Early Learner Testing

If your school has chosen to implement the tests for early learning grades, you can select from three types:

Test Type Language Description
MAP Growth K–2 English

Adaptive test to measure academic achievement and growth from one term to the next.
Spanish MAP Growth K–2 Spanish Same as MAP Growth K–2 but for Spanish-speaking students (either native speakers or those receiving instruction in Spanish).

Screening

English

Get baseline information for a new student who is in the earliest stages of learning, particularly a kindergarten or pre-K student (not recommended beyond kindergarten).
Skills Checklist English Assess knowledge of a specific skill before or after teaching it.
There are 38 skills to choose from in mathematics and reading; scored as percent correct.

 

Practice tests (English and Spanish) are also available to help K–2 students prepare —see Administering Tests for Early Learners.

Selecting Which Test to Use

The best test to use changes over time: 

New Kindergartner

Repeated Testing Over Time

Transition to 2–5

Used early to mid-K to assess foundational skills. Used from K–2, while audio support is needed. Use Skills Checklists at any time, and use MAP Growth K–2 once each term. Begin between grade 2 fall and grade 3 fall.

Choosing a Screening Test

The Screening tests for early learners can replace many one-on-one manual assessment sessions. There are two choices:

  • Screening: Mathematics Early Numeracy, with 35 questions
  • Screening: Reading Early Literacy, with 33 questions

Both tests adapt after an initial set of questions to determine the level of difficulty for the next set of questions. For details, see Screening Test Structure for Early Learners.

Choosing a Skills Checklist Test

The Skills Checklists follow an overall sequence of academic progression so you can use the assessment most appropriate to each student's abilities. This progression is outlined in the following lists:

Relation to Common Core—If your state standards are related to Common Core, you can see correlations to those standards in the Skills Checklist Selection Guide.

Choosing a MAP Growth K–2 Test

For a broader assessment each term, turn to the MAP Growth K–2 tests. These tests are also aligned to state standards, where available.

For standards alignments for Common Core, state standards, and a variety of international educational standards, visit:

Transitioning from K–2 to 2–5 Tests

Beyond grade 2, the K–2 test content is less appropriate, and students should transition to the 2–5 tests. How you make the transition depends on each student’s unique circumstances. For detailed guidance about the transition, see:

Administering Tests for Early Learners

  • Before Testing:
    • Get headphones for each student.

    • Check the audio on each student device.

    • Set up testing sessions in advance . If you do not see the MAP Growth K–2 or other tests available, ask someone responsible for MAP setup to check the test restriction settings.

  • Student Practice:
    • Practice with questions—From the student log-in page (test.mapnwea.org), students can click Try the Practice Test to become familiar with sample test questions. They need to use a generic log-in:
      • Username = grow
      • Password = grow

  • During Testing:

    Administer testing like all MAP Growth tests, and also follow these best practices:

    • Interrupt the MAP Growth K–2 test mid-way.

      After about 20 minutes, use the Pause or Suspend actions to give students a rest. See: Pause, Suspend, or Terminate.

    • Make sure students close the test.

      After the final message ("Good Job" and dog image appears), you or the students must click the Close (X) button. If they do not, the test remains unfinished and will not provide a final score.

  • After Testing:
    • Find MAP Growth K–2 results on most reports.
    • For Screening or Skills Checklist results, use the Screening and Skills Checklist reports.