Skip to main content

Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) Logo

Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP)

The Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) provides information to educators, parents and the public on student progress towards proficiency on the Maryland state content standards. Through a strong assessment system, stakeholders gain an understanding of how schools are performing and where assistance can be directed to support student growth and achievement.

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires that states administer annual statewide assessments to all students in English Languages Arts/Literacy and Mathematics in grades 3-8 and once in high school, as well as in science once in each grade span (3-5, 6-8 and high school), and annual English language proficiency assessments in grades K-12 for all English learners. Maryland also provides Alternate Assessments written to the Alternate Standards for those students who require this accommodation. Additionally, all Maryland kindergarteners are administered the KRA to determine their readiness for kindergarten. Most assessments are a combination of Selected Response (multiple choice), Constructed Response (written response) and Technology Enhanced (drag and drop) test items.

Assessment Administration Times – 2022 - 2023

 

Assessment Title

Elementary

Middle

High

General Education

(Spring administration unless otherwise noted)

 

English Language Arts/Literacy
  • Grades 3-5
  • Four 70-minute sessions (one field test unit)
  • Grades 6-8
  • Four 70-minute sessions (one field test unit)
  • Grade 10
  • Four 70-minute sessions (one field test unit)
  • Graduation requirement

Mathematics
  • Grades 3-5
  • Four 40-minute sessions
  • Grades 6-8, Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2
  • Four 40-minute sessions
  • Algebra 1 course
  • Four 40-minute sessions
  • Graduation requirement

MISA*
  • Grade 5
  • Four 40-minute sessions
  • Grade 8
  • Four 40-minute sessions
  • Biology course
  • Four 40-minute sessions
  • Graduation requirement

Social Studies

  
  • Grade 8, Social Studies
  • Four 40-minute sessions
  • Government course
  • Four 40-minute sessions
  • Graduation requirement

Early Childhood

(administered within the first month of school)

Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA)
  • Four Domains (Social Foundations, Language & Literacy, Mathematics, Physical Well-Being & Motor Development)
  • Untimed
  

English Learners

(administered January-mid February)

ACCESS for ELLs
  • Grades K-5
  • Four Domains (Reading, Listening, Writing Speaking)
  • Untimed
  • Grades 6-8
  • Four Domains (Reading, Listening, Writing Speaking)
  • Untimed
  • Grades 9-12
  • Four Domains (Reading, Listening, Writing Speaking)
  • Untimed

Alternate Assessments

(administered March – May)

Alt-English Language Arts/Literacy
  • Grades 3-5
  • Two Domains (Reading, Writing)
  • Two sessions (stage adaptive)
  • Untimed
  • Grades 6-8
  • Two Domains (Reading, Writing)
  • Two sessions (stage adaptive)
  • Untimed
  • Grade 11
  • Two Domains (Reading, Writing)
  • Two sessions (stage adaptive)
  • Untimed

Alt-Mathematics
  • Grades 3-5
  • Two Mathematics sessions (stage adaptive)
  • Untimed
  • Grades 6-8
  • Two Mathematics sessions (stage adaptive)
  • Untimed
  • Grade 11
  • Two Mathematics sessions (stage adaptive)
  • Untimed

Alt-MISA*
  • Grade 5
  • 9 Science “testlets” (stage adaptive)
  • Untimed
  • Grade 8
  • 9 Science “testlets” (stage adaptive)
  • Untimed
  • Grade 11
  • 9 Science “testlets” (stage adaptive)
  • Untimed

Alt-ACCESS for ELLs
  • Grades 1-5
  • Four Domains (Reading, Listening, Writing Speaking)
  • Untimed
  • Grades 6-8
  • Four Domains (Reading, Listening, Writing Speaking)
  • Untimed
  • Grade 9-12
  • Four Domains (Reading, Listening, Writing Speaking)
  • Untimed

*Maryland Integrated Science Assessment. March administration for grades 5 & 8.

Notes:

  • Testlet defined as a very short test or test section with just two or three test items
  • Stage Adaptive defined as subsequent test sessions delivered to the student depending on performance in a previous sessions
  • The Grade 3 English Language Arts/Literacy assessment will include items to assess the Maryland College and Career Ready Standards (MCCRS) Reading Foundational Skills.

Why do we have a middle school social studies assessment?

In 2017, the Maryland General Assembly amended Md. Ed. Art §7-203 Education Accountability Program. The amendment called for the creation of a middle school grade band assessment in social studies. The law states that the assessment shall be developed in collaboration with county boards, curriculum specialists, teachers, and academics with expertise in social studies education. It further defined the assessment by stating that it should, "Consist to the greatest extent possible, of criterion-referenced, performance-based tasks that require students to utilize critical and historical thinking skills and analyze primary sources."

Resources

PARENT GUIDES

Parent Guides for ACCESS for ELLs

Parent Guides for Alt-ACCESS for ELLs

Parent Guides for MISA 5 & 8

Parents Guides for LS MISA

Parent Guides for ELA/Math