Test Specifications
The Division of Academic Standards, Instruction and Assessment provides test specifications for the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) and Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) in reading, mathematics and science. Test specifications provide a summary blueprint for test construction, specifying the portion of questions for each reporting category and outlining the essential features of the test design to provide consistency and transparency across test forms for the life of each assessment.
Test specifications are excellent tools for gaining an understanding of the tests. However, they are not meant to be used as the basis for curriculum and instruction.
Public Review Period for Mathematics MCA-IV Test Specifications
Mathematics
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MCA-III Test Specifications: Mathematics, Grades 3-8, 11 (2007 standards)
- 10/30/19
Based on the Minnesota Academic Standards in Mathematics revised in 2007. -
MTAS Test Specifications: Mathematics, Grade 11 (2007 standards)
- 6/28/13
Based on the 2007 Minnesota Academic Standards in Mathematics. -
MTAS Test Specifications: Mathematics, Grades 3-8 (2007 standards)
- 2/9/12
Based on the Minnesota Academic Standards in Mathematics revised in 2007.
Reading
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Alternate MCA Test Specifications for Reading DRAFT
- 4/25/23
Based on the 2020 Minnesota Academic Standards in English Language Arts (Final). -
MCA-III Test Specifications: Reading, Grades 3-8, 10 (2010 standards)
- 12/11/19
Based on the Minnesota Academic Standards in Language Arts revised in 2010. -
MTAS Test Specifications: Reading, Grades 3–8, 10 (2010 standards)
- 2/4/14
Based on the Minnesota Academic Standards in Language Arts revised in 2010. -
Reading MCA-IV Test Specifications
- 9/15/23
Based on the 2020 Minnesota Academic Standards in English Language Arts (Final).
Science
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Alternate MCA Test Specifications for Science DRAFT
- 4/25/23
Based on the 2019 Minnesota Academic Standards in Science (Final). -
MCA-III Test Specifications: Science
- 10/18/12
Based on the Minnesota Academic Standards in Science, 2009 version effective May 24, 2010. -
MCA-III Test Specifications: Science (Excel version)
- 10/26/12
A limited version suitable for sorting on Grade, Code, etc. For complete test specifications, see the PDF version. -
MCA-III Test Specifications: Science (Outline of Changes)
- 10/18/12
This outlines all the substantive edits made to the MCA-III Test Specifications: Science since June 1, 2010. -
MTAS Test Specifications: Science (2009 standards)
- 10/22/12
Based on the Minnesota Academic Standards in Science revised in 2009. -
Science MCA-IV Test Specifications
- 8/8/23
Based on the 2019 Minnesota Academic Standards in Science (Final).
Test specifications provide a summary blueprint that are used to guide the assessment development process.
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