Further, use of the phrase “number sentence” adds nothing to the question. In fact, if a student was not taught to use that exact (non-mathematical) phrase, it becomes possible for the student to become unnecessarily confused about true nature of the question. I suspect there would be a correlation between correct responses to this question and the textbook used by the student (assuming the textbooks taught this particular concept). This greatly weakens the question’s validity.

I have no complaint about the nature of the question. Thinking of multiplication as repeated grouping of identical groups is fantastic conceptually. But pinning the results of this assessment on imprecise language is just not professional. I hope the actual CCLS exams do a better job of isolating mathematical thinking than this question suggests.