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Massachusetts State Assessments · MCAS, MCAS-Alt, and WIDA ACCESS

Massachusetts State Test Practice

Build Massachusetts assessment readiness with five focused practice sets covering MCAS ELA, mathematics, STE, Grade 8 Civics, high-school science, MCAS-Alt, WIDA ACCESS, evidence, and problem solving.

Massachusetts state test practice sets

This Massachusetts State Test Practice page provides five short practice sets with 10 original multiple-choice questions each. The sets cover MCAS ELA and mathematics, Science and Technology/Engineering, Grade 8 Civics, high-school Biology and Introductory Physics, MCAS-Alt, WIDA ACCESS, WIDA Alternate ACCESS, evidence, data, and integrated reasoning.

Programs and skills covered

  • MCAS ELA and mathematics practice for Grades 3–8 and Grade 10, including reading evidence, vocabulary, text structure, writing, number sense, equations, data, and modeling
  • MCAS Science and Technology/Engineering practice for Grades 5 and 8 and high-school science, including phenomena, investigation, evidence, data, and models
  • Grade 8 Civics practice and high-school Biology and Introductory Physics assessment context
  • MCAS-Alt practice for eligible students using alternate academic achievement standards, portfolios, data charts, student work samples, and IEP team decisions
  • WIDA ACCESS, WIDA ACCESS for Kindergarten, and WIDA Alternate ACCESS practice across listening, speaking, reading, and writing
  • Source-year guidance for testing windows, computer-based testing, accessibility supports, accommodations, and participation requirements

How to use this page

Complete one 10-question set at a time. Read the prompt carefully, use the evidence or mathematical model provided, select the best answer, and review the explanation after every question.

This is supplemental State Test Practice, State Assessment Practice, and Standardized Test Practice. It is not an official Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education item set, score report, blueprint, accessibility guide, or substitute for current state guidance.

Massachusetts assessment programs and administration details can change by source year. Check the current MCAS test administration resources, MCAS participation guidelines, MCAS-Alt overview, MCAS-Alt resources, WIDA ACCESS information, and high-school participation guidelines before publishing or using a study guide.

For the broader Massachusetts assessment category, visit Massachusetts State Assessments or explore Elementary School Tests, Middle School Tests, and High School Tests.

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Massachusetts State Test Practice Questions

A 10-question Massachusetts state test practice set on high-school mcas biology and introductory physics, with answers and explanations.

Read each question carefully, use the passage, data, science evidence, equation, or assessment context provided, choose one answer, and review the explanation after responding.

10 Questions
0/10 Questions0 %
Correct 0
Incorrect 0
Unanswered 10
1. QuestionMultiple choice

Which high-school science tests are listed in current Massachusetts MCAS administration materials?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Biology and Introductory Physics.

  1. Read the task: Identify the important passage, numbers, data, evidence, or assessment context.
  2. Apply the skill: Current DESE materials list Biology and Introductory Physics as high-school science tests.
  3. Check the response: Make sure the answer matches the evidence, calculation, science relationship, language domain, or assessment program described.

Current DESE materials list Biology and Introductory Physics as high-school science tests.

2. QuestionMultiple choice

A line has slope 3 and y-intercept 2. Which equation represents it?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is y = 3x + 2.

  1. Read the task: Identify the important passage, numbers, data, evidence, or assessment context.
  2. Apply the skill: Slope-intercept form is y = mx + b, so m = 3 and b = 2.
  3. Check the response: Make sure the answer matches the evidence, calculation, science relationship, language domain, or assessment program described.

Slope-intercept form is y = mx + b, so m = 3 and b = 2.

3. QuestionMultiple choice

A jacket costs 80 dollars and is discounted by 25 percent. What is the discount amount?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is 20 dollars.

  1. Read the task: Identify the important passage, numbers, data, evidence, or assessment context.
  2. Apply the skill: Twenty-five percent of 80 is 20.
  3. Check the response: Make sure the answer matches the evidence, calculation, science relationship, language domain, or assessment program described.

Twenty-five percent of 80 is 20.

4. QuestionMultiple choice

A student changes the amount of sunlight and measures plant height. What is plant height?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is The dependent variable.

  1. Read the task: Identify the important passage, numbers, data, evidence, or assessment context.
  2. Apply the skill: Plant height is the measured result of the investigation.
  3. Check the response: Make sure the answer matches the evidence, calculation, science relationship, language domain, or assessment program described.

Plant height is the measured result of the investigation.

5. QuestionMultiple choice

Which statement best describes a scientific model?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is A representation used to explain or predict a system or phenomenon..

  1. Read the task: Identify the important passage, numbers, data, evidence, or assessment context.
  2. Apply the skill: Models represent parts of systems and help explain or predict patterns.
  3. Check the response: Make sure the answer matches the evidence, calculation, science relationship, language domain, or assessment program described.

Models represent parts of systems and help explain or predict patterns.

6. QuestionMultiple choice

If a force acts in the same direction as an object’s motion, what can happen to the object’s speed?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is The object can speed up..

  1. Read the task: Identify the important passage, numbers, data, evidence, or assessment context.
  2. Apply the skill: A net force in the direction of motion can increase speed.
  3. Check the response: Make sure the answer matches the evidence, calculation, science relationship, language domain, or assessment program described.

A net force in the direction of motion can increase speed.

7. QuestionMultiple choice

Which evidence supports the idea that a population has changed over time?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is The frequency of a heritable trait changes across generations..

  1. Read the task: Identify the important passage, numbers, data, evidence, or assessment context.
  2. Apply the skill: A change in heritable trait frequency across generations is evidence of population change.
  3. Check the response: Make sure the answer matches the evidence, calculation, science relationship, language domain, or assessment program described.

A change in heritable trait frequency across generations is evidence of population change.

8. QuestionMultiple choice

Why should a student identify units when solving a physics problem?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Units help show what quantity was calculated and whether the result is reasonable..

  1. Read the task: Identify the important passage, numbers, data, evidence, or assessment context.
  2. Apply the skill: Units communicate the measured quantity and help check the answer.
  3. Check the response: Make sure the answer matches the evidence, calculation, science relationship, language domain, or assessment program described.

Units communicate the measured quantity and help check the answer.

9. QuestionMultiple choice

Which high-school assessment item is most likely to require evidence from a stimulus or data display?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is An item asking the student to support a scientific explanation with observations..

  1. Read the task: Identify the important passage, numbers, data, evidence, or assessment context.
  2. Apply the skill: Science items use phenomena, data, diagrams, or other stimuli to support reasoning.
  3. Check the response: Make sure the answer matches the evidence, calculation, science relationship, language domain, or assessment program described.

Science items use phenomena, data, diagrams, or other stimuli to support reasoning.

10. QuestionMultiple choice

Which is the best final check before submitting a high-school MCAS answer?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Reread the prompt and verify the evidence, calculation, or units..

  1. Read the task: Identify the important passage, numbers, data, evidence, or assessment context.
  2. Apply the skill: A final check catches mismatched evidence, arithmetic, or units.
  3. Check the response: Make sure the answer matches the evidence, calculation, science relationship, language domain, or assessment program described.

A final check catches mismatched evidence, arithmetic, or units.

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Massachusetts State Test Practice

Return to Massachusetts MCAS, MCAS-Alt, WIDA, and integrated practice.

Maryland State Test Practice

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Maine State Test Practice

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Elementary School Tests

Explore elementary-level practice and assessment preparation.

Middle School Tests

Explore middle school practice and assessment preparation.

High School Tests

Explore high school practice and assessment preparation.

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Frequently asked questions about Massachusetts State Test Practice

What is MCAS?

MCAS is Massachusetts’ statewide standards-based assessment program. Current tests include ELA, mathematics, Science and Technology/Engineering, Grade 8 Civics, and high-school science assessments.

Which grades take MCAS ELA and mathematics?

Current participation guidance identifies Grades 3–8 and Grade 10 for MCAS ELA and mathematics.

Which science tests are included?

Current administration materials identify Grades 5 and 8 Science and Technology/Engineering and high-school Biology and Introductory Physics.

What is MCAS-Alt?

MCAS-Alt is the alternate assessment for a very small number of students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. The student’s IEP team uses state criteria to determine how the student participates.

Are these official Massachusetts assessment questions?

No. These are original supplemental practice questions. Use DESE resources for current blueprints, testing windows, accessibility supports, score information, and participation requirements.