3rd Grade STAAR Math Reference Sheet & Study Guide
Complete formula guide, unit conversions, perimeter rules, and official TEA ruler policies for Texas 3rd Grade STAAR Mathematics.
Ruler & Tool Guidelines for Texas 3rd Graders
The Texas Education Agency provides students with an official customary ruler (12 inches) and metric ruler (30 cm) during the test. Handheld calculators are not permitted. While 3rd graders are not given an official printed formula sheet on test day, mastering the perimeter equations, measurement unit equivalents, and time conversions below is essential for solving TEKS 3.6 and 3.7 questions.
Perimeter & Area Foundations (TEKS 3.6C, 3.7B)
Perimeter measures the distance around the outer boundary, while area measures square unit tiles covering a flat surface.
| Measurement Concept | Mathematical Formula | Explanation & Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Perimeter of a Rectangle | P = 2l + 2w or P = side + side + side + side | Double the length plus double the width, or add all four outer edges together. |
| Perimeter of a Square | P = 4s | Since all 4 sides of a square are identical, multiply the single side length by 4. |
| Area of a Rectangle / Square | Area = length × width (A = l × w) | Count or multiply the number of unit square rows by the number of columns. |
Measurement Unit Equivalents (TEKS 3.7D, 3.7E)
Key Texas conversion rules for length, capacity, mass, and weight used in 3rd-grade word problems.
Customary Measurement Units
- 1 foot (ft) = 12 inches (in.)
- 1 yard (yd) = 3 feet (ft) = 36 inches (in.)
- 1 mile (mi) = 1,760 yards (yd) = 5,280 feet (ft)
- 1 pound (lb) = 16 ounces (oz)
- 1 ton (T) = 2,000 pounds (lb)
- 1 gallon (gal) = 4 quarts (qt) = 8 pints (pt) = 16 cups (c)
- 1 quart (qt) = 2 pints (pt)
- 1 pint (pt) = 2 cups (c)
- 1 cup (c) = 8 fluid ounces (fl oz)
Metric Measurement Units
- 1 kilometer (km) = 1,000 meters (m)
- 1 meter (m) = 100 centimeters (cm) = 1,000 millimeters (mm)
- 1 centimeter (cm) = 10 millimeters (mm)
- 1 kilogram (kg) = 1,000 grams (g)
- 1 gram (g) = 1,000 milligrams (mg)
- 1 liter (L) = 1,000 milliliters (mL)
Time Conversions (TEKS 3.7C)
- 1 year = 12 months = 52 weeks = 365 days
- 1 week = 7 days • 1 day = 24 hours
- 1 hour = 60 minutes • 1 minute = 60 seconds
Test Your Skills with 3rd Grade STAAR Math Practice
Apply these formulas and measurement rules to authentic Texas TEKS practice questions with immediate rationales and scoring.
3rd Grade STAAR Math Reference Sheet FAQs
Common questions about reference materials, ruler tools, and conversion charts for Texas 3rd graders.
Does the Texas Education Agency provide an official formula chart for 3rd Grade STAAR Math?
Unlike Grades 4 through 8, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) does not provide a separate multi-page formula chart for 3rd-grade students during the official STAAR exam. Instead, 3rd graders are provided with an official 1-foot customary ruler and a 30-centimeter metric ruler (both in print and embedded digitally within the Cambium testing interface). Students are expected to understand that perimeter is calculated by adding all outer side lengths together without needing a printed formula.
What measurement conversions should 3rd grade students memorize for the STAAR test?
Third graders should know basic customary and metric unit relationships, including length (1 foot = 12 inches, 1 yard = 3 feet, 1 meter = 100 centimeters), time (1 hour = 60 minutes, 1 day = 24 hours, 1 week = 7 days, 1 year = 12 months = 52 weeks = 365 days), and liquid volume (1 gallon = 4 quarts, 1 quart = 2 pints, 1 pint = 2 cups, 1 cup = 8 fluid ounces).
Can 3rd grade students use a calculator on the STAAR Math test?
No. General education 3rd-grade students are not permitted to use calculators on the STAAR Mathematics assessment. The exam evaluates foundational computational fluency—including multi-digit addition and subtraction within 1,000, and multiplication/division facts up to 10 × 10. Calculators are only allowed for students with documented IEP or Section 504 accommodation plans.
How should 3rd graders practice using the STAAR math ruler?
Students should practice measuring objects to the nearest half-inch, fourth-inch, and whole centimeter. On the computer-based test, students should practice rotating the digital on-screen ruler, aligning the zero mark precisely with the starting edge of the line segment, and counting units carefully.