NumicornNumicornLearn, solve, progress

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.

Select a test

5 Tests
1. Test2. Test3. Test4. Test5. Test

4. Test

Massachusetts State Test Practice Questions

A 10-question Massachusetts state test practice set on mcas-alt alternate assessment, 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

What is the purpose of the Massachusetts MCAS-Alt?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is To assess eligible students with the most significant cognitive disabilities using alternate academic achievement standards..

  1. Read the task: Identify the important passage, numbers, data, evidence, or assessment context.
  2. Apply the skill: MCAS-Alt is designed for a very small number of eligible students for whom standard MCAS is not appropriate.
  3. Check the response: Make sure the answer matches the evidence, calculation, science relationship, language domain, or assessment program described.

MCAS-Alt is designed for a very small number of eligible students for whom standard MCAS is not appropriate.

2. QuestionMultiple choice

Who decides how an eligible student participates in MCAS?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is The student’s IEP team using state participation criteria..

  1. Read the task: Identify the important passage, numbers, data, evidence, or assessment context.
  2. Apply the skill: The DESE MCAS-Alt page states that each student’s IEP team decides how the student participates.
  3. Check the response: Make sure the answer matches the evidence, calculation, science relationship, language domain, or assessment program described.

The DESE MCAS-Alt page states that each student’s IEP team decides how the student participates.

3. QuestionMultiple choice

Which content areas are included in Massachusetts MCAS-Alt resource guides?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is ELA, mathematics, science and technology engineering, and Grade 8 Civics.

  1. Read the task: Identify the important passage, numbers, data, evidence, or assessment context.
  2. Apply the skill: DESE lists ELA, mathematics, STE, and Civics resources for MCAS-Alt.
  3. Check the response: Make sure the answer matches the evidence, calculation, science relationship, language domain, or assessment program described.

DESE lists ELA, mathematics, STE, and Civics resources for MCAS-Alt.

4. QuestionMultiple choice

A student sees three groups with four counters in each group. How many counters are shown?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is 12.

  1. Read the task: Identify the important passage, numbers, data, evidence, or assessment context.
  2. Apply the skill: Three groups of four make 3 times 4 equals 12.
  3. Check the response: Make sure the answer matches the evidence, calculation, science relationship, language domain, or assessment program described.

Three groups of four make 3 times 4 equals 12.

5. QuestionMultiple choice

A short passage says a rabbit hides under a bush because a hawk is nearby. Why does the rabbit hide?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is To stay safe from the hawk..

  1. Read the task: Identify the important passage, numbers, data, evidence, or assessment context.
  2. Apply the skill: The hawk is the reason the rabbit seeks shelter.
  3. Check the response: Make sure the answer matches the evidence, calculation, science relationship, language domain, or assessment program described.

The hawk is the reason the rabbit seeks shelter.

6. QuestionMultiple choice

A student’s MCAS-Alt portfolio includes a chart of observations and samples of work. What do these materials help show?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is How the student demonstrated skills during instruction..

  1. Read the task: Identify the important passage, numbers, data, evidence, or assessment context.
  2. Apply the skill: MCAS-Alt uses a skills survey, data chart, and student work samples collected during the school year.
  3. Check the response: Make sure the answer matches the evidence, calculation, science relationship, language domain, or assessment program described.

MCAS-Alt uses a skills survey, data chart, and student work samples collected during the school year.

7. QuestionMultiple choice

Why might an approved accessibility support be included in an alternate assessment plan?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is To provide access while preserving what the task measures..

  1. Read the task: Identify the important passage, numbers, data, evidence, or assessment context.
  2. Apply the skill: Accessibility supports improve access without changing the intended construct.
  3. Check the response: Make sure the answer matches the evidence, calculation, science relationship, language domain, or assessment program described.

Accessibility supports improve access without changing the intended construct.

8. QuestionMultiple choice

Which grade span is identified for the MCAS-Alt ELA and mathematics resource guides?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is PreK through Grade 12.

  1. Read the task: Identify the important passage, numbers, data, evidence, or assessment context.
  2. Apply the skill: The MCAS-Alt ELA and mathematics resource guides are described as PreK–Grade 12.
  3. Check the response: Make sure the answer matches the evidence, calculation, science relationship, language domain, or assessment program described.

The MCAS-Alt ELA and mathematics resource guides are described as PreK–Grade 12.

9. QuestionMultiple choice

What should an educator do when preparing an MCAS-Alt portfolio?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is Connect instruction, data, and student work to the alternate achievement standards..

  1. Read the task: Identify the important passage, numbers, data, evidence, or assessment context.
  2. Apply the skill: The portfolio should document instruction and performance in relation to the standards.
  3. Check the response: Make sure the answer matches the evidence, calculation, science relationship, language domain, or assessment program described.

The portfolio should document instruction and performance in relation to the standards.

10. QuestionMultiple choice

A pattern shows 5, 10, 15, 20. What number comes next?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is 25.

  1. Read the task: Identify the important passage, numbers, data, evidence, or assessment context.
  2. Apply the skill: The pattern increases by 5 each time, so the next number is 25.
  3. Check the response: Make sure the answer matches the evidence, calculation, science relationship, language domain, or assessment program described.

The pattern increases by 5 each time, so the next number is 25.

Previous testNext test

Choose your next study path

Massachusetts State Test Practice

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

Maryland State Test Practice

Continue with MCAP, MSTAR, MISA, DLM, WIDA, and integrated practice.

Maine State Test Practice

Continue with Through Year, Maine Science, MSAA, WIDA, and integrated practice.

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.

Pomodoro Timer

Use focused study intervals to work through your next Massachusetts practice set.

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.