The purpose of this test is to measure the level of mathematics proficiency that Washington students have achieved by the spring of the tenth grade, according to the Essential Academic Learning Requirements established by the Washington Commission on Student Learning (CSL). The Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALRs) consist of the Content Strands and Process Strands listed to the left of this screen.

 

The math portion of the WASL consists of two sessions. Each of the two sessions contains a variety of items which address the Content and Process Strands in the EALRs. Each of the two parts of the test contains about 23 items. There are approximately 15 multiple choice, 6 short answer, and 2 extended response in each part. Although each session provides a minimum time of 1 hour and 15 minutes (with a 15-minute break), students are permitted to continue working as needed.

 

The first session (Day 1) is Math with Tools while the second session (Day 2) is Math without Tools. Types of tools that may be used for the "tools section" of the assessment include the following: calculators, protractors, rulers, and other classroom manipulatives. Although "Tools" are not needed for every problem on Day 2, tools may be helpful for some of the problems.