Nevada · SBAC · grades 3-8
SBAC
Practice Tests
Questions aligned to Nevada Academic Content Standards, grades 3-8. Pick a grade and subject and try them without signing up: Math, Science, English/RLA.
Practice SBAC Questions
Pick your child's grade to start. No signup required.
SBAC sample questions with answers
One question from each of several grades, with the answer and a step-by-step explanation. Open a question's answer when your child has tried it.
Question 1 · Grade 3 Math · Standard 3.OA.C.7
What is 54 ÷ 6?
- A.7
- B.8
- C.9
- D.10
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: C. 9
54 ÷ 6 = 9. Think: 6 × 9 = 54. Division is the inverse of multiplication.
Question 2 · Grade 4 English · Standard RL.4.2
In a story, a girl in Elko falls off her horse while practicing for the county fair. She is embarrassed, but she gets back on every day for two weeks. At the fair, she finishes her ride and smiles the whole way. What is the theme of the story?
- A.Horses are hard to ride
- B.Practicing through setbacks leads to success
- C.County fairs are fun
- D.Embarrassment never goes away
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: B. Practicing through setbacks leads to success
The girl falls, keeps practicing anyway, and succeeds at the fair. The lesson the story teaches is that sticking with practice after a setback pays off.
Question 3 · Grade 6 Math · Standard 6.RP.A.3
A family drives 195 miles in 3 hours. At this rate, how far will they drive in 5 hours?
- A.300 miles
- B.325 miles
- C.345 miles
- D.390 miles
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: B. 325 miles
Unit rate: 195 ÷ 3 = 65 miles per hour. In 5 hours: 65 × 5 = 325 miles.
Question 4 · Grade 7 Math · Standard 7.RP.A.3
A jacket at a store in Reno costs $60. It is on sale for 25% off. What is the sale price?
- A.$15
- B.$35
- C.$45
- D.$48
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: C. $45
25% of $60 = 0.25 × 60 = $15 off. Sale price: $60 − $15 = $45. $15 is the discount, not the price.
Question 5 · Grade 8 English · Standard RL.8.4
In a poem, the speaker says: "Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul." The poet uses this metaphor to suggest that hope —
- A.Is fragile and easily broken
- B.Lives inside us like a bird, always ready to sing
- C.Belongs only to people with birds
- D.Is the same as a pet
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: B. Lives inside us like a bird, always ready to sing
Emily Dickinson's metaphor compares hope to a bird — it 'perches in the soul,' suggesting hope lives within us and, like a bird, can take flight or sing even in dark times.
Every grade, every subject
How SBAC prep works
- 1
Pick your grade
Select your child's grade level. We show which subjects are available for that grade on the SBAC.
- 2
Choose a subject
Pick Math, English/RLA, or Science. Every question is aligned to Nevada Academic Content Standards at the right difficulty.
- 3
Practice and learn
Answer questions in the real SBAC format. Every answer gets a detailed explanation so your child learns from mistakes.
Why Nevada parents choose iMasterly
Nevada Academic Content Standards-aligned questions
Every question maps to specific Nevada Academic Content Standards and reporting categories. Not generic — built for SBAC.
Verified accuracy
Every question is checked and verified against the answer key. No wrong answers to trip your child up.
Misconception-based distractors
Wrong answers target the exact mistakes students make. Your child learns WHY they got it wrong.
Beyond test prep
SBAC prep is just one feature. iMasterly teaches 15+ subjects with AI-personalized curriculum.
DOK-matched difficulty
Questions match the real SBAC's Depth of Knowledge distribution for authentic practice.
Unlimited practice
AI generates fresh, unique questions every session. Your child never sees the same test twice.
Nevada's 2027 testing window
The Nevada Department of Education's 2026-27 assessment calendar sets one statewide window for both tests below. Districts schedule the exact days inside it, so check with your child's school or district test director.
Source: NDE Accountability Assessment Calendar for the 2026-2027 School Year (revised May 19, 2026).
Nevada's four SBAC score levels
Nevada's SBAC score report puts each student in one of four achievement levels. Students meeting grade-level standards earn Level 3 or 4. These names are Nevada's; other Smarter Balanced states use their own.
- The report also rates each area of the test as Below Standard, Near Standard (close to or just meeting the standard) or Above Standard. That shows what to practice.
- Score ranges for each level differ by grade, so a child may need a higher scale score next year to stay in the same level.
- Nevada's science report uses the same four names: Minimal Understanding, Partial Understanding, Proficient and Advanced.
Sources: NDE, Interpretive Guide to the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment Reports · NDE, Science Report Interpretive Guide.
Smarter Balanced practice by grade
Nevada gives the same Smarter Balanced ELA and math tests as the other Smarter Balanced states, so our grade pages for the Smarter Balanced test apply here too. They were written with California's version (called CAASPP) in mind, so the score names and statistics on them are California's; the skills and question types are the same.
Smarter Balanced also publishes official practice and training tests (no login needed) that are used in all Smarter Balanced states, including Nevada: smarterbalanced.org practice tests.
What Is the SBAC Test in Nevada?
Nevada's state test in English language arts (ELA) and math for grades 3-8 is the Smarter Balanced Assessment, which the Nevada Department of Education (NDE) calls the SBAC. It is aligned to the Nevada Academic Content Standards and given in a computer-adaptive format, so questions adjust to how your child is doing. Science is a separate state test given once in grade 5, once in grade 8 and once in high school. In grade 11, Nevada uses the ACT instead of Smarter Balanced. SBAC results are published on the Nevada Report Card and feed the Nevada School Performance Framework star ratings.
When Is the SBAC Test in 2026-27?
Smarter Balanced ELA and math (grades 3-8) and the state science test (grades 5, 8 and high school): March 9 – May 4, 2027, per NDE's 2026-27 assessment calendar. Your district schedules the exact days inside this window.
SBAC Subjects by Grade
| Grade | Subjects Tested |
|---|---|
| Grade 3 | ELA and math (Smarter Balanced) |
| Grade 4 | ELA and math (Smarter Balanced) |
| Grade 5 | ELA and math (Smarter Balanced) + state science test |
| Grade 6 | ELA and math (Smarter Balanced) |
| Grade 7 | ELA and math (Smarter Balanced) |
| Grade 8 | ELA and math (Smarter Balanced) + state science test |
| Grade 11 | ACT (college and career readiness, ELA and math) |
SBAC Scoring: Understanding Your Child's Results
Nevada uses the following performance levels. Level 3 (Proficient) is the target: NDE's score report guide says students meeting grade-level standards earn Level 3 or 4. Each area of the test is also marked Below, Near or Above Standard.
Level 4: Advanced
Has exceeded the achievement standard and demonstrates advanced progress toward mastery.
Level 3: Proficient
Has met the achievement standard and demonstrates progress toward mastery.
Level 2: Partial Understanding
Has nearly met the achievement standard and may require further development.
Level 1: Minimal Understanding
Has not met the achievement standard and needs substantial improvement.
SBAC Test Format: What to Expect
Computer-adaptive
NDE describes the SBAC as computer-adaptive: the next question depends on how your child did on earlier ones, so two students see different questions.
Performance task
Like every Smarter Balanced summative test, it also includes a performance task: a longer task built around one topic, with connected questions that build on each other.
ELA and math
The tests cover English language arts/literacy and mathematics, aligned to the Nevada Academic Content Standards.
Science is separate
Nevada's computer-based state science test, aligned to the Nevada Academic Content Standards for Science, is given in grades 5, 8 and once in high school.
What's new: a district rating from 2026
The test itself has not changed. What changed is accountability: in September 2026 NDE published its first District Performance Framework, created by Senate Bill 460, which rates districts as well as schools. The 2025-26 district ratings are informational only; starting with 2026-27 results, student outcomes such as early literacy and middle school math count toward each district's rating.
Nevada SBAC Score Trends
NDE released 2025-26 results on September 15, 2026. Statewide, in grades 3-8:
| Grade / Subject | % Meeting or Exceeding | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ELA proficient (grades 3-8) | 45.2% | Down 0.4 points from 2024-25 |
| Math proficient (grades 3-8) | 36.2% | Up 0.8 points |
| Science, elementary | 17.4% | Down 0.3 points |
| Science, middle school | 33.4% | Down 3.1 points |
| Science, high school | 26.5% | Up 3.4 points |
NDE reports grade 3 ELA 15.6 points below the State Board's goal of 60% by 2030-31, and grade 8 math 12.1 points below its goal of 40% by 2030-31. Fifth grade had the largest ELA gain (4 points) and seventh grade the largest math gain (1.7 points).
What Makes the SBAC Different From Other State Tests?
- -
Nevada uses the same Smarter Balanced ELA and math tests as the other Smarter Balanced states, so official Smarter Balanced practice tests apply directly.
- -
Nevada names its levels Minimal Understanding, Partial Understanding, Proficient and Advanced.
- -
Parents and guardians can ask to view the test their child completed, in a supervised session arranged through the district.
- -
SBAC results feed the Nevada School Performance Framework star ratings for schools.
What Nevada Parents Should Know About the SBAC
Results come out in the fall: NDE released 2025-26 SBAC results on September 15, 2026, and SBAC results are posted on the Nevada Report Card. Ask your school or district for your child's own score report.
Partial Understanding (Level 2) means "nearly met" the standard. Check the area ratings (Below, Near, Above Standard) to see which skills to practice.
Score ranges for each level change by grade, so staying in the same level next year can take a higher scale score.
You can ask to see the completed test: NDE has a process for legal guardians to view their child's most recent test in a supervised session of up to one hour, requested through the district before the next testing window opens.
NDE's assessment pages do not describe an opt-out process. If you are considering it, ask your district test director, who handles testing questions for your district.
Frequently Asked Questions About the SBAC
What is the SBAC test in Nevada?
It is the Smarter Balanced Assessment that Nevada gives in English language arts and math in grades 3-8. NDE lists it as "Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBAC)." It is computer-adaptive and aligned to the Nevada Academic Content Standards. Science is a separate state test in grades 5, 8 and high school.
When is the Nevada SBAC in 2027?
NDE's 2026-27 assessment calendar sets the Smarter Balanced window for grades 3-8 as March 9 – May 4, 2027. The science test for grades 5, 8 and high school uses the same window. Your district schedules the exact days.
What are the Nevada SBAC score levels?
Level 1: Minimal Understanding, Level 2: Partial Understanding, Level 3: Proficient, and Level 4: Advanced. NDE's score report guide says students meeting grade-level standards earn Level 3 or 4.
What does Partial Understanding mean on the SBAC?
Partial Understanding is Level 2 of 4. NDE's descriptor says the student "has nearly met the achievement standard and may require further development." The next level up, Level 3, is Proficient.
When do Nevada SBAC results come out?
NDE released statewide 2025-26 results on September 15, 2026, and SBAC results are posted on the Nevada Report Card. Ask your school or district for your child's own score report.
What science test does Nevada give?
Nevada gives a computer-based state science test, aligned to the Nevada Academic Content Standards for Science, once in grade 5, once in grade 8 and once in high school. It uses the same four level names as the SBAC report.
Can I see my child's SBAC test?
Yes. NDE has a process for legal guardians to view the most recent test their child completed (Smarter Balanced, science in grades 5 and 8, or the Nevada Alternate Assessment). You request it through your district, sign a non-disclosure agreement, and view it in a supervised session of up to one hour before the next testing window opens.
Is the Nevada SBAC the same test as in California?
The ELA and math tests are the same Smarter Balanced tests used in California (where the program is called CAASPP), Washington and other member states. Each state chooses its own level names and science test, so Nevada's levels are Minimal Understanding, Partial Understanding, Proficient and Advanced.
Questions parents ask
What is the SBAC test?
The SBAC is Nevada's standardized assessment for grades 3-8. Students are tested in Math and English/RLA every year, and Science in grades 5 and 8.
How does iMasterly match the real SBAC?
Practice tests are built to the SBAC's published blueprint for each grade and subject: the same reporting categories, question types and point values, with questions written to Nevada Academic Content Standards. Before a question goes into the bank it is checked independently: a separate check solves it from scratch without seeing the answer key, and on math questions code checks the arithmetic. Questions that fail are reworked and checked again; any that still fail are held back and never shown to your child.
What does it cost?
iMasterly is in beta and pricing has not been announced. SBAC practice is not sold separately: it comes with the AI tutoring and personalized curriculum.
How many practice questions are available?
iMasterly has a deep bank of standards-aligned practice questions for every grade and subject, so your child can keep practicing without running out.
SBAC is coming. Start practicing today.
Standards-aligned practice for every grade, with every answer explained.