A Full Guide to the 5th Grade Map Test
Updated July 21, 2023
| Percentile | Reading | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Higher Achievement |
95 |
84 |
69 |
231 |
221 |
213 |
|
Median and Mean |
50 |
204 |
||||
|
Lower Achievement |
31 |
16 |
5 |
196 |
188 |
178 |
'MAP' is an acronym for Measures of Academic Progress. MAP tests are used to check the progress of a student’s achievement over the course of their academic journey.
Students in all school year groups (from kindergarten to 12th grade) are required to take a version of the test.
The MAP test is an adaptive assessment, which means the level of difficulty adapts according to the answers given.
What Is the 5th Grade MAP Test?
MAP Tests (including the 5th Grade MAP test) are administered by the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA), a not-for-profit organization.
Like all of the MAP tests, the 5th Grade MAP test is designed to assess ability in a range of subjects, including:
- Reading
- Language
- Math
Some schools use MAP tests to identify those children suitable for entry to the gifted and talented program. Other schools use test results as part of the admissions procedure.
The 5th Grade MAP test is a computerized multiple-choice assessment for students in the 5th grade.
The purpose of the test is to find out how much progress a student has made during the academic year. It can also be used to identify a pupil’s general aptitude and individual strengths and weaknesses.
Put simply, your child’s MAP test results can have a significant bearing on their future academic success.
Read on to learn more about what to expect from the test and how you can help your child to prepare.
What Can You Expect From the MAP 5 Grade Test?
There is no set time limit for the MAP 5 Grade Test. The test is usually taken at school, and children are allowed as much time as they need to work through the questions.
Most students do not take longer than one hour to complete the test.
Pupils will be required to sit the MAP test at several key points during the school year. These are usually at the beginning, middle and end of each grade.
The first question in the test is pitched at the child’s academic or grade level. After that, the questions adapt according to whether the previous question was answered correctly or not.
This type of assessment is referred to as a computer adaptive test.
The most popular version of the MAP 5 Grade Test includes three sections. There are approximately 52 questions in each section.
Math
Questions in this section will cover:
- Basic math functions – addition, subtraction, division and multiplication
- Geometry – using graphs
- Identifying patterns
- Calculating areas
- Recognizing and using 3D shapes
- Calculating length and volume
- Solving graphical problems
- Algebra
- Generating and representing data
Reading Comprehension
In this part of the MAP test, students are asked to read a series of articles. These can be in a variety of formats, from informational texts to excerpts from popular literature.
The questions on this part of the test are designed to check the student’s vocabulary range and understanding of words.
In some questions, children are asked to identify key themes, analyze the structure of a test and comment on its style or characteristics.
For other questions, children are asked to show their understanding of an argument or establish the author’s perspective on a particular issue or topic.
Language Usage
In the Language Usage section, the following skills are tested:
- Writing – Students must plan a piece of writing, establish, and develop their ideas and revise any errors or emissions.
- Grammar – Students must show that they can apply the principles of grammar correctly within their written piece.
- Mechanics – Students must use correct spelling and apply the principles of punctuation and capitalization within their written piece.
In addition to the written piece, students must answer a series of multiple-choice questions on grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
Science
An optional fourth science section is available for certain age groups, including 5th grade students.
The questions on the 5th grade version of the science test are the same as those used in the 3rd and 4th grade tests.
The topics covered include:
- Earth and space, including the solar system
- Scientific theories and nature
- Life science, including ecosystems
- Scientific inquiry (using data to reach conclusions)
- Physical sciences
The most popular version of the MAP 5th Grade Test includes only the math, reading, comprehension and language usage sections.
5th Grade Map Practice Test Questions
5th Grade Map Practice Test – Math Sample Question
Macy and Mark have both been doing a push-up challenge. Mark has done 40 push-ups in the last five days. Macy has done 120 push-ups over the last 24 days.
What is the difference between their push-ups per day, if divided equally?
a) 3 push-ups per day
b) 5 push-ups per day
c) 8 push-ups per day
d) 13 push-ups per day
Read the following text:
*Harry was sitting on the train, looking out of the window. The weather outside was gloomy – the wind was howling and the sky was dark and gray. It had been a long day at work – he couldn’t wait to get home and put his feet up. He checked the time on his phone and saw that it was 8 p.m.. He decided to call his best friend for a chat. He thought this might make him feel better. *
How is Harry feeling?
a) Negative
b) Positive
c) Neutral
d) Unable to determine from the information provided
Choose the sentence that is correctly punctuated:
a) I went to the market and bought some, fruit, bananas, berries, and peaches.
b) Next summer, my neighbors are going to France, and Belgium.
c) I have visited five cities: Paris, Washington, Helsinki and Seoul.
d) I don’t like reading books, from various genres, including: drama, action and horror.
Abbie and Gus are filling up a watering can to water the plants in their garden. The watering can has measuring marks on the side.
Which unit is the watering can most likely to be marked in?
a) Millimeters
b) Ounces
c) Kilograms
d) Liters
5th Grade MAP Test Scores
5th grade MAP test scores are worked out using the RIT scale.
This is a shortened acronym for Rasch unIT. Children will receive individual RIT scores for each section of the test (reading, math, language usage and science).
The MAP 5th Grade test is a computer-adaptive assessment. This means that if a student gives an incorrect answer, the difficulty of the next question is lower.
If a student gives a correct answer, this means that the next question will be more difficult.
The RIT scale is used to measure the child’s academic progress. It is not influenced by the child’s age or school grade. Progress is worked out according to past and current MAP test results.
A child’s 5th Grade MAP testing scores are used to identify the level of academic difficulty they could be expected to give correct answers to in at least half of the questions on the MAP test.
Parents are usually offered a Student Profile report, which illustrates their child’s academic progress.
It’ll include things like 5th grade MAP math scores and language usage scores.
This includes information on their child’s previous and current MAP test results. The RIT scale is applied equally across all grades, so it is easier to compare a student’s score at each point of their learning journey.
There is no maximum or ideal score on the MAP tests. Scores can be anywhere between 100 and 350.
The percentile rank is used to find out how well a student performed against others in their norm group – for example in the same subject and grade level.
For example, a 45th percentile score means that the student scored as well as or better than 45% of students in the norm group. It also means that 55% of students in the norm group achieved a higher score than the child in question.
If a child does not achieve the expected RIT score, the school district may use its discretion to allow them to retake the test. This is usually only possible in exceptional circumstances, such as illness, stress or extreme fatigue.
If you want 12-month access to all the practice resources for this test, our partner TestPrep-Online.com offers a Family Membership.
Family Membership gives you access to all the TestPrep-Online resources for the next 12 months. You will also get two separate accounts, which can be very helpful if you have two children preparing for their tests.
How to Pass the 5th Grade MAP Test
Step 1. Get Familiar with the Test Format
Carrying out some research on the 5th Grade MAP test is the best way to become familiar with the format.
Helping to familiarize your child with the test format is the best way to improve their confidence on the day of the test.
They will have a better understanding of the type of questions they will be faced with, and you can help them to revise any areas they are struggling with.
Step 2. Work Through 5th Grade Map Practice Test Papers Online
Working through practice test questions is the best way to prepare for any test, including the MAP Test Grade 5.
Seeing what the test looks like and working through the questions in the right order will help your child to feel more confident when they take the real test. They will also be able to work on their time management skills.
If you want to reduce your child’s screen time, you might consider printing questions out so that they can work through some of the test papers using pen and paper. This will also help to vary their preparation and hopefully keep them interested.
Step 3. Understand Their Strengths and Weaknesses
Knowing what your child is good at (and where they need additional support) is key to preparing for the MAP Test Grade 5.
Once they have worked through a few 5th grade MAP testing practice papers, you should be able to spot the questions they find easy and those they find more difficult.
It is important that you do not only focus on the areas of weakness – working through questions they find easy is a good way to boost their confidence.
Try to work alongside them to help them improve in areas that they find more difficult. Playing a few educational games with them is a good way to help them to stay engaged.
Step 4. Review Test Concepts
You will also want to encourage your child to revisit the concepts covered in the MAP Grade Test 5.
Even if they have already covered the topics at school, going back over the basics is important. For example, you might have them work through a few basic math or science quizzes.
For the English language and vocabulary questions, encourage them to read a variety of different materials. This might include newspapers, magazines, scientific journals, or data reports.
For the 5th grade MAP practice math questions, you could find fun math games online.
Step 5. Get Enough Rest Prior to the Test
Never underestimate the importance of adequate rest prior to the test. If possible, try to limit extracurricular and social activities in the days leading up to the test.
Help your child to create a healthy sleep environment and encourage them to go to bed a little early the night before the test.
On the morning of the test, offer them a healthy, nutritious breakfast, and ensure they are well hydrated.
The MAP test (grade 5) is the Measures of Academic Progress test for students in 5th grade. It includes questions on reading, language usage, math, and science.
Some students find the MAP test (grade 5) stressful. By helping your child to prepare for the assessment, you can help to reduce any feelings of stress or overwhelm that they may have about the test.
Reassure them that there is no time restriction on the test, and MAP test results are designed to help the school to identify their current level of academic ability.
You can find a variety of resources online to help your child prepare for the MAP test (grade 5).
If you are not sure where to start, take a look at the TestPrep-Online website, which offers sample questions, information on the format of the test, and an overview of the scoring system.
This will include things like NWEA 5th grade reading practice test questions.
A RIT scale of around 200 is considered to be a good result on the MAP test 5th grade. A RIT scale of 220 or over is considered to be a very good score.
There is no set time limit for the MAP test (grade 5). Most students take around one hour to work through all sections of the test.
Test retakes for the MAP test (grade 5) are at the discretion of the school district. Resits will usually only be permitted in exceptional circumstances – for example, illness or extreme fatigue.
The purpose of the MAP test (grade 5) is to assess a child’s academic achievement over time.
Some schools use MAP test results to review prospective student applications or identify pupils suitable for the gifted and talented program.
You can find free 5th grade MAP practice test questions on the TestPrepOnline website.
The MAP test (grade 5) is mandatory for 5th grade students. Children will be asked to sit the test at several points during the academic year – usually at the start, middle and end of the grade.
Your child’s MAP test (grade 5) percentile scores help to show how well they performed against other students in the norm group.
For example, a percentile score of 65% shows that they performed as well as or better than 65% of students in the norm group. The other 35% of students in the norm group achieved a higher score.
Yes, the MAP test (grade 5) is a computerized online test. In most cases, your child will be required to sit the test at school.
You can find a comprehensive study guide (including free 5th grade MAP practice test questions) for the MAP test (grade 5) on the TestPrepOnline website.
Final Thoughts
If your child is in the 5th grade, they will be expected to sit the MAP Test Grade 5 at several points throughout the academic year.
Your child’s test results will offer a helpful indication of their academic progress, so it is important that you help them to feel ready for the test.
To access useful MAP Test Grade 5 preparation resources, visit TestPrep-Online, where you can find comprehensive study guides and sample test questions, including MAP math practice 5th grade mock assessments.
