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Is the NYS grade 7 math test on computer or paper?

On computer. New York required all grades 3 to 8 math tests to be taken on a computer starting in spring 2026, with paper kept only for a few groups, such as students whose IEP or 504 plan requires it.

Facts checked against NYSED pages on October 25, 2026.

What NYSED says

NYSED's October 2025 materials memo for the 2026 tests says students in all grades 3 to 8 are required to take the ELA and mathematics tests on the computer. The exceptions it lists are:

  • Students who must test on paper according to their IEP or Section 504 plan.
  • For math and science only, students who need an alternate language edition, or an oral translation for a lower-incidence language.
  • Religious and independent schools that do not use technology in the classroom because of religious beliefs.

The memo adds that a student who needs to answer the written-response questions on paper must take the whole test on paper, both sessions. We did not find a different rule for spring 2027, but rules can change, so ask your school how your child will test.

What the screen looks like

  • Written-response answers are typed. NYSED's directions for the 2025 grade 7 and 8 field tests say students type rather than select their responses.
  • A scientific calculator, a ruler tool and a protractor tool are built in. NYSED's Educator Guide also says schools should keep supplying the handheld calculator students use every day.
  • The reference sheet is on screen. Highlighters and answer eliminators are available (from the 2025 field-test directions).
  • Scratch paper is allowed. The 2025 field-test directions describe two sheets, one plain or lined and one graph paper.

Graphing calculators are not permitted on either format.

When the test happens

NYSED's schedule for 2026-27 sets the grades 3 to 8 math window from Monday, April 5 to Friday, May 14, 2027. Each school chooses two consecutive days in that window and tests the whole grade on the same two days. Make-ups must happen inside the window. Your school will tell you its dates.

How to practice for it

  1. Try NYSED's public Question Sampler. It uses previously released questions with the highlighter, notepad and answer eliminator that the computer test has, NYSED recommends Chrome, and it does not save work.
  2. Practice typing a written answer, not only choosing one. Keep the work short and clear.
  3. Practice with the on-screen calculator, and read the full display for any answer that uses π.
  4. Keep paper beside the screen for working out.

Bridgil's practice follows the same layout: one question per screen, an on-screen calculator and reference sheet. See the test format and calculator rules for what is on the test.

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Bridgil is not affiliated with or endorsed by the New York State Education Department or the Board of Regents. Numbers on this page can change each school year; check NYSED for the current ones.