and time in extracurricular
activities that help prepare you for the CMT
tests.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Answer every question to the best of your
knowledge (do not leave any blanks)
Use your time wisely by not spending too
much time on any given question
Read every night for at least 30 minutes
Do your best!!!!!
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
Reading
Writing
Mathematics
Science
All of the Above
a)
b)
c)
d)
7
1
3
2




10
4
5
5
a)
b)
c)
d)
If I have earned a team bracelet I do not
have to take the CMT!
Doing well on the CMT creates
opportunities in Middle and High School
class placements!
CMT is not Important!
The CMT helps to identify my strengths and
weaknesses!