NWEA MAP Test: Practice Test Guide and Tips
Jul 19, 2024Children will undertake a range of assessments throughout their school lives. One of the most commonly used methods is NWEA MAP Testing.
Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) developed MAP tests in 2000 as a form of standardized testing that could be used to continuously evaluate a student's progress.
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What Is the NWEA MAP Test?
The NWEA MAP Test is a computerized, multiple-choice assessment designed to provide teaching staff with a continuous assessment of how well students are learning.
Tests are typically administered three times a year, enabling teachers to easily see how well a child is progressing, any issues that may arise, and whether a child is performing better than expected.
By regularly testing students and identifying those exceeding expectations or falling behind, it is easier to put appropriate support into place.
In some cases, this may mean learning support. In others, it could be that a child is a good candidate for gifted and talented programs.
Which Subjects Are Covered in the NWEA MAP Test?
The exact test your child will take is likely to vary depending on grade, but assessments can cover four typical areas:
- Reading
- Math
- Language usage
- Science
Reading
Typically, a reading test will aim to assess a student's ability to read and comprehend language. This can include vocabulary tests, the ability to identify synonyms and antonyms, and questions related to comprehension skills.
As your child progresses through school, the type of questions they will encounter will vary. For example, a kindergarten student may be asked questions related to their understanding of phonics.
In comparison, if your child is in 8th grade they may be asked to identify a synonym from a range of options.
MAP Practice Test Example Question – Reading
Example Question 1: (Kindergarten Level)
Which word rhymes with 'cat'?
a) Dog
b) Hat
c) Bird
d) Fish
The correct answer is: b) Hat
The word 'hat' rhymes with 'cat' because they have the same ending sound. The other words do not have the same ending sound as 'cat'.
Example Question 2: (3rd Grade Level)
What is the main idea of this passage?
'The forest was quiet. Birds sang softly, and the leaves rustled in the gentle breeze. Suddenly, a deer appeared, cautiously stepping out from behind a tree. It looked around, then began to graze on the lush grass.'
a) A deer ran through the forest.
b) The forest is a noisy place.
c) A deer found food in the quiet forest.
d) The birds were flying.
The correct answer is: c) A deer found food in the quiet forest.
The passage describes a quiet forest setting where a deer cautiously steps out to graze on the grass, indicating that the main idea is about the deer finding food in the quiet forest.
Example Question 3: (8th Grade Level)
What does the word 'melancholy' mean in this sentence?
'As the sun set, a feeling of melancholy swept over the village, as the residents remembered the joyful times that had passed.'
a) Happiness
b) Sadness
c) Anger
d) Excitement
The correct answer is: b) Sadness
The word 'melancholy' means a feeling of sadness or sorrow. In the context of the sentence, it describes the villagers' sad emotions as they remember past joyful times.
Math
NWEA MAP math assessments cover a wide range of topics and principles learned by students throughout their education. Tests can cover everything from basic addition and subtraction to complex algebra and geometry, with questions on subjects like percentages and statistics also possible.
The tests are created and tailored for each grade. This means that the level of questions your child will be asked will vary depending on age.
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MAP Practice Test Example Question – Math
Example Question 1: (Kindergarten Level)
How many circles are there in the picture?
a) 2
b) 3
c) 4
d) 5
The correct answer is: c) 4
The picture shows 4 circles. Counting the circles confirms that there are exactly 4.
Example Question 2: (3rd Grade Level)
What is the sum of 25 and 37?
a) 52
b) 62
c) 64
d) 72
c) 62
Explanation: Adding the two numbers, 25 + 37, gives a sum of 62.
Example Question 3: (8th Grade Level)
Solve for x in the equation: 3x – 7 = 11
a) 2
b) 4
c) 6
d) 8
The correct answer is: b) 6
To solve for x, first add 7 to both sides of the equation: 3x – 7 + 7 = 11 + 7, which simplifies to 3x = 18. Then, divide both sides by 3: 3x / 3 = 18 / 3, which simplifies to x = 6.
Language Usage
This form of testing is generally not used for children below the 2nd grade level. It aims to assess areas such as vocabulary and grammar.
Students taking the language usage MAP test will usually be asked to write an essay at the end of their assessment. This is designed to provide further assessment of their skills and understanding.
For younger children, the essay section is likely to only be a few sentences, with increasing length and difficulty as students get older.
MAP Practice Test Example Question – Language Usage
Example Question 1: (Kindergarten Level)
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.
'The cat is ______ the table.'
a) in
b) under
c) on
d) over
The correct answer is: b) under
The sentence makes the most sense when 'under' is used, as it correctly describes the cat's position relative to the table. The other options do not fit the context as well.
Example Question 2: (3rd Grade Level)
Which sentence is written correctly?
a) the boy went to school.
b) The Boy Went to school.
c) The boy went to school.
d) the Boy went to School.
The correct answer is: c) The boy went to school.
The correct sentence starts with a capital letter and uses lowercase for the rest of the words, following proper capitalization rules.
Example Question 3: (8th Grade Level)
Which sentence uses the correct form of the word 'their'?
a) Their going to the park after school.
b) They're going to the park after school.
c) There going to the park after school.
d) Their going to the park after school.
The correct answer is: b) They're going to the park after school.
The correct sentence uses 'they're', which is a contraction of 'they are', making the sentence read 'They are going to the park after school.' The other options misuse the forms of 'their', 'there', and 'they're'.
Science
Not all students will take a science MAP test. Those who do will be asked to answer questions relating to a range of subjects, including physical sciences, earth and space sciences, life sciences, and scientific enquiry.
MAP Practice Test Example Question – Science
Example Question 1: (Kindergarten Level)
Which of these objects is living?
a) Rock
b) Tree
c) Car
d) Book
The correct answer is: b) Tree
A tree is a living organism because it grows, needs water, and sunlight to survive. The other objects (rock, car, book) are non-living and do not exhibit the characteristics of living things.
Example Question 2: (3rd Grade Level)
What do plants need to make their own food?
a) Soil, water, and sunlight
b) Rocks, air, and darkness
c) Sand, heat, and wind
d) Snow, ice, and rain
The correct answer is: a) Soil, water, and sunlight
Plants need soil to anchor their roots, water to transport nutrients, and sunlight to perform photosynthesis, which is the process of making their own food. The other options do not provide the necessary elements for photosynthesis.
Example Question 3: (8th Grade Level)
What is the chemical formula for water?
a) H2O
b) CO2
c) NaCl
d) O2
The correct answer is: a) H2O
The chemical formula for water is H2O, which means it is composed of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. CO2 is the formula for carbon dioxide, NaCl is the formula for table salt (sodium chloride), and O2 is the formula for oxygen gas.
How Is the NWEA MAP Test Administered?
NWEA MAP Tests are adaptive, multiple-choice, computerized assessments. This means that the test responds to a child’s answers. If they answer a question incorrectly, then the next one will be easier. Likewise, if they answer correctly, subsequent questions will get progressively more difficult.
To make NWEA MAP testing as accessible as possible, tests are also available in both English and Spanish, as well as braille and coloured background options.
Your child will usually take NWEA MAP assessments within their usual classroom setting. Tests are administered by teaching staff, so your child will be familiar with the location and adults supervising their assessment.
The exact number of questions on an assessment will vary depending on the age of your child, although there will typically be between 40 and 43 questions per test. No matter how old your child is, NWEA MAP tests are not timed. On average, a child will complete an assessment in 40 to 60 minutes.
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NWEA MAP Test Scoring and Results
How Is the Test Scored?
Once your child has completed their NWEA MAP assessment, the results should be available within 48 hours. In most cases, results are processed immediately.
Scores are calculated using the RIT scale. RIT scores show a progression throughout a child’s academic career, enabling teachers to measure progress from one assessment to another. This makes the process of identifying whether a student is staying on track, falling behind, or progressing faster than expected much easier.
The RIT scores are tracked throughout a child’s education using a graph that shows previous performance as well as their current result. There will also be a dotted line indicating expected future progress.
These RIT scores can also be converted into a percentile to show where a child is performing in relation to their peers.
Understanding Your Child’s Results
It can be difficult to decode the RIT scores, so many parents will focus instead on the percentile factors. A percentile score of 50 indicates a child who is performing exactly where they should be for their age.
Those who achieved a percentile score below 31 are likely to be flagged for additional support, as it is likely there are areas that they have failed to fully understand.
Conversely, students scoring above 69 could potentially be recommended for gifted and talented programs. This will vary depending on the requirements of an individual school.
The results of your child’s MAP tests can be very useful for parents in terms of identifying any areas that might need to be worked on.
For example, if your child scores very well in their English assessments, but less well in their math tests, it would be beneficial to focus on building these skills at home as well as at school.
How to Prepare Your Child for NWEA MAP Testing
As a parent, it’s natural that you’ll want to support your child or young person as they approach any assessment.
There are several things you can do, including taking a NWEA practice test, that will make their attitude towards testing better and could potentially help them to achieve their best possible results.
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Home Preparation Strategies
- Talk about the tests – If your child is feeling anxious about taking NWEA MAP tests, talking about it can help. Speaking to them about what to expect, how the test is likely to look and where it will be are all things that can reassure them. Some children feel that if they don’t do well on a test it means they’re not clever. Reiterate to them that the test assesses their progress, it’s not a judgment on whether they’re smart or not.
- Read together – One of the simplest things a parent can do to improve English skills and understanding is to read with their child. It only takes 10 minutes every night, but the benefits can be enormous.
- Play games – Numerical games involving dice and playing cards are an excellent way of boosting math skills. Games like Monopoly have the added bonus of addition, subtraction, and multiplication when your child needs to calculate the rent for a property or how much they need to pay in tax.
- Sleep – Making sure your child gets enough sleep ahead of an assessment is key in ensuring that they are able to perform to the best of their ability. Sleep affects recall and concentration.
MAP Practice Tests and Resources
There are a number of websites offering sample NWEA practice test questions like the ones included in this article, check out the ones on TestPrep-Online.
Many will provide a range of sample NWEA MAP practice test questions so that you can see all of the different ways questions can be asked. These can help to familiarize your child with what to expect during the test.
Alternatively, taking NWEA practice tests can make the whole process a lot less stressful. Practice tests will get your child used to the idea of being assessed and the processes involved.
Many NWEA MAP practice tests will also provide you with practice scores. These can be useful when it comes to identifying any areas that might need improvement. You can then focus on these specific areas ahead of the real assessments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is MAP testing?
MAP testing is an adaptive assessment that measures students' academic progress and growth in subjects like math and reading.
What does MAP stand for?
MAP stands for Measures of Academic Progress.
What is MAP testing for 1st grade?
MAP testing for 1st grade assesses students' reading and math skills, providing insight into their academic progress and growth.
What is MAP testing for 4th grade?
MAP testing for 4th grade evaluates students' proficiency and growth in math, reading, and language usage.
What is MAP testing for 2nd grade?
MAP testing for 2nd grade measures students' progress in reading and math, helping to guide instruction and identify learning needs.
What do MAP test results mean?
MAP test results show a student's academic performance relative to peers, identifying strengths and areas needing improvement.
What is the MAP Growth Assessment?
The MAP Growth Assessment is an adaptive test that measures student progress and growth in various academic subjects over time.
Are NWEA and MAP the same?
No. NWEA stands for Northwest Evaluation Association. This is the name of the company that created and maintains MAP tests.
How do you explain MAP testing to parents?
MAP testing is a regularly applied standardized assessment that is used by teachers as a tool to gauge growth and learning. Educators can quickly and easily see any areas where an individual child may be struggling, as well as identify those who may benefit from gifted and talented programs.
Prepare for the Map Test with our partner TestPrep-Online!
Final Thoughts
Assessments can often cause anxiety in parents and children alike, but they’re an important resource when it comes to educators knowing how well pupils are progressing.
Accurate, regular testing means that students who need additional support can receive interventions early, and those more able can be entered into gifted and talented programs.
Taking the time to educate yourself and your child about the purpose of NWEA MAP testing can help them to feel more relaxed and able to perform to the best of their ability.
