NWEA MAP Growth

MAP Growth is a computer-adaptive, interim assessment taken multiple times a year to measure student progress. The test adjusts in real time—questions become easier or harder based on responses—helping teachers learn more about what students might be ready to learn next.

Because the test adapts to each learner, students may get about half of the questions wrong—this is expected and provides a more accurate measure of progress.

MAP Growth tests are untimed. Students in Young 5 Kindergarten through 1st grade typically take about 20-30 minutes to complete each subject test and students in 2nd through 8th grade typically take about 45-75 minutes.

Students receive a RIT score that shows their current achievement level and allows educators to track growth across testing periods. Students also receive a Percentile score that provides a comparison to the same grade level students in the nation. Scores do not indicate if a student is proficient in Reading or Math.

MAP Growth scores are just one piece of information that teachers use to help understand how a student is performing. Teachers use these score with classroom data and grade-level or common assessments to support individual student learning within the school year. District and school leaders use the information to support all students and improve instructional programs.

Students in Kindergarten through 8th grade.

Testing windows are determined by the district each year. Specific testing days are determined by school leaders.

Fall - September 21 to October 2, 2026

All K-8 students: NWEA MAP gives students, families, teachers, and leaders a starting point to show where students are academically at the beginning of the year.

Winter - January 11 to January 22, 2027

Some students: NWEA MAP may be used as a checkpoint to help support intervention planning, intervention monitoring, individual reading improvement plans, and specific program questions.

Spring - March 8 to March 19, 2027

All K-8 students: NWEA MAP is used, along with other information, to show where students are near the end of the year and provide some information about how much students have grown academically. Both fall and spring scores are used to identify students who may be eligible for advanced coursework in mathematics and our Talented & Gifted (TAG) program.

Following each testing period, a Family report is made available to families in MISTAR Parent Connection. See the Useful Links section in MISTAR for directions on how to access student reports or see the steps below.

• Login MISTAR Parent Connection
• Select a student by clicking on their name.
• Select Documents in the left menu.
• Locate NWEA Results and select the icon to open the document.
• A pop-up window will then display the student report.
• Please see this communication from NWEA that helps with Understanding the MAP Growth Family report.