5th Grade Numerical Expressions and Order of Operations Test Solutions and Scoring (PDF)

Use this answer key to grade the order of operations test. Each solution shows the steps and a scoring guide. Award partial credit as described. The total is 20 points. A score of 16 or more shows strong understanding of grouping symbols and the order of operations.
Grade 5 · Common Core State Standards: 5.OA.A.1, 5.OA.A.2
Question 1 – Evaluate two expressions [2 pts]
(a) \(6\times3=18\), then \(14+18=32\). 32
(b) \(14+6=20\), then \(20\times3=60\). 60
Scoring: 1 point for each correct value.
Question 2 – Left to right and brackets [2 pts]
(a) \(54\div9=6\), then \(6\times2=12\). 12
(b) \(10-7=3\), \(4+3=7\), then \(5\times7=35\). 35
Scoring: 1 point for each correct value.
Question 3 – Braces [2 pts]
\(2+2=4\); \(3\times4=12\); \(20-12=8\); \(8\div2=4\).
Answer: 4
Scoring: 1 point for correct grouping order (inside out), 1 point for the correct value.
Question 4 – Write the expression [2 pts]
(a) \((30-8)\times2\)
(b) \((12+9)\div7\)
Scoring: 1 point for each expression. Parentheses are required. Do not give credit for answers like \(30-8\times2\).
Question 5 – Greater or less [2 pts]
The first expression is 5 groups of \(87+142\), so it is 5 times as large. It is greater.
Scoring: 1 point for “greater”, 1 point for a correct explanation (5 times as large).
Question 6 – Insert parentheses [2 pts]
(a) \((3+4)\times5=7\times5=35\). \((3+4)\times5=35\)
(b) \(24\div(2+4)=24\div6=4\). \(24\div(2+4)=4\)
Scoring: 1 point for each correct placement.
Question 7 – Noah at the store [3 pts]
(a) \(4\times3+2\times2\)
(b) \(4\times3=12\) and \(2\times2=4\), so \(12+4=16\). Noah pays \(\$16\).
Scoring: (a) 1 point. (b) 1 point for both products, 1 point for the correct total with a dollar sign.
Question 8 – Little League snacks [3 pts]
(a) \((5\times8-4)\div9\)
(b) \(5\times8=40\); \(40-4=36\); \(36\div9=4\). Each player gets 4 oranges.
Scoring: (a) 1 point; parentheses around the first part are required. (b) 1 point for 36, 1 point for 4.
Question 9 – Mei's mistake [2 pts]
After the parentheses, Mei subtracted \(25-3\) before multiplying. Multiplication must come before subtraction.
Correct: \(3\times6=18\), then \(25-18=7\). The correct value is 7.
Scoring: 1 point for naming the mistake, 1 point for the correct value 7.
20 points
All Grade 5 chapters: Grade 5 math.
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