The MCA III begins in Spring 2012 to assess student progress toward meeting the new (2009) MN Academic Standards in Science. The state science tests are required by Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).

Beginning this year, the MN Department of Education is using a new test vendor, American Institutes for Research (AIR), for the MCA III science test and all of MN’s online tests.MCA III science tests are given to students in grades 5 and 8 and in the year a student completes Biology in High School.  The MCA III is a computer-based assessment, which situates test items within scenarios.  It assesses both content and process skills.

For past MCA results and more information, please visit the MN Department of Education’s Data Center.  (use Firefox!)

Test Specifications for the MCA-III can be downloaded HERE.  Scroll down to find science.  Note:  MTAS is an alternate assessment for students with significant coginitve disabilities.

ITEM SAMPLERS ARE NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE!
To download directions for accessing the NEW MCA-III Item Samplers, click HERE.
To go directly to the Item Samplers on the Minnesota Assessments site, click HERE.

Download strategies for preparing students for success on the MCA-III HERE.

Have any great test-prep strategies to share?  Please add them to this page or to the comments section below!