Washington · SBA · grades 3-8
SBA
Practice Tests
Questions aligned to Washington State Learning Standards, grades 3-8. Pick a grade and subject and try them without signing up: Math, Science, English/RLA.
Practice SBA Questions
Pick your child's grade to start. No signup required.
SBA 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.4.3
In a story, a boy moves from Yakima to Seattle and refuses to join the school rowing club because he has never been on the water. A teammate patiently shows him how to paddle. By spring, he is the one helping new members get into the boat. How does the boy change?
- A.He becomes afraid of the water
- B.He goes from avoiding something new to helping others learn it
- C.He decides to move back to Yakima
- D.He does not change at all
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: B. He goes from avoiding something new to helping others learn it
At the start he refuses to join. By the end he is teaching new members. The change is from avoiding something unfamiliar to being confident enough to help others with it.
Question 3 · Grade 6 Math · Standard 6.RP.A.3
A berry farm in Skagit County sells 4 pints of strawberries for $18. At this rate, how much do 10 pints cost?
- A.$40
- B.$45
- C.$48
- D.$54
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: B. $45
Unit rate: $18 ÷ 4 = $4.50 per pint. For 10 pints: 10 × $4.50 = $45.
Question 4 · Grade 7 Math · Standard 7.RP.A.2
A hiker in Olympic National Park walks 9 miles in 3 hours. At this rate, how far will the hiker walk in 5 hours?
- A.12 miles
- B.15 miles
- C.18 miles
- D.45 miles
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: B. 15 miles
Rate: 9 ÷ 3 = 3 miles per hour. In 5 hours: 3 × 5 = 15 miles.
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 SBA prep works
- 1
Pick your grade
Select your child's grade level. We show which subjects are available for that grade on the SBA.
- 2
Choose a subject
Pick Math, English/RLA, or Science. Every question is aligned to Washington State Learning Standards at the right difficulty.
- 3
Practice and learn
Answer questions in the real SBA format. Every answer gets a detailed explanation so your child learns from mistakes.
Why Washington parents choose iMasterly
Washington State Learning Standards-aligned questions
Every question maps to specific Washington State Learning Standards and reporting categories. Not generic — built for SBA.
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
SBA prep is just one feature. iMasterly teaches 15+ subjects with AI-personalized curriculum.
DOK-matched difficulty
Questions match the real SBA'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.
Washington's 2026-27 state testing windows
These are OSPI's statewide windows. Each school picks its own dates inside them: OSPI says the Smarter Balanced tests are given within the last 12 weeks of the school year, and no later than June 25. Ask your school for your child's days.
| Test | Online | Paper/pencil |
|---|---|---|
| Smarter Balanced ELA & math, grades 3-8 and 10 | March 1 – June 25, 2027 | April 5 – May 14, 2027 |
| WCAS science, grades 5, 8 and 11 | April 5 – June 4, 2027 | April 5 – May 14, 2027 |
- OSPI says both Smarter Balanced tests will be the same length as they have been since 2021, and the WCAS keeps the same design and length as in previous years.
- Grades 11 and 12 may also take the Smarter Balanced tests (optionally, for a graduation pathway) in the same window.
What Levels 1-4 mean on a Washington SBA score report
Washington reports Smarter Balanced results in four levels. This is OSPI's wording for grades 3-8. OSPI also stresses that the SBA is not pass/fail for individual students, and that scores "should never be used to define students' potential or capabilities."
Level 2 is not "failing": OSPI describes it as foundational grade-level knowledge. Level 3 is proficient. In grade 10, Levels 3 and 4 meet the state graduation pathway requirement, and so does a Level 2 score at or above 2548 in ELA or 2595 in math.
Source: OSPI, Reporting Achievement Level Descriptors for the ELA SBA and the math SBA.
Smarter Balanced practice by grade
Washington 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, question types and performance task are the same.
Smarter Balanced also publishes official practice and training tests (no login needed) that are used in all Smarter Balanced states, including Washington: smarterbalanced.org practice tests.
What Is the SBA Test in Washington?
Washington's state tests in English language arts (ELA) and math are the Smarter Balanced Assessments, which OSPI (the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction) calls the SBA. They are required in grades 3-8 and 10. Each test has two parts: a computer adaptive test, where the questions adjust to how your child is doing, and a performance task, a longer multi-step task. Science is a separate test, the Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS), in grades 5, 8 and 11. Washington is one of the states that share the Smarter Balanced tests, and OSPI says Washington is not leaving the Smarter Balanced consortium.
When Is the SBA Test in 2026-27?
Online Smarter Balanced ELA and math: March 1 – June 25, 2027 (paper/pencil April 5 – May 14, 2027), given within the last 12 weeks of each school's year. WCAS science online: April 5 – June 4, 2027. Your school sets the exact days inside these windows.
SBA 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) + science (WCAS) |
| Grade 6 | ELA and math (Smarter Balanced) |
| Grade 7 | ELA and math (Smarter Balanced) |
| Grade 8 | ELA and math (Smarter Balanced) + science (WCAS) |
| Grade 10 | ELA and math (Smarter Balanced); can count toward a graduation pathway |
| Grade 11 | Science (WCAS) |
SBA Scoring: Understanding Your Child's Results
Washington uses the following performance levels. Level 3 is proficient. OSPI's descriptors call Level 2 'foundational' grade-level knowledge, and say the SBA is not pass/fail for an individual student. In grade 10, Level 3 or 4 meets the graduation pathway requirement, as does a Level 2 score at or above 2548 in ELA or 2595 in math.
Level 4
Advanced grade-level knowledge and skills, with deep understanding and a full range of complexity.
Level 3
Proficient grade-level knowledge and skills, with a broad range of complexity.
Level 2
Foundational grade-level knowledge and skills, with a limited range of complexity.
Level 1
Does not yet consistently demonstrate grade-level knowledge and skills.
SBA Test Format: What to Expect
Computer adaptive test
The first part adapts to your child: the next question depends on how they did on earlier ones, so two students see different questions.
Performance task
The second part is a longer task built around one topic, with several connected questions that build on each other.
ELA areas
OSPI lists the skills tested in ELA as reading, writing, listening, and research and inquiry. The overall level does not mean a student did equally well in all four.
Same length as since 2021
OSPI says the 2026-27 ELA and math tests are the same length as they have been since 2021, so the format is not changing this year.
What's changing: Washington's revised ELA standards
Washington has formally adopted revised ELA learning standards. Educators have the 2026-27 school year to start using them, and they are required in the 2027-28 school year. OSPI says Washington is not leaving Smarter Balanced; it is working with the consortium on what, if anything, the tests need to change, and says implementation of any test changes will begin no earlier than the 2028-29 school year, with new items piloted first. For spring 2027, the ELA test is the current Smarter Balanced test.
What Makes the SBA Different From Other State Tests?
- -
Washington uses the same Smarter Balanced ELA and math tests as the other Smarter Balanced states, so official Smarter Balanced practice tests apply directly.
- -
Washington tests grade 10 in ELA and math, and those high school results can be used toward a graduation pathway.
- -
Science is its own test, the WCAS, given in grades 5, 8 and 11.
- -
OSPI describes Level 2 as foundational grade-level knowledge, not as failing.
What Washington Parents Should Know About the SBA
Results come later: OSPI says results for students, schools, districts and the state are reported by September of each year, and final paper reports arrive in the fall of the next school year. Your school or district decides how you receive the report.
Read the level, then the areas. The overall level is an estimate, and OSPI notes it does not mean your child did equally well in every area, so look at which areas were weaker.
Skipping the test has consequences for the school. OSPI says students who do not test are counted among those who do not meet standard, and schools below 95 percent participation put state and federal awards and recognitions at risk. Talk to your school before deciding.
Private-school and home-school students are exempt from state testing, according to OSPI.
Practice the performance task, not just the adaptive part: it is longer and asks for connected, multi-step work, which short quizzes do not build.
Frequently Asked Questions About the SBA
What is the SBA test in Washington?
The SBA is what OSPI calls Washington's Smarter Balanced Assessments in English language arts and math. They are required in grades 3-8 and 10. Each has a computer adaptive part and a performance task. Science is a separate test, the WCAS, in grades 5, 8 and 11.
When is the Washington SBA in 2027?
OSPI's 2026-27 window for the online Smarter Balanced ELA and math tests is March 1 – June 25, 2027 (paper/pencil April 5 – May 14, 2027). Schools give the tests within the last 12 weeks of their school year. Your school sets the exact days.
When is the WCAS science test in 2027?
The online WCAS window for grades 5, 8 and 11 is April 5 – June 4, 2027, with paper/pencil April 5 – May 14, 2027, according to OSPI's testing calendar.
What does Level 2 mean on the SBA?
OSPI's descriptors say Level 2 students "demonstrate foundational grade-level knowledge and skills with a limited range of complexity." It is below Level 3 (proficient) but OSPI stresses the SBA is not pass/fail for individual students.
When do Washington SBA scores come out?
OSPI says results are reported for individual students, schools, districts and the state by September of each year, and final paper reports are available in the fall of the next school year. Each school or district decides how families get the report.
Can I opt my child out of the SBA in Washington?
OSPI's FAQ does not describe an opt-out form, but it says test refusals penalize schools and districts: students who do not test are counted as not meeting standard, and schools under 95 percent participation risk state and federal awards and recognitions. Private-school and home-school students are exempt. Ask your school about its process.
Is Washington leaving Smarter Balanced?
No. OSPI's standards FAQ says, "No, we are not leaving the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)." It is reviewing whether the revised ELA standards require test changes, with implementation no earlier than 2028-29.
Is the Washington SBA the same as the SBAC or CAASPP?
The ELA and math tests are the same Smarter Balanced tests used in California (where the program is called CAASPP) and other member states. States choose their own names, score-level labels and science tests, so Washington's levels are 1-4 with OSPI's descriptions, and its science test is the WCAS.
Questions parents ask
What is the SBA test?
The SBA is Washington'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 SBA?
Practice tests are built to the SBA's published blueprint for each grade and subject: the same reporting categories, question types and point values, with questions written to Washington State Learning 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. SBA 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.
SBA is coming. Start practicing today.
Standards-aligned practice for every grade, with every answer explained.