1. Fill-In Response Items on the Algebra 1 End-of-Course (EOC) Assessment
Completing
Fill-In Response Items
on the
Algebra 1
End-of-Course (EOC) Assessment
The purpose of this PowerPoint is to familiarize students with how to fill in their free response style answers on the Algebra End of Course (EOC) exam.
Haines City High School
Heidi Lawhorn, Math AIF
Edits by Jill Nielsen, Pasco County

2. To Conquer the Algebra 1 EOC assessment be sure to:
Know the question and answer formats
Avoid common mistakes when filling in your answers
Practice on line with the ePAT
Practice using the Algebra 1 End-of-Course and Geometry End-of-Course Reference Sheet and calculator
Daily practice of FCAT vocabulary and rigor
It is essential that the student become familiar with the test prior to testing. With the aide of this power point, students will learn how to avoid common gridding errors and get plenty of practice completing the fill in response style questions.
PRACTICE!
PRACTICE!
PRACTICE!

3. There are two ways to report your answers on the test. They are:
Multiple Choice (MC)
1 point each
Pacing is important on the test. Allow a minute to a minute and a half for each free response and multiple choice type of question. Each of the free response style of questions are worth 1 point each so pace yourself. It is recommended that you don’t spend more than a minute to a minute and a half on each question. Multiple Choice questions are also worth one point each.
Fill-In Response (FR)
1 point each

4. Let’s see what you may already know! Try these!1. 2.
-7.35 3.
42% 5. 4.
DIRECTIONS:
Go to your worksheet and fill in the following numbers on the Fill-In Response (FR) answer boxes
for slide #4.
You are to take about 4 minutes and grid the following answers. No assistance or questions will be answered during this time. This is an individual activity therefore you are not to work in groups or share answers. The purpose of this activity is to see what you currently know about completing free response style questions.

5. Answers How’d you do? Share your results with your shoulder partner! 51. 5 / 2 1 - 7 . 3 5 2. 3. 4 2 4. 2 7 / 4 6 . 7 5 or 6 . 1 5.

6. Simplifying and Rounding Issues
Simplifying--- We recommend:
Do not simplify fractions UNLESS the directions tell you to simplify to lowest terms OR if the answer doesn’t fit in the grid unless you simplify it.
Rounding--- We recommend:
Don’t round UNLESS the directions tell you to do so.
For completing the free response, our suggestion is to only simplify or round if you are told to do so.
Special Note: If the instructions tell you to round your answer, do so in the final step of your solution.

7. Examples of Fill-In Response Answers
Wait a minute Larry! Let’s slow down
and take a look
at this!

8. 6 6 Whole Numbers: Example: 27 + 33 = 60 or
You may left or right justify your answer.
Example: = 60 6 or
You can right or left justify your answer. The curser on the practice test starts with a left justification. 6

9. Decimals
Remember: You may write your answer with or without a leading zero. You may left or right justify. . 8 7 5 . 8 7 5 . 8 7 5
Remember if the question does not ask for the answer in a specific way, you have the option of writing in a form that is most comfortable for you. A leading zero for a decimal is optional. Again, you may left or right justify your response. . 8 7 5

10. 3 / 5 . 6 Simple Fractions like would be written in like this:
The decimal equivalent would also be acceptable unless the question asks specifically for the fractional answer.
Don’t forget the write in the fraction bar! . 6

11. What to do with a mixed number...
You cannot write a mixed number in fill-in response answer blocks. If your answer is a mixed number such as,
y , you must convert it to 6 1 4 2 5 / 4
an improper fraction
(a fraction, common fraction, or fraction greater than 1) 6 . 2 5
or a decimal
If you don’t convert the mixed number, six and one-fourth, and try to grid it anyway as a mixed fraction, the computer will read your response as 61 over 4, and that is WRONG and not what you intended! So, make sure you convert to a decimal or improper fraction and then grid your answer.

12. BE AWARE!
These are incorrect forms for mixed numbers like 6 1 4
NO! 6 1 / 4
Note to teachers: Yes, we are going to repeat the idea in the previous slide!
You may have no spaces in a fill in response. On the second one that is incorrect, please understand that the computer will read your answer as “sixty-one over four.” 6 1 / 4
Do not do this!

13. . 9 9 / 1 9 Gridding Percents CORRECT
Example: What percent of 100 is 9?
Answer: 9 % . 9
INCORRECT 9 / 1
INCORRECT
Notice the question asks for the percent! It does not ask for the decimal or fractional equivalent! You may not convert to a decimal or fraction in this case! Be sure to read carefully! 9
CORRECT

14. Gridding Repeating Decimals…
Suppose your answer is 5 . 3
INCORRECT
Remember if there are more digits than spaces to grid then you must grid each space in. If you do not it is wrong. 5 . 3
CORRECT

15. Gridding Repeating Decimals…
Suppose your answer is … 4 . 6
INCORRECT 4 . 6
CORRECT
Remember if there are more digits than spaces to grid then you must grid each space in. If you do not it is wrong. or
CORRECT 4 . 6 7

16. What if your answer contains a negative sign?
Remember,
the negative sign gets its own box!
Answer: - 9 . 3 7

17. Examples of
Common Errors

18. Can you find my error? 3 Did you say… 2 3 2 / 5 5 1 7 / 5 OR 3 . 4
and I filled in 3
The answer is: 3 2 / 5 5
In 15 seconds, tell your shoulder partner about the error and what the correct form of the fill-in response should look like.
Did you say…
You must convert a mixed number to an improper fraction or decimal. 1 7 / 5 OR 3 . 4

19. The answer is and the problem did not tell me to round my answer
Can you find my error?
The answer is and the problem did not tell me to round my answer
and I wrote: 3 1 . 5
In 15 seconds, tell your shoulder partner about the error and what the correct form of the fill-in response should look like.
Be sure to read carefully and write your repeating decimal correctly. or
CORRECT 3 1 . 5 3 1 . 5 6

20. Can you find my error? CORRECT . 6 2 6 2. 6 2
The answer is: 62% and I wrote:
In 15 seconds, tell your shoulder partner about the error and what the correct form of the fill-in response should look like.
You may not use the decimal form of a percent if the problem has asked for the percent form.
CORRECT 6 2

21. Can you find my error? CORRECT 7 4 7 4 7 4
The answer is: 74 and I wrote:
In 30 seconds, tell your shoulder partner about the error and what the correct form of the fill-in response should look like.
CORRECT
You may not write an answer in the middle of a free response. You must left or right justify your response. 7 4 OR 7 4

22. Can you find my error? CORRECT - 1 2 . 6 9 - 1 2 . 6 9 - 1 2 . 6 9
The answer is: and I wrote:
In 30 seconds, tell your shoulder partner about the error and what the correct form of the fill-in response should look like.
CORRECT
You may not leave a space in the middle of a free response between the number and the negative. You must left or right justify your response. - 1 2 . 6 9 OR - 1 2 . 6 9

23. It is time for you to SHOW WHAT YOU KNOW!

24. DIRECTIONS: Put on your thinking cap
DIRECTIONS: Put on your thinking cap! Use the worksheet provided to write in the answers into the fill-in response boxes.
A. 603 B
C. 8/3 D
E. 5¼
Practice set #1: This is your opportunity to practice.
Note to teacher: Give students about 5 minutes (or less) to record their answers and then go to the next slide to check. The answers will not come up all at once on the next slide; you will need to advance to the next answer by tapping the space bar.

25. A B C D E OR 6 3 6 3 OR 6 . 1 6 . 1 8 / 3 OR 2 . 6 OR 3 . 6 5 2 . 6 7
Allow time for discussion and reinforce the correct methods for completing the fill in response. Correct any errors in thinking.
Remind students that:
You may left or right justify your response.
Read carefully and be sure to give the correct answer form that is asked for. 2 1 / 4 OR 5 . 2

26. F. -7 – 2.3 G. 8.666666 H. What is 20% of 80? I. 6 + 3  (-5)
DIRECTIONS: Keep that thinking cap on! Continue to write in the answers into the free response boxes on your worksheet. You may have to solve some problems before you record your responses.
F. -7 – 2.3 G
H. What is 20% of 80?
I  (-5) J
Practice set #2. Note to teacher: Give students about 5 minutes (or less) to record their answers and then go to the next slide to check.

27. F G H I J - 9 . 3 8 . 6 8 . 6 7 1 6 - 9 7 . 3 OR Go for it Larry !
Just one more set! 1 6 - 9
Again, reinforce the directions for completing the free response. Allow for discussion. Remind students that they may left or right justify….which ever they are more comfortable with. Correct any errors in thinking. 7 . 3

28. K. 31/3 (thirty-one thirds) L. -2⅜ M. 4 is what percent of 16?
DIRECTIONS: This is the last set! You know you have to do! Remember: You may have to solve some problems before you record your responses.
K. 31/3 (thirty-one thirds)
L. -2⅜
M. 4 is what percent of 16?
N 12 is 20% of what number?
O. Change 2 ¼ to a decimal.
Practice Set #3: This is your opportunity to practice. Note to teacher: Give students about 5 minutes (or less) to record their answers and then go to the next slide to check.

29. K L M N O 3 1 / - 1 9 / 8 OR - 2 . 3 7 5
I did it!
I know how to fill-in
response questions! 2 5 6
Allow time to discuss and talk about their responses. Correct any error in thinking. 2 . 5

30. fill-in response questions.
Thank you for doing your best! I know you will do your very best on the Algebra 1 EOC assessment!
Take a minute and jot down on your worksheet some ideas you need to remember about completing
fill-in response questions.
Be sure to see your teacher if you still have questions about fill-in response style questions!
Be prepared to answer any questions.