What is the MCAS?
The MCAS, the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System, is a series of standardized tests all public school students in the state of Massachusetts must take in grades 3-10.
Why Your Student Takes the MCAS Exam
The state of Massachusetts sets forth a list of benchmarks (standards) that a student must master by the end of the academic year. The MCAS are created in a manner that gauges a student’s knowledge of the subject material.
The MCAS are designed so that each student is tested equally on the knowledge they have attained by drawing from a pool of questions that are equal in difficulty.
The term “standardized” means that every student is tested the same exact way in terms of allotted time and question difficulty. Unlike assessments given in the classroom, the MCAS provides the same test to every student in the state under the same conditions. Essentially, the State aims to create an even playing field for all students.
Standardized tests like the MCAS differ from traditional classroom tests because the scores gathered from the test are used to compare students across the state on the subject material. Also, the MCAS has no direct impact on the letter grade that the student will receive on their report card.
The MCAS are designed so that each student is tested equally on the knowledge they have attained by drawing from a pool of questions that are equal in difficulty.
The term “standardized” means that every student is tested the same exact way in terms of allotted time and question difficulty. Unlike assessments given in the classroom, the MCAS provides the same test to every student in the state under the same conditions. Essentially, the State aims to create an even playing field for all students.
Standardized tests like the MCAS differ from traditional classroom tests because the scores gathered from the test are used to compare students across the state on the subject material. Also, the MCAS has no direct impact on the letter grade that the student will receive on their report card.
When Will Your Student Take the MCAS?
English/Language Arts exams are administered in late March.
Mathematics and Science/Technology exams are administered in early-mid May.
All score reports are mailed home to students in late summer/early fall.
Mathematics and Science/Technology exams are administered in early-mid May.
All score reports are mailed home to students in late summer/early fall.
How Are the Scores Used?
Standardized tests such as the MCAS are helpful because they track the progress of the student throughout school years so that their progression is easily observable and accessible.
Not only that, but the MCAS compares your student's test scores to the test scores of other students across the nation, state, and district in order to see how your student stacks up against the others in their grade.
Not only that, but the MCAS compares your student's test scores to the test scores of other students across the nation, state, and district in order to see how your student stacks up against the others in their grade.