Mathematics Competencies Tested on the WEST-B
The math test covers six major skill areas defined by six objective statements. Descriptive statements describe in greater detail the types of knowledge and skills covered by the objective statements. An outline showing objective and descriptive statements is shown below.
0013 Understand and Apply Concepts and Principles of Numbers and Operations
- Recognize Equivalent Representations of Numbers (eg, fractions, decimals, percents)
- Apply the Principles of Integers, Fractions, Decimals, and Percentages
- Apply Understanding of Ratios and Proportions
- Demonstrate Understanding of the Meaning of Operations (eg, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) and of Equality
- Demonstrate Understanding of Order of Operations
0014 Understand and Apply Concepts and Procedures of Measurement
- Select an Appropriate Measurement Tool or Unit for a Specified Measurement Task
- Solve Problems Involving the US or Metric Systems of Measurement
- Solve Problems Involving Scale (eg, determine the distance between two locations on a map)
- Demonstrate Understanding of the Concepts of Perimeter, Area, and Volume
- Calculate Derived Measurements (eg, the average speed of a car given how long it takes to travel a specified distance)
0015 Understand Concepts and Principles of Geometry and Solve Related Problems
- Demonstrate an Understanding of Fundamental Concepts of Geometry (eg, properties of points, lines, planes, angles)
- Identify Types and Properties of Two- and Three-Dimensional Figures
- Solve Problems Involving Triangles (eg, calculate the length of the hypotenuse of a right triangle)
- Analyze Figures in Terms of Symmetry and Congruence
- Describe the Locations of Points, Lines, and Objects on Coordinate Grids
- Recognize Geometric Transformations (eg, slides, flips, turns)
0016 Understand Concepts and Principles of Probability and Statistics and Solve Related Problems
- Calculate the Probability of a Simple Event
- Identify Appropriate Ways to Collect, Organize, and Display Various Data
- Interpret Data Displayed in Various Formats (eg, tables, graphs, scatterplots)
- Demonstrate an Understanding of Fundamental Statistical Concepts, such as Mean, Median, and Mode
- Make Predictions Based on Given Data
0017 Understand Concepts and Principles of Algebra and Solve Related Problems
- Recognize and Extend Arithmetic and Geometric Patterns and Sequences
- Translate Among Tabular, Symbolic, and Graphical Representations of Relations (eg, display data from a table as a graph, identify rate of change)
- Identify Expressions or Equations that Represent Situations Involving Variable Quantities
- Simplify Expressions and Apply Formulas
- Solve Linear Equations or Inequalities Involving One Variable
- Demonstrate Understanding of the Concept of Equality
0018 Apply Mathematical Reasoning, Problem-Solving, and Communication Skills
- Identify Missing or Extraneous Information in Mathematical Problems
- Identify Errors in Mathematical Explanations
- Use Inductive or Deductive Reasoning to Draw Conclusions and Make Predictions
- Translate Among the Various Ways of Communicating Mathematical Information (eg, words, equations, graphs, diagrams)
- Express Ideas and Situations Using Appropriate Mathematical Language and Notation
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