Statewide Assessments

Minnesota uses the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs), the Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS), and the Alternate MCA (Alt MCA) to measure student learning of the Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards in reading, math, and science. These assessments are developed in collaboration with Minnesota educators and provide a snapshot of student performance on grade-level content across the state.

Most students take the MCAs. Students who receive special education services and meet alternate assessment eligibility requirements may take an alternate assessment (MTAS or Alt MCA) in place of the MCA. The MCA is primarily administered online, but paper MCAs are available for eligible students who need them. 
These assessments are administered each spring:

• Reading: Grades 3-8 and 10
• Math: Grades 3-8 and 11
• Science: Grades 5, 8, and once in high school when students complete their life science coursework (usually a biology course)

As academic standards are revised, a new series of assessments is developed to align to the updated standards. Minnesota is currently transitioning from the MCA-III series to the MCA-IV series, and from the MTAS to Alt MCA for the corresponding alternate assessments. The transition began with science in spring 2025, continued with reading in spring 2026, and will conclude with math in spring 2028, at which point all subjects will be aligned to the revised standards. 

To learn more about how new tests are developed, refer to the MCA Information and Resources page.

To learn more about the MTAS and Alt MCA, visit the Alternate Assessments page.

Minnesota administers WIDA Assessments (WIDA ACCESS, WIDA ACCESS for Kindergarten, and WIDA Alternate ACCESS) to measure English learners’ (EL) progress toward English language proficiency as described in the WIDA English Language Development (ELD) Standards Framework, 2020 Edition.

The WIDA ELD Standards describe the social, instructional, and academic language students need to engage with peers, educators, and grade-level curriculum. These standards emphasize language development within academic context, complementing the Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards, which define grade level expectation in each content area. In addition to measuring progress toward English language proficiency, WIDA assessment scores inform reclassification decisions: the point at which a student is no longer classified as an EL, and exits EL services.

Most ELs participate in the WIDA ACCESS, which is administered primarily online for grades 1-12, or WIDA ACCESS for Kindergarten, which is paper-based and administered individually. ELs with the most significant cognitive disabilities who meet participation criteria may take the WIDA Alternate ACCESS, which is also paper-based and administered individually. All three assessments measure English language development across the same four domains: Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing.