AIMS Writing Test
The AIMS Writing Test requires you to write an essay and answer multiple choice questions. The essay is worth 60% of your score and the multiple choice questions are worth 40%. For the essay, you will receive a score between 1 and 6, with 1 the lowest score and 6 the highest score possible. A passing score is a 4. Be sure to click on the Scoring Rubric link below to see how your writing will be assessed. The multiple choice section measures your mastery of different aspects of the writing process including punctuation and other conventions.
Unlike reading and math, Pearson, the testing company for AIMS, has not prepared materials. However, we have found resources online to help you. You can click on each of the resources listed below to practice.
AIMS online writing practice test - This link will provide you with 9 multiple choice questions, a writing prompt, and writing samples. Scroll to the bottom and click on the link for the high school writing test.
AIMS writing practice test for printing - Download the AIMS writing practice test here.
AIMS 6 point Holistic writing rubric - Download the Writing Rubric Here.
Online Practice Tests for conventions, sentence structure, and much, more more - This link will let you practice using quizzes and other online activities for the AIMS writing test. Scroll down about half way and START with Punctuation and Basic Mechanics. Then look at Stylistic Considerations and practice combining sentences.
Practice Writing Paragraphs and more: This website will help you develop your paragraphs and much more. Click on Start Writing Now. You can work on the first option of everything on the site for free.
Types of Essays - For the AIMS writing test, you will most likely be asked to write a persuasive essay - an essay in which you try to persuade a reader. Sometimes, however, it can be an expository essay - an essay in which you describe something. At this link, you will see many, many links to help you. Scroll down and first work on the persuasive essay links. Then, make sure you also look at the expository. Click through the different links. If you aren't learning on one link, just pick another!
Transitions - You need to use transitions effectively. On this website you can see a list of transitions such as moreover, further, and others. Experiment writing sentences using transitions.
Practice Using Transitions - Try this activity. Match the transition with the sentence.
Identifying the Main Idea and Supporting Details - For the multiple choice test, you will need to be able to identify the main idea and supporting details in a text. This website will help you practice that skill. Just enter your name and take the quiz.
Practice Writing Paragraphs - The difference between a score of 3 and higher scores is often determined by how well you write a paragraph. This website will help you write a well-written paragraph.
How to Write a Thesis Statement - Your essay should include a thesis statement. Usually it is the last sentence in the first paragraph. This site will help you learn to write good thesis statements.
Sentence Types - This link will help you learn about sentence structure.
Combining Sentences - This link will help you learn how to combine sentences.
Different parts of a sentence - This link will help you learn about the different parts of a sentence.
Write varied sentences - Many students use the same type of sentences in their writing with little variation. This site will show you different types of sentences that you can use in your writing and different ways to start sentences. Click on this link and learn some new ways to write your sentences. Click on next resource at the bottom of the page to learn new sentence structures.
Practice, Practice, Practice - This link has many resources to help you. Originally designed for English Language Learners, it has links that everyone can use. Look around all the levels from beginner to advanced. You will find many helpful activities.
Online Writing Assistant - This link will help you with the writing process itself. From pre-writing to forming effective paragraphs, this website can help.
Vague vs. Specific Language - Many students use vague language in their sentences such as "Many tools are required to build a house," rather than writing, "Hammers, levels, and drills are just a few of the tools a carpenter needs to build a dwelling, such as a home." This website helps you move from vague to specific language through three exercises.
Unlike reading and math, Pearson, the testing company for AIMS, has not prepared materials. However, we have found resources online to help you. You can click on each of the resources listed below to practice.
AIMS online writing practice test - This link will provide you with 9 multiple choice questions, a writing prompt, and writing samples. Scroll to the bottom and click on the link for the high school writing test.
AIMS writing practice test for printing - Download the AIMS writing practice test here.
AIMS 6 point Holistic writing rubric - Download the Writing Rubric Here.
Online Practice Tests for conventions, sentence structure, and much, more more - This link will let you practice using quizzes and other online activities for the AIMS writing test. Scroll down about half way and START with Punctuation and Basic Mechanics. Then look at Stylistic Considerations and practice combining sentences.
Practice Writing Paragraphs and more: This website will help you develop your paragraphs and much more. Click on Start Writing Now. You can work on the first option of everything on the site for free.
Types of Essays - For the AIMS writing test, you will most likely be asked to write a persuasive essay - an essay in which you try to persuade a reader. Sometimes, however, it can be an expository essay - an essay in which you describe something. At this link, you will see many, many links to help you. Scroll down and first work on the persuasive essay links. Then, make sure you also look at the expository. Click through the different links. If you aren't learning on one link, just pick another!
Transitions - You need to use transitions effectively. On this website you can see a list of transitions such as moreover, further, and others. Experiment writing sentences using transitions.
Practice Using Transitions - Try this activity. Match the transition with the sentence.
Identifying the Main Idea and Supporting Details - For the multiple choice test, you will need to be able to identify the main idea and supporting details in a text. This website will help you practice that skill. Just enter your name and take the quiz.
Practice Writing Paragraphs - The difference between a score of 3 and higher scores is often determined by how well you write a paragraph. This website will help you write a well-written paragraph.
How to Write a Thesis Statement - Your essay should include a thesis statement. Usually it is the last sentence in the first paragraph. This site will help you learn to write good thesis statements.
Sentence Types - This link will help you learn about sentence structure.
Combining Sentences - This link will help you learn how to combine sentences.
Different parts of a sentence - This link will help you learn about the different parts of a sentence.
Write varied sentences - Many students use the same type of sentences in their writing with little variation. This site will show you different types of sentences that you can use in your writing and different ways to start sentences. Click on this link and learn some new ways to write your sentences. Click on next resource at the bottom of the page to learn new sentence structures.
Practice, Practice, Practice - This link has many resources to help you. Originally designed for English Language Learners, it has links that everyone can use. Look around all the levels from beginner to advanced. You will find many helpful activities.
Online Writing Assistant - This link will help you with the writing process itself. From pre-writing to forming effective paragraphs, this website can help.
Vague vs. Specific Language - Many students use vague language in their sentences such as "Many tools are required to build a house," rather than writing, "Hammers, levels, and drills are just a few of the tools a carpenter needs to build a dwelling, such as a home." This website helps you move from vague to specific language through three exercises.