Areas Assessed by the DT-PAM

The DT-PAM yields a score for each student in each of the following areas, as well as an overall score.

• Whole Numbers - Add, subtract, multiply, and divide whole numbers; including carrying, borrowing, and saving a place with a zero.
• Common Fractions - Add, subtract, multiply, divide, and reduce common fractions and mixed numbers; including finding common denominators.
• Decimal Fractions - Add, subtract, multiply, and divide decimal fractions.
• Percentages - Add, subtract, multiply, and divide percentages. Determine X percent of a given number. Determine what percent X is of a given number. Relate percentages to a whole (e.g., 110% is more than 1 unit).
• Units of Measurement - Recognize and use units of measure. Convert from one unit to another. Understand measurements and common units (i.e. hours, feet, etc.) Know the difference between measurements of mass, length, time, and volume.
• Signed Numbers - Add, subtract, multiply, and divide signed numbers.
• Simple Powers - Work with and solve simple equations containing powers and roots.
• Substitution - Substitute values for unknowns in an expression or equation.
• Setting up Equations - Set up a simple equation when given information in the form of a word problem or a data chart.
• Solving Equations - Understand that variables may assume various numeric values. Simplify and isolate variables to find the solution (without using the "guess and check" method).
• Geometry - Have knowledge of and be able to work with one and two dimensional figures such as points, angles, parallel lines, surfaces, vertices, basic shapes (rectangles, circles), different types of triangles (e.g., isosceles), and right angles. Find the area and perimeter of triangles and rectangles, as well as the area and circumference of circles. Know that angles of a triangle sum to 180º, a circle has 360º, and a square has 90º in each of its angles. Apply this information to new situations. Understand and work with figures within figures (e.g., a circle within a square).
• Comparisons - Compare size of numbers/shapes.
• Graphs - Understand common types of graphs (i.e., bar, pie, and Cartesian). Find and chart points using X and Y coordinates (on a reasonable scale) and construct a graph from given data. Read and apply the information in a key. Interpret a graph and explain it.
• Tables - Understand how row and column titles correspond to data inside a table. Find pertinent information in a table and transfer the information to a graph.
• Estimation - Know when and how to use estimation. Round and estimate to check answers.
• Probability - Find the probability of an event based on a narrative description and make reasonable predictions using probability.
• Statistics - Know how to find the average (mean), median, and mode of a data set. Work backwards using the equation of an average (i.e., if Average = Sum/Number, know that Sum = Average * Number).
• Order of Operations - Understand precedence. Know and apply PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction).
• Ratios - Represent data in ratio form and set up ratio problems, including attention to units. Add, subtract, multiply, divide, and reduce ratios.
• Math Vocabulary - Know words like numerator, denominator, product, sum, and prime number.
• Word Problems - Understand scenarios and work with "real life" math situations. Translate word problems into equations and discern what information is necessary to solve the problem and what information is not.