MCAS Information
2007 - 2008 Test Dates
English/Language Arts: March 24 - April 4
Math, Science, History/Social Studies: May 12 - May 29
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Monday, May 12 - Grade 3 - Math |
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Tuesday, May 13 - no scheduled testing |
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Wednesday, May 14 - Grade 3 - Math |
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Thursday, May 15 - Grade 5 - Math |
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Friday, May 16 - Grade 5 - Math |
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Monday, May 19 - no scheduled testing |
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Tuesday, May 20 - Grade 4 - Math Grade 5 - Science |
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Wednesday, May 21 - Grade 4 - Math Grade 5 - Science |
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Thursday, May 22 - no scheduled testing |
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Friday, May 23 - Grade 5 - Social Studies |
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Monday, May 26 - no school |
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Tuesday, May 27 - Grade 5 - Social Studies |
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Wednesday, May 28 - no scheduled testing |
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Thursday, May 29 - Make ups |
Click here to go the the Department of Education web page. This site contains released past exams, scoring information, School Notices, Test Schedule, Test Items, Scoring Guides/Student Work, MCAS Results, MCAS Alternate Assessment, Publications, Links to Related Resources, and information about MCAS Performance Appeals.
Click here to practice with previously released test questions.
General Information about the MCAS Test
From Barbara Bunn, Learning Specialist, Sanborn School
Five types of questions appear on the MCAS;
| multiple choice questions which require students to select the correct answer from a list of four options |
| short-answer questions which require a brief response and are presented only in the Mathematics sessions |
| open-response questions which require a one or two paragraph response in writing or in the form of a chart, table, diagram or graph |
| writing prompts which require the student to complete a writing assignment according to the prompt given |
Answering short-answer, open-response questions and responding to writing prompts in a successful manner requires that students understand the language of the question and to have strategies to answer the question. The following are helpful tips that parents can review with their children:
| Read all of the question or questions before you begin to write your answers |
| Plan your answer or answers to make sure that you include all of the information that is requested |
| Be specific |
| Unless the question asks for a list, write a topic sentence with the main idea |
| Back up the main idea with examples |
| Know the code words in the following chart. When you see them in a test, they mean certain things. |
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Code Words |
Meanings |
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describe
means to |
give details |
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explain
means to |
give the reasons |
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summarize means
to |
state the main points briefly |
|
compare means
to |
mention the similarities |
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contrast
means to |
mention the differences |
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illustrate
means to |
give examples |
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discuss
means to |
think about all the angles of a topic |
|
list means
to |
do exactly that – no details |
