Elementary, Middle School Students To Face Fewer Trick Questions On Standardized NY Exams

ALBANY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- New York state is turning a new page on standardized tests -- with one big change: fewer trick questions.

Starting next spring, redesigned tests designed by a new company will be offered to students in the third to eighth grades.

The New York Times reported Saturday that the state's $32 million, five-year contract with Pearson lays out some new rules for the exams.

Among them: Questions with "none of the above" or "all of the above" answers are banned.

Students also won't be asked to answer negative questions like, "Which of these things is not true?"

State Education Commissioner John King Jr. says the tests will give administrators a better read on students' academic ability.

The changes will be phased in gradually through 2013.

Do you agree with these changes? Sound off in our comments section below…

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