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Iowa State Assessments · Alternate Assessment

Iowa Alternate Assessment Practice Test

Build confidence with five focused practice sets covering reading, communication, mathematics, science, everyday reasoning, and integrated assessment skills.

Iowa alternate assessment practice sets

This Iowa Alternate Assessment Practice Test page provides five short practice sets with 10 original multiple-choice questions each. The activities use clear language and cover reading, communication, mathematics, science, applied reasoning, and integrated problem solving.

Skills covered

  • Reading main ideas, supporting details, sequences, vocabulary, text features, opinions, summaries, signs, and conversations
  • Counting, place value, addition, subtraction, equal groups, fractions, time, money, shapes, and reading simple charts
  • Living things, plant needs, matter, forces, weather, life cycles, habitats, energy, investigations, and engineering materials
  • Visual schedules, safety decisions, classification, patterns, forecasts, measurement comparisons, predictions, and complete responses
  • Integrated reading, data, math, science, evidence, measurement, categorization, informational text, and time problems

How to use this page

Complete one 10-question set at a time. Read each prompt carefully, use the information or visual cues provided, choose the best response, and review the explanation after every question.

This is supplemental State Test Practice, State Assessment Practice, and Standardized Test Practice. It is not an official DLM assessment, released item set, eligibility decision, accommodation guide, or substitute for Iowa Department of Education guidance.

Iowa identifies Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) as its Alternate Assessment for eligible students. Current official scope and participation information should always be checked on the Iowa Department of Education Assessment & Testing page.

For the broader Iowa assessment hub, visit Iowa State Test Practice or explore Elementary School Tests, Middle School Tests, and High School Tests.

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5 Tests
1. Test2. Test3. Test4. Test5. Test

1. Test

Iowa Alternate Assessment Practice Questions

A 10-question Iowa alternate assessment practice set on reading and communication, with answers and explanations.

Read or listen to each prompt carefully, use the words, symbols, visuals, or quantities provided, select one answer, and review the explanation after responding.

10 Questions
0/10 Questions0 %
Correct 0
Incorrect 0
Unanswered 10
1. QuestionMultiple choice

A story tells about a child planting a seed, watering it, and watching a flower grow. What is the story mostly about?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is A seed growing into a flower.

  1. Understand the task: Read the prompt, identify the important words or quantities, and use the information that is given.
  2. Choose a response: The events all describe the seed changing into a flower.
  3. Check the result: Review the choice and make sure it answers the question in the same context.

The events all describe the seed changing into a flower.

2. QuestionMultiple choice

Which detail best supports the idea that a character is helpful?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is The character carries a friend's books..

  1. Understand the task: Read the prompt, identify the important words or quantities, and use the information that is given.
  2. Choose a response: Carrying a friend's books shows helpful action.
  3. Check the result: Review the choice and make sure it answers the question in the same context.

Carrying a friend's books shows helpful action.

3. QuestionMultiple choice

What happens first in this sequence: wash your hands, dry your hands, turn on the water?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is Turn on the water..

  1. Understand the task: Read the prompt, identify the important words or quantities, and use the information that is given.
  2. Choose a response: Turning on the water comes before washing and drying hands.
  3. Check the result: Review the choice and make sure it answers the question in the same context.

Turning on the water comes before washing and drying hands.

4. QuestionMultiple choice

What does the word enormous most likely mean in the sentence: The enormous truck filled the road?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is Very large.

  1. Understand the task: Read the prompt, identify the important words or quantities, and use the information that is given.
  2. Choose a response: A truck that fills the road is very large.
  3. Check the result: Review the choice and make sure it answers the question in the same context.

A truck that fills the road is very large.

5. QuestionMultiple choice

Why might a text include a picture of a map?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is To show where places are located.

  1. Understand the task: Read the prompt, identify the important words or quantities, and use the information that is given.
  2. Choose a response: A map helps readers understand location.
  3. Check the result: Review the choice and make sure it answers the question in the same context.

A map helps readers understand location.

6. QuestionMultiple choice

Two texts describe the same school garden. One text gives facts, and the other tells a story about a student. How are they different?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is One gives information and one tells events..

  1. Understand the task: Read the prompt, identify the important words or quantities, and use the information that is given.
  2. Choose a response: A factual text informs while a story presents events and characters.
  3. Check the result: Review the choice and make sure it answers the question in the same context.

A factual text informs while a story presents events and characters.

7. QuestionMultiple choice

Which sentence gives an opinion?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is The library is the best place in the school..

  1. Understand the task: Read the prompt, identify the important words or quantities, and use the information that is given.
  2. Choose a response: Best place is a judgment that can differ from person to person.
  3. Check the result: Review the choice and make sure it answers the question in the same context.

Best place is a judgment that can differ from person to person.

8. QuestionMultiple choice

What is the best short summary of a paragraph about recycling paper at school?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is Students collect used paper so it can be recycled..

  1. Understand the task: Read the prompt, identify the important words or quantities, and use the information that is given.
  2. Choose a response: The first choice states the main action and purpose without an unrelated detail.
  3. Check the result: Review the choice and make sure it answers the question in the same context.

The first choice states the main action and purpose without an unrelated detail.

9. QuestionMultiple choice

A student reads a sign that says Walk. What should the student do?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is Move on foot..

  1. Understand the task: Read the prompt, identify the important words or quantities, and use the information that is given.
  2. Choose a response: The sign gives an instruction to walk.
  3. Check the result: Review the choice and make sure it answers the question in the same context.

The sign gives an instruction to walk.

10. QuestionMultiple choice

Which response best completes the conversation? “Could you pass the pencil, please?”

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Here you are..

  1. Understand the task: Read the prompt, identify the important words or quantities, and use the information that is given.
  2. Choose a response: Here you are is a polite response to the request.
  3. Check the result: Review the choice and make sure it answers the question in the same context.

Here you are is a polite response to the request.

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Frequently asked questions about Iowa Alternate Assessment Practice

What is Iowa's alternate assessment?

The Iowa Department of Education identifies Dynamic Learning Maps, or DLM, as Iowa's alternate assessment for eligible students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. Current official information lists ELA and mathematics for Grades 3–11 and science for Grades 5, 8, and 11.

Are these official DLM questions?

No. These are original supplemental practice questions designed for general study and review. Use Iowa Department of Education guidance and official DLM materials for current policies, participation information, accessibility supports, and administration procedures.

How should students use these practice sets?

Work through one short set at a time, read or listen to each prompt, use the information provided, choose the best response, and review the explanation. Teachers and support teams should adapt the presentation to the student's communication and accessibility needs.