Massachusetts
MCAS: Practice Tests, Test Dates, and Score Ranges
Enter the scale score from your child's Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System report to see which performance level it falls in. Meeting Expectations is the proficiency level. The official practice and released tests are listed below.
Enter the scale score from your child's MCAS report to see the performance level.
Official MCAS practice tests and released tests
Free, from the state or its testing vendor. Each link opens the official site.
Released tests
- Released Test Questions and Practice Tests doe.mass.edu
- Released Items from computer-based tests mcas.onlinehelp.cognia.org
- Released questions from paper-based tests doe.mass.edu
Practice tests
- MCAS Practice Tests mcas.onlinehelp.cognia.org
- Mathematics Practice Tests mcas.onlinehelp.cognia.org
- English Language Arts Practice Tests mcas.onlinehelp.cognia.org
Sample questions
- MCAS Item Library mcas.cognia.org
Scoring guides
- Student Work Samples and Scoring Guides doe.mass.edu
MCAS test dates, 2026-27
- Spring 2027 MCAS grades 3-8 ELAMarch 22-April 16, 2027
- Spring 2027 MCAS grades 3-8 Mathematics; grades 5 and 8 STEApril 26-May 21, 2027
- Grade 8 Civics (state-level performance task and end-of-course test)April 26-June 4, 2027
- Spring 2027 grade 10 ELAMarch 23-April 1, 2027 (recommended sessions March 23 and 24)
- Spring 2027 grade 10 MathematicsMay 18-26, 2027 (recommended sessions May 18 and 19)
- Spring 2027 high school science (Biology, Introductory Physics)June 1-9, 2027
MCAS English Language Arts score ranges
| Grade | Not Meeting Expectations | Partially Meeting Expectations | Meeting Expectations | Exceeding Expectations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd grade | 440–469 | 470–499 | 500–529 | 530–560 |
| 4th grade | 440–469 | 470–499 | 500–529 | 530–560 |
| 5th grade | 440–469 | 470–499 | 500–529 | 530–560 |
| 6th grade | 440–469 | 470–499 | 500–529 | 530–560 |
| 7th grade | 440–469 | 470–499 | 500–529 | 530–560 |
| 8th grade | 440–469 | 470–499 | 500–529 | 530–560 |
| 10th grade | 440–469 | 470–499 | 500–529 | 530–560 |
MCAS Math score ranges
| Grade | Not Meeting Expectations | Partially Meeting Expectations | Meeting Expectations | Exceeding Expectations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd grade | 440–469 | 470–499 | 500–529 | 530–560 |
| 4th grade | 440–469 | 470–499 | 500–529 | 530–560 |
| 5th grade | 440–469 | 470–499 | 500–529 | 530–560 |
| 6th grade | 440–469 | 470–499 | 500–529 | 530–560 |
| 7th grade | 440–469 | 470–499 | 500–529 | 530–560 |
| 8th grade | 440–469 | 470–499 | 500–529 | 530–560 |
| 10th grade | 440–469 | 470–499 | 500–529 | 530–560 |
What to know
The ranges in the spring 2025 state results. The spring 2026 parent report uses the same scale and the same boundaries.
MCAS uses one scale, 440 to 560, for every grade and subject.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find MCAS practice tests?
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and its testing vendor publish them free. The main ones are: Released Test Questions and Practice Tests; MCAS Practice Tests; Released Items from computer-based tests; Released questions from paper-based tests. Links to each are on this page.
When is the MCAS in 2027?
Spring 2027 MCAS grades 3-8 ELA: March 22-April 16, 2027. Spring 2027 MCAS grades 3-8 Mathematics; grades 5 and 8 STE: April 26-May 21, 2027. Grade 8 Civics (state-level performance task and end-of-course test): April 26-June 4, 2027. Spring 2027 grade 10 ELA: March 23-April 1, 2027 (recommended sessions March 23 and 24). Spring 2027 grade 10 Mathematics: May 18-26, 2027 (recommended sessions May 18 and 19). Spring 2027 high school science (Biology, Introductory Physics): June 1-9, 2027. Schools pick their own days inside each window.
What is a passing MCAS score?
Meeting Expectations is the proficiency level. In 3rd grade English Language Arts, the levels are Not Meeting Expectations (440–469), Partially Meeting Expectations (470–499), Meeting Expectations (500–529), Exceeding Expectations (530–560). The cut scores are different for each grade and subject.
Which year do these MCAS score ranges apply to?
The ranges in the spring 2025 state results. The spring 2026 parent report uses the same scale and the same boundaries. MCAS uses one scale, 440 to 560, for every grade and subject.
Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (doe.mass.edu), read October 6, 2026. The ranges in the spring 2025 state results. The spring 2026 parent report uses the same scale and the same boundaries. The MCAS is run by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, which is not affiliated with Dewey Smart.
