Testing Information

Testing is used in schools to measure student achievement. State tests are given to students in a district once a year, based on their grade level and subject area.  The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA) are given in math, reading and science. Classroom tests are given by individual teachers on a more regular basis and include quizzes, mid-terms, chapter tests and final exams, among others.  Both types of tests give educators an idea of how well their students are learning the concepts presented to them in the classroom.

Title I Assessments
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 (grades 3-8, 10) or MCA-Modified (grades 5-8,10) or  MTAS (grades 3-8, 10)
Mathematics:  MCA (grades 3-8, 11) or MCA-Modified (grades 5-8, 11) or MTAS (grades 3-8, 11)
Science:  MCA or MTAS (grades 5, 8 and high school)

Diploma Assessments
The Graduation-Required Assessments for Diploma (GRAD) are the state tests that fulfill Minnesota's high school graduation requirement for students who entered eighth grade in 2005-06 or later. These tests measure essential skills in Writing, Reading and Mathematics for success in the 21st century. If a student does not pass the first time, retests are available.

Students who do not pass the Mathematics GRAD are eligible to receive a high school diploma if they:
  1. Pass/complete all state and local coursework and credits required for graduation by their school board.
  2. Retest until they pass the mathematics GRAD or take at least two retests, whichever comes first.
  3. Participate in math remediation (tutoring) offered by the district.
To be eligible for a diploma from a Minnesota high school, students who entered grade 8 in 2004-05 or earlier must pass the Basic Skills Test (BST) in reading, mathematics and writing. Students who have not passed the BST by April 2012 (the last retest available) must pass the graduation assessment being taken by Minnesota students at that time.

State testing information (data) by district or school can be found using the Data Center link provided. Educators can use this testing information to adjust their instruction to increase how well their students retain what is being taught. 

Additional resources, including Item Samplers and Learning Point Navigator, are available on the Minnesota Assessments website.  Item Samplers are provided to help students and teachers become familiar with the format and type of content included in the MCAs. Learning Point Navigator can be used to access learning resources linked to student test results. A link to the Minnesota Assessments website is provided under Offsite related resources on this page.

The following documents are provided to help parents, caregivers and students learn more about testing in Minnesota schools. If you have additional questions about testing, please contact your school or District Assessment Coordinator.

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  • Copyright 2012
  • Minnesota Department of Education