Test Administrator’s Manual:

2023 MCAS/EPP Mathematics Test

Important Contact Information

MCAS/EPP Information
Office of Student Assessment Services
Web: www.doe.mass.edu/assessment/epp/default.html
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 781-338-3625

This document was prepared by the

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Jeffrey C. Riley
Commissioner
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We do not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation.
Inquiries regarding the Department’s compliance with Title IX and other civil rights laws may be directed to the
Human Resources Director, 75 Pleasant St., Malden, MA 02148 781-338-6105.

© 2023 Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Permission is hereby granted to copy any or all parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes. Please credit the
“Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.”

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

75 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA 02148-4906
Phone 781-338-3000 TTY: N.E.T. Relay 800-439-2370
http://www.doe.mass.edu
Table of Contents

I. MCAS/EPP Test Security Requirements 1

A. Responsibilities of the Principal and Designee 1
B. Shared Responsibilities of Principals, Test Administrators, and Other School Personnel Authorized
to Have Access to Secure Materials 2
C. Responsibilities of Test Administrators 2
D. Testing Irregularities 3

II. April–May 2023 MCAS/EPP Test Administration Protocols 4

A. Testing Time 4
B. Test Administration Interruptions 4
C. Materials Required/Permitted During Testing 4
D. Materials Prohibited During Testing 5

III. Tasks to Complete Prior to Test Administration 6

A. Attend Test Administrators’ Training 6
B. Prepare the Testing Space 7

IV. Administering Mathematics Test Session 1 8

A. Materials Needed for Session 1 8
B. Before Students Arrive 8
C. As Students Arrive 8
D. Administer Session 1 9
E. End of Session 1 Responsibilities 10

V. Administering Mathematics Test Session 2 11

A. Materials Needed for Session 2 11
B. Before Students Arrive 11
C. As Students Arrive 11
D. Administer Session 2 12
E. End of Session 2 Responsibilities 13
I. MCAS/EPP Test Security Requirements
The Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS)/Educational Proficiency Plan (EPP)
Mathematics test is designed to elicit students’ work in order to assess their comprehension of
Mathematics. The purpose of the MCAS/EPP Test Security Requirements is to protect the validity of
MCAS/EPP results.

Principals and school personnel authorized to have access to secure materials must follow the
requirements listed below and may not participate in, direct, assist in, encourage, or fail to report
any testing irregularity or act of misconduct.

Principals are responsible for ensuring that all test administrators and school personnel authorized to
have access to secure test materials comply with the requirements and instructions contained in this
part.
Please note the following definitions for the purposes of this section and this document:
 “Secure” refers to a test question, student response, or test that has not been made available to
the public by the Department. All test questions, student responses to those test questions, test
booklets, and answer sheets are confidential and must be kept secure at all times. Principals
must securely destroy all test booklets after testing is completed.
 “Access” refers to handling test materials, but does not include reviewing tests or individual
questions, which is prohibited. Students may never transport secure test materials.
 “Locked storage area” refers to the central locked area that must be used to store all MCAS/EPP
test materials at all times when materials are not in use. Principals must restrict access to the
locked storage area to only those school personnel authorized by the principal to handle secure
materials. For example, custodial or cleaning staff may not enter the locked area where the
principal stores secure materials.

Each principal must complete the Principal’s Assurances Form to certify that the school has followed
proper MCAS/EPP test security requirements and test administration protocols.

A. Responsibilities of the Principal and Designee

1. Authorize specific personnel to serve as test administrators, and designate other school
personnel permitted to access secure test materials.
 Distribute copies of the MCAS/EPP Test Administrator’s Manual (TAM) to all test administrators.

2. Develop local policies and procedures to ensure proper test security at all times.
 Ensure that MCAS/EPP test sessions are administered during the prescribed administration
window.
 Ensure that test administrators administer tests according to section C on the following pages.

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3. Keep MCAS/EPP test materials in locked storage when the MCAS/EPP test is not being
administered.
 Account for all secure test materials at the end of each testing session and keep them in locked
storage when not in use.
 Restrict the locked storage area to a small number of school personnel who need access.

4. Monitor the chain of custody of test materials.

 Securely download, print, and photocopy materials according to guidance in the Principal’s
Instructions for the MCAS/EPP Mathematics Test Administration (“Instructions”).
 Account for materials and investigate any discrepancies in counts of materials as described in
the Instructions.
 Return certain materials to the superintendent according to the instructions and the deadlines
in the Instructions.

B. Shared Responsibilities of Principals, Test Administrators, and Other School

Personnel Authorized to Have Access to Secure Materials
1. Document the location of secure materials at all times.
 Track secure materials using the sample tracking form for Legacy STE (Chemistry and
Technology/Engineering (available at www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/testadmin/forms) or a similar
document.

2. Ensure the security of the testing location.

 Do not allow unauthorized persons to enter the testing room. This includes parents,
researchers, reporters, students not scheduled to be testing at the time, and any school
personnel (including teachers) not assigned to the room as test administrators.

3. Ensure the security of test questions, test booklets, and answer sheets.
 Do not leave test booklets unattended at any time unless they are locked in secure storage.
 Do not view, discuss, or otherwise reveal the contents of test booklets before, during, or after
test administration.
 Do not remove test booklets from the school.
 Ensure that test booklets are securely destroyed after testing as instructed in the Instructions.
 Ensure that students are not provided access to secure test questions prior to testing.
 The principal should invalidate results for students who use cell phones or other electronic
devices during a test session.

C. Responsibilities of Test Administrators

1. Receive training from the principal/designee in administering test sessions properly and
securely.
 Review this TAM and all relevant test security requirements before administering test sessions.
 Attend the training session led by the principal/designee before test administration.

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  Understand and follow the protocols related to administering tests to students with disabilities
and English learner (EL) students.

2. Administer test sessions according to appropriate protocols.

 Administer test sessions during the prescribed testing window.
 Follow the directions and read the scripts in this TAM verbatim to students.
 Remove or cover any classroom displays that provide information related to the content being
assessed or to test-taking strategies (see page 7).
 Provide students with all required test materials as listed in this TAM. Supplemental reference
sheets are not allowed (except as approved by the Department).
 Prevent the use of prohibited materials (see pages 4–6 for lists of required/permitted and
prohibited materials).

3. Focus full attention on the testing environment at all times.

 Continually monitor the testing process by moving unobtrusively about the room. While
monitoring the classroom, a test administrator may view students’ booklets for the sole
purpose of confirming that students are working in the correct session. A test administrator
may review answer sheets to confirm whether a student has marked all his or her responses.
 Ensure that students are not left unsupervised during testing, including during breaks and
transitions to test completion locations.
 Students must work only on the session being administered.

4. Ensure that students provide answers that are strictly their own and do not participate
in any form of cheating.
 Ensure that students do not consult notes, textbooks, or other teaching materials; do not share
test questions with other students; and do not consult other students, school personnel, or
anyone else during testing.

D. Testing Irregularities
Because the MCAS/EPP test is locally scored, it is the principal’s responsibility to investigate testing
irregularities. Principals may contact the Department’s Student Assessment Services at 781-338-3625 for
guidance on handling a situation.

Accordingly, principals have the authority to impose consequences for testing irregularities or
misconduct, including the following:
 invalidation of student results
 prohibiting school personnel from participating in a future MCAS/EPP test administration

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II. April–May 2023 MCAS/EPP Test Administration Protocols

A. Testing Time
Test sessions are designed to be completed within 60 minutes. However, all MCAS/EPP test
administrations are untimed.

The Department recommends that principals schedule test sessions in the early part of the testing
window to allow ample time for make-up sessions.

B. Test Administration Interruptions

Circumstances over which you have no control (e.g., fire drills or power failures) may interrupt testing. If
such an interruption does occur during testing, instruct students to place their answer sheets inside
their test booklets. Collect and secure the booklets. In the event of an emergency, be sure to follow your
school’s safety instructions. When normal conditions are restored, redistribute booklets to their original
owners and resume testing. No interruption should reduce the total amount of time that students are
given to complete the interrupted test session.

C. Materials Required/Permitted During Testing

During testing, students are permitted to use only those resource materials and tools approved in this
document.

1. Materials Required for Student Use

The following must be provided for student use during testing:
 locally developed answer sheets (Electronically scanned sheets are allowed.)
 #2 pencils
 scratch paper
o Test administrators must supply at least one sheet of unused scratch paper (blank, lined,
or graph) for each student for each test session.
o Students may request more scratch paper, if needed. Test administrators may provide
up to three pages at one time. If students need additional pages, they will need to turn
in used scratch paper. Students may view the pages they already turned in, upon
request, as long as they only have three pages at one time.
o Test administrators are responsible for collecting all used scratch paper to be securely
destroyed (e.g., shredded) after test administration by the principal or designee.
o Schools may reuse scratch paper if the paper is completely blank.
o Scratch paper that has been written on during Session 1 of a test may not be used in
Session 2; students will need new paper.
 calculators (See below for more information.)

Calculators for Session 2 Only

Each student must have sole access to at least a four-function calculator with a square-root key for
Session 2.
 Students may use their own calculators.

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  Schools must provide at least a four-function calculator with a square-root key for all students
who do not have their own calculator.
 Graphing and scientific calculators are allowed but are not required.
 Test administrators must ensure that students do not have access to calculator instructions or
formula sheets that accompany calculators. The memory should be cleared from any calculator
with the ability to store information (other than basic numbers).

2. Materials Permitted for Student Use

The following materials may be used by students:
 pens and highlighters
 printed copies of authorized bilingual word-to-word dictionaries for current and former English
learner (EL) students (See below for more information.)
Bilingual Dictionaries
Any EL student, including students who have been identified as ELs in the past, may use an authorized
bilingual word-to-word dictionary and/or glossary during MCAS/EPP testing. Bilingual dictionary use for
MCAS/EPP testing is limited to those that provide word-to-word translations. Dictionaries that include
definitions, synonyms, antonyms, phrases, and other information are prohibited. Electronic dictionaries
are not allowed.

A list of authorized bilingual dictionaries and glossaries is available on the Department’s website at
www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/accessibility. To discuss the approval of a word-to-word dictionary not
included in the list, please call 781-338-3625.

D. Materials Prohibited During Testing

Prohibited materials include, but are not limited to, the list of materials that must be covered or
removed from the testing space (see page 7) as well as those on the following lists. Materials listed in
section 1 below are not permitted at any time during the session, and materials listed in section 2 may
only be provided after a student has turned in his or her test materials. None of the materials in section
1 or 2 are permitted while a student has his or her test materials.

1. Materials Prohibited at Any Time During the Session

 cell phones (The principal should invalidate results for students who use cell phones during
testing.)
 other electronic devices
o smart watches
o e-book readers or electronic dictionaries
o music players for one student’s personal use or that of the whole class, earphones, ear
buds, or headphones (other than noise blocking headphones; see DF7 on page 100 of
the spring 2023 PAM)
o any device capable of taking photographs
o game consoles
o pocket translators

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 o calculators during Session 1
o computers or electronic tablets
o any device that provides access to the Internet, including certain calculators and fitness
trackers
o editing devices (e.g., spelling or grammar checkers)
 English-language dictionaries or thesauruses
 unauthorized reference sheets (e.g., formula sheets, conversion charts)
 accommodation materials unless specified by a student’s IEP or 504 plan (e.g., graphic
organizers)

2. Materials Prohibited until after a Student Has Turned in Test Materials

Materials listed in this section may be provided only AFTER a student has turned in his or her test
materials, at the principal’s discretion. They are prohibited during testing.
 books
 textbooks for subjects other than the one being tested
 notebooks or other notes, as well as flags or sticky notes
 handheld rulers

III. Tasks to Complete Prior to Test Administration

A. Attend Test Administrators’ Training

Your school principal will schedule a meeting with all test administrators to explain the test
administration procedures that will be followed at your school. Read this manual before the meeting.
The following is a partial list of essential topics that must be covered at the Test Administrators’
Training:
Test Security
 MCAS/EPP test security requirements, including your school’s procedures for distribution and
tracking of secure test materials before, during, between, and following test sessions
 the need to closely monitor students during testing to ensure that they are not using cell phones
for any purpose, including text messaging, accessing the calculator function or Internet, and
photographing test questions
 supervising test sessions and breaks
Administration Schedule and Logistics
 the requirement that test administrators must read the scripts in this TAM verbatim to students
 assignment of a specific testing space and a specific group of students to each test administrator
 assigning/distributing booklets to students
 logistics for test completion sessions for students who require additional time to complete a test
session
 instructions for dismissing students after they have completed each test session

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  the requirement that students may not return to a test session once it has been completed
MCAS/EPP Test Materials and Approved Resource Materials
 information regarding the Mathematics Reference Sheets, which are contained in the test
booklets
 the use of calculators for Session 2 only
 approval of printed copies of authorized bilingual word-to-word dictionaries that contain no
handwriting for current and former EL students only

B. Prepare the Testing Space

Before each test session, the testing space must be prepared as follows:
 Ensure that the room is free from noise or distractions and is adequately lit, ventilated, and
furnished so that students can work comfortably and without disruption.
 Ensure that each student will have an adequate workspace and will be sufficiently separated
from other students to support a secure test environment.
 Cover or remove from the testing space all materials containing content in the subject area
being tested, including any materials that might help students answer test questions. Examples
include, but are not limited to, posters, maps, charts, graphic organizers, word lists, number
lines, multiplication tables, definitions, writing formulas, and mathematical formulas/theorems.
 Prepare a sign that reads “MCAS/EPP Testing—Please Do Not Disturb” to be posted on the
door during each test administration session.

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IV. Administering Mathematics Test Session 1

A. Materials Needed for Session 1

Prior to testing, you will receive the following materials from your principal for students assigned to you:
 This Test Administrator’s Manual
 Mathematics test booklets, Session 1 (containing the grade 10 Mathematics Reference Sheet)
 Blank scratch paper
 Locally developed answer sheets
 A tracking form to assist you and your principal in maintaining the security of test materials
You will also need to have the following materials available in your testing space prior to testing:
 “Do Not Disturb” sign
 Printed copies of authorized bilingual word-to-word dictionaries for current and former EL
students only
 #2 pencils
Calculators are NOT allowed during Session 1.
All test booklets are secure test materials and must be tracked properly from the time you receive them
until you return them to your principal.

B. Before Students Arrive

1. Prepare the testing space (see page 7).
2. Post the “Do Not Disturb” sign on the outside of the door to your testing space.

C. As Students Arrive
1. Approve any bilingual dictionaries brought by current and former EL students to use during the test
session. Approval must be limited to printed copies of bilingual dictionaries that provide word-
to-word translations WITHOUT definitions and in which there is no handwriting.
All other dictionaries are prohibited during this session.
2. Make sure that students do not have calculators, since all calculators are prohibited during this
session.
3. Make sure that students do not have access to cell phones or other electronic devices.
4. Make sure that students’ desks are clear, except for authorized bilingual dictionaries, #2 pencils,
and scratch paper. Students may also have highlighters and pens to use in their test booklets.

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D. Administer Session 1

To ensure that all students across the state have access to the same information and receive the same
instructions, test administrators are required to read the following script verbatim to their students.
1. Say to the students:
“We are about to begin the MCAS/EPP Mathematics test.”
2. Distribute locally developed answer sheets. Give instructions for students to write identification
information on their answer sheets. Distribute one sheet of scratch paper to each student.
3. Once the students have completed the required information on their answer sheets, say:
“I will now distribute the Mathematics test booklets for Session 1, which contain
Mathematics Reference Sheets. Please do not open your test booklet until I instruct you to
do so.
You may use your scratch paper at any time during this test. If at any point you need more,
raise your hand and I will give you another sheet. You may have up to three sheets of
scratch paper at one time. If you need more than three sheets, you will have to turn in
some of your used scratch paper.”
4. Once this is done, say:
“On the front cover, print your name.”
Pause and check that students are completing this task correctly.
5. Once this is done, say:
“This is the first of two test sessions for the MCAS/EPP Mathematics test. During this test
session, you will answer questions 1–30, which consist of multiple-choice questions.
To answer multiple-choice questions, you will choose the best answer—either A, B, C, or D
—and mark your choice on your answer sheet.”
6. Say to the students:
“You may use your Mathematics Reference Sheet to help you answer questions at any time
during this session. However, you may not use a calculator during this test session.
It is also important for you to know that figures, diagrams, and illustrations are not
necessarily drawn to scale in your test booklet.”
7. Then say:
“This test session is scheduled to be 60 minutes long. If you have not finished answering the
questions at the end of that time, you will be given additional time to finish.
Once you begin the test, each test booklet page for this session will say ‘GO ON’ at the
bottom right corner of the page. Keep answering questions until you have answered the
last question on a page that says ‘STOP’ at the bottom.

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 If you finish answering the questions before the end of the test session, you should review
your work for this session.
Be aware that the use of cell phones for any purpose is strictly prohibited. Cheating in any
form is forbidden and will result in a failing score.”8. Then say:
“Open your test booklet to the page that says ‘Mathematics Session 1’ at the top. You may
begin Session 1 now.”
9. Circulate among the students while they take the test to see that they are working steadily and are
not using any prohibited materials. It is your responsibility to ensure a secure testing environment.
10. When the session time is half over, say to the students:
“The scheduled session time is half over. Make sure you answer every question in this
session. When you are finished answering all of the questions in Session 1 and reviewing
your work, you may hand in your test materials to me. Remember, if you are still working
at the end of the scheduled session, you will be given more time to finish your test.”
11. At the end of the session, say to the students:
“This is the end of the time scheduled for this session. Before I collect your booklets, I want
to remind you that you were supposed to answer questions 1 through 30 during this
session, and you should make sure you have not skipped any questions. Remember, once
you hand me your test booklets and answer sheets, you will not be permitted to go back to
Session 1.”
Pause to allow students to check if they have skipped any questions. Then say:
“Please put your pencil down and close your booklets. Place your reference sheet inside
your test booklet. If you need more time to answer any questions, raise your hand.”
12. Note which students need more time, and then tell the students they may lower
their hands.
13. Pick up each student’s test booklet (with reference sheet inside), answer sheet, and scratch paper.
Verify that you have collected an answer sheet and a test booklet/reference sheet from each
student.
14. Dismiss students who have completed Session 1, according to the instructions given by your
principal at the Test Administrators’ Training.
15. For students who need more time to finish, follow the instructions given by your principal at your
training.

E. End of Session 1 Responsibilities

1. Make a list of all students assigned to you who took Session 1 of the test.
2. Immediately return all test materials and the list of students tested to your principal using
appropriate tracking documents.

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V. Administering Mathematics Test Session 2

A. Materials Needed for Session 2

Prior to testing, you will receive the following materials from your principal for students assigned to you:
 This Test Administrator’s Manual
 Mathematics test booklets, Session 2 (containing the grade 10 Mathematics Reference Sheet)
 Blank scratch paper
 Locally developed answer sheets
 A tracking form to assist you and your principal in maintaining the security of test materials
You will also need to have the following materials available in your testing space prior to testing:
 “Do Not Disturb” sign
 Printed copies of authorized bilingual word-to-word dictionaries for current and former EL
students only
 #2 pencils
 Calculators for students who did not bring their own
Note: Each student must have sole access to a calculator during Session 2 of the Mathematics test.
Students may use their own calculators. However, schools must provide at least a four-function
calculator with a square-root key for all students who do not have their own calculator, as
discussed during the Test Administrators’ Training. See pages 4–5 for more information about
calculators.
All test booklets are secure materials and must be tracked properly from the time you receive them until
you return them to your principal.

B. Before Students Arrive

1. Prepare the testing space (see page 7).
2. Post the “Do Not Disturb” sign on the outside of the door to your testing space.

C. As Students Arrive
1. Approve any bilingual dictionaries brought by current and former EL students to use during the test
session. Approval must be limited to printed copies of bilingual dictionaries that provide word-
to-word translations WITHOUT definitions and in which there is no handwriting.
All other dictionaries are prohibited during this session.
2. Make sure that students do not have access to cell phones or other electronic devices.
3. Make sure that students’ desks are clear, except for authorized bilingual dictionaries, #2 pencils,
scratch paper, and calculators. Students may also have highlighters and pens to use in their test
booklets.

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D. Administer Session 2
Test administrators are required to read the following script verbatim to their students.
1. Say to the students:
“We are about to begin Session 2 of the MCAS/EPP Mathematics test. This is the last of two
test sessions.”
2. Distribute the answer sheets to their original owners. Distribute one sheet of scratch paper to each
student.
Note: It is your responsibility to ensure that each student receives her or his own original answer
sheet.
3. Then say:
“I will now distribute the test booklets for Session 2 as well as a calculator for any of you
who did not bring your own. Do not open your test booklet until I instruct you to do so.
You may use your scratch paper at any time during this test. If at any point you need more,
raise your hand and I will give you another sheet. You may have up to three sheets of
scratch paper at one time. If you need more than three sheets, you will have to turn in
some of your used scratch paper.”
Distribute the test booklets to students as well as calculators to any students who did not bring
their own.
4. Once this is done, say:
“On the front cover, print your name.”
Pause and check that students are completing this task correctly.
5. Once this is done, say:
“During this test session, you will answer questions 31–60, which consist of multiple-choice
questions.
To answer multiple-choice questions, you will choose the best answer—either A, B, C, or D
—and mark your choice on your answer sheet.”
6. Say to the students:
“You may use your Mathematics Reference Sheet and your calculator to help you answer
questions at any time during this session.
It is also important for you to know that figures, diagrams, and illustrations are not
necessarily drawn to scale in your test booklet.”
7. Then say:
“This test session is scheduled to be 60 minutes long. If you have not finished answering the
questions at the end of that time, you will be given additional time to finish.

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 Once you begin the test, each test booklet page for this session will say ‘GO ON’ at the
bottom right corner of the page. Keep answering questions until you have answered the
last question on a page that says ‘STOP’ at the bottom.
If you finish answering the questions before the end of the test session, you should review
your work for this session.
Be aware that the use of cell phones for any purpose is strictly prohibited. Cheating in any
form is forbidden and will result in a failing score.”
8. Then say:
“Open your test booklet to the page that says ‘Mathematics Session 2’ at the top. The first
question in this session is 31. You may begin test Session 2 now.”
9. Circulate among the students while they take the test to see that they are working steadily and are
not using any prohibited materials. It is your responsibility to ensure a secure testing environment.
10. When the session time is half over, say to the students:
“The scheduled session time is half over. Make sure you answer every question in this
session. When you are finished answering all of the questions in Session 2 and reviewing
your work, you may hand in your test materials to me. Remember, if you are still working
at the end of the scheduled session, you will be given more time to finish your test.”
11. At the end of the session, say to the students:
“This is the end of the time scheduled for this session. Before I collect your booklets, I want
to remind you that you were supposed to answer questions 31 through 60 during this
session, and you should make sure you have not skipped any questions. Remember, once
you hand me your test materials, you will not be permitted to go back to Session 2.”
Pause to allow students to check if they have skipped any questions. Then say:
“Please put your pencil down and close your booklets. Place your reference sheet on your
desk. If you need more time to answer any questions, raise your hand.”
12. Note which students need more time and then tell the students they may lower their hands.
13. Pick up each student’s test booklet, answer sheet, reference sheet, and scratch paper. Verify that
you have collected an answer sheet and test booklet from each student.
14. Dismiss students who have completed Session 2, according to the instructions given by your
principal at the Test Administrators’ Training.
15. For students who need more time to finish, follow the instructions given by your principal at your
training.

E. End of Session 2 Responsibilities

1. Make a list of all students assigned to you who took Session 2 of the test.
2. Immediately return all test materials and the list of students tested to your principal using
appropriate tracking documents.

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 15