MCA Math Practice
Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments. MCA uses Minnesota's state-specific standards. Briveli's curriculum is Common Core aligned, which covers the underlying math content tested.
Spring (March-May)
Computer-adaptive
No calculator allowed in grades 3-5. Grades 6-8 may use an online calculator embedded in the test on designated items only; no handheld calculators.
Four achievement levels: Does Not Meet, Partially Meets, Meets, Exceeds the Standards
About the MCA
Minnesota is unique among Midwest states because it never adopted the Common Core for mathematics. The MCA is built to the Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards in Mathematics, a state-specific framework last revised in 2007 and currently undergoing an update through the Minnesota Department of Education. Domains and emphases differ from CCSS-M in some places, particularly around the placement of certain Algebra topics and Data Analysis content. Briveli practice for Minnesota maps the closest CCSS-M analog while flagging items that test Minnesota-specific phrasing.
The MCA-IV math test is computer-adaptive, delivered through Pearson's TestNav platform. Each grade 3-8 student takes a math MCA every spring, plus reading, with science added in grades 5 and 8. Item types include multiple choice, technology-enhanced, drag-and-drop, gridded response, and short constructed response. Performance is reported on the four-level scale, with Meets the Standards as the ESSA proficiency bar. Reports also break out strand sub-scores so families can see whether a student is stronger in Number Sense, Algebra, Geometry, or Data Analysis.
Official source: https://education.mn.gov/MDE/dse/test/mca/
Practice by Grade
MCA FAQ
Did Minnesota adopt the Common Core?+
Minnesota adopted the Common Core for ELA only. The math MCA is built on Minnesota's own K-12 Academic Standards in Mathematics, which differ in some sequencing from CCSS-M.
Do Minnesota students take the math MCA every year?+
Yes. Math MCA is administered annually in grades 3 through 8 and again in high school, separate from reading and science assessments.
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