2025 MCAS Testing
MCAS testing starts in March! MCAS testing is required for students in grades 3-8 and grade 10. With its alignment to standards, MCAS is an extremely important measure of students’ achievement and readiness for the future. Thank you for talking to your student about the exams, encouraging them to do their best, and supporting their attendance on testing days.
Answers to frequently asked questions about MCAS testing are below.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is testing taking place?
The dates for Malden’s MCAS testing can be viewed below. Dates vary by grade level and school, so be sure to pay attention if you have students in multiple schools or grades.
What tests will students take?
Testing is completed in English Language Arts (ELA) and Math in grades 3-8 and 10. Students in grades 5&8 take an additional Science, Technology, and Engineering. Students in 8th grade take the Civics exam as well. High School students also take the Biology exam.
How can I support my student on test day?
Please encourage your child to do their best on these exams. To set students up for success on these tests they should:
- Get a good night’s sleep
- Eat a healthy breakfast
- Arrive on time or early to school on the day of the test
Does MCAS still count?
Yes! While the 10th grade tests are no longer graduation requirements, these exams are still required by state and federal law. Student performance on these assessments provides important information to their educators that helps us reflect on what support we can provide to meet the needs of our students; additionally, it is used by the state for accountability purposes, to determine if schools or districts should fall into corrective action. These exams are also opportunities for students to show what they know and to celebrate growth.
Testing Schedule by School
| 3/25 & 3/26 | ELA: Grades 3 & 4 |
| 4/1 & 4/2 | ELA: Grades 5 & 6 |
| 4/8 & 4/9 | ELA: Grades 7 & 8 |
| 4/29 & 4/30 | Math: Grades 3, 5, & 6 |
| 5/6 & 5/8 | Civics: Grade 8 |
| 5/13 & 5/14 | Math: Grades 4, 7, & 8 |
| 5/20 & 5/21 | STE: Grades 5 & 8 |
More Frequently Asked Questions
Answers below come from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)
What is the MCAS?
The Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) is a set of statewide standardized tests. Students in grades 3-8 and 10 take MCAS tests in English language arts and mathematics; students in grades 5, 8, and one high school grade (usually grade 9 or 10) take a science MCAS test. Students in grade 8 take a civics MCAS test.
Why does Massachusetts give MCAS tests?
Statewide testing gives families an objective measure of their child’s and school’s progress and is one way for taxpayers to see the results of their investment in schools. State test scores are just one piece of a student’s academic picture, but they provide important information. In addition, federal and state laws require statewide testing.
Does MCAS determine whether students progress to the next grade level?
No.
Who creates the MCAS questions?
Test contractors, DESE staff, and more than 250 educators annually all help create and review test questions.
DESE has Assessment Development Committees (ADCs) and a Bias and Sensitivity Committee (BSC) composed of classroom teachers and administrators, academic support specialists, and university faculty who edit and revise the questions. Committee members represent schools and districts from across the state, including rural, suburban, and urban communities. In addition, members are selected to represent different types of school districts, including charter schools and vocational schools.
Can I see test questions?
Yes, DESE makes many previous test questions available online.
How are the MCAS tests scored?
MCAS assessments are based on the state’s learning standards. Students score in one of four categories: Exceeding Expectations, Meeting Expectations, Partially Meeting Expectations, and Not Meeting Expectations. Educators from each grade level helped determine the scoring range for each category. A student’s score indicates the extent to which they are meeting expectations for their grade level. MCAS tests are not graded on a curve.
Is MCAS a multiple-choice test?
MCAS tests are given on a computer and have a variety of question formats, including multiple choice, short answers, and essays.
Are MCAS tests timed?
No. Students have as much time as they need within a regular school day.
Are there accommodations for students with disabilities?
Yes, a variety of accessibility features and accommodations are available as needed for all students and for students with disabilities. These can include a text-to-speech reader, paper-based tests, a different testing environment, or other options.
What about multilingual learners who are still learning English?
Accommodations such as bilingual word-to-word dictionaries and glossaries are available for multilingual learners as needed.
At the high school level, math and science MCAS tests are available in Spanish. Beginning in 2025, students in grades 3–8 will also be able to take math, science, and civics tests in Spanish.
English learners must participate in all MCAS testing scheduled for their grade, with the exception of English learners who are in their first year of enrollment in U.S. schools. For those students, ELA testing is optional. (Note: MCAS results for first-year English learners are not included in the accountability calculations for their school or district.)