School Improvement in Maryland

Using the State Curriculum: Mathematics, Grade 7

Algebra | Geometry | Measurement | Statistics | Probability | Number | Processes

Sample Assessments: Each sample assessment item gives an idea of how an assessment item on the MSA might be presented. The items appropriately measure the content of the State Curriculum and may be formatted similarly to those appearing on the MSA; however, these are sample items only and have not appeared on any MSA form.

Standard 6.0 Knowledge of Number Relationships and Computation/Arithmetic

Topic C. Number Computation

Indicator 1. Analyze number relations and compute

Objective e. Use the laws of exponents to simplify expressions

Assessment limit: Use the rules of exponents (power times power or power divided by power) with the same whole number base (0 – 100) and exponents (0 – 10)
Note: Highlighted assessment limits will be tested in the no calculator section of MSA.

Selected Response Item
Note: This problem is solved without a calculator.

Look at the expression below.
64 • 62

Which of the numbers below has the same value as the expression?

  1. 62
  2. 66
  3. 68
  4. 642
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_math_7_029.xml

Correct Answer:
B

Assessment limit:
Use the rules of exponents (power times power or power divided by power) with the same whole number base (0 – 100) and exponents (0 – 10)