How to Study for NWEA MAP 8th Grade Test? – Ultimate Guide with Practice Questions
If you are a parent of an 8th-grade student that will be taking the NWEA MAP test in the future, preparing them to excel is a must. We will be talking about the NWEA MAP test, what it entails, and how your child can prepare for it.
We will also direct you to some awesome practice test materials. We highly recommend that your child familiarizes themselves with the NWEA MAP test. They may have also taken such a test in 7th grade.
However, the testing for each grade will be different. If you want your child to be successful with this kind of test, keep reading. Now, let’s dive right into the test itself and why it’s important.
Table of Contents
What is the NWEA MAP Test?
MAP stands for Measurement of Academic Progress. This test is administered to 8th-grade students at least three times per academic year. The purpose of the test is to measure the student’s progress during their 8th-grade year.
These tests will also provide teachers and parents with the results that can also determine the strengths and weaknesses of their student’s educational performance. Using the test results will also allow teachers and parents to put together a customized learning plan that will help strengthen such weaknesses while placing emphasis on their strengths.
Students taking the MAP will be tested in the following three sections: Math, Language, and Reading. Some tests may also include a science section. These tests will also be in accordance with the Common Core standards.
The difficulty in questions can be determined by how a student has answered the preceding questions. This test is administered with no time limit. However, a student will usually complete one section of the test with an average time of one hour.
How are the MAP tests scored?
The MAP scoring system uses the Rasch unIT scale or RIT for short. This will determine the student’s abilities and knowledge on each subject the test covers. Every question on the test will have a unique RIT value.
The more complex the questions, the RIT score can be higher. Students will receive separate scores based on each subject. From there, it will give them an indication of where their strengths and weaknesses lie.
This is not to be confused with the general RIT score that is given to them once the test is completed. This score will not only be of knowledge to the student, but also to the teacher and parents.
The subjects of the MAP test
As mentioned before, the MAP test covers math, language, and reading (with science as a possible addition depending on the school). We will take a look at each subject and what each portion of the test will cover. For resources that help your child practice for all these subjects head to TestPrep Online.
MAP Math
During the 8th grade year, students will be learning different types of math problems relating to algebra, geometry, statistics and probability, and possibly other types of math. The MAP math section for 8th graders will contain approximately 50 questions covering various topics.
They include number sense, algebraic concepts, geometry (including scale factors, the Pythagorean Theorem, and other concepts), measurements, statistics and probability (including the interpretation of graphs, data analysis, determining probability, and other concepts).
MAP Language Usage
For language usage, the number of questions will be around the same (50 questions, but no more than 53). This part of the test will cover the following: parts of speech, mechanics, writing process, and usage.
Some of the tests will include sentences that use vivid imagery. This part of the test will also test the student’s ability to use proper grammar as well as their efficiency to research, plan, organize, and revise their writing.
You can have your student test out language usage questions using the practice test that we will provide. With that said, let’s move on to the next section.
MAP Reading
This section will have approximately 40 questions. For most students, this will be the final section that they will be tested on. The questions will include reading comprehension.
Specifically, students will be tested on word meaning, literary concepts, and informational concepts. This will allow your child to understand what they are reading including the use of such things like idioms and similar usages.
The practice test will have example paragraphs for reading comprehension and other questions. And they will differ from the test that will be administered to the students. But it is better to be prepared for the real deal.
What Is The Average MAP Test Score?
Subject | Fall | Winter | Spring |
Reading | 218.01 | 220.52 | 221.66 |
Math | 224.92 | 228.12 | 230.30 |
General Science | 209.64 | 212.41 | 213.44 |
Language Usage | 215.54 | 217.73 | 218.74 |
Source: NWEA
Helping your student prepare for the 8th Grade MAP test
A MAP test score can determine your child’s academic future. A high score may open the doors to more opportunities for them. If your child intends to score highly on the MAP test, preparation will definitely be key. Check out these prep tips.
Use practice tests
As well as personal study, doing simulation practice tests are extremely valuable. It is definitely worth getting hold of a prep pack such as this one from TestPrep Online. It has full-length sample tests covering all the sections which can help your child become familiar with the format. And this is the only way to get a true understanding of the types of questions they will encounter.
Discuss their progress
This is one part of the preparation process that you should not skip. Keep open communication during studies to see how they are doing and make sure they have all they need and are not overwhelmed. Discussing the importance of their progress can also help keep them motivated.
Create a quiet environment
During practice tests it’s important to prepare an environment that is quiet and free of any distractions. This means no electronics such as TVs or phones should be in the immediate vicinity when your child is practicing the MAP test.
Make sure they rest
Test prep also goes beyond the practice aspect of it. Your child will need a consistent good night’s rest in the days leading up to the test (including the day of). A good night’s rest even on a practice day will help them get better at it.
Create a schedule
During practice days, assign a day for a certain subject. For example, schedule Math on Mondays, Language on Wednesdays, and Reading on Fridays. And aim not to work for more than 50 minutes at a time without a break.
Related Reading – NWEA 4th Grade MAP Test – How to Prepare?
Use unique approaches to each subject
For example, if you are focusing on languages one day, help them practice their writing by providing them with a journal and a word of the week.
On a reading day, make it a bit more fun and play word-related games like Scrabble or Scattergories.
On math days, find opportunities that will make math useful. For example, you and your child can cook something. When following recipes, teach them the usage of fractions. Also, show them some graphs including easy-to-understand data. This will help them easily analyze the chart and the data provided so they can understand the concept of how they are used.
Final Thoughts
Preparing your child for the MAP test as an 8th grader will allow them an advantage to score better. These tests are designed to determine a child’s academic performance now and how they will do beyond that.
Now that you understand what the test entails and have some tips on how to prepare, you are armed with some basic knowledge of this all-important test for your child.
The more you and your child prepare, the better the chance they will excel. Start now by checking out the 8th Grade NWEA MAP Test Practice materials at TestPrep Online.
Related Prep Guides-
- NWEA 5th Grade MAP Test – How to Study?
- NWEA 3rd Grade MAP Test – How to Prepare?
- NWEA 6th Grade MAP Test – A Complete Study Guide
- NWEA 7th Grade MAP Test – What Should be The Preparation Strategy?
Sarah is an accomplished educator, researcher and author in the field of testing and assessment. She has worked with various educational institutions and organisations to develop innovative evaluation methods and enhance student learning. Sarah has published numerous articles and books on assessment and learning. Her passion for promoting equity and fairness in the education system fuels her commitment to sharing insights and best practices with educators and policymakers around the world.
