MN Comprehensive Assessments
The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA) are state tests in reading, mathematics, and science that are used to meet federal and state legislative requirements. The tests are administered every year to measure student performance relative to the Minnesota Academic Standards that specify what students in a particular grade should know and be able to do.
Reading and mathematics tests are administered in grades 3–8 and high school (students in grade 10 take the Reading MCA, and students in grade 11 take the Mathematics MCA). The Science MCA is administered to students in grades 5 and 8 and in the high school grade when students take a life science or biology course. With very few exceptions, all public school students in the above grades are given the MCA.
Information on what Parent(s)/Guardians can do to help their students get ready for these statewide standardized tests is available by clicking the links below:
- Getting MCA Ready – English version
- Preparacion Para Examenes MCA! – Spanish version
- Isku Diyaarint a MCA – Somali version
More information about MCA tests can be found on the Minnesota Department of Education’s Parent/Guardian Fact Sheet for MCA Testing.
Student Participation in Statewide Assessments
The Parent/Guardian Fact Sheet Testing document above provides some basic information to help parents/guardians make informed decisions that benefit their child and their school and community.
Districts must make available the required process and form for opting out of these tests available to families on their websites. By clicking one of the links below you can access key information and the form. Families completing this form should submit it directly to the school in which their child(ren) will be testing.