100+ Free PSSA Grade 3 ELA Practice Questions
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Key Facts: PSSA Grade 3 ELA Exam
100
Practice Questions
OpenExamPrep Bank
Grade 3
Target Level
PDE Standards
Untimed
Test Duration
PDE Administration Policy
$0
Exam Fee
PA Public Schools
4
Reporting Categories
PDE Core ELA Blueprint
PA Core
Standard Alignment
PDE Standards Aligned System
The PSSA Grade 3 English Language Arts assessment is administered annually by PDE to Grade 3 students in Pennsylvania. It covers four major reporting categories: Reading Literature (30%), Reading Informational (30%), Language Conventions (20%), and Writing Revision (20%). Scoring places students into Advanced, Proficient, Basic, or Below Basic performance levels. This practice bank provides 100 verified practice questions with passage-based comprehension, language mechanics, and writing revision items.
Sample PSSA Grade 3 ELA Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your PSSA Grade 3 ELA exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Read the story below and answer the question. The Squirrel and the Acorn Cup Sammy the squirrel gathered acorns every autumn in Pine Tree Park. One crisp October morning, Sammy found a golden acorn cup hidden under a big oak leaf. His friend Maya the chipmunk looked at the shiny cup with wide eyes. "That is the prettiest cup in the forest!" Maya said. Sammy wanted to keep it all to himself in his hollow log. But when he saw Maya shivering in the chilly wind, he filled the cup with warm berry tea and handed it to her. Maya smiled brightly and shared her toasted seeds with Sammy. From that day on, Sammy realized that sharing made his treasure even more special. What is the central message or lesson of the story?
2Read the story below and answer the question. The Squirrel and the Acorn Cup Sammy the squirrel gathered acorns every autumn in Pine Tree Park. One crisp October morning, Sammy found a golden acorn cup hidden under a big oak leaf. His friend Maya the chipmunk looked at the shiny cup with wide eyes. "That is the prettiest cup in the forest!" Maya said. Sammy wanted to keep it all to himself in his hollow log. But when he saw Maya shivering in the chilly wind, he filled the cup with warm berry tea and handed it to her. Maya smiled brightly and shared her toasted seeds with Sammy. From that day on, Sammy realized that sharing made his treasure even more special. Which character trait BEST describes Sammy when he sees Maya shivering in the cold?
3Read the sentence from the story. "Sammy wanted to keep it all to himself in his hollow log." Which word has a meaning MOST SIMILAR to 'keep' as it is used in the sentence?
4Read the story 'The Squirrel and the Acorn Cup.' Where did Sammy find the golden acorn cup?
5In 'The Squirrel and the Acorn Cup,' how does Maya react after Sammy gives her the warm tea?
6Who is telling the story 'The Squirrel and the Acorn Cup'?
7Read the story below and answer the question. Leo's Wooden Kite Leo wanted to build a kite for the annual Spring Wind Festival in Lancaster. Instead of paper, Leo decided to make his kite out of light balsa wood strips and thin red silk. "Wood is too heavy, Leo," his older sister Nora warned. "It will never catch the breeze." Leo spent three afternoons carving the wood and glueing the frame together. On the day of the festival, a strong gust swept across the open meadow. Leo ran down the grassy hill, holding the line tight. His red kite dipped once, caught the wind, and soared high above the treetops like a bright red cardinal! Nora cheered louder than anyone in the crowd. What is the main problem Leo faces in the story?
8In 'Leo's Wooden Kite,' why does Leo spend three afternoons carving and glueing wood?
9Read the sentence from 'Leo's Wooden Kite.' "His red kite dipped once, caught the wind, and soared high above the treetops like a bright red cardinal!" What does the simile 'soared high above the treetops like a bright red cardinal' help the reader understand?
10Read the sentence from 'Leo's Wooden Kite.' "On the day of the festival, a strong gust swept across the open meadow." What is the meaning of the word 'gust' in this sentence?
About the PSSA Grade 3 ELA Exam
The Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) Grade 3 English Language Arts exam measures Grade 3 student achievement on the Pennsylvania Core Standards for ELA. The test assesses reading comprehension of literary and informational texts, knowledge of language conventions and grammar, and writing revision and editing skills.
Assessment
Multiple-choice items across Reading Literature (30%), Reading Informational (30%), Language Conventions (20%), and Writing Revision (20%)
Time Limit
Untimed; PDE's test design plans three sections with estimated testing times of 50-60, 35, and 50-60 minutes. Delivered online only beginning with the Spring 2026 administration.
Passing Score
Proficient or Advanced performance level
Exam Fee
No fee to public school students (Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE))
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Exam Content Outline
Reading Literature
30 questions assessing comprehension, character analysis, central message, vocabulary in context, and text evidence in fiction and poetry.
Reading Informational
30 questions evaluating main idea, supporting details, text structure, text features, cause and effect, and author's purpose in non-fiction.
Language Conventions
20 questions measuring Grade 3 grammar, subject-verb agreement, pronoun usage, capitalization, punctuation, and spelling.
Writing Revision
20 questions focusing on revising student drafts, combining sentences, choosing effective transitions, paragraph structure, and word choice.
How to Pass the PSSA Grade 3 ELA Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: Proficient or Advanced performance level
- Assessment: Multiple-choice items across Reading Literature (30%), Reading Informational (30%), Language Conventions (20%), and Writing Revision (20%)
- Time limit: Untimed; PDE's test design plans three sections with estimated testing times of 50-60, 35, and 50-60 minutes. Delivered online only beginning with the Spring 2026 administration.
- Exam fee: No fee to public school students
Keys to Passing
- Work through all 100 available questions
- Review every answer and explanation
- Track weak areas and revisit them
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the PSSA Grade 3 ELA assessment?
The PSSA Grade 3 ELA assessment is Pennsylvania's statewide standardized test designed to measure 3rd graders' proficiency in English Language Arts based on the Pennsylvania Core Standards.
What areas are tested on the PSSA Grade 3 ELA test?
The test evaluates four main reporting categories: Reading Literature (30%), Reading Informational (30%), Language Conventions (20%), and Writing Revision (20%).
How long is the PSSA Grade 3 ELA test?
PSSA assessments in Pennsylvania are untimed to allow every student sufficient time to complete all test items. Testing is typically divided into separate sessions over multiple days.
How are PSSA Grade 3 ELA scores reported?
Student results are reported in four performance levels: Advanced, Proficient, Basic, and Below Basic. Proficient and Advanced reflect mastery of grade-level PA Core Standards.
How should Grade 3 students prepare for the PSSA ELA test?
Students should practice close reading of varied fiction and non-fiction texts, answer passage-based questions requiring text evidence, review grade-level grammar rules, and practice editing short paragraphs.