As students across New Jersey prepare for various state assessments, many parents and students may be wondering: What exactly is the NJSLA exam, and why is it so important? In this post, MEK will break down the key facts about the New Jersey Student Learning Assessment (NJSLA) and explain the exam’s role in a student’s academic journey. 

What are the NJSLA exams? 

The New Jersey Student Learning Assessments (NJSLA) are statewide assessments that evaluate students’ progress toward the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in English Language Arts (ELA), mathematics, and science. These tests are administered to students in grades 3 through 11, and their purpose is to measure whether students are meeting the New Jersey State Standards for education. The exams are given annually in the spring, with specific tests for each subject and grade level. 

What do the exams test? 

The NJSLA exams focus on three main subject areas. 

1. English Language Arts (ELA): 
   This section measures students’ reading comprehension, writing skills, and their ability to analyze literature and informational texts. Students will read passages and answer questions about the text’s themes, structure, vocabulary, and tone. Depending on what grade your child is in, they may also be required to write essays that demonstrate their understanding and critical thinking. 
2. Mathematics: 
   The math section evaluates students’ proficiency in areas such as number sense, algebra, geometry, and data analysis. The questions assess both procedural understanding (how to perform math operations) and conceptual understanding (why certain methods or formulas work). Students in grades 3–8 take assessments based on their grade-level curriculum, while high school students take subject-specific exams in Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II. 
3. Science: 
   The science portion of the exam is administered to students in grades 5, 8, and 11. This section covers areas such as biology, physical science, and earth science, assessing students’ understanding of scientific concepts, practices, and real-world applications of science. 

Why are the NJSLA exams important for students? 

The NJSLA exams play a critical role in a student’s education for several reasons. For starters, they’re a good measure of a student’s academic progress. As a parent, you’ll be able to get a clear picture of how well your child is mastering specific subjects and where they may be excelling or struggling. This will allow you to provide more targeted support as needed. 

And for schools, the test results allow them to assess how well their curriculum is working. If many students in a particular grade level are struggling with the same subjects, then the school will know that they need to adjust their curriculum to better fit the needs of the students. 

Finally, NJSLA results also affect a student’s placement in the coming school year. This particularly applies to middle and high school students. Middle and high schoolers who do well on the NJSLA often get placed in Honors courses. This in turn affects GPAs, high school success, and college admissions. Therefore, it’s important to take this exam seriously. 

How can students prepare for the NJSLA exams? 

Lucky for you, MEK’s courses are designed to help students excel in their school classes and exams. With our expert instructors, we can get your child on the path to success as they walk into the NJSLAs with confidence. 

MEK will also be running an NJSLA boot camp, as well as NJSLA evaluations to provide students with the best next steps to prepare. 

What is the schedule for MEK’s NJSLA Boot Camp? 

NJSLA Grade 4 

Format/Location: In-person, Closter 

• Wednesdays, March 5th through May 7th 
  • English: 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM 
  • Math: 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM 

NJSLA Grade 5 

Format/Location: In-person, Closter 

• Thursdays, March 6th through May 8th 
  • English: 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM 
  • Math: 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM 

NJSLA Grade 6 

Format: Virtual 

• Tuesdays & Wednesdays, March 4th through May 6th 
  • English: Tuesdays, 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM 
  • Math: Wednesdays, 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM 

NJSLA Grade 7 

Format: Virtual 

• Tuesdays & Wednesdays, March 4th through May 6th 
  • English: Tuesdays, 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM 
  • Math: Wednesdays, 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM 

NJSLA Grade 8 

Format: Virtual 

• English: Wednesdays, 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM 
• Math: two options, based on school math level 
  • Regular Math: Tuesdays, 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM 
  • Algebra 1: Fridays, 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM 

Evaluations/Test Event 

In addition, we will be hosting an NJSLA-oriented Common Core Assessment event so that students can get an idea of how much they need to prepare before the exams. 

 Our comprehensive evaluation gives students the chance to practice under timed conditions and receive personalized feedback. With expert guidance and tailored strategies, your child will build confidence and refine their skills, ensuring they’re fully prepared for the NJSLA exams. 

 Students do not need to take the evaluation to register for the boot camp. 

How do I register for the Boot Camp and/or Test Event? 

To sign up for MEK’s NJSLA boot camp, you can visit this page. 

For more info on our Evaluation Tests, go to the following link. 

What else can we do to prepare? 

MEK’s Learning Circles (MLC) are another great way to prepare for the NJSLA exams! Our Learning Circles are a Common Core-aligned program for students interested in taking their classroom skills to the next level through small group instruction, teacher feedback, and rigorous course material.

Not only will MEK’s Learning Circles help your child excel in the classroom, but they will also help your child on those Common Core exams like the NJSLA. We offer Learning Circles in a wide variety of subjects, so take a look at our course catalog and register today!