Number Knowledge Test and

Placement Tests Overview

As part of the Number Worlds program, the Number Knowledge Test was developed to measure a student’s
conceptual knowledge of number (number sense). The level Placement Tests were created to determine
where each student should begin instruction within the Number Worlds curriculum. Together, these tests are a
valuable first step in assessing students’ intuitive knowledge of numbers and their preexisting knowledge of
math skills associated with their grade level. Students’ test results can be used to confirm or adjust their future
lessons, as well as inform and differentiate instruction within your classroom. If administered at both the
beginning and end of an instructional period, the Number Knowledge Test and Placement Tests may also be
used to measure the progress and developmental growth of a student over time.

Goals of the Number Knowledge Test

1. To determine if a student is functioning at, above, or below age/grade level in number knowledge
2. To determine which number concepts the student has mastered, which she is struggling with, and which
she still needs to learn
3. To assess a student’s progress over the instructional period or academic year
4. To determine which Number Worlds level Placement Test to start testing with in order to pinpoint the
program level in which each student should begin her instruction

Test Design
The Number Knowledge Test is an oral test that is administered individually to each student and requires oral
responses. Precise instruction for administering and scoring each item is included along with nine Visual
Arrays that test the solidity of a student’s understanding of number sense and decrease the likelihood of
guessing at a correct response.

The Number Knowledge Test Record

The Number Knowledge Test Total Score Raw Test Score
Devel. Age Score
Name D.O.B.

Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education. Permission is granted to reproduce for classroom use.

Preliminary Date Grade Level
School
Let’s see if you can count from 1 to 10. Go ahead. Teacher
NW Level

Level 0 (4-year-old level): Preliminary (count 1–10)

Go to Level 1 if 3 or more are correct
Level 0 (3 or more correct, go to next level) Strategy Score
1. Can you count these Counters and tell me how many there are? 1. Count (3)
(Place 3 Counters in a row in front of the child.) 2a. More: 5 vs. 2 2b. More: 3 vs. 7
2a. (Show stacks of Counters, 5 vs. 2, same color.) 3a. Less: 2 vs. 6 3b. Less: 8 vs. 3
Which pile has more? 4. Count B (4) Total
5. Count A (8) /5
2b. (Show stacks of Counters, 3 vs. 7, same color.)
Which pile has more? Level 1 (5 or more correct, go to next level) Strategy Score
1. 4+3= CU CO R
3a. This time, I’m going to ask you which pile has less. * 2. 7+1=
(Show stacks of Counters, 2 vs. 6, same color.)
3. 7+2=
Which pile has less?
4a. Bigger: 5 or 4 4b. Bigger: 7 or 9
3b. (Show stacks of Counters, 8 vs. 3, same color.) 5a. Smaller: 8 or 6 5b. Smaller: 5 or 7

4.
Which pile has less?
I’m going to show you some Counters.
(Show a line of 3 Counters of one color [A] and 4 Counters of a different color [B]
12 54 *
6a. Closer to 5: 6 or 2
7. 2 + 4 =
8. 8 – 6 =
6b. Closer to 7: 4 or 9
CU CO R
CU CO R Total
in a row, as follows: A B A B A B B.)
* 9a. First: 8 5 2 6 9b. Last: 8 5 2 6 /9
Count just the (color B) Counters and tell me how many there are.
Level 2 (5 or more correct, go to next level) Strategy Score
5. (Clear all the Counters from the previous question. Show a mixed array—not a 1. 49 + 5 =
row—of 8 Counters of one color [A] and 7 Counters of a different color [B].) * 2. 60 – 4 =
*
Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education. Permission is granted to reproduce for classroom use.
Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education. Permission is granted to reproduce for classroom use.

Here are some more Counters. Count just the (color A) Counters and tell me how 3a. Bigger: 69 or 71 3b. Bigger: 32 or 28
many there are. 4a. Smaller: 27 or 32 4b. Smaller: 51 or 39
5a. Closer to 21: 25 or 18 5b. Closer to 28: 31 or 24
6. How many numbers between 2 and 6
7. How many numbers between 7 and 9
12 + 54 = CO Total
* 8.
9. 47 – 21 = /9

Level 3 Strategy Score

1. 99 + 10 =
* 2. 99 + 9 =
3a. Bigger: 9 – 6 or 8 – 3 3b. Bigger: 6 – 2 or 8 – 5
4a. Smaller: 99 – 92 or 25 – 11 4b. Smaller: 48 – 36 or 84 – 73
13 + 39 =
* 5.
36 – 18 = Total
* 6.
7. 301 – 7 = /7

* Denotes arithmetic item

Number Knowledge Test Level 0 19 28 Visual Array 6 Number Knowledge Test 32 Number Knowledge Test Record

Number Knowledge Test Visual Array 6 Test Record

The Number Knowledge Test Record allows you to record a variety of data about student responses, including
the problem-solving strategies used on key items. The raw test score values calculated on the record can be
used to determine a student’s developmental age score and its grade level equivalent, as well as the
corresponding Number Worlds program level for instruction.

4 Overview
 Goals of the Placement Tests
1. To function as a critical range test in which only items estimated to be within the student’s probable
range of math understanding are administered
2. To identify in which level a student should begin her instruction within the Number Worlds curriculum
3. To assess a student’s preexisting knowledge of math skills associated with a level
4. To assess a student’s progress over the instructional period or academic year

Placement Tests in Levels A–C

Number Worlds levels A–C are targeted for use by students in grades Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 1.
Placement Tests for levels B and C are designed to be administered orally and individually to each student by
a teacher, classroom aid, or parent helper. The tests at these levels consist of teacher’s instructions on the
left-hand page and reproducible student test masters on the right-hand page.
LEVEL
B Placement Test Instructions
PreKindergarten-Kindergarten
Name Date
Use the following questions to assess a student’s prior knowledge of Number Worlds 1.
Level B content. Repeat the questions if necessary but do not reword them. If students
have difficulty circling answers, allow them to point to the answer they think is correct.

63542 23456 45326

If a student correctly responds to 7 or 8 of the following 8 items, continue to assess the student using
Placement Test C. If a student correctly responds to 4-6 items, the student should begin instruction in
Number Worlds, Level B. If a student correctly responds to only 0-3 items, the student should begin
instruction in Level A.

1. Look at the numbers at the top of the page. Which 2.

answer shows the numbers in the right order? Draw a
circle around the numbers that are in the right order.
The center group showing 2 3 4 5 6 is correctly ordered.

8 5 9
2. Look at the apples in the box. How many are there in
all? Draw a circle around the number that shows how
many apples there are. 8 3.
Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education. Permission is granted to reproduce for classroom use.

Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education. Permission is granted to reproduce for classroom use.

3. Look at the sets of books. Which set has the most?

Draw a circle around the set of books that has the
most. The last set of 7 books has the most.

4.

4. Look at the row of shapes. Which shape is a square?

Draw a circle around the shape that is a square.
The first shape is a square.

38 Level B Placement Test Placement Test Level B 39

Placement Test, Level B

Placement Tests in Levels D–J
Number Worlds levels D–J are targeted for use by students in Grades 2–8.
Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education. Permission is granted to reproduce for classroom use.

At these levels, the Placement Tests consist solely of multiple-choice items. In order to best evaluate the
effectiveness of the Number Worlds program and prepare the student for future standardized testing, students
taking these tests should attempt to take them independently.
LEVEL
F Name Date Name Date LEVEL
F LEVEL
F Name Date

Placement Test
Circle the letter of the correct answer. Circle the letter of the correct answer.
Circle the letter of the correct answer.
5. A theater has 12 sections. Each section has 8 rows and each row 8. Look at the graph. In which game did Lee score nine points?
1. Look at the number. Increase the value of the hundreds digit has 10 seats. How many seats are there in all? Points Scored
by 3. What would the new number be? 16
A 92 seats Chris
14
24,516 B 240 seats 12
Lee

C 960 seats 10
A 24,519
Points

8
B 24,546 D 860 seats 6
C 27,216 4
2
D 24,816 6. 63 ÷ 9 =
0 1 2 3 4 5
A 6 Game
2. 936 - 478 = B 8 A 1
A 458 C 4 B 2
B 542 D 7 C 3
C 452
D 4
D 448
7. Which expression would you use to solve this problem? 9. A driver delivered 214 soccer balls to a store. The next day, the
driver brought 27 footballs and 39 basketballs to the same store.
3. Which problem will have an answer less than 500? The temperature at four o’clock was 85°. By nine o’clock that If 25 balls can fit on a shelf, how many shelves will be needed for
A 1162 - 584 night, it was 63°. How much did the temperature drop? all the balls?
Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education. Permission is granted to reproduce for classroom use.

Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education. Permission is granted to reproduce for classroom use.

Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education. Permission is granted to reproduce for classroom use.

B 267 + 294 A 85 + 63 A 13
C 1,427 - 986 B 85 - 63 B 15
D 143 + 406 C 85 + 4 - 63 C 12
D 9-4 D 19
4. Which problem is a true statement?
10. What is the area of a room that is 8 feet wide and 12 feet long?
A __ > __
3 5
6 6 A 96 square feet

B ___ < ___

3 7 B 20 square feet
10 20
C 128 square feet
C __ = ___
1 3
5 20 D 82 square feet
__
4 __ 1
D
9>2
52 Level F Placement Test Placement Test Level F 53 54 Level F Placement Test

Placement Test, Level F

Overview 5
 The Number Knowledge Test
Understanding the Test
Purpose
The Number Knowledge Test was devised to measure the conceptual knowledge of number (number sense)
that the average child has available at the age levels of 4, 6, 8, and 10 years. This knowledge has been
referred to elsewhere as a set of “central conceptual structures for number” and “powerful organizing
schemas” that help children make sense of quantitative problems. Research has shown that the knowledge
assessed at each age level of this test is essential for successfully learning arithmetic in school and
foundational for higher mathematics learning. A major goal of the Number Worlds program is to ensure that all
children acquire this knowledge in a well-consolidated fashion at the appropriate age and grade level and
have ample opportunity to use it to solve a wide range of quantitative problems.

Design
The Number Knowledge Test is an oral test. It is individually administered to each child and requires oral
responses. This feature of the test enables you to assess a child’s mental math competencies and conceptual
understanding of number. It also enables you to assess the sophistication of a child’s problem-solving
strategies and to use this information for instructional planning. If, for example, an 8-year-old child consistently
counts up from 1 when adding two sets, you can infer that she has not yet acquired the understandings that
would enable her to count on from the largest addend to find the sum, so those particular understandings
must be carefully nourished and taught. The accompanying Number Knowledge Test Record form is designed
to allow you to record responses and problem-solving strategies as you are administering the test.
The Number Knowledge Test is also a developmental test, meaning that knowledge assessed at Level 0 is
generally acquired before knowledge assessed at Level 1, and so on. It also means that knowledge at each
level of the test is a prerequisite (providing the conceptual building block) for knowledge at the next level of
the test. This information is useful for instructional planning. If you know the developmental level of each child
in your classroom, you can make informed and appropriate instructional decisions—decisions that enable each
child to strengthen her present knowledge and move in easy, manageable steps from one level to the next.
The Number Knowledge Test was designed for this purpose.

Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education. Permission is granted to reproduce for classroom use.

6 Number Knowledge Test

 Age Levels
The labels assigned to each level of this test (e.g., 4-year-old level) actually represent the midpoint in the
range of years in which children typically acquire this knowledge. They are meant to suggest that a child’s
understanding of number changes qualitatively every two years across the middle childhood years, becoming
more complex with each change. On average, children acquire the understandings assessed at the 4-year-old
level sometime between the ages of 3 and 5 years. The 6-year-old understandings are acquired sometime
between the ages of 5–7 years, the 8-year-old understandings between the ages of 7–9 years, and the
10-year-old understandings between the ages of 9–11 years.
Research has shown that children from advantaged backgrounds typically acquire these age-level
understandings near the beginning of the age range indicated for each level. Children from less advantaged
backgrounds, with fewer learning opportunities, typically acquire these understandings later in the age
range. Research has also shown that many children living in low-income communities do not master the
understandings expected for their age level (mastery which is typically demonstrated by more advantaged
peers) and perform at one or two levels below average on this test. This demonstrates a developmental delay
in number knowledge of two or more years.

Developmental Conversion Chart

The test has been standardized based on substantial research data. The following chart correlates Raw Test
Scores from The Number Knowledge Test with Chronological Age Equivalents, Grade Level Equivalents, and
Number World Program Levels. This correlation indicates the ages and grade levels at which children typically
achieve Raw Score values and allows you to assess a child’s developmental age in number knowledge
understandings based on their score.
This chart can also be used to determine which Number Worlds level Placement Test a child should initially be
given to pinpoint the level of the program in which they should begin working.

Developmental Age Score

Raw Test Grade Level Number
(Chronological Age
Score Equivalents Worlds Level
Equivalents)
1–6 3–4 years Preschool Level A
Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education. Permission is granted to reproduce for classroom use.

7–8 4–5 years PreK–K Level B

9–14 5–6 years K–1 Level C
15–19 6–7 years 1–2 Level D
20–25 7–8 years 2–3 Level E
26–28 8–9 years 3–4 Level F
29–30 9–10 years 4–5 Level G

Number Knowledge Test 7

 Levels of the Test
The Number Knowledge Test is comprised of four levels:

Preliminary: This basic counting item is

generally mastered around the age of The Number Knowledge Test
Preliminary
3 years. It is included in this test as a Let’s see if you can count from 1 to 10. Go ahead.

Level 0 (4-year-old level):

warm-up item in order to orient children Go to Level 1 if 3 or more are correct
1. Can you count these Counters and tell me how many there are?

to the nature of the test and to give them a (Place 3 Counters in a row in front of the child.)
2a. (Show stacks of Counters, 5 vs. 2, same color.)
Which pile has more?

successful experience at the start. It will 2b. (Show stacks of Counters, 3 vs. 7, same color.)
Which pile has more?
3a. This time, I’m going to ask you which pile has less.

also alert you to children who have not

(Show stacks of Counters, 2 vs. 6, same color.)
Which pile has less?
3b. (Show stacks of Counters, 8 vs. 3, same color.)
Which pile has less?

yet mastered this skill and who will need 4. I’m going to show you some Counters.
(Show a line of 3 Counters of one color [A] and 4 Counters of a different color [B]
in a row, as follows: A B A B A B B.)

opportunities to do so. 5.
Count just the (color B) Counters and tell me how many there are.
(Clear all the Counters from the previous question. Show a mixed array—not a
row—of 8 Counters of one color [A] and 7 Counters of a different color [B].)

Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education. Permission is granted to reproduce for classroom use.

Here are some more Counters. Count just the (color A) Counters and tell me how
many there are.

Number Knowledge Test Level 0 19

Level 0 (4-year-old level): These items assess a child’s ability to count and to quantify small sets when
concrete objects (counters) are available and can be touched and manipulated. This knowledge provides an
important building block for success at the next level which requires the child to deal with quantities, and
changes in quantity, which cannot be touched or seen and have to be imagined.

Level 1 (6-year-old level): There are two classes of items at this level: those which assess a child’s knowledge
of the number sequence and those that assess a child’s ability to handle simple arithmetic problems. Concrete
objects are not utilized when administering these items. At this level, a child needs to rely on something like a
mental counting line inside her head. Success at this level will give you some idea of whether or not they have
constructed this knowledge structure.

Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education. Permission is granted to reproduce for classroom use.

Level 2 (8-year-old level): There are two classes of items at this level as well: those which assess knowledge
of the number sequence and those that assess knowledge of arithmetic. The primary distinction between
items at Level 1 and Level 2 is that items in this level require a child to deal with double-digit numbers
(i.e., tens and ones) and/or depend on the use of two mental number lines for successful solution.

Level 3 (10-year-old level): This level also has two classes of items: those which assess knowledge of the
number sequence and those that assess knowledge of arithmetic. The primary distinction between items at
Level 2 and Level 3 is that items in this level require children to deal with triple-digit numbers (e.g., addition
and subtraction problems that require regrouping).

8 Number Knowledge Test

 Requirements of the Test
As mentioned, The Number Knowledge Test is an oral test that is administered individually to each child
and requires oral responses. Children are not permitted to use paper and pencils to figure out answers.
Although this is not an issue at the Kindergarten level, older children often request paper and pencils,
guessing (correctly) that the problems would be easier to solve if they did not have to figure them out
“inside their heads.” To measure conceptual knowledge, however, it is important that children do figure
things out in their heads.

For example, the Level 2 test question “How much

is 12 + 54?” is accompanied by Visual Array 6,
which displays those numbers visually to help
children remember them.

12 54

Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education. Permission is granted to reproduce for classroom use.

28 Visual Array 6 Number Knowledge Test

Visual Array 6

If the numbers were stacked vertically in a typical workbook fashion (and if children had a pencil), they
could solve this problem easily using single-digit addition. They would simply add the digits in the ones
column, record the sum, and then add the digits in the tens column and record the sum. The two sums provide
the answer. Many children with a weak understanding of double-digit addition try to solve the problem in this
fashion by forming a mental image of the two addends stacked vertically. This process, which imposes a heavy
load on memory, is often fraught with errors. By contrast, children who understand double-digit addition can
Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education. Permission is granted to reproduce for classroom use.

easily solve this problem using base ten understandings, such as adding 10 to 54 to get 64 and then adding 2
more to get 66. Paying attention to the problem-solving strategies children use can tell you much about their
level of understanding.

The test has been standardized on the typical United States population, so it is critical in order to obtain a valid
and reliable developmental level score that you follow test administration directions precisely. It is always
tempting to try to help children solve the problems by rephrasing them or by providing helpful hints. If you do
this, however, you will be administering a test much different from the one on which the Developmental Age
Scores were based. You may be able to determine how much knowledge the child can demonstrate with
assistance, but you will not be able to use the conversion chart to compare the child’s performance to her
peers across the U.S. This comparison is one of the purposes of this test. Since the Developmental Age Score
provides a good starting point for instruction, it is important to administer the test as directed in the following
sections.

Number Knowledge Test 9

 Administering the Test
Creating a Test Kit
Before actually administering the test, you will need to prepare a test kit with the provided
materials. This entails:
 collecting 7 Counters of one color and 11 Counters of a different color used in Level 0 items
□
 inserting Visual Arrays 1–9 in protective sleeves and placing them (in order) in a three-ring binder—make
□
sure the top of each array will face the child you are testing who will likely be sitting across from you
 inserting a blank page in its own protective sleeve between each array (this allows you to “clean the slate”
□
when one item is finished while concealing the next array from the child until it’s called for in the
progression of the test)
 copying the needed amount of Test Record pages for each child taking the test
□
It is strongly recommended that you practice giving the test to a friend or colleague before using it with
children. This will ensure that test administration and scoring is automatic so that you can focus on the child’s
responses, identifying her problem-solving strategies, and other behaviors (e.g., expressions of frustration) that
provide indications of her level of understanding.

Suggestions
 As a general rule, start testing at a level that is at least two years below the age of the child you are testing.
□
This will ensure that children experience success at the beginning level of their test and provide an index of
their baseline knowledge.
 For children who are 7 or younger, start at the Preliminary Item and continue testing until the child does not
□
pass enough items (amounts indicated on the Test Record) to allow them to progress to the next level.
 For children who are 8 or older, you can omit the Preliminary Item and Level 0 and start testing at Level 1.
□
Give the child 5 points for Level 0.
 Plan a time when the other children in your class are occupied, so you will not be interrupted.
□
 Choose or edit your location carefully so that materials within view (such as a number line) will not provide
□
visual aids to the child.

Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education. Permission is granted to reproduce for classroom use.

 Prepare the child for the test by explaining that the questions will be easy at first but will get harder and
□
harder. You don’t expect them to know all the answers. Some of them are even challenging for older
children to get right!
 Administer all items at each level of the test that you progress to in order to determine the child’s maximum
□
potential within that level.
 Read or recite the test questions exactly as written, without rephrasing them. If the child appears not to
□
understand or asks you to repeat the question, you may do so as many times as needed using the
language of the test.
 Provide frequent reinforcement throughout, for example by saying “good” after each response, without
□
actually telling children whether their answers are right or wrong.

10 Number Knowledge Test

 Assessing Problem-Solving Strategy Usage
Like children’s answers to the problems themselves, the strategies children use to solve these problems can
aid you in determining their level of understanding. The arithmetic items in Levels 1–3 of the test include a
reminder to “Assess strategy used by asking, ‘How did you figure that out?’” It is helpful to ask the child how
they arrived at the answer if this information is not apparent in the child’s behavior. This will give you valuable
information on the strategies a child has available to solve number problems.
For example, a child might rely on the earliest strategy to be acquired developmentally, which is starting from
1 and counting up. Or she might use a more sophisticated strategy and count on from the largest addend.
Or she may retrieve the answer from memory and say, “I already knew the answer. It was in my head.”
Use of fingers to solve problems can also indicate that the child has not yet constructed a mental counting
line inside her head and must rely instead on physical objects. This valuable information suggests that the
understandings that underlie the mental counting line (such as automatic knowledge of the number sequence,
knowing which numbers come before/after other numbers, and knowing which numbers are larger/smaller
than other numbers) must be carefully nourished and/or taught.

Recording Strategy Usage

The Number Knowledge Test Record includes a “Strategy” column to record the problem-solving strategy
used by the child when answering the arithmetic items in Levels 1–3; those items are preceded by an
asterisk (*) on the Test Record. To help you quickly record the strategies used on these selected items, the
most common strategies (particularly at Level 1) are included on the Test Record in abbreviated form, as
follows:
CU = Counts Up from 1. Circle “CU” if the child uses a counting up from 1 strategy for solving
addition problems.
CO = Counts On. Circle “CO” if the child enters the counting sequence at the point of one of
the addends and then counts on, one number at a time.
R = Retrieval. Circle “R” if the child says that she figured out the answer in her head, as in: “I just knew
it,” “My brain told me,” or “I learned that.”
Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education. Permission is granted to reproduce for classroom use.

Number Knowledge Test 11

 Strategy Complexity
The three common strategies abbreviated on the Test Record vary in complexity. The CO strategy is more
sophisticated than the CU strategy. When a child uses the CU strategy, she begins counting at 1 to count the
first addend and continues counting up to add the second addend. Whereas when using the CO strategy, the
child demonstrates a better understanding of the number sequence by beginning to count at the point in the
sequence that is one number larger than the first addend. It often takes a child a year or more to move from
one level of strategy use to another (e.g., from the CU strategy to the CO strategy or the from CO strategy to
the R strategy for single-digit addition). Knowing which level of strategy use the child is comfortable using can
provide valuable information for instructional planning.
Since children’s strategies become more complex and varied at Levels 2 and 3 of the test, these common
strategy abbreviations have been omitted on the Test Record at these higher levels to leave space for you to
record more complex strategies used. If the child uses the CU, CO, or R strategy at these levels, use the
abbreviations to record them. If a child uses a more complex strategy, create a shorthand way of recording it
so that the child is not kept waiting.
For example, in the first item of Level 2 (What number comes 5 numbers after 49?), children who get the
correct answer (54) often respond to the follow-up question (How did you figure that out?) in language similar
to “50 and 5 is 55 but 50 is 1 more than 49 so I need to take 1 away to get 54.” You can record this quickly with
equations: 50 + 5 = 55; 55 - 1 = 54. This strategy is more sophisticated than the CO strategy (which is also
often used to solve this problem) because it demonstrates a good understanding of number composition and
the base-ten concepts which underlie use of the moving to 10 strategy to solve double-digit addition problems.
While it is important to pay attention to the problem-solving strategies children use to solve problems, it is also
important that the test-taking process proceeds smoothly and doesn’t tire the child out too much. This is why
only 3 items per level have been denoted to receive follow-up questions about strategy usage and most items
have greyed out boxes in the “Strategy” column of the Test Record. If you find that even these questions
seem to be burdensome for a child, you should use your discretion in omitting some or all of them. The test
questions themselves are more important, and proceeding through the test until the child reaches a natural
stopping point (indicated by directions on the test) is the ultimate goal.

Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education. Permission is granted to reproduce for classroom use.

12 Number Knowledge Test

 Scoring the Test
If you begin testing at a level other than Preliminary/Level 0, give the child the maximum total of 5 points for
the Level 0 items. Note that the maximum total points possible for each level is provided in the Test Record
“Total” column. A reproducible Number Knowledge Test Record is included on page 32 of this book.
For all two-part items, both (a) and (b) must be answered correctly to earn a point. The rationale for this is that
children can easily pick one of the two “forced-choice” response alternatives and obtain the correct answer by
guessing. If the child answers both questions correctly, we can assume with greater confidence that she
understands the number magnitude concepts assessed with these items.

The Number Knowledge Test Record

Total Score Raw Test Score
Devel. Age Score
Name D.O.B.
Date Grade Level
School
NW Level
Teacher

Preliminary (count 1–10)

Level 0 (3 or more correct, go to next level) Strategy Score

1. Count (3)
2a. More: 5 vs. 2 2b. More: 3 vs. 7
3a. Less: 2 vs. 6 3b. Less: 8 vs. 3
4. Count B (4) Total
5. Count A (8) /5

Level 1 (5 or more correct, go to next level) Strategy Score

1. 4+3= CU CO R
* 2. 7+1=
3. 7+2=
4a. Bigger: 5 or 4 4b. Bigger: 7 or 9
5a. Smaller: 8 or 6 5b. Smaller: 5 or 7
6a. Closer to 5: 6 or 2 6b. Closer to 7: 4 or 9
7. 2+4= CU CO R
* 8. 8–6= CU CO R Total
* 9a. First: 8 5 2 6 9b. Last: 8 5 2 6 /9

Level 2 (5 or more correct, go to next level) Strategy Score

Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education. Permission is granted to reproduce for classroom use.

1. 49 + 5 =
* 2. 60 – 4 =
* 3a. Bigger: 69 or 71 3b. Bigger: 32 or 28
4a. Smaller: 27 or 32 4b. Smaller: 51 or 39
5a. Closer to 21: 25 or 18 5b. Closer to 28: 31 or 24
6. How many numbers between 2 and 6
7. How many numbers between 7 and 9
12 + 54 = CO Total
* 8.
9. 47 – 21 = /9

Level 3 Strategy Score

1. 99 + 10 =
* 2. 99 + 9 =
3a. Bigger: 9 – 6 or 8 – 3 3b. Bigger: 6 – 2 or 8 – 5
4a. Smaller: 99 – 92 or 25 – 11 4b. Smaller: 48 – 36 or 84 – 73
13 + 39 =
* 5.
36 – 18 = Total
* 6.
7. 301 – 7 = /7

* Denotes arithmetic item

32 Number Knowledge Test Record

Number Knowledge Test 13

 Using the Test Record
 Each item on the test is worth 1 point. Earning partial credit is not allowable. In multi-part items, both the
□
“a” and “b” questions must be correct in order to earn a point.
 In the “Score” column, record either a 1 for a correct answer or a 0 for an incorrect answer for each item.
□
 When recording an item’s score, mark it in such a way that failures are not apparent to the child.
□
 Once all items in a level have been scored, tally the points in the “Total” column to determine whether to
□
discontinue testing or move on to the next level. The amount of points needed to proceed to the next level
is indicated next to the level number on the Test Record.
 If the child is not able to progress to the next level(s) of the test, the child receives 0 points for those
□
level(s).
 Add the points earned for all levels of the test and record them in the “Raw Test Score” box.
□
 If possible, enter the child’s answer (whether correct or incorrect) on the Test Record in the space after each
□
item’s question. This data can provide valuable information on the level of understanding when you have a
chance to analyze it.
 Arithmetic items are preceded by an asterisk (*). For these items, record the strategy the child used to solve
□
the problem under the “Strategy” column.
 Using the Raw Test Score, fill in the “Developmental Age Score,” “Grade Level,” and “Number Worlds Level”
□
based on the Developmental Conversion Chart:

Developmental Age Score

Raw Test Grade Level Number
(Chronological Age
Score Equivalents Worlds Level
Equivalents)
1–6 3–4 years Preschool Level A
7–8 4–5 years PreK–K Level B
9–14 5–6 years K–1 Level C
15–19 6–7 years 1–2 Level D

Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education. Permission is granted to reproduce for classroom use.

20–25 7–8 years 2–3 Level E
26–28 8–9 years 3–4 Level F
29–30 9–10 years 4–5 Level G

 The Developmental Age score provides a measure of the child’s pre-instruction level of number sense or
□
math competence.
 The Number Worlds Level indicates the level of Placement Test the child should be given to further refine
□
and affirm their placement within the Number Worlds program.

14 Number Knowledge Test

 Using the Test Results
The results of The Number Knowledge Test can be used for four main purposes:

To determine if a child is functioning at, above, or below age level in

number knowledge:
If the child’s Developmental Age Score is consistent with her chronological age, you can infer that her number
knowledge is average for her age and consistent with about 64% of her age-level peers in North America. If it
is one or two levels higher, which is the case for about 18% of American children, you can infer that her number
knowledge is above average. Similarly, if it is one or two levels lower, which is the case for another 18% of
American children, you can infer that her number knowledge is below average and remedial instruction is
needed.
As mentioned, many children from low-income communities, lacking the learning opportunities available to
their more advantaged peers, have been found to score in the below average range on this test. These
children typically benefit hugely from instruction with the Number Worlds program, which was designed to fill
the knowledge gaps demonstrated on this test.

To determine which number concepts the child has mastered, which she is
struggling with, and which she still needs to learn:
The Number Knowledge Test assesses four classes of concepts at almost every level of the test: (1) number
sequence concepts, including base-ten understandings; (2) addition concepts; (3) subtraction concepts; and
(4) math problem-solving strategies. By examining the completed Test Record and evaluating the particular
items the child passed and failed at each level of the test, you can gain a good picture of the child’s
knowledge strengths and weaknesses and identify concepts that will need extra attention in your instructional
programming.
Many children demonstrate weaknesses in the areas of number sequence and subtraction
understandings, most likely because these concepts have not been adequately addressed in the child’s
home, community, or school, and the Number Worlds program contains several lessons at every level to teach
these important concepts.
If you have asked the strategy-usage question on the indicated arithmetic items while administering
the test and recorded the child’s answer, you will also have valuable information available to determine
Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education. Permission is granted to reproduce for classroom use.

the sophistication of the child’s problem-solving strategies and the strategies that need to be taught
and/or fostered.

Number Knowledge Test 15

 To assess progress over the instructional period or academic year:
Administer The Number Knowledge Test at the beginning and end of the instructional period or academic
year, making sure that the interval between test administrations is at least 4 months. By comparing the
Developmental Age Score a child achieved before instruction began to the score received at the end of the
instructional period, you can obtain a measure of the developmental growth of the child over the instructional
period. You can also compare the scores of individual levels or items to identify concepts the child mastered
over the instructional period and those she has yet to master.
If a child moved up one level on the test, you can infer that they are now performing at a level that is one year
above the level they started at. Similarly, if they move up two levels in their Developmental Age Score, you
can conclude that they are now performing at a level that is two years above the level at which they began.
Identifying areas of growth can give you a well-deserved sense of accomplishment and a topic of welcomed
feedback for the child’s parents. If growth is not as great as you expected or hoped for in some areas, you can
use these results to modify or adapt your instructional planning for the next school year.
By comparing the percentage of children in your class who passed each individual item on the test before and
after the instructional period, you can obtain a good index of the particular concepts your class mastered
during the instructional period as well as the particular concepts they are still struggling with and have yet to
master. This information can provide valuable guidance for all teachers who will be working with your class in
the coming months and/or year.

To determine which Number Worlds level Placement Test to start with and which
level of the Number Worlds program to use to begin instruction:
The Number Worlds Placement Tests can help you refine your assessment of the child’s number competence
and pinpoint which level of the Number Worlds program a child should begin working within. To determine
which Placement Test to start with, use the Developmental Conversion Chart and find the Number Worlds
level that is associated with the Raw Score the child achieved. More information about using and administering
Placement Tests is provided on pages 34–37 of this book.

Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education. Permission is granted to reproduce for classroom use.

16 Number Knowledge Test

 FAQs about Test Items
Question about test administration: Why do we have to ask all items at any level of the test the child
progresses to if they fail the first few items at this level? Won’t this be frustrating to the child?
Answer: Although each level of the test is more difficult than the previous level, the test questions within each
level are not sequenced in order of difficulty. They are sequenced to maximize comprehension of the test
question. Thus, a child could easily fail the first few questions at a level and succeed on subsequent questions
at this level. To ensure that you give the child every opportunity to demonstrate her number knowledge, it is
imperative that you ask all questions at any level you progress to.
Question about the Visual Array in item 6a at Level 1: Why do we show a visual array? Won’t this lead
children to try to measure the physical distance between numbers on the page?
Answer: The visual array was included to provide a counterweight to some children’s tendency to choose the
number that is, auditorily, closer to the number said in the oral test question. You are correct in assuming that a
few children will try to physically measure the spatial distance between numbers when the visual array is used.
However, they won’t even think of doing this if they understand that numbers themselves have magnitude, and
it is this understanding that the test item was designed to measure.
Question about the Visual Array in item 9a at Level 1: Isn’t it unfair to show children written numbers that are
not sequenced in order of magnitude and ask them to point to the number they say first when counting? Aren’t
you deliberately distracting them?
Answer: Yes, the distraction is deliberate and is consistent with many items on developmental tests. It is
designed to assess the solidity of a child’s understanding of the counting sequence. If their knowledge is solid,
they won’t be distracted. The fact that this item has remained on the test after substantial research to ensure
that the test is valid suggests that most children in the 6-year-old age range are able to pass this item in its
current form.
Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education. Permission is granted to reproduce for classroom use.

Number Knowledge Test 17

 Question about item 6 at Level 2: Why should we accept either 3 or 4 as a correct answer?
Answer: If the child understands the number sequence, she will be able to figure out that there are 3 numbers
between 2 and 6: namely, the numbers 3, 4, and 5. However, if the child uses subtraction to find the answer,
she will take 2 away from 6 and come up with an answer of 4. Although the question is worded to test number
sequence understandings, we don’t want to penalize a child for demonstrating a good understanding of
subtraction so we accept either answer as correct. By noting which strategy the child uses to solve this
problem, you can determine whether number sequence understandings need to be taught.
Question about item 3a at Level 3: The wording of this question seems very difficult for children, especially
ESL children who may not know what the word “difference” means. Can we reword this question to make it
easier to understand?
Answer: No, you cannot reword this question but you may repeat it as often as requested by the child. If the
child is functioning at the 10-year-old level mathematically, she will understand what this word means. If she
doesn’t, this failure suggests that she is not functioning at age level and needs remedial instruction in
subtraction understandings.
This question also imposes demands on memory, and this adds to the level of difficulty. However, most
children who are functioning at the 10-year-old level are able to handle this memory challenge. Failure to do so
provides an indication that the child’s mental capacity (and possibly English language skills) for mathematical
problem-solving is below average and remedial instruction to foster the development of these skills is needed.

Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education. Permission is granted to reproduce for classroom use.

18 Number Knowledge Test

 The Number Knowledge Test
Preliminary
Let’s see if you can count from 1 to 10. Go ahead.

Level 0 (4-year-old level):

Go to Level 1 if 3 or more are correct
1. Can you count these Counters and tell me how many there are?
(Place 3 Counters in a row in front of the child.)
2a. (Show stacks of Counters, 5 vs. 2, same color.)
Which pile has more?
2b. (Show stacks of Counters, 3 vs. 7, same color.)
Which pile has more?
3a. This time, I’m going to ask you which pile has less.
(Show stacks of Counters, 2 vs. 6, same color.)
Which pile has less?
3b. (Show stacks of Counters, 8 vs. 3, same color.)
Which pile has less?
4. I’m going to show you some Counters.
(Show a line of 3 Counters of one color [A] and 4 Counters of a different color [B]
in a row, as follows: A B A B A B B.)
Count just the (color B) Counters and tell me how many there are.
5. (Clear all the Counters from the previous question. Show a mixed array—not a
row—of 8 Counters of one color [A] and 7 Counters of a different color [B].)
Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education. Permission is granted to reproduce for classroom use.

Here are some more Counters. Count just the (color A) Counters and tell me how
many there are.

Number Knowledge Test Level 0 19

 The Number Knowledge Test
Level 1 (6-year-old level):
Go to Level 2 if 5 or more are correct
1. If you had 4 chocolates and someone gave you 3 more, how many chocolates would
you have all together?
(Assess strategy used by asking, “How did you figure that out?”)
2. What number comes right after 7?
3. What number comes two numbers after 7?
4a. Which is bigger: 5 or 4?
4b. Which is bigger: 7 or 9?
5a. This time, I’m going to ask you about smaller numbers. Which is smaller: 8 or 6?
5b. Which is smaller: 5 or 7?
6a. Which number is closer to 5: 6 or 2?
(Show Visual Array 1 after asking the question)
6b. Which number is closer to 7: 4 or 9?
(Show Visual Array 2 after asking the question.)
7. How much is 2 + 4?
(Children can use fingers for counting. Assess strategy used by asking, “How did
you figure that out?”)
8. How much is 8 take away 6?
(Children can use fingers for counting. Assess strategy used by asking, “How did
you figure that out?”)

Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education. Permission is granted to reproduce for classroom use.

9a. (Show Visual Array 3 of the numerals 8 5 2 6, and ask the child to point to and name
each numeral.)
When you are counting, which of these numbers do you say first?
9b. When you are counting, which of these numbers do you say last?

20 Level 1 Number Knowledge Test

 The Number Knowledge Test
Level 2 (8-year-old level):
Go to Level 3 if 5 or more are correct
1. What number comes 5 numbers after 49?
(Assess strategy used by asking, “How did you figure that out?”)
2. What number comes 4 numbers before 60?
(Assess strategy used by asking, “How did you figure that out?”)
3a. Which is bigger: 69 or 71?
3b. Which is bigger: 32 or 28?
4a. This time I’m going to ask you about smaller numbers. Which is smaller: 27 or 32?
4b. Which is smaller: 51 or 39?
5a. Which number is closer to 21: 25 or 18?
(Show Visual Array 4 after asking the question.)
5b. Which number is closer to 28: 31 or 24?
(Show Visual Array 5 after asking the question.)
6. How many numbers are there between 2 and 6?
(Accept either 3 or 4.)
7. How many numbers are there between 7 and 9?
(Accept either 1 or 2.)
8. How much is 12 + 54?
(Show Visual Array 6. Assess strategy used by asking, “How did you figure that
out?”)
Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education. Permission is granted to reproduce for classroom use.

9. How much is 47 take away 21?

(Show Visual Array 7.)

Number Knowledge Test Level 2 21

 The Number Knowledge Test
Level 3 (10-year-old level):
1. What number comes 10 numbers after 99?
(Assess strategy used by asking, “How did you figure that out?”)
2. What number comes 9 numbers after 99?
3a. Which difference is bigger, the difference between 9 and 6 or the difference
between 8 and 3?
3b. Which difference is bigger, the difference between 6 and 2 or the difference
between 8 and 5?
4a. Which difference is smaller, the difference between 99 and 92 or the difference
between 25 and 11?
4b. Which difference is smaller, the difference between 48 and 36 or the difference
between 84 and 73
5. How much is 13 + 39?
(Show Visual Array 8. Assess strategy used by asking, “How did you figure that
out?”)
6. How much is 36 - 18?
(Show Visual Array 9. Assess strategy used by asking, “How did you figure that
out?”)
7. How much is 301 take away 7?

Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education. Permission is granted to reproduce for classroom use.

22 Level 3 Number Knowledge Test

 Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education. Permission is granted to reproduce for classroom use.

6
5

Number Knowledge Test Visual Array 1

23
 Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education. Permission is granted to reproduce for classroom use.
9
7

24 Visual Array 2 Number Knowledge Test

4
 Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education. Permission is granted to reproduce for classroom use.

8
5
2
6

Number Knowledge Test Visual Array 3

25
 Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education. Permission is granted to reproduce for classroom use.
18
21

26 Visual Array 4 Number Knowledge Test

25
 Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education. Permission is granted to reproduce for classroom use.

31
28

24

Number Knowledge Test Visual Array 5

27
 Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education. Permission is granted to reproduce for classroom use.
54
12

28 Visual Array 6 Number Knowledge Test

 Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education. Permission is granted to reproduce for classroom use.

47
21

Number Knowledge Test Visual Array 7

29
 Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education. Permission is granted to reproduce for classroom use.
39
13

30 Visual Array 8 Number Knowledge Test

 Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education. Permission is granted to reproduce for classroom use.

36
18

Number Knowledge Test Visual Array 9

31
 The Number Knowledge Test Record
Total Score Raw Test Score
Devel. Age Score
Name D.O.B.
Date Grade Level
School
NW Level
Teacher

Preliminary (count 1–10)

Level 0 (3 or more correct, go to next level) Strategy Score

1. Count (3)
2a. More: 5 vs. 2 2b. More: 3 vs. 7
3a. Less: 2 vs. 6 3b. Less: 8 vs. 3
4. Count B (4) Total
5. Count A (8) /5

Level 1 (5 or more correct, go to next level) Strategy Score

1. 4+3= CU CO R
* 2. 7+1=
3. 7+2=
4a. Bigger: 5 or 4 4b. Bigger: 7 or 9
5a. Smaller: 8 or 6 5b. Smaller: 5 or 7
6a. Closer to 5: 6 or 2 6b. Closer to 7: 4 or 9
7. 2+4= CU CO R
* 8. 8–6= CU CO R Total
* 9a. First: 8 5 2 6 9b. Last: 8 5 2 6 /9

Level 2 (5 or more correct, go to next level) Strategy Score

1. 49 + 5 =
* 2. 60 – 4 =
* 3a. Bigger: 69 or 71 3b. Bigger: 32 or 28
4a. Smaller: 27 or 32 4b. Smaller: 51 or 39
5a. Closer to 21: 25 or 18 5b. Closer to 28: 31 or 24
6. How many numbers between 2 and 6
7. How many numbers between 7 and 9
12 + 54 = CO Total
* 8.
9. 47 – 21 = /9

Level 3 Strategy Score

1. 99 + 10 =
* 2. 99 + 9 =
3a. Bigger: 9 – 6 or 8 – 3 3b. Bigger: 6 – 2 or 8 – 5
4a. Smaller: 99 – 92 or 25 – 11 4b. Smaller: 48 – 36 or 84 – 73
13 + 39 =
* 5.
36 – 18 = Total
* 6.
7. 301 – 7 = /7

* Denotes arithmetic item

32 Number Knowledge Test Record