Georgia Milestones Practice Tests 5th Grade + How to Ace the GMAS Test!

Georgia Milestones Practice Tests 5th grade

The Georgia Milestones Assessment System (GMAS) is designed to measure student mastery of state-adopted content standards in English Language Arts, mathematics, science, and social studies.

GMAS assesses students in 3rd grade through high school. Some students aren’t tested in all four subjects, but fifth grade students, who have one of the heaviest testing loads, must take tests related to all four key areas.

Fortunately, working on Georgia Milestones practice tests 5th grade can help your child successfully prepare for all four GMAS tests. In this article, we’ll provide a link to a practice tests, in addition to information and tips to help your child prepare.

Let’s get started!

5th Grade GMAS Testing Basics

During the 2014-2015 school year, the Georgia Milestones Assessment System (GMAS) replaced the Criterion Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT).

The GMAS was designed to reflect the increased rigor of the updated content standards adopted by the Georgia State Board of Education in 2010.

These standards are based on the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), a shared list of the skills and knowledge students should master at each grade level in the United States.

Are GMAS Tests Multiple Choice?

GMAS tests include three question types:

  • Selected response items (multiple choice)

  • Constructed response items (brief written responses that require students to explain answers or show work)

  • Extended constructed response items (longer written responses that may have multiple parts or require more in-depth explanations)
  • Additionally, all GMAS ELA tests include two extended written responses: an opinion essay and an informational essay.

    What is a “Good Score” on the GMAS Tests?

    There are four achievement levels for each GMAS test:

  • Beginning Learners: Students who do not demonstrate proficiency and need substantial academic support to be prepared for the next grade level.

  • Developing Learners: Students who demonstrate partial proficiency and will need additional academic support to be prepared for the next grade level.

  • Proficient Learners: Students who demonstrate grade level proficiency and are on track and prepared for the next grade level.

  • Distinguished Learners: Students who demonstrate advanced proficiency and are well prepared for the next grade level or course.
  • In order to be promoted to sixth grade, fifth grade students must score in the “Developing Learner” category on GMAS ELA.

    Based on their reading performance on GMAS ELA, fifth grade students must also be identified as at or above grade level in reading proficiency.

    Is GMAS Testing Computer-Based or Paper-Pencil?

    Most districts currently administer computer-based GMAS tests. Computer testing is the primary mode of administration in the state, with paper-pencil testing serving as back up.

    By the 2018-2019 school year, all GMAS testing will be computer-based.

    GMAS ELA 5th Grade

    Since the GMAS ELA test is linked to promotion for fifth grade students, it is the most important Georgia Milestones test your child will take this year.

    Fifth grade students fourth grade students must answer 60 questions divided into three sections. Sections 1 and 2 have a time limit of 75 minutes each, while Section 3 has a 90 minute time limit.

    Questions are divided into two categories:

  • Reading and Vocabulary

  • Writing and Language
  • For the reading component, students read both fictional and informational passages. They then answer questions measuring the following skills:

  • Identify key ideas and details

  • Answer questions about characters, setting, and plot

  • Georgia Milestones - 5th grade - Characters sample

    Georgia Milestones - 5th grade - Characters sample

  • Provide an objective summary of the text

  • Define vocabulary in context

  • Georgia Milestones - 5th grade - Vocab sample

    Georgia Milestones - 5th grade - Vocab sample

  • Explain how specific parts of the text interact with the text as a whole

  • Make inferences and draw conclusions based on the information provided in the text

  • Compare and contrast similar passages and ideas

  • Determine author’s purpose and point of view

  • Georgia Milestones Practice Test - 5th grade  - Author’s Purpose sample

    Georgia Milestones Practice Test - 5th grade  - Author’s Purpose sample

  • Differentiate between first person, second person, and third person points of view

  • Analyze theme and figurative language

  • GMAS 5th grade -  Theme sample

    GMAS 5th grade -  Theme sample

  • Identify the characteristics of various genres

  • Understand how individuals, events, and ideas interact in a text

  • Differentiate between fact and opinion

  • Identify text structure such as chronological order, cause-effect, problem-solution, etc.
  • Writing skills are assessed through both extended constructed responses and essays.

    The extended constructed response questions ask students to use narrative techniques such as completing a story, writing an alternate ending, or adding dialogue:

    gmas 5th grade -  Narrative Technique sample

    gmas 5th grade -  Narrative Technique sample

    There are two essays: an opinion essay and an informational essay. For both, students must read two passages and incorporate information from both passages in their response. Below is an example of a 5th grade opinion essay prompt:

    Georgia Milestones Practice Test 5th grade - Essay sample

    Georgia Milestones Practice Test 5th grade - Essay sample

    Correct use of language conventions is also assessed through the essay, but students also answer multiple choice questions related to spelling, grammar, punctuation, and usage, as in the examples below:

    Georgia Milestones Practice Test 5th grade - Language  sample

    Georgia Milestones Practice Test 5th grade - Language  sample

    Georgia Milestones Practice Test 5th grade - Language sample 2

    Georgia Milestones Practice Test 5th grade - Language sample 2

    GMAS 5th grade - Language  sample 3

    GMAS 5th grade - Language  sample 3

    This is a rigorous and important test, but remember that there are plenty of resources available to help you and your child, such as the Georgia Milestones practice tests 5th grade and the GMAS study guide.

    GMAS Mathematics 5th Grade

    The GMAS Mathematics test contains 73 questions divided into two 85-minute sections. Questions include selected responses, constructed responses, and extended constructed responses.

    Fifth grade students answer questions in the following five categories:

  • Operations and Algebraic Thinking
  • GMAS 5th grade - Operations and Algebraic Thinking sample

    GMAS 5th grade - Operations and Algebraic Thinking sample

  • Number and Operations in Base 10
  • GMAS 5th grade - Number and Operations Base 10 sample

    GMAS 5th grade - Number and Operations Base 10 sample

  • Number and Operations-Fractions
  • GMAS 5th grade - Fractions sample

    GMAS 5th grade - Fractions sample

  • Measurement and Data
  • GMAS 5th grade - Data sample

    GMAS 5th grade - Data sample

  • Geometry
  • GMAS 5th grade - Geometry sample

    GMAS 5th grade - Geometry sample

    Like GMAS ELA, this isn’t an easy test, but the Georgia Milestones practice tests 5th grade are an extremely helpful and effective free resource.

    GMAS Social Studies 5th Grade

    This test consists exclusively of selected response items. There are 75 questions total, and students are allowed 70 minutes per section.

    Questions fall into the following four categories:

  • History
  • GMAS 5th grade - History sample

    GMAS 5th grade - History sample

  • Geography

  • Government and Civics
  • GMAS 5th grade - Government and Civics sample

    GMAS 5th grade - Government and Civics sample

  • Economics
  • GMAS 5th grade - Economics sample

    GMAS 5th grade - Economics sample

    Students may also be expected to interpret images such as maps, diagrams, posters, etc. as in the following example:

    GMAS 5th grade - Interpret Image sample

    GMAS 5th grade - Interpret Image sample

    There are Georgia Milestones practice tests 5th grade available for the Social Studies test as well.

    GMAS Science 5th Grade

    On the GMAS Science test, students answer 75 selected response questions in two 70-minute sections.

    Question categories include:

  • Earth Science
  • GMAS 5th grade - - Earth Science sample

    GMAS 5th grade - - Earth Science sample

  • Physical Science
  • GMAS 5th grade - - Physical Science sample

    GMAS 5th grade - - Physical Science sample

  • Life Science
  • Georgia Milestones Practice Test 5th grade - Life Science sample

    Georgia Milestones Practice Test 5th grade - Life Science sample

    For more information on GMAS Science, check out the Georgia Milestones practice tests 5th grade and spend some time practicing questions with your child.

    How to Ace the GMAS Test

    Your child can improve his/her performance on the GMAS test in many ways, including:

  • Reading more often

  • Buying workbooks related to key topics in ELA, mathematics, social studies, and science

  • Learning general test-taking strategies such as process of elimination

  • Exploring topics of interest in the four key areas through reading articles, watching Youtube videos, etc.

  • Building confidence and avoiding test anxiety
  • Moving Forward

    First, it’s essential to work hard throughout the school year. Encourage your child to pay attention in class, take notes, study, and complete classwork and homework.

    First, remember that the skills tested by GMAS are the same skills taught in the classroom. It’s essential that your child pays attention in class, takes notes, completes classwork and homework, and asks questions when needed.

    If your child struggles in one of the four key areas, it may be a good idea to ask the teacher for extra help, take advantage of tutoring programs offered at your child’s school, or consider hiring a tutor.

    The second essential step is to complete practice question and GMAS practice tests. Working on Georgia Milestones practice tests can help your child build confidence and familiarity with test content.

    Be sure to spend time discussing why right answer are correct and wrong answers are incorrect. If your child has difficulty with a particular question type, spend extra time working on these questions and developing better approaches to solving them.

    By thoroughly following these two easy steps, including consistent use of the Georgia Milestones practice tests 5th grade, you’ll help your child perform successfully on all four GMAS exams.