Assessments > Create and Edit Tests > Accommodations, Equations, and Tools > Math Equations

Equation Editor

Use the Equation Editor to enter math equations for a test question, answer, or passage. You can select one of six equation editors appropriate for different grade levels, with a basic or extended editor. The basic editor allows you to enter letter variables but no spaces or other punctuation. With the extended editor, you can enter complete sentences with spaces and other punctuation.

An equation editor can be included on open response items for students to use when taking an online test. In TestNav, the selected equation editor will open automatically, and students will enter their full response directly in the equation editor.

For the Text to Speech accommodation, alternate text must be entered to describe the equation if you want it to be read aloud.

The editor works best when you use the mouse or arrow keys on the keyboard to move around an equation rather than using the Enter and space keys.

ClosedTo enter a math equation
  1. Click anywhere in the Question Content (or passage or answer) area to open the content editor.
  2. To create a new equation, click the Insert Equation icon ∑. To edit an existing equation, select the equation and then click the equation icon.
  3. In the Equation Editor, select the equation editor you want to use to create the equation. The editor selected by default is based on the lowest grade level of the item.
  4. To enter equations:
    • For the basic math editor, click the appropriate math symbols in the list below the editor. Type to enter letter variables. Click the down arrow to expand the list of symbols.
    • For the extended math editor, expand the Math Symbols or other math menus you want to use, and click a symbol to add it to the equation. Type to enter letters or words. An underline indicates the area you are editing, and dotted box indicates where you can enter new symbols or text. Click on a box to enter symbols or text there.
  5. Use the arrow buttons to undo and redo changes, and the trash can icon to clear everything.
  6. Click Save to add the equation to the content editor.
  7. In the content editor, you can highlight the equation (and other text) and click the formatting options to change the size and formatting of the equation text. When you insert an equation into the content editor, the font size, bolding, italics, and text color of the equation's font will be the same as currently specified at the insertion point.
  8. To enter alternate text for Text to Speech: Select the equation, and then click the Alternate text icon. Enter the alternate text for the equation, for example "three plus x equals five."
ClosedBasic vs. extended editor

There are two types of math equation editors. The basic editor lets you write only math. The extended editor lets you write both words and math. Use the buttons and math menus to write the equation. You can also use the keyboard to enter numbers, letters, and some math symbols. Not all math symbols are on the keyboard.

(On a tablet, press the More Symbols button to show the menus.)

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ClosedUsing math symbols in the editor

The symbol menus have various math symbols that you can use to enter your question. Some symbols indicate certain mathematical expressions, such as the symbols for a fraction or a mixed number .

Click the blue arrows to expand and close the math menus. Some symbols in the menus are not on your keyboard, and you may need these symbols to enter your answer. (On a tablet, press the More Symbols button to show the menus.)

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