Top 10 6th Grade Common Core Math Practice Questions
TL;DR: Heading into sixth-grade Common Core Math with your student? These 10 practice questions zero in on the standards Grade 6 leans on most: ratios and rates, dividing fractions, decimals, integer operations, and expressions. Each one comes with the full work shown, so when something gets missed you can walk through the steps together instead of just landing on the answer. A clean way to spot which topics still deserve a little more practice before test day.
Key takeaways:
- Pages align with all five CCSS Grade 6 domains: RP, NS, EE, G, and SP.
- All 10 practice questions come with step-by-step worked solutions.
- Useful in any state using Common Core (or a Common Core-based standard).
- Mix of computation, reasoning, and word problems.
- Pairs well with topic worksheets when you need extra practice on one skill.
1- Which expression is equivalent to \(5(12x-16)\)?
A. \(-20\)
B. \(-20x\)
C. \(60x – 16\)
D. \(60x – 80\)
2- To produce a special concrete, for every \(13\) kg of cement, \(3\) liters of water is required. Which of the following ratios is the same as the ratio of cement to liters of water?
A. \(91 : 21\)
B. \(14 : 4\)
C. \(39 : 6\)
D. \(9 : 39\)
3- What is the value of \(x\) in the following equation: \(-60 = 115 – x\)
A. \(175\)
B. \(-175\)
C. \(55\)
D. \(-55\)
4- Which of the following graphs represents the following inequality?
\(-8 \leq 5x – 8 < 2\)
A.
C.
D.
5- The ratio of boys to girls in a school is 4:5. If there are 765 students in the school, how many boys are in the school?
A. 612
B. 510
C. 425
D. 340
6- Martin earns $20 an hour. Which of the following inequalities represents the amount of time Martin needs to work per day to earn at least $100 per day?
A. \(20t≥100\)
B. \(20t≤100\)
C. \(20+t≥100\)
D. \(20+t≤100\)
7- \((55+5)÷12\) is equivalent to …
A. \(60÷3.4\)
B. \( \frac{55}{12}+5\)
C. \((2×2×3×5)÷(3×4)\)
D. \( (2×2×3×5)÷3+4\)
8- What is the value of the expression \(6(2x-3y)+(3-2x)^2\), when \(x=2 \) and \(y=-1\)?
A. \(-23\)
B. 41
C. 43
D. 49
9- Round \(\frac{215}{7}\) to the nearest tenth.
A. 31
B. 30.8
C. 30.7
D. 30
10- A chemical solution contains \(6\%\) alcohol. If there is 45 ml of alcohol, what is the volume of the solution?
A. 270 ml
B. 420 ml
C. 750 ml
D. 1,200 ml
Best 6th Grade Common Core Math Prep Resource for 2026
Answers:
1- D
\(5(12x-16)=(5×12x)-(5×16)=(5×12)x-(5×16)=60x-80\)
2- A
\(91: 21 = 13: 3\)
\(13×7=91\)
And \( 3×7=21\)
3- A
\(-60 = 115 – x\)
First, subtract 115 from both sides of the equation. Then:
\(-60 – 115=115 – 115- x→-175 = – x\)
Multiply both sides by \((-1)\):
\(→x = 175\)
4- B
\(-8≤5x-8<2 →\) (add 8 all sides)\(-8+8≤5x-8+8<2+8 →0≤5x<10→\) (divide all sides by 5) \(0≤x<2\)
5- D
The ratio of boy to girls is 4:5. Therefore, there are 4 boys out of 9 students. To find the answer, first, divide the total number of students by 9, then multiply the result by 4.
\(765 ÷ 9 = 85 ⇒ 85 × 4 = 340\)
6- A
For one hour he earns $20, then for t hours he earns $20t. If he wants to earn at least $100, therefore, the number of working hours multiplied by 20 must be equal to 100 or more than 100.
\(20t≥100\)
7- C
\((55+5)÷(12)=(60)÷(12)\)
The prime factorization of 60 is: \(2×2×3×5 \)
The prime factorization of 12 is: \( 3×4 \)
Therefore: \((60)÷(12)=(2×2×3×5)÷(3×4)\)
8- C
Plug in the value of \(x\) and \(y\) and use order of operations rule.
\(x=2\) and \(y=-1\)
\(6(2x-3y)+(3-2x)^2=6(2(2)-3(-1))+(3-2(2))^2=6(4+3)+(-1)^2 = 42+1=43\)
9- C
\(\frac{215}{7} ≅ 30.71 ≅ 30.7\)
10- C
\(6\%\) of the volume of the solution is alcohol. Let \(x\) be the volume of the solution.
Then: \(6\% \space of \space x = 45 \space ml ⇒ 0.06 x = 45 ⇒ x = 45 ÷ 0.06 = 750\)
Looking for the best resource to help you succeed on the Grade 6 STAAR Math test?
The Best Books to Ace 6th Grade Common Core Math Test
Recommended EffortlessMath Books
If you want a workbook that lines up with these practice questions, Mastering Grade 6 Math walks through every sixth-grade topic with worked examples and lots of try-it-yourself problems. For the algebra side of sixth grade – expressions, equations, and inequalities – Pre-Algebra for Beginners builds the same skills from the ground up.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the CCSS Grade 6 math test cover?
CCSS Grade 6 math covers Ratios and Proportional Relationships (6.RP), the Number System (6.NS – fraction division, decimal arithmetic, integers, GCF/LCM), Expressions and Equations (6.EE), Geometry (6.G – area, volume, surface area), and Statistics and Probability (6.SP). At grade 6, the heaviest content strands are ratios and unit rates (6.RP), dividing fractions (6.NS.1), one-variable equations and inequalities (6.EE), area of polygons (6.G), and statistical thinking (6.SP). The 10 practice questions on this page sample across those strands so you can see where your skills are strong and where you need a few more reps.
How long is the CCSS math test for 6th-grade students?
State tests built on CCSS Grade 6 math vary in format – some are computer-based, some on paper – but they all cover the same five domains and similar item types. Plan to pace yourself – skip a problem and come back rather than burning five minutes on one tough question. The 10 practice items here are short enough to do in one sitting (about 20-25 minutes) and they mirror the kinds of items you’ll see on the real test.
Are these 6th-grade practice questions free?
Yes – every practice question on this page is free, with a worked solution. No login, no email, no paywall. Print the page or work through it on screen. If you find these helpful, share the link with a classmate or your teacher – it’s the best free way to sample the test format.
What’s the best way to study for the CCSS Grade 6 math test?
For Common Core specifically, focus on the standards your state’s test emphasizes – usually 6.RP (Ratios) and 6.EE (Expressions and Equations) carry the heaviest weight in scoring. The general rule for middle school: 20-30 minutes a day, four or five days a week, beats a weekend cram. Mix topic practice (one skill at a time) with mixed practice (random topics in one sitting). The mixed sets are closer to how the real test feels.
What if I can’t solve some of these practice questions?
That’s normal – one of the points of practice is finding gaps. When you miss a question, read the worked solution slowly. Then redo the problem on a fresh sheet without looking. If a whole topic feels hard, drop back to the basics first – it’s faster to fill a gap than to push through frustration. The Related Lessons below cover the 6th-grade skills students miss most.
Are calculators allowed on the CCSS math test?
For most state 6th-grade math tests, a calculator is allowed on part of the test but not on the section that tests basic computation. Check your state’s policy on the official CCSS page. The 10 questions here can be solved with pencil and paper – we recommend practicing both with and without a calculator so you’re ready either way.
How many questions are on the real CCSS Grade 6 math test?
It varies by state and year, but most 6th-grade state tests have 40-60 math questions total, often split across two sessions. The 10 sample questions here are a representative slice – if you’re getting 8 or more right and showing solid work, you’re tracking well for the real test.
What item types appear on CCSS Grade 6 math?
Multiple choice is most common, but you’ll also see multi-select (“choose all that apply”), fill-in-the-blank, drag-and-drop, equation builders, and short open-response items where you show work. The practice questions on this page mostly use multiple choice, but the underlying math is the same across item types.
How can parents help a 6th-grade student prepare?
Two things matter most: steady practice (not last-minute cramming) and going through wrong answers together. Ask your child to explain each step out loud – hearing themselves explain often catches the slip. Don’t drill speed at the expense of accuracy; accuracy with reasonable pace is what the test rewards.
Where do I get more 6th-grade math practice?
EffortlessMath has full-length practice tests, topic-by-topic worksheets, and step-by-step lessons for every 6th-grade math skill. The Related Lessons below cover the topics students miss most on CCSS. For a complete workbook, the Mastering Grade 6 Math book walks through every standard with worked examples and answer keys.
Related EffortlessMath Lessons
If a topic on this page feels rusty, these short lessons go deeper:
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