The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCAs) and alternate assessments (MCA-Modified and Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) are the state tests that help districts measure student progress toward Minnesota's academic standards and also meet the requirements of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Students take one test in each subject. Most students take the MCA, but students who receive special education services and meet eligibility requirements may take one of the alternate assessments instead. The list below gives the tests available for each subject, with grades given in parentheses behind each test.
Reading: MCA or MTAS (grades 3-8, 10)
Mathematics: MCA or MTAS (grades 3-8, 11)
Science: MCA or MTAS (grades 5, 8 and high school)
Results from these assessments will be disseminated via the Individual Student Reports (ISRs) during fall conferences.
TESTING SCHEDULE FOR THE CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) has published the Testing Schedule this school year. Specific testing schedules for each site can be viewed by clicking on the school below. Updates to these dates will be made as they occur.
Maintaining the integrity of tests and test items is of great importance to MDE. Improper or unethical behavior by students or educators undermines the validity of test score interpretation. Please report suspected incidents of cheating or piracy of test items by using the Minnesota Statewide Test Security Tip Line.
Parent/Guardian Guide and Refusal for Student Participation in Statewide Testing (PDF Form)
GRADUATION ASSESSMENTS (AS INDICATED BY MDE)
Districts have a number of requirements to fulfill for students’ career and college planning, but students are not required to achieve a specified score on an assessment in order to graduate or meet graduation assessment requirements.
Additional resources are available on the Minnesota Department of Education website.
DISTRICT ASSESSMENTS
Benchmark assessments serve three purposes:
Allow students to be screened to monitor their academic progress. Students below benchmark are identified for further assessment.
Help set a baseline for school goal setting purposes.
Provide data on school programming effectiveness.
GRADING & REPORT CARDS
TESTING OVERVIEW
FastBridge • Reading, Math
The purpose is to monitor student achievement in reading and math
Grades: K-12
Use of results:
Monitor academic progress
Provide data for goal setting
Provide data for program effectiveness
Timeline: Fall, winter, spring
Estimated test administration time: Approximately 45 minutes total for all tests per grade level per testing window
MCA (Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment)
The purpose is to monitor student achievement and curriculum in math, reading, and science
Grades: 3-8, 10, 11
Use of results:
Individual student achievement
Review for instruction and placement
School and district accountability for achievement
Timeline: Spring
Estimated test administration time: Reading: 2-3.5 hours, Math: 1.5-2.5 hours, Science: 1.75-2 hours
MTAS (Minnesota Test of Academic Skills)
This test is administered to students who receive special education services and meet eligibility criteria
Grades: 3-8, 10, 11
Use of results:
Individual student achievement
Review for instruction and placement
School and district accountability for achievement
Timeline: Spring, as scheduled
ACCESS (English Language Proficiency)
This test is administered to English learners in order to measure progress toward meeting Minnesota’s standards for English language development
Use of results:
Individual student achievement
Review for instruction and placement
School and district accountability for achievement
Timeline: Winter
Estimated test administration time: Listening/Reading: 75 minutes, Writing: 75 minutes, Speaking: 15 minutes
Alternate ACCESS
This test is administered to English learners who received special education services and meet the participation guidelines
Use of results:
Individual student achievement
Review for instruction and placement
School and district accountability for achievement
Timeline: Winter
Estimated test administration time: Variable, based on student need
NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress)
The purpose is an essential measurement of student achievement in the United States. It is the largest nationally representative and continuing assessment of what our nation's students know and can do in various subjects. The results of NAEP are released as the nation's report card.
Timeline: Wednesday, March 6, 2024
Estimated test administration times: Math and Reading: 2 hours each. Each student will be assessed in only one subject.
ACT (American College Testing)
The purpose is standardized college readiness assessment for high school achievement and college admissions.
Grades: 11, 12
Use of results:
College admission
Counseling students for college
When available, scores are posted online and accessed using your secure ACT web account.
Timeline: Spring
Estimated test administration times: As scheduled