MCA Content Resources
The resources below support educators in understanding how the academic standards are assessed on the MCA in each subject domain (math, reading, and science).
The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA), is a criterion-referenced assessment, which means it measures a snapshot of learning of the Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards (the criteria). The MCA is used to evaluate equitable implementation of the standards in schools and districts across the state.
The best preparation for students taking the MCA is grade-level instruction aligned to the academic standards.
Standards-based instruction includes using classroom assessments designed to elicit evidence of student learning toward grade-level standards and inform instruction.
General Resources
Test Specifications- Test specifications are specific rules and characteristics that guide the development of a test's content and format. They indicate which strands, sub-strands, standards and benchmarks will be assessed on the test and in what proportions. Test specifications are excellent tools for gaining an in-depth understanding of the content and format of the tests. However, they are not meant to be used as the basis for curriculum and instruction. Some concepts in the academic standards can only be assessed in the classroom and not on a standardized statewide assessment.
- Understanding Statewide Assessment Resources: Test Specification - This document was created to help educators understand the purpose and application of the Test Specifications.
Depth of Knowledge (DOK) - Cognitive complexity refers to the cognitive demand associated with a test question. The level of cognitive demand is dependent upon the number of cognitive processes involved in determining the correct answer to a question. Levels of cognitive complexity for MCA-III are based on Norman L. Webb's Depth of Knowledge levels.
- Understanding Statewide Assessment Resources: Depth of Knowledge - This document was created to help educators understand how to use and apply Webb's Depth of Knowledge.
Math Resources
- Grade Level Assessment Details Table – The table located at the bottom of this page contains abbreviated guides from the Math Test Specifications. Each document is organized by grade and subject, so teachers have quick access to the details most relevant to their work.
- MCA-III Test Specifications: Mathematics, Grades 3-8, 11 (2007 standards) – Review Committees consisting of members of the Minnesota Academic Standards Committee and classroom teachers worked in collaboration to develop the Mathematics MCA-III Test Specifications.
- Test specifications are specific rules and characteristics that guide the development of a test's content and format.
- They indicate which strands, standards and benchmarks will be assessed on the test and in what proportions. In addition, they outline the types of items to be included, number of items and distribution of cognitive levels.
- Test specifications are excellent tools for gaining an in-depth understanding of the content and format of the tests. However, they are not meant to be used as the basis for curriculum and instruction; the academic standards are.
- Online Calculators – The Academic Standards committee identified several benchmarks across grades 3–8 that students should master without using a calculator. Since the MCA-III are aligned with the Minnesota academic standards, the items assessing benchmarks identified as non-calculator will be assessed within a non-calculator segment of the test.
- For Grade 11, there are no non-calculator benchmarks. A calculator will be available for student use on all items of the Grade 11 MCA-III.
- Students may use stand-alone versions of online calculators to practice using the same versions that appear in the online test. These calculators also appear in the item samplers.
- MCA Formula Sheets - In grades 5–8 and 11 students have access to a formula sheet based on their grade level. These formula sheets also appear in the item samplers.
- For more information on the philosophy behind the formula sheets please see MCA Formula Sheets (posted on November 30, 2018 by MathBits)
- MathBits is a monthly publication of articles put out by the Minnesota Council of Teachers of Mathematics (MCTM).
- Tag: MCA shows all of the MathBits articles written by MDE Math Assessment Specialists on various aspects of the Math MCA.
Reading Resources
- Grade Level Assessment Details Table - The table located at the bottom of this page contains abbreviated guides from the Reading Test Specifications. Each document is organized by grade and subject, so teachers have quick access to MCA details most relevant to their work.
- MCA-III Test Specifications: Reading, Grades 3-8, 10 (2010 standards) - Review Committees consisting of members of the Minnesota Academic Standards Committee and classroom teachers were convened to develop the Reading MCA-III Test Specifications.
- Test specifications are specific rules and characteristics that guide the development of a test's content and format.
- They indicate which sub-strands, standards, and benchmarks will be assessed on the test and in what proportions.
- They outline the types of items to be included, number of items and distribution of cognitive levels.
- Test specifications are excellent tools for gaining an in-depth understanding of the content and format of the tests. However, they are not meant to be used as the basis for curriculum and instruction. Some concepts in the academic standards can only be assessed in the classroom and cannot be assessed with a standardized test.
Science Resources
Science MCA- III Resources (Current - Spring 2024)
Grade Level Assessment Details Table - The table located below contains abbreviated guides from the MCA-III Test Specifications: Science. Each document is organized by grade and subject, so teachers have quick access to MCA details most relevant to their work.
- MCA-III Test Specifications: Science - Based on the Minnesota Academic Standards in Science, 2009 version effective May 24, 2010. Review Committees consisting of members of the Minnesota Academic Standards Committee and classroom teachers were convened to develop.
- The purpose of test specifications is to develop a test that is consistent over time. They also can serve as a source of information about the test design for teachers. However, test specifications do not indicate what should be taught; the Minnesota academic standards do.
- Test specifications indicate which strands, standards and benchmarks will be assessed on the test and in what proportions.
- In addition, test specifications provide the types of items to be included, number of items and distribution of cognitive levels.
- Test specifications also clarify, define and/or limit how test items will be written.
- Minnesota Frameworks for Science and Mathematics Standards – This website provides instructional resources tied to each standard and provides additional resources. It is part of the STEM Teacher Center developed by SciMathMN and the Minnesota Department of Education.
- Science Item Samplers - Used to familiarize students and educators with how the content is presented in the test. Links to all the item samplers can be found in the table at the bottom of the MCA Test Structure page.
Science MCA - IV Resources (Beginning Spring 2025)
- Science MCA-IV Released Items
- Guides to Science MCA-IV Released Items - The purpose of these guides is to give Minnesota education professionals examples of phenomenon-based, multidimensional items aligned to the 2019 Minnesota Science Standards. These guides include information on benchmark alignment and student response data, to provide context for the online released items.
About
Related Resources
Contact Us
- Minnesota Department of Education
- 400 NE Stinson Blvd.
- Minneapolis, MN 55413
- 651 582 8563