Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Test Booklets and Answer Documents

Test Booklets and Answer Documents: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are there different answer documents for the CST and the CMA?
May students using a grade two or grade three test booklet use a highlighter while taking their test?
Must the Statewide Student Identification (SSID) number be included for each student?
If a student's disability changes, when must the change be reported?
Is answer document Section 20, County/District of Residence, used only for students with disabilities?

Are there different answer documents for the CST and the CMA?
It depends on the grade; the guidelines are as follows:

Grade three—At least one test booklet (either a CST test booklet or a CMA test booklet) must be returned for each student in grade three. If a student took one CST and one CMA content-area test, Section 7c, "Assessed with CMA," must be marked on the front cover of the CST test booklet for the CMA content-area test taken.
Grades four through seven—Separate content-area sections for the CST and CMA tests are on the answer documents for grades four through seven. Students who take one or more CMA tests must mark Section 7c, "Assessed with CMA," on the front cover of the CST/CMA answer document for each CMA content-area test taken.
Grades eight through eleven—Separate CST and CMA answer documents are used for grades eight through eleven. However, all students must return a CST answer document even if they took a CMA. School staff must mark section 7c, "Assessed with CMA," on the front cover of the student's CST answer document for each CMA content-area test taken.

May students using a grade two or grade three test booklet use a highlighter while taking their test?
Yes, students may use highlighter pens in their test booklets. If a student in grade two or grade three has used a highlighter, make sure the student's answers and demographic information have been transcribed onto a blank test booklet. To ensure that the tests will be scored correctly, it is recommended that students in grades two and three not use highlighters because the ink could bleed through the paper and interfere with scoring.

Return to questions

Must the Statewide Student Identification (SSID) number be included for each student?
Yes, it must be included in either Pre-ID or Extended Data Corrections on the STAR Management System or on the student's test booklet or answer document. If the SSID will not be entered during Pre-ID, the district must submit the "Demographic Fields to Be Hand-Marked on [year] STAR Answer Documents or Entered During Extended Data Corrections" form to STAR TAC prior to submitting the Pre-ID file.

Return to questions

If a student's disability changes, when must the change be reported?
The primary disability must be correct as of the first day the student is tested. Therefore, if the primary disability changes between the Pre-ID submission date and the testing date, either (1) these data must be updated in Extended Data Corrections; or (2) a new answer document must be hand-marked with all of the demographic information. The Pre-ID document must be destroyed in a secure manner by school or district staff.

Return to questions

Is answer document Section 20, County/District of Residence, used only for students with disabilities?
Yes. The description of Section 20 in appendixes of the STAR District and Test Site Coordinator Manual, the DFAs, and the CAPA Examiner's Manual states:

If a student with an IEP attends school or receives special education services through a county office of education or attends school or receives special education services through a school district other than the school district where the student resides, mark the two-digit county code and five-digit district CD code for the district where the student resides.

Return to questions