Administering the Imagine Math PreK-2 Benchmark tests

Imagine Math PreK-2 provides three Benchmark tests throughout the school year to help assess and measure student progress. PreK-2 students automatically receive Benchmark 1 after completing both an introductory lesson and the first lesson for their assigned grade level. Students will receive Benchmark 1 at different times, depending on how long it takes them to complete the first two lessons.

Benchmark 1 is enabled by default and cannot be disabled. Benchmarks 2 and 3 are strongly recommended but not required, and must be assigned by a School Administrator or Teacher. Imagine Learning recommends that you administer each Benchmark test at least 90 days apart to allow sufficient time for students to show growth. 

You should plan on 20-40 minutes to administer the Benchmark test. We recommend that students complete the Benchmark in a single testing session, but the test can be administered over multiple sessions if needed. If a student logs out of the Benchmark, their submitted answers will be saved and they can resume the test the next time they log in.

Here's what to do before students log in to Imagine Math, how to introduce students to the Benchmark, and what to do during the test. If you run into problems during the test, check the Troubleshooting section for help. 

Before students log in to Imagine Math

1. Prepare your device or laptop hardware. Students using Imagine Math should be using devices with which they are familiar, if possible. For more information, see Imagine Math System Requirements.
2. Change students' Support Language to Spanish, if necessary. By default, the Support Language field in student accounts is set to English unless Spanish is selected during the rostering process. If students need the Imagine Math PreK-2 program in Spanish, you can change the Support Language in their account. 

    Caution

   Changing a student's Support Language during testing can cause the test score to not display in the educator portal. If this happens, contact Imagine Learning Customer Care. This issue can be avoided by making any needed changes to students' language settings before students begin the Benchmark.

Introducing students to the Benchmark test

1. Show students how to log in. For students who log in via math.imaginelearning.com: Use a projector or smartboard to show students the Imagine Math login screen and how to enter their username and password. Show students how to use the Show () icon above the Password field to see their password as they type it. Allow extra time to help students who may need help logging in. 

   

2. Explain to students why they need to complete the Benchmark test. The sample script may be useful and can be adapted to suit your specific situation.

   The next time you log in to Imagine Math, you'll see a test. It will help me see how much you’ve learned. Keep your eyes on your own screen. If you don’t know the answer to a question, just try your best and go on to the next question. If you need help, raise your hand quietly and I will come to help you.

During the Benchmark test

1. Allow adequate time for students to complete the Benchmark. Because the Benchmark is adaptive, students may take anywhere from 20-60 minutes to complete the test, depending on their skill level. 
2. Monitor students as they take the Benchmark.  Monitor students as they take the Benchmark and encourage them to stay on task.  A "Test in Progress" message ("Examen en Curso" in Spanish) appears while students are taking the test. Watch for students who are clicking through test questions without reading them. Encourage these students to read each item carefully and provide their best guess on a question even if they do not know the answer. Ensure that students do not receive help answering test questions. 
   
      
   
   

    Note

   Families who are monitoring their students at home should not help their students during the Benchmark test. Students who receive help on the test may be improperly placed in the Imagine Math curriculum. 
3. Allow students to continue working on Imagine Math lessons once they finish the Benchmark test. Some students may finish the Benchmark before their classmates. Allow these students to continue their lessons until the testing session ends. 
4. Check Benchmark test results. After students complete the Benchmark test, view their test results. 
   

Troubleshooting

Here are some solutions to problems that you might encounter when administering the Benchmark.