Reading, Writing, and Mathematics / Mathématiques in Grade 8 (RWM8)
Grade 8 students participate in this provincial assessment in May and early June.
New in 2025-2026: the assessment is being done online, and students will complete it using school devices.
How is the information from the assessment used?
The assessment gives insight into how students are doing compared to curriculum expectations in reading, writing, and mathematics.
- Families will receive their child’s performance report in the fall.
- Teachers use the information to plan instruction and support student learning.
- Schools, regional centres for education, and the province use the results to guide decisions and provide support where needed.
How should students prepare for the assessment?
Students will have a chance to try short sample assessments in class with their teachers. This helps them to practice using the online format and get familiar with the types of questions they will see.
The same sample assessments are also available for families and the public to view at the following links. They are the same samples that are completed at school, so students do not need to work on them at home:
Other than reviewing the sample assessments, no special preparation is needed. The learning students have already done in school will prepare them. The assessment does not affect students’ grades.
What is the assessment like?
- The Reading and Writing portion of the assessment consists of four parts, each about 45 minutes. Students will independently read different types of texts (narrative, information, poetry, and visual media) and answer questions. They will also complete two writing activities.
- The Mathematics portion of the assessment consists of four parts, each about 30 minutes. Students will independently answer questions about different math topics: number, patterns and relations, measurement, geometry, and statistics and probability.
- French Immersion students complete reading and writing in English and mathematics in French.
- Most adaptations (such as extra time or read-aloud) can be used.
- Students with an Individual Program Plan (IPP) may participate if agreed upon by their student planning team, which includes parents and guardians.
How are the assessments created and scored?
Nova Scotia teachers, with help from provincial education staff, create the assessments. Writing tasks are scored by Nova Scotia teachers during a session led by provincial education staff. Multiple-choice questions are scored by computer.