Caution
This article does not apply to students taking the embedded Imagine Language & Literacy Benchmark or the NWEA™ MAP® Growth Assessment. It only applies to students taking the Imagine Galileo ELA Benchmark in Imagine Language & Literacy (IL&L). If you aren't sure which assessment your school is using, read Checking which assessment option your organization is using.
As Grade 2+ students take the Galileo ELA Benchmark test, they see screens and hear instructions that explain the testing process. Recognizing these screens and instructions helps Teachers monitor when students start the Grade 2+ Galileo ELA Benchmark test, navigate the test, answer different test question types, and submit the test. Prior to taking the test, Administrators or Teachers must schedule the Benchmark.
The Imagine Galileo ELA Benchmark test may require more time to complete than other tests. Sometimes students can become impatient and guess the answers on test items instead of reading passages or test items fully. Encourage your students to take their time and do their best work.
Students typically complete the test in 30-45 minutes; allow them as long as they need to complete the test. The Benchmark can be administered over multiple sessions if needed. If a student logs out of the test, their answers will be saved and they can resume the test the next time they log in. While students are taking the Benchmark, check your student's testing status using the Imagine Galileo Test Monitoring Report.
Note
Students who take the Imagine Galileo ELA Benchmark test at home should not receive any assistance while taking the test. Helping students during an assessment can cause students to be placed in an incorrect starting point in Imagine Language & Literacy. For more information, read Using Imagine Language & Literacy at home.
Starting the Grade 2+ Imagine Galileo ELA Benchmark test
New Students
When students who are new to Imagine Language & Literacy log in, they see a yellow banner at the top of their student dashboard that prompts them to take the Imagine Galileo ELA Benchmark. Students can click the link in the banner or click the Imagine Galileo K-12 Assessment tile to go to the Imagine Galileo Student Test Center and start the Imagine Galileo ELA Benchmark.
Returning Students
When returning students log in to Imagine Language & Literacy, they click the Imagine Galileo K-12 Assessment tile to go to the Imagine Galileo Student Test Center and start the Imagine Galileo ELA Benchmark. Unlike brand-new users, they do not have a yellow banner at the top of their screen.
Recommendation
While returning students are not required to take the Imagine Galileo ELA Benchmark test before using Imagine Language & Literacy, we recommend that they take the test to provide a baseline for student growth throughout the school year.
Once new or returning students visit the Imagine Galileo Student Test Center, they click the Imagine Galileo ELA Benchmark test that has been scheduled.
Navigating the Grade 2+ Imagine Galileo ELA Benchmark test
The Imagine Galileo ELA Benchmark test includes these navigational tools to help students effectively navigate the test.
| Test Icon | Description |
|---|---|
 |
Students click Back to return to the previous question and Next to advance to the next question. Next turns green when the student answers the current question. |
 |
Students choose test items from the drop-down list to jump to that test item on the Benchmark Test.
|
 |
Students click the Information icon to read instructions for the test. |
 |
Students click the Review Tools icon to add a note to the current test item, use strikethrough to eliminate specific answer options, mark the current test item for review before submitting, or highlight the current test item. |
 |
Students click the Question icon to read instructions on how to use default tools such as adding a note to a test item, marking a test item for review, and highlighting a test item. They can also read instructions on how to use optional tools such as the dictionary, text-to-speech, test timer, zoom in/out, and calculator, if these tools have been enabled for this test. Note Optional tools cannot be enabled for the Grade 2+ Galileo ELA Benchmark Test if you used the Easy Benchmark Scheduler to schedule your test. |
 |
Students can click the Review icon to see the status of all the test questions, including answered questions, unanswered questions, and any questions they have marked for review. |
 |
Students click the Reset button to reset any answers that they chose from a drop-down list. |
Answering Grade 2+ Imagine Galileo ELA Benchmark test questions
The Benchmark test includes approximately 35 questions that use different question types. These are some example question types that students may encounter.
Multiple Choice question type
Students read a passage and answer multiple-choice questions about the passage.
Customized Technology question type
After reading two different passages, students complete a chart comparing them. Students identify which passage details apply to one or both stories.
Customized Technology question type
Students click on the word in a sentence that matches the instructions. 
Drop-down question type
Students complete a sentence using words from each drop-down list.
Submitting the Grade 2+ Imagine Galileo ELA Benchmark test
After students answer the last test question, they can review all the test questions to see which ones they have answered, not answered, or marked for review. After students have reviewed and answered all the test questions, they click Submit Test and then click Yes, Submit test to confirm that they want to submit their test.
