Provincial assessment · Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia Assessment: Reading, Writing, and Mathematics/Mathématiques in Grade 8

Nova Scotia Assessment: Reading, Writing, and Mathematics/Mathématiques in Grade 8 (RWM8-EN / RWM8-IM)

Grade 8

Dates and details can change. We do our best to keep this page up to date, but check the official sources before relying on it.

Total time: 5 h
Marked questions: 128
Parts: 4
Calculator: In some parts
Format: On a computer

Nova Scotia Grade 8 Assessment practice test

The whole exam or the parts you choose, in its own format, on the clock.

This examA practice exam

The exam in the app
Its parts, and what you can use in each

A question, timed, with the exam’s tools
The marked result, part by part

A practice run of Saskatchewan’s Grade 9 math assessment.

Start a practice exam

Free with a MapleMind account

When

2 sessions this school year: Sample assessment window and Assessment window.

Sample assessment window

May 3 to May 14, 2027One or two class periods per subject · Sample assessments (in class, on the platform)

Assessment window

May 17 to June 8, 202745-minute and 30-minute parts · Reading and writing (4 parts) and mathematics (4 parts), scheduled by the school

The dates are Nova Scotia’s own, read on September 28, 2026. See the official schedule (plans.ednet.ns.ca)

What’s on it

Reading
Reported on its own (levels)

Writing

Transactional50%
An essay
Narrative50%
A story

Mathematics

Number30–40%
Patterns and Relations15–20%
Measurement15–20%
Geometry10–15%
Statistics and Probability15–20%

The skills it tests · 58 skills

Analysing how forms influence comprehension
Analysing publishing and sharing
Applying active listening strategies
Applying conventions
Applying revision, editing, and proof-reading
Applying the Pythagorean theorem
Applying writing, design, and research processes
Approximating square roots
Choosing data-collection methods
Choosing the most appropriate measure
Choosing valid information
Combining transformations on a shape
Comparing accuracy across sources
Comparing experimental results with theory
Comparing organizational structures and devices
Constructing and comparing triangles
Constructing and interpreting circle graphs
Creating and interpreting line graphs
Critiquing data presentation
Designs and tessellations
Developing ideas when creating
Dividing fractions
Dividing integers
Equations with the distributive property
Evaluating communication strategies
Graphing two-variable linear relations
Investigating bias and validity in communication
Investigating bias in the message
Investigating how language impacts communication
Investigating reading and viewing strategies
Investigating source credibility
Listing outcomes of a probability experiment
Mean, median, mode, and range
Multiplying fractions
Multiplying integers and the sign rules
Nets for 3-D objects
Perfect squares and square roots
Plotting in four quadrants
Plotting points in the first quadrant
Probability as ratios, fractions, and percents
Probability of two independent events
Proportional reasoning
Rates and unit rates
Ratios
Reflecting on perspective and comprehension
Representing percents greater than or equal to 0%
Selecting a form for an audience and purpose
Selecting reliable sources
Solving linear equations
Solving percent problems
Solving proportions
Surface area of cylinders
Surface area of prisms
The effect of outliers
Theoretical and experimental probability
Transforming a shape on the grid
Understanding the Pythagorean theorem
Volume of prisms and cylinders

From the courseEnglish Language Arts 8

Its Course CompanionEnglish Language Arts 8 From the courseMathematics, Grade 8

Its Course CompanionMathematics, Grade 8 From the courseMathematics, Grade 7

Its Course CompanionMathematics, Grade 7 From the courseMathematics, Grade 6

Its Course CompanionMathematics, Grade 6

How it’s built

Multiple-choice questions, questions in sets and an essay.

Reading (Parts 1 and 3)
Time
90 min
Questions
50
Marks
50
Of the marks
33%
- Multiple choice
- Questions in sets
Two reading parts of about 45 minutes: read stories, information texts, poems or songs, and visual texts, and answer multiple-choice questions.
Writing (Parts 2 and 4)
Time
90 min
Questions
2
Marks
32
Of the marks
33%
- Essay
Two writing tasks, one in each writing part: an essay and a story, each with a choice of topics.
Mathematics Parts 1 and 2 (no calculator)
Time
60 min
Questions
38
Marks
38
Of the marks
17%
- Multiple choice
Two math parts of about 30 minutes without a calculator: multiple choice, often in a real-life setting, some needing mental math.
Mathematics Parts 3 and 4 (with calculator)
Time
60 min
Questions
38
Marks
38
Of the marks
17%
- Multiple choice
Two more math parts of about 30 minutes, with the calculator: multiple choice, some needing a calculator.

How it’s marked

Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4

A computer marks the multiple-choice answers, and Nova Scotia teachers mark your writing. There's no pass mark: you get a level from 1 to 4 in reading, writing and math, and the results don't count on your report card.

On the day

Provided: Mathematics in Grade 8 – Formula Sheet

FirstSample questions in class, on the platform, over one or two class periods per subject.
Then, on days your school setsReading and writing in four 45-minute parts, and math in four 30-minute parts.

Online, in shorter parts. A thesaurus is allowed in reading and writing, and you get scrap paper and pencils for math. Math Parts 1 and 2 have no calculator; Parts 3 and 4 have one on screen, or you may bring your own. Everyone may take up to 15 extra minutes on each part.

Getting ready

3 official documents to practise with, and 4 tips.

Official practice

Tips from the people who write it

You don't need to study ahead: what you learn in class prepares you.
Your class tries the sample assessments on the platform first.
Practise mental math: the first two math parts have no calculator.
A formula sheet with measurement conversions and formulas is provided.

After the exam

Results: Each student gets an Individual Student Report, available to families through PowerSchool once results are analyzed.
Marks: Results aren’t used for report card grades or decisions about a student’s grade placement.
If you miss it: A student with an Individual Program Plan takes part if their planning team, parents included, agrees.

From Program of Learning Assessment for Nova Scotia (PLANS): Grade 3, Grade 6 and Grade 8 (plans.ednet.ns.ca), read on October 27, 2026.

More for you

Students
Start with the topics worth the most marks, then write full practice exams under the real time limit.
Practise it
Parents
Put the dates on the family calendar. The Parent Dashboard shows each practice exam’s result and the skills that need another look.
See the Parent Dashboard
Educators
The topic weights and the official practice above make a review plan. Students can practise each skill on its own in MapleMind, free with daily limits.
For schools

Questions about this exam

When is the Nova Scotia Assessment: Reading, Writing, and Mathematics/Mathématiques in Grade 8 in 2026–27?

The next sitting is May 3 to May 14, 2027. This school year it’s written in Sample assessment window and Assessment window.

How long is the Nova Scotia Assessment: Reading, Writing, and Mathematics/Mathématiques in Grade 8?

It takes 5 hours in all, over 4 parts.

How many questions are on the Nova Scotia Assessment: Reading, Writing, and Mathematics/Mathématiques in Grade 8?

It has 128 marked questions: 50 in Reading (Parts 1 and 3), 2 in Writing (Parts 2 and 4), 38 in Mathematics Parts 1 and 2 (no calculator) and 38 in Mathematics Parts 3 and 4 (with calculator).

Can you use a calculator on the Nova Scotia Assessment: Reading, Writing, and Mathematics/Mathématiques in Grade 8?

In some parts only: Mathematics Parts 3 and 4 (with calculator).

How are Nova Scotia Assessment: Reading, Writing, and Mathematics/Mathématiques in Grade 8 results reported?

At 4 levels: Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 and Level 4.

Where can I find practice tests for the Nova Scotia Assessment: Reading, Writing, and Mathematics/Mathématiques in Grade 8?

Nova Scotia publishes Public online sample assessments, Grade 8 (reading, writing, mathematics; English and French). MapleMind also builds a full practice exam in its format, free with an account.

Practise for the Nova Scotia Assessment: Reading, Writing, and Mathematics/Mathématiques in Grade 8

Every skill on the Nova Scotia Assessment: Reading, Writing, and Mathematics/Mathématiques in Grade 8, taught one at a time, then practised on questions written like the real ones.