An Overview of MAAP Tests and How Practice Tests Help Students to Prepare for Exams

The thought of exams makes students anxious especially the high stakes associated with end of year exams. However, with adequate practice tests, students will gain confidence and make their best showing.

MAAP is an acronym for Mississippi Academic Assessment Program (MAAP). This is a statewide test administered to students in Mississippi at various grade levels in different subjects. MAAP test is aimed at measuring the achievements of students in accordance to the laid down Mississippi College and Career Readiness Standards (MS CCRS). The tests are administered from elementary school throughout to high school. Students in Grades 3-8 take the MAAP test in English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics as well as English II and Algebra I for high school students.

MAAP tests are aimed at allowing teachers and parents to evaluate how students are progressing in their education journey. Focus is on how students can be able to apply the skills and knowledge they’ve learned. In addition, these tests enable teachers to identify areas of strength and weakness in order to appropriately guide students in various subject areas.

Maap is a new assessment system that was introduced in the 2015-16 school year, replacing PARCC assessments. MAAP was developed by a team of expert Mississippi educators and also gauges whether students are prepared to move to the next grade. For high school students, the tests usher students to a new educational path after high school.

All students under the Mississippi State Map jurisdiction undergo these tests whose bar has been significantly raised to boost critical thinking and problem solving skills. MAAP Student grades and teacher reports provide useful insights into the entire assessment system.

Mississippi MAAP testing has fall and spring testing windows. Every MAAP Test administered has 2 sessions. For instance, Grade 3-5 MAAP ELA Test consists of Session 1 that comprises 40 questions and lasts for 123 minutes. ELA Session 2 has a 100-minute performance test. On the other hand, MAAP Math Test has Session 1 that consists of 40 questions for 137 minutes and an 80-minute Performance Task in Session 2.

For Grade 6-8, MAAP ELA Session 1 consists of 40 questions and lasts for 148 minutes while Session 2 has a performance task that lasts 100 minutes. MAAP Math Test Session 1 lasts 167 minutes and comprises of 40 questions while Session 2 has a 100-minute performance task.

MAAP tests across different grades and subjects have a general question format which consists of the following.

• Multiple Choice or Selected Response questions
• Extended Constructed Response Items
• Constructed Response items
• Multi Select or Two Part Questions

Nowadays, there are numerous platforms where students can do practice tests in order to prepare for the main exam. Edulastic helps students in Mississippi prepare for their end-of-year MAAP exams. The platform provides online access to MAAP practice assessments for ELA and Math. Students and teachers get real-time reports to identify student areas of weakness and come up with a tailored learning approach.

Edulastic emphasizes a student-centered approach that allows for instant feedback which helps students to boost confidence and understand the implications of various test outcomes. The online platform is available 24/7 and can be easily accessed by any Internet-connected device, such as tablets, PC and Chromebooks, which is convenient for both students and teachers.

When done on a regular basis, MAAP practice tests help students to master technology and format of MAAP tests which is critical for final exam preparation. Online assessments allow students to learn important technical skills such as keyboarding, drag and drop, use of online calculators and filling of tables among others. In addition, regular MAAP practice tests help students to familiarize themselves with gadgets that will be used during the main exam. This is key to enable them sharpen their gadget use skills as well as basic troubleshooting skills.

During the school year, teachers are tasked with teaching relevant subject topics that will be tested in end of year exams. Common Math topics especially for the lower grades include Geometry, Measurement and Number and Operations among others. For ELA, reading, writing and language are some of the key areas to cover.

Resource Links

• http://www.mdek12.org/OSA/SP
• https://brighted.funeducation.com/Practice/Mississippi-Assessment-Program-MAAP-MAP
• http://www.lumoslearning.com/llwp/about-us/frequently-asked-questions-mississippi-assessment-program-map.html#%20How%20many%20sessions%20are%20there%20for%20each%20Mississippi%20MAAP%20test