Top 10 3rd Grade PSSA Math Practice Questions
TL;DR: Got a third grader prepping for PSSA Math in Pennsylvania? These ten high-yield questions cover the topics the test leans on hardest: multiplication and division within 100, fractions on a number line, area, place value, and those open-ended response items that scare a lot of third graders. Worked solutions are included, so the two of you can sit down and walk through the reasoning together rather than just landing on the answer.
Key takeaways:
- Each of the 10 questions targets a frequently-tested grade 3 PSSA skill.
- Topics: multiplication and division, fractions, area, place value, and word problems.
- No calculator – matches PSSA grade 3 rules.
- Use as a 15-20 minute warm-up before a full PSSA practice test.
- Includes worked-out solutions to walk through with your child.
Help your student start his/her 3rd Grade PSSA Math test prep journey right now with these sample PSSA Math questions.
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2- Mia’s goal is to save $140 to purchase her favorite bike.
In January, she saved $36.
In February, she saved $28.
How much money does Mia need to save in March to be able to purchase her favorite bike?
A. $28
B. $30
C. $52
D. $76
3- Michelle has 72 old books. She plans to send all of them to the library in their area. If she puts the books in boxes that can hold 9 books, which of the following equations can be used to find the number of boxes she will use?
A. \(72 + 9 =\) ______
B. \(72 × 9 =\) ______
C. \(72 – 9 =\) ______
D. \(72 ÷ 9 =\) ______
4- Eva had 983 cards. Then, she gave 349 of the cards to her friend Alice. After that, Eva lost 260 cards.
Which equation can be used to find the number of cards Eve has now?
A. \(983 – 349 + 260 =\) _____
B. \(983 – 349 -260 =\) _____
C. \(983 +349 +260 =\) _____
D. \(983 +349 -260 =\) _____
5- The length of the following rectangle is 7 centimeters, and its width is 3 centimeters. What is the area of the rectangle?
A. \(10 cm^2\)
B. \(20 cm^2\)
C. \(14 cm^2\)
D. \(21 cm^2\)
6- Which number is made up of 4 hundreds, 8 tens, and 4 ones?
A. 4084
B. 484
C. 448
D. 844
7- Look at the spinner above. On which color is the spinner most likely to land?
A. RED
B. GREEN
C. YELLOW
D. NONE
8- A group of third-grade students recorded the following distances that they jumped.
A. 23
B. 24
C. 32
D. 34
9- Emma flew 2,448 miles from Los Angeles to New York City. What is the number of miles Emma flew, rounded to the nearest thousand?
A. 2000
B. 2400
C. 2500
D. 3000
10- A number sentence such as \(31 + Z = 98\)can be called an equation. If this equation is true, then which of the following equations is not true?
A. \(98 – 31 = Z\)
B. \(98 – Z= 31\)
C. \(Z- 31 = 98\)
D. \(Z+31 = 98\)
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Answers:
1- B
An easy way to tell whether a large number is odd or even is to look at its final digit. If the number ends with an odd digit \((1, 3, 5, 7, or 9)\), then it’s odd. On the other hand, if the number ends with an even digit or \(0 (0, 2, 4, 6 or 8)\), then it is even.
15, 29, and 83 ends with odd digits, so they are odd numbers.
2- D
She saves $36 and $28 so she has $64.
\($140 – $64 = $76\) she needs to save.
3- D
Michelle divides 72 books into 9 boxes; therefore \(72 ÷ 9\) formula is correct.
4- B
Eva gave 349 of her 983 cards to her friend, so her cards are \(983-349\), then she lost 260 cards, so now she has \(983-349-260=374\) cards
5- D
Use our formula for a rectangle:
\(Area= length × width\)
Area \(=3cm×7cm =21cm^2\)
6- B
Add 4hundred and 8 tens and 4ones
So we have:\(400 + 80 + 4 = 484\)
7- A
The chances of landing on red are 3 in 6
The chances of landing on yellow are 1 in 6
The chances of landing on green are 2 in 6
The chances of landing on red are more than other colors.
8- C
32 inches distance most often occurring in this table.
9- A
10- C
All these equations are true:
\(98 – 31 = Z\)
\(98 – Z = 31\)
\(Z + 31 = 98\)
Looking for the best resource to help you succeed on the 3rd Grade PSSA Math test?
The Best Books to Ace the 3rd Grade PSSA Math Test
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For a workbook your child can use alongside this Top 10 set, Mastering Grade 3 Math covers every Pennsylvania Core Standard with worked examples. For extra open-ended and word-problem practice (heavy on the PSSA), see Mastering Grade 3 Math Word Problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions are on the 3rd grade PSSA Math test?
The full grade 3 PSSA Math has about 55-65 questions across three sessions, including 1-2 open-ended items per session. This Top 10 set is a focused warm-up – not a full simulation – that targets the highest-yield skills your child will see.
Is a calculator allowed on the 3rd grade PSSA?
No. Pennsylvania doesn’t allow calculators on the grade 3 math test. Your child needs multiplication facts through \(10\times 10\) cold and should handle multi-digit addition, subtraction, and basic division by hand.
How long does the PSSA Math take?
The three sessions run about 60 minutes each, with most third-graders finishing in 45-55 per session. Sessions are usually spread across two or three school days. This Top 10 set takes 15-20 minutes – one sit-down.
What’s a passing score on the 3rd grade PSSA?
Pennsylvania reports four levels: Below Basic, Basic, Proficient, and Advanced. Proficient is the on-grade-level mark schools target. There’s no automatic retention rule tied to grade 3 PSSA scores.
Can my child retake the PSSA Math?
No. The grade 3 PSSA is given once per year in the spring. The spring score is the only score that counts. Schools provide added classroom support the next year for kids who score below Proficient.
What math topics are on the 3rd grade PSSA?
Multiplication and division within 100, fractions on a number line, equivalent fractions, area and perimeter of rectangles, place value to 1,000, multi-digit addition and subtraction, time to the minute, measurement, money word problems, and reading bar and picture graphs.
How long should we study for the 3rd grade PSSA?
For an on-grade-level child, 4-6 weeks at 15-20 minutes a day is plenty. For a child who needs more support, 8-12 weeks at 25 minutes daily works better. Multiplication-fact fluency is the best single prep choice at grade 3.
Where can we find more 3rd grade PSSA practice?
EffortlessMath offers a free PSSA Math sample set, a full-length PSSA Math practice test, additional question sets, and the Mastering Grade 3 Math workbook with worked examples for every Pennsylvania standard.
Does the PSSA align with Common Core?
Yes, mostly. Pennsylvania Core Standards are Common Core-aligned for grade 3 math with state-specific clarifications and minor renaming. Multiplication, fractions, area, and place value match Common Core exactly.
How can I help my child prep at home?
Three habits help: (1) 5 minutes of multiplication-fact drill daily, (2) one word problem at dinner where your child explains the steps, and (3) one short timed practice set on the weekend. Have your child write a sentence with each answer on open-ended items – PSSA rewards clear explanations.
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If a topic on this page feels rusty, these short lessons go deeper:
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