1. What are “Signal Words”?
Words and phrases which have appeared repeatedly on the NYS Assessments within the multiple choice and constructed response questions, as well as in the answer choices.
Signal Words provide clues:
to what the question is specifically asking
identifying the skill being assessed
about the mental task necessary in order to select/construct a successful answer

2. “Signal Words” Activities
Use a copy of last year’s assessment and highlight all the signal words you find in the questions and the answer choices.
Identify how the signal words relate to the ELA or Social Studies Standards; or to the Math or Science Key Ideas.
Investigate how individual signal words provide clues as to the specific type of problem or skill being tested.
Use the item map for a specific assessment to identify other signal words that appear more than twice in the same standard or key idea.

3. “SIGNAL WORDS” from the NYS Assessments
Math, Science, & Technology:
Solve
Lowest
Ratio
Probability
Estimate
How long
Excerpt
Function
Form
Measure
Risk
Chance
Answer
How Much
Which
Which step
Smallest number
According
Maximum
Expression
Approximately
Closest to
How long
What percent
Relationships
Which statement
Which equation
Which expression
Which drawing
Next number
Average speed
How many
ELA & Social Studies:
Best describes
Compare
First time
Phrase
Best characterizes
Described
Contrast
Between
Expresses
According to the article
Examine
According to the author
Reasonably conclude
Effect
Which fact
Passage
Least useful
Mostly about
Context
Suggesting
In order to
Next to
Best shows
Eventually
Point of view
Main theme If
Symbol of
What
Summarize
Conclude
Think about
Reflect upon

4. “SIGNAL WORDS” from the NYS Assessments
Math, Science, & Technology
Solve
Lowest
Ratio
Probability
Estimate
How long
Excerpt
Function
Form
Measure
Risk
Chance
Answer
How long
What percent
Relationships
Which statement
Which equation
Which expression
Which drawing
Next number
Average speed
How many
How Much
Which
Which step
Smallest number
According
Maximum
Expression
Approximately
Closest to

5. “SIGNAL WORDS” from the NYS Assessments
ELA & Social Studies
Best describes
Compare
First time
Phrase
Best characterizes
Described
Contrast
Between
Expresses
According to the article
Examine
According to the author
Reasonably conclude
Effect
Which fact
Passage
Least useful
Mostly about
Context
Suggesting
In order to
Next to
Best shows
Eventually
Point of view
Main theme If
Symbol of
What
Summarize
Conclude
Think about
Reflect upon