MAP Growth Test Online Preparation & Tips – 2025

What Is the MAP Growth Test?

The Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Growth Test is an exam produced by the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) for students in grades K-12 to measure their academic progress. The test is computer-adaptive, meaning each student receives a unique testing experience. The student will receive questions based on their grade level, and the test gets progressively more challenging as they answer questions correctly. If they answer questions incorrectly, the questions get easier.

The test is given to students three times per year (Fall, Winter, Spring), so teachers can track individual student growth. Students will typically score higher in the Spring than in the Fall after a year of learning. Likewise, older students will have higher scores than younger students.

What Are the MAP Test Sections Per Grade?

The MAP Test has three main sections (Reading, Math, and Language Use). Depending on the child’s grade level, the student may take just the reading and math sections, or they will take all three tests. Additionally, some schools opt to have a Science section for older students.

The questions are a mixture of multiple-choice, drag-and-drop, and fill-in-the-blanks. The test is untimed, though most students only take an hour to complete it. However, it is essential to note that students may not return to a question once an answer is submitted. Therefore, they will want to ensure they check their answers before submitting them.

Reading

The MAP reading test section is present for all grade levels. It will assess different forms of writing, the student’s ability to analyze paragraphs, and their ability to correctly identify main ideas, themes, and concepts.

The reading exam section consists of 42 questions and is based on three main components:

Foundational Skills and Vocabulary

The foundational skills and vocabulary questions are related to word recognition, phonics, and word relationships. This will focus on the words and how they relate to each other in the text. These questions will range from identifying syllables to identifying appropriate synonyms and antonyms.

Informational Text

The informational text questions will allow students to demonstrate their comprehension abilities. They will be asked to read a few paragraphs and answer questions such as identifying the following:

• Main subject in the sentence
• Proper sequence of events
• Validity of a statement based on the text
• Structure of a passage and the purpose behind that structure

Literature

The literature section will also assess reading comprehension. However, these questions will focus on big ideas and purposes. For example, a student may need to identify the following:

• Characters and their motivations
• Author’s purpose in writing the passage
• Key elements within the plot

Math

The next section of the MAP test is Math. This section is also given to all students, grades K-12. On average the test has 52 questions, though that may vary slightly by student depending on how the test adapts to their particular abilities.

There are several areas that the MAP math test may cover, depending on grade level. In general, the math test follows the Common Core curriculum, so you can expect to encounter the following topic areas when appropriate for the grade level:

• Number sense
• Measurements
• Estimation and computation
• Algebra
• Geometry
• Statistics
• Probability
• Problem-solving
• Reasoning
• Proofs

Students in higher grades will have access to an on-screen calculator during the test. Students of all grades are also given paper and pencils should they need to work out problems by hand.

Language Use

The last main section is language use. This is given to all students in grades 2 through 11. On average, students will answer 52 questions during this section. The questions will cover several writing, style, and grammar topics. These include:

• Apply knowledge of pre-writing, drafting, revising, and editing
• Respond to correct writing usage
• Demonstrate an understanding of different composition forms, including poetry, expository, and personal narratives
• Demonstrate proper use of punctuation
• Show comprehension of word forms and tenses, phrases and clauses, accurate spelling, and sentence structure

Learn more about the MAP test language use section.

Science

Additionally, some schools will opt for students in grades 2 through 10 to take an optional general sciences section. This will cover age-appropriate topics such as life, space, Earth, and physical sciences. This test section consists of approximately 43 questions aligned to each state’s science standards.

How to Read the MAP Test Score Report?

The MAP test is scored using the Rasch unIT (RIT) scale. This standardized number allows for comparison against student’s past tests and with other students. The scores on the MAP exam should be considered as something other than a pass or fail score to achieve. The scores should be interpreted as benchmarks, and each student should strive to beat their own score on each test.

Each score report will show your child’s results in each test section. In each report, you will see a graph that shows:

• Student’s individual progress in that test section
• The mean score for students that age in the district
• Average student progress in that section
• Predicted future progress

You’ll also receive a table for each test section that shows the following:

• The student’s actual RIT score
• Growth from the previous semester
• Projection of growth

Average Reading Scores

Average Math Scores

Average Language Use Scores

MAP Test Tips

Here are a few tips to help your child succeed on the MAP Growth Test:

• Encourage reading at home. Reading books is the best way for children to learn vocabulary, themes, writing structures, and other elements of reading and language use. Encourage reading at home by providing books for your child, having dedicated reading times, and discussing the content with your child.
• Ask your child what they are learning at school. The MAP Test is tailored to the common core curriculum. Asking them about their learning will encourage them to explain what they have learned, helping them solidify those concepts and better understand the material.
• Practice early and often. Don’t wait until the last minute to have your child study for the MAP Test. Practice the material throughout the year, so they aren’t cramming for the exam at the last minute.

How to Prepare for the MAP Test?

Online practice is the best way to prepare your child for the MAP test. Online resources such as practice tests are great tools because they give your child a better idea of the test format and what the questions on the test are like. Because the MAP test is unlike any standardized test your child has taken previously, giving them time to familiarize themselves with the exam will help them score significantly higher.

Preparation is the key to success on the MAP Growth test.