MCA Test Structure

Student Readiness Tools (SRTs)Student Readiness Tools (SRTs)

The Student Readiness Tools (SRTs) are tools that can be used to familiarize students with the online format of the MCAs. They are available on the Student Readiness Tools page of the PearsonAccess Next website (PearsonAccess Next > Preparing for Testing > Student Readiness Tools). 

The SRTs are available for students in each grade level, and include instructional videos and practice opportunities that will help them become more familiar with the MCAs. Students will learn how to navigate within the test, use its tools and test supports, and indicate answers for each type of question. No login information is needed to access the SRTs. Calculators, mathematics tables, and formula sheets are also available on PearsonAccess Next (PearsonAccess Next > Preparing for Testing) so students can practice using these tools outside of the SRTs.

Note: Paper SRTs are available for students taking an MCA paper test, and Braille versions of the SRTs are also available for order. The paper SRTs familiarize students with the look and feel of a paper MCA, the types of question on the test, and how to indicate answers to questions. Large print versions are also available.

Educators are also welcome to explore the SRTs, and can access the following resources linked on the SRTs page to support the use of these tools:

• Overview of the Student Readiness Tools
• Online SRTs Guide for Educators
• Online SRT Tutorials Supplemental Information
   

Mathematics MCA

Assessment Format
The Mathematics MCA-III is a Computer Adaptive Test (CAT). Each student begins the test with a test item of average difficulty. When the student answers the item, the response is immediately scored. If the response is incorrect, the CAT algorithm selects a slightly easier question for the student to answer next. If the response is correct, the CAT algorithm selects a slightly more difficult question for the student to answer next.

Item Types
The Mathematics MCA-III contains multiple choice and technology enhanced items. Technology-enhanced items may consist of the following types of responses: type-in (student will type numerical answers in a box), graphing (student will plot data to complete various mathematical displays), drag-and-drop (students will formulate, rather than select, a response using drag-and-drop response options) and hot-spot (students will select multiple correct responses or will mark locations on mathematical graphics and displays).

To learn more about the various item types, refer to the item types tutorial in the student resources section above. To learn more about the quantity of items, cognitive complexity levels, and proportions assessed at the strand level, refer to the table at the bottom of the MCA Content page, organized by grade-level.

In addition, the test includes embedded field test questions that do not contribute to a student’s score, but are used to evaluate effectiveness for inclusion in future MCA administrations. Educator Review Committees meet to review all data from field test items and determine eligibility for use on future assessments.

Reading MCA

Assessment Format
The Reading MCA-III is a Computer Adaptive Test (CAT). Each student begins the test with a passage set of average difficulty. A passage set is a passage and a series of predetermined test items associated with the passage. The student then answers the test items associated with the passage. The CAT algorithm scores the set as a whole and selects a slightly easier or more difficult passage set based on the student’s responses to the first set.

Item Types
A variety of item types are used on the Reading MCA-III, including multiple-choice (MC) items and technology-enhanced (TE) items. Technology-enhanced items may consist of, but are not limited to, the following types of responses: hot-spot (students select multiple correct responses) and drag-and-drop (students formulate, rather than select, a response using drag-and-drop response options).

To learn more about the various item types, refer to the item types tutorial in the student resources section above. To learn more about the quantity of items, cognitive complexity levels, and proportions assessed at the strand level, refer to the table at the bottom of the MCA Content page, organized by grade-level.

In addition, the test includes embedded field test questions that do not contribute to a student’s score, but are used to evaluate effectiveness for inclusion in future MCA administrations. Educator Review Committees meet to review all data from field test items and determine eligibility for use on future assessments.

Science MCA 

Science MCA-IV (Spring 2025)

The Science MCA-IV is an online phenomenon-based assessment aligned to the new science standards. The context for each phenomenon is focused around observable events occurring in the universe that can be explained or predicted with scientific reasoning (Achieve, Next Generation Science Storylines and STEM Teaching Tools).

Text, graphics, animations, or simulations are used to provide context for the student to engage in the phenomena. Various question types, including multiple choice, technology enhanced, and constructed response, are used to assess Minnesota’s multidimensional benchmarks. The Science MCA is a fixed form test, which means all students taking the same test version are administered the same questions. The operational test includes embedded field test questions that do not contribute to a student’s score.

The total number of points for the Grade 5, Grade 8, and High School Science MCA will be (45), (45), and (56) points.