Assessment Tasks

Digital EMA@School consists of a set of structured assessment tasks designed to measure foundational numeracy constructs across early grades. Each task is aligned to empirically supported subdomains of number sense and early operations and measures a specific foundational skill that research shows is predictive of mathematical development.

To ensure conceptual coherence and developmental progression, the tasks are organized into three primary domains that reflect core dimensions of early numeracy: Number Knowledge, Number Relations, and Number Operations. Together, these domains provide a structured and research-informed framework for capturing how students understand numbers, how they relate numbers to one another, and how they operate on numerical quantities.

Three domains of early numeracy: Number Knowledge, Number Relations, and Number Operations

Number Knowledge

The Number Knowledge domain assesses foundational counting and symbolic number understanding. These tasks measure children's ability to produce number sequences, map symbols to quantities, and construct numbers using place value.

This domain reflects core counting principles, including stable order, one-to-one correspondence, cardinality, and abstraction, which are considered essential prerequisites for later mathematical reasoning.

Verbal Counting

Kindergarten–Grade 1

Students count aloud in sequence from a given starting point. The task records the highest correct number reached and identifies any breakdowns in the counting sequence.

Dot Counting

Kindergarten

Students count a visually presented set of dots arranged in varied spatial configurations and report the total quantity.

Next Numbers

Grade 1

Students extend a number sequence by identifying the next number(s) based on the underlying rule or pattern.

Number Naming

Kindergarten–Grade 1

Students identify and verbally name numerals presented visually, including single- and multi-digit numbers.

Number Writing

Grades 1–4

Students write numerals in response to spoken number words using a structured digital input interface.

Number Relations

Number Relations refers to students' understanding of how numbers compare, order, and relate to one another within a numerical system. This domain assesses magnitude reasoning, ordinal understanding, sequencing, and pattern recognition, reflecting the development of mental number line representations and early algebraic thinking.

Number Comparison

Kindergarten–Grade 3

Students compare two numerals and identify which represents the larger quantity.

Number Order

Grades 3–4

Students arrange numbers in ascending or descending order and explain their relative positions using comparison language and number relationships.

Number Line

Kindergarten–Grade 4

Students place a target number on a number line. The numerical range varies by grade level.

Number Operations

Number Operations refers to students' understanding of how numbers can be combined, separated, and transformed through arithmetic processes. This domain assesses conceptual understanding and procedural fluency in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, including part–whole reasoning, decomposition and recomposition of numbers, and the development of efficient and accurate calculation strategies.

Arithmetic Fluency

Grades 1–4

Students solve addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division problems under timed conditions to measure speed, accuracy, and efficiency.

Equations

Grades 3–4

Students solve simple equations with a missing value to make both sides equal, using their understanding of number relationships and operations.

Calculations

Grade 4

Students solve multi-digit addition and subtraction problems using vertically aligned input fields that emphasize place value positions.

Fractions

Grade 4

Students respond to conceptual fraction items, including number line placement and fraction comparison tasks.

Practice Questions

Every domain begins with purpose-built practice questions that familiarize students with the task format and interaction mechanics before scored items begin. The specific purpose of each practice question differs from domain to domain and has been carefully designed by the research team.

Practice items are clearly distinguished from scored items in all reports and data exports, ensuring that only assessment items contribute to performance metrics.

See the Full Assessment Experience

Teachers can preview the complete student assessment experience, including all domains and practice questions, through the Student Test Walkthrough Video.

Watch the Walkthrough →

Tasks by Grade Level

Task K G1 G2 G3 G4
Number Knowledge
Verbal Counting ✓ ✓
Dot Counting ✓
Next Numbers ✓
Number Naming ✓ ✓
Number Writing ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Number Relations
Number Comparison ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Number Order ✓ ✓
Number Line ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Number Operations
Arithmetic Fluency ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Equations ✓ ✓
Calculations ✓
Fractions ✓