D691 Elementary Mathematics Methods Study Guide Based
ON PRE Assessment ACTUAL SAMPLE 2026 Western
Governors University
D691 Study Guide
1. Which statement is a process standard?
• Develop fluency with basic number combinations for addition and subtraction
• Understand the effects of adding and subtracting whole numbers
• Describe attributes and parts of two- and three-dimensional shapes
• Apply and adapt a variety of appropriate strategies to solve problems
Correct Answer: Apply and adapt a variety of appropriate strategies to solve problems
Why: A process standard focuses on how students think and solve problems, not just the math content itself.
Keywords that usually signal a process standard: solve problems, reasoning, communication, strategies,
connections. The other answers are content skills students learn. This answer focuses on the process of
mathematical thinking.
Memory Tip: If the answer talks about thinking, reasoning, explaining, or strategies, it is usually a process
standard.
, 2. Which statement is a content standard?
• Communicate strategies coherently and clearly to peers, teachers, and others
• Create and use representations to organize, record, and communicate ideas
• Use representations to model and interpret physical, social, and quantitative phenomena
• Sort and classify objects according to their attributes and organize data about the objects
Correct Answer: Sort and classify objects according to their attributes and organize data about the objects
Why: A content standard tells what math skill students should learn. This answer is a specific math skill involving
sorting, classifying, and organizing data. The other choices focus more on communication, modeling, and
representation, which are process skills.
Memory Tip: Content standards = the actual math topic or skill.
3. Which strategy should a teacher use to implement the strands of mathematics proficiency when
designing a lesson?
• Offering students freedom in decision-making for projects
• Allowing students to teach learned concepts to other students
• Giving opportunities to demonstrate understanding with assessments
• Encouraging justification for thinking and making logical connections
Correct Answer: Encouraging justification for thinking and making logical connections
Why: Mathematics proficiency includes reasoning, problem solving, conceptual understanding, and logical
thinking. Students become mathematically proficient when they explain why something works and connect
ideas together.
Memory Tip: Words like justify, reason, and connections usually point to mathematical proficiency.
ON PRE Assessment ACTUAL SAMPLE 2026 Western
Governors University
D691 Study Guide
1. Which statement is a process standard?
• Develop fluency with basic number combinations for addition and subtraction
• Understand the effects of adding and subtracting whole numbers
• Describe attributes and parts of two- and three-dimensional shapes
• Apply and adapt a variety of appropriate strategies to solve problems
Correct Answer: Apply and adapt a variety of appropriate strategies to solve problems
Why: A process standard focuses on how students think and solve problems, not just the math content itself.
Keywords that usually signal a process standard: solve problems, reasoning, communication, strategies,
connections. The other answers are content skills students learn. This answer focuses on the process of
mathematical thinking.
Memory Tip: If the answer talks about thinking, reasoning, explaining, or strategies, it is usually a process
standard.
, 2. Which statement is a content standard?
• Communicate strategies coherently and clearly to peers, teachers, and others
• Create and use representations to organize, record, and communicate ideas
• Use representations to model and interpret physical, social, and quantitative phenomena
• Sort and classify objects according to their attributes and organize data about the objects
Correct Answer: Sort and classify objects according to their attributes and organize data about the objects
Why: A content standard tells what math skill students should learn. This answer is a specific math skill involving
sorting, classifying, and organizing data. The other choices focus more on communication, modeling, and
representation, which are process skills.
Memory Tip: Content standards = the actual math topic or skill.
3. Which strategy should a teacher use to implement the strands of mathematics proficiency when
designing a lesson?
• Offering students freedom in decision-making for projects
• Allowing students to teach learned concepts to other students
• Giving opportunities to demonstrate understanding with assessments
• Encouraging justification for thinking and making logical connections
Correct Answer: Encouraging justification for thinking and making logical connections
Why: Mathematics proficiency includes reasoning, problem solving, conceptual understanding, and logical
thinking. Students become mathematically proficient when they explain why something works and connect
ideas together.
Memory Tip: Words like justify, reason, and connections usually point to mathematical proficiency.
