Unit 8 MSTAR-Style Practice Test — Form A

Equations & Inequalities · 7 questions · English only, like the real test · No timer — take the time you need.

These are MSTAR-style questions written for this curriculum to rehearse the format. They are not official Maryland assessment items. MSTAR — Maryland's new state test, first given in spring 2027 — uses the same kinds of questions you see here: selected response, select-all, two-part evidence questions, and written responses.

How this works: Answer every question, then press Submit & Grade. Selected-response parts grade instantly with an explanation for each; written responses go to your teacher. Your answers save on this device.

On the real MSTAR: math runs as three 40-minute sessions, in English, on a computer. Here there is no clock — practice the thinking first; the pacing comes with rehearsal.

Written responses: how should the explain-the-error questions be scored?

Instant scoring checks whether your explanation states the value and uses the reasoning the question is about. It matches words and numbers, so a right answer worded differently can score low — your teacher can always re-score it from the answer key.

16.AT.8Understand Equations and Their Solutions

Select all that apply

Select ALL statements that are true about equations and their solutions.

An equation is a math sentence that uses an equal sign to show two expressions have the same value. You can test a value by substituting it for the variable and checking whether both sides are equal. The value n = 6 is a solution of n + 9 = 15 because 6 + 9 = 15. The expression 4y + 2 is an equation because it contains a variable. The value x = 15 is a solution of x − 4 = 9 because 15 − 4 = 9.

26.AT.8Write and Solve Equations Using Addition or Subtraction

Explain the error

Darius solved the equation x + 23 = 40. He wrote: 'x + 23 = 40, so x = 40 + 23, which means x = 63.'

Explain Darius's misconception and give the correct value of x.

✍️ Written response — 2 points.

36.AT.8Write and Solve Equations Using Multiplication or Division

Part A

What is the solution of 6m = 54?

m = 9 m = 48 m = 60 m = 324

Part B

Which reasoning justifies the step used to find that solution?

Division undoes multiplication, so dividing both sides by 6 isolates the variable. Subtracting 6 from both sides removes the 6 that is written next to the variable. Multiplying both sides by 6 isolates the variable because the same operation must be repeated. The coefficient can simply be dropped because 6 is smaller than 54.

46.AT.9Write and Represent Inequalities

Part A

A fair ride requires each rider to be at least 48 inches tall. Let h be a rider's height in inches. Which inequality represents the heights that are allowed to ride?

h ≥ 48 h > 48 h ≤ 48 h < 48

Part B

Which explanation justifies the symbol chosen above?

The words 'at least' mean a rider must be taller than 48 inches, so 48 inches is not allowed. The words 'at least' point to the smallest numbers, so riders must be shorter than 48 inches. The words 'at least' include the boundary value, so a rider who is exactly 48 inches tall may ride. The words 'at least' and 'at most' describe the same group of heights, so either symbol works.

56.AT.9Understand Inequalities and Their Solutions

Select all that apply

Select ALL numbers that belong to the solution set of y ≤ 12.

12 11.5 12.5 0 20

66.AT.8Solve and Graph Inequalities

Explain the error

Tomas solved 3x ≤ 18. He wrote: '3x ≤ 18, so x ≤ 18 − 3, which gives x ≤ 15.' He then drew a closed circle at 15 and shaded to the left.

Explain Tomas's misconception and give the correct solution and graph.

✍️ Written response — 2 points.

76.AT.8Equations and Inequalities Problem Solving

Part A

A school van can carry at most 14 passengers. There are already 9 passengers on board. Let p be the number of additional passengers who can get on. Which inequality models this situation?

9 + p ≤ 14 9 + p ≥ 14 9 + p < 14 p − 9 ≤ 14

Part B

Which reasoning justifies that model and gives the greatest number of additional passengers?

The van must end up completely full, so 9 + p = 14 and exactly 5 more passengers must get on. The 9 passengers are taken away from p, so p − 9 ≤ 14 and at most 23 more passengers can get on. The total cannot pass the limit of 14, so 9 + p ≤ 14 and at most 5 more passengers can get on. The words 'at most' mean the total has to be more than 14, so 9 + p ≥ 14 and 5 or more passengers can get on.