The Washington Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) measures math skills in Grades 3-8 and high school. OSPI describes the Smarter Balanced math tests as part of Washington’s state and federal accountability system, and the Washington testing portal notes that the summative Smarter Balanced ELA and math assessments include a computer adaptive test and a performance task.
For Grade 3 students, the best SBA practice is calm, skill-based, and short. This guide covers the key Grade 3 math topics, then provides 16 original practice questions with explanations.
ViewMath is an independent publisher and is not affiliated with or endorsed by OSPI, Smarter Balanced, Cambium Assessment, or any Washington state assessment program. For official information, visit OSPI State Testing and the Washington State Testing Portal.
What Grade 3 Students Should Review
- Multiplication and division: equal groups, arrays, unknown factors, and word problems within 100
- Place value: rounding to the nearest 10 or 100, addition and subtraction within 1,000
- Fractions: unit fractions, fractions on a number line, equivalent fractions, comparing fractions with the same numerator or denominator
- Measurement and data: time, mass, liquid volume, graphs, line plots, area, and perimeter
- Geometry: shapes, quadrilaterals, and partitioning shapes into equal parts
SBA Grade 3 Math Practice Questions
1. A teacher puts 6 books on each of 7 shelves. How many books are there?
2. There are 48 markers shared equally among 6 tables. How many markers are on each table?
3. What number makes the equation true? ___ x 9 = 72
4. Round 647 to the nearest hundred.
5. Find 385 + 247.
6. Find 902 – 458.
7. A rectangle is divided into 8 equal parts. Three parts are shaded. What fraction is shaded?
8. Which is greater: 3/6 or 5/6?
9. Which fraction is equivalent to 1/2: 2/3, 2/4, 3/5, or 4/6?
10. A movie starts at 2:20 PM and ends at 3:05 PM. How long is the movie?
11. A garden is 8 feet long and 5 feet wide. What is the area?
12. The same garden is 8 feet long and 5 feet wide. What is the perimeter?
13. A bar graph shows 9 apples, 6 bananas, and 12 oranges. How many more oranges than bananas?
14. How many sides does a pentagon have?
15. A square is split into 4 equal parts. What fraction is each part?
16. Write a multiplication equation for 4 rows of 8 chairs.
Answer Key
1. 6 x 7 = 42.
2. 48 / 6 = 8.
3. 8, because 8 x 9 = 72.
4. 600. Since 647 is less than 650, it rounds down to 600.
5. 385 + 247 = 632.
6. 902 – 458 = 444.
7. 3/8.
8. 5/6, because the denominators are the same and 5 > 3.
9. 2/4 is equivalent to 1/2.
10. From 2:20 to 3:00 is 40 minutes, then 5 more minutes. Total: 45 minutes.
11. Area = 8 x 5 = 40 square feet.
12. Perimeter = 8 + 5 + 8 + 5 = 26 feet.
13. 12 – 6 = 6 more oranges.
14. A pentagon has 5 sides.
15. Each part is 1/4.
16. 4 x 8 = 32 chairs.
Bonus Diagnostic Checks
Before starting a longer practice test, give these five quick checks without help. They show whether the student is ready for mixed Grade 3 review or needs a short reteach first.
A. Write a division equation for 30 counters arranged in 5 equal rows.
B. Put these numbers in order from least to greatest: 706, 760, 607, 670.
C. A number line from 0 to 1 is split into 6 equal parts. What fraction is at the fourth tick after 0?
D. A rectangle has side lengths 9 inches and 4 inches. What is the perimeter?
E. A pictograph key says each symbol equals 2 students. If a row has 7 symbols, how many students does it show?
Diagnostic answers: A: 30 / 5 = 6. B: 607, 670, 706, 760. C: 4/6 or 2/3. D: 26 inches. E: 14 students.
If the student misses A or E, review equal groups and multiplication facts. If B is missed, return to place value and comparing digits from left to right. If C is missed, draw fraction number lines before asking for symbolic answers. If D is missed, separate perimeter from area with real rectangles or grid paper.
Common Grade 3 Mistakes to Watch For
Counting All Parts Instead of Equal Parts
A fraction only works when the whole is split into equal-size parts. Students sometimes count shaded pieces in an uneven picture and write a fraction anyway. Ask, “Are the parts equal?” before writing the denominator.
Using Area When the Problem Asks for Perimeter
For rectangles, area uses length x width. Perimeter adds all sides around the outside. A quick sketch with labels helps students choose the correct operation.
Rushing Through Word Problems
Grade 3 word problems often hide the operation. Have students underline the question, circle the numbers, and write one equation before calculating. That routine prevents many careless errors.
Low-Stress Practice Plan for Grade 3
Grade 3 students do best with short, predictable practice. If you have two weeks, use this day-by-day rhythm and keep sessions to 15-20 minutes.
- Day 1: multiplication arrays, equal groups, and fact families
- Day 2: division stories, unknown factors, and one-step word problems
- Day 3: place value, rounding, addition, and subtraction within 1,000
- Day 4: fractions as equal parts and fractions on a number line
- Day 5: 8-10 mixed problems, then corrections
- Day 6: elapsed time, measurement units, and graph questions
- Day 7: area and perimeter using labeled rectangles
- Day 8: geometry vocabulary and partitioned shapes
- Day 9: a short practice test with no help during the work time
- Day 10: review the error log and redo every missed problem
If you only have one week, combine Days 1-2, Days 3-4, and Days 6-8. Ask students to explain one answer out loud each day. That tells you more than a score alone.
ViewMath Washington Grade 3 Resources
ViewMath Washington Grade 3 resources include study guides, workbooks, quizzes, all-in-one review, and full practice tests for students preparing for the SBA and grade-level math standards. Choose the format by the student’s need:
- Study guide: best when a student needs short lessons before practice.
- Workbook: best for steady skill practice across the year.
- Quizzes: best for quick checks after each topic.
- Practice tests: best after topic review, when mixed-question stamina matters.
- Math in 30 Days: best when families want a calendar-style review path.
Browse the collection at ViewMath Washington Grade 3 Math.
These practice questions are original ViewMath questions. They are not released or official SBA items.
