MSTAR Practice Worksheet

Lesson 6-3: Explore Numerical Expressions with Exponents

Grade 6 Mathematics · Standard 6.AT.5

Name: Date:

These are MSTAR-style questions written for this curriculum to rehearse the format. They are not official Maryland assessment items. MSTAR — Maryland's new state test, first given in spring 2027 — uses the same kinds of questions you see here: selected response, select-all, two-part evidence questions, and written responses.

Part A — Skills Check

Warm up with the lesson's core skills — one best answer each.

Question 1Selected response · 1 point

What is the value of 4³?

Question 2Selected response · 1 point

What is the value of 6²?

Question 3Selected response · 1 point

Which expression shows 5³ as repeated multiplication?

A3 × 3 × 3 × 3 × 3
B5 × 5 × 5
C5 × 3
D5 + 5 + 5

Question 4Selected response · 1 point

Evaluate: 3 × (4 + 2)²

A36
B54
C108
D144

Question 5Selected response · 1 point

The drum loop plays 3⁴ beats. What is the value of 3⁴?

Question 6Selected response · 1 point

A synth pattern repeats 7 × 7 × 7. How do you write that as a power?

A3⁷
B7³
C7 × 3
D21³

Part B — Test-Format Questions

These match the state test's formats: two-part questions, select-all, and written responses.

Question 7Two-part question

Part A

Which value is equal to the power 3⁴?

Fill in the bubble next to the one best answer.

Part B

Answer Part A before Part B — Part B asks about your reasoning.

Which reasoning shows why your answer to Part A is correct?

AMultiply the base by the exponent: 3 × 4 = 12.
BAdd the base and the exponent: 3 + 4 = 7.
CThe exponent 4 tells how many times to use the base 3 as a factor: 3 × 3 × 3 × 3 = 81.
DUse the exponent as the base and the base as the exponent: 4 × 4 × 4 = 64.

Question 8Select all that apply

Select ALL statements that are true about the power 2⁵.

Mark the box next to EVERY answer that is true. More than one is correct.

AThe base is 2.
BThe exponent is 5.
CIt means 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2.
DIts value is 10.
EIts value is 32.
FIt means 5 × 5.

Part C — Show Your Thinking

Answer in writing, the way the state test's constructed responses work.

Question 9Written response · 2 points

A new song from the studio is shared online, and the number of shares doubles every hour. Starting with 1 share, write a power expression for the number of shares after 6 hours. Explain why exponential growth is so much faster than adding the same number each hour.

Write your answer in complete sentences. Show or explain your mathematical thinking.