Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA)
Free PSSA practice questions for Pennsylvania mathematics and English language arts.
The PSSA is Pennsylvania's state test in mathematics and English language arts for Grades 3–8, with science added in Grades 5 and 8. Students write the tests each spring, on paper or a device.
ELA questions are text-dependent: the answer has to be supported by the passage, and the writing tasks ask for an evidence-based answer. Math spans number and algebraic concepts, geometry, measurement and data. Results are reported in four performance levels, with Basic as the state's proficient level.
Mathematics
Number and algebraic concepts, geometry and measurement, and data and probability, with multi-step problems.
English language arts
Reading literature and information texts, vocabulary in context, and text-dependent writing and editing.
Writing (Grades 4, 6, 8)
A timed writing task in those grade bands; full essay scoring is not simulated here.
- Grade 3–8 Math and English chapters built from Pennsylvania Core Standards
- Text-dependent reading practice with evidence questions
- Hints and worked explanations for every question
- A parent portal showing mastery and weak spots
Free Pennsylvania PSSA sample questions
Try these Pennsylvania PSSA-style questions. Tap "Show answer" to check yourself — then practise the full question types inside the app.
1. A ribbon is 1/2 metre long and another is 1/4 metre. What is their total length?
- 1/4 metre
- 3/4 metre
- 1 metre
- 2/6 metre
2. A writer uses the word “reluctantly” to describe how a character agreed. What does it show?
- The character agreed happily
- The character agreed unwillingly
- The character refused
- The character did not hear
3. Which ratio is equivalent to 3:4?
- 4:3
- 6:8
- 9:4
- 3:8
4. Which sentence needs a comma added?
- After the game we ate pizza.
- The dog barked loudly.
- She opened the door and looked outside.
- We studied for the test.
5. Solve: 2x + 5 = 17.
- x = 6
- x = 11
- x = 12
- x = 34
6. A writer opens with a question and answers it in the final paragraph. What is the structure?
- A list of unrelated facts
- A question answered at the end
- A story with no point
- A comparison of two places
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