# How to Pass the 7th Grade MAP Test

Updated June 6, 2022

The Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) test is an adaptive assessment taken by children in each school year from kindergarten all the way to the 12th grade.

It enables teachers, parents and school administrators to improve learning for all students by understanding their academic growth.

The 7th Grade MAP test results are used to measure how a student is progressing in school. They provide an insight into a pupil’s strengths and areas for improvement, allowing teachers to best guide them in the classroom.

The test taken in 7th grade is designed to assess a student’s academic performance in three core areas: Mathematics, Language Usage and Reading Comprehension.

Each pupil will take their own individualized test that has been designed to show what they are capable of.

## What Is the 7th Grade MAP Test?

The 7th Grade MAP test is a computer-adaptive test – meaning it adapts to answers given during the assessment. The level of difficulty in each question is determined by whether or not the pupil answered the preceding question correctly.

This means that the test remains proportionate to the pupil’s ability to allow them to show what they can do, as well as areas they need to work on.

## What Does the Test Cover?

The 7th Grade MAP test has three sections that are aligned with the Common Core State Standards. The Standards provide consistent learning goals to support students from the beginning of their education and prepare them for college, career and life.

The test is untimed, with students spending approximately one hour on each section.

### Mathematics

The Mathematics section of the test assesses the pupil’s knowledge of the 7th Grade Common Core Requirements math content, as well as their understanding beyond this level.

The test uses math problems for 7th graders to cover a range of topics such as:

• Algebraic equations
• Arithmetic
• Geometry
• Scientific notation
• Percentages

The questions are all multiple choice and may be presented in different formats. Questions may ask students to fill in missing parts of an equation, or the challenge may be to read a word problem and work out the equation themselves. You can find effective ways to revise these questions with math tests for 7th graders.

Below are some sample questions that demonstrate the varying formats of the MAP Mathematics questions:

#### Mathematics – Sample Question 1

Solve the following equation: $60.00 –$11.25 =

a) $58.25
b)$
48.75
c) $42.75
d)$
49.75

The correct answer is: b) \$48.75

#### Mathematics – Sample Question 2

A worm takes two and a half days to travel two miles. How long would it take a worm to travel four miles?

a) 72 hours
b) 120 hours
c) 144 hours
d) 3 days
e) 5 days

The correct answers are: b) 120 hours and e) 5 days

This word problem provides you with all of the information you need to work out the answer. You know how long it takes for the worm to travel two miles, so to find the answer for four times simply double the length of time.

There are 24 hours in a day, so to find the number of hours in 5 days, multiply 24 by 5. You can also use addition to find the value of five lots of 24:

24 x 5 = 120 hours
24 + 24 + 24 + 24 + 24 = 120 hours

This type of question tests a pupil’s problem-solving skills. You can revise these with your child by using math sheets for 7th graders.

### Language Usage

The 7th Grade MAP test Language Usage test assesses writing and grammar across a range of levels.

Consisting of approximately 52 questions, the Language Usage test focuses on aspects of language mechanics such as:

• Writing strategies
• Writing style and application
• Punctuation
• Grammar

#### Writing Strategies

In these questions, students will need to apply their knowledge of prewriting, drafting, revising and editing.

#### Writing Style and Application

The writing style and application questions of the MAP presents students with a series of sentences and paragraphs.

The objective is to respond with correct writing usage, demonstrating an understanding of the various forms of composition. The types of composition students are given include poetry, personal narratives and expository pieces.

#### Punctuation

These questions assess punctuation through adaptive questions that evolve in difficulty as the student progresses.

#### Grammar

In the grammar questions, students are asked to show understanding of correct spelling, word forms and tenses, sentence structures, phrases and clauses.

This is one area where practice will really pay off. To ensure you are revising relevant material with your child, consult a spelling test for 7th graders.

The below examples show what Language Usage questions may look like:

#### Language Usage – Sample Question 1

Which of these is a declarative sentence?

a) What did you do last weekend?
b) This book is awesome!
c) Wrap the presents before you go to the party.
d) I know how to play guitar.

A declarative sentence has several purposes: it makes a statement, provides a fact, conveys information or offers an explanation.

Answer a) is a question, b) is an exclamatory sentence and c) is an imperative sentence, as it is giving a command or instruction.

#### Language Usage – Sample Question 2

Which of these is a complete sentence?

a) Rolling down a hill.
b) The cat climbed up the tree.
c) Went to the store.
d) The classroom full of seventh graders.

A complete sentence must have two essential parts: a subject and a verb. A subject is a noun, such as a person, place, thing or idea. It tells us who or what the sentence is about.

A verb is the action of the subject, and so tells us what the subject is doing. If either the subject or the verb is missing, as with options a), c), and d), the sentence is incomplete.

How to Pass the 7th Grade MAP Test

The 42 questions in the MAP Reading test are based on three areas: Informational Text, Foundational Skills and Vocabulary, and Literature.

#### Informational Text

In this part, students will be given limited time and asked to read a few passages to demonstrate their reading comprehension abilities.

As this is an adaptive test, the questions increase in difficulty if previous questions are answered correctly.

Below are examples of the types of question that may appear in the informational text section:

• Pinpoint the main subject in a sentence
• Deduce whether the following statement is true or false
• Put this sequence of events into the correct order
• Name the purpose of a given structure within the extract

#### Foundational Skills and Vocabulary

The MAP test Foundational Skills and Vocabulary section focuses on phonics, recognition of words and relationships of words.

The components of the test vary in difficulty, with easier questions asking pupils to identify simple syllables or match a pair of synonyms. The more advanced foundational skills and vocabulary questions may feature more difficult variations of these tasks.

#### Literature

The Literature segment of the MAP Reading test assesses reading comprehension and requires students to identify literary elements within the passages. Some of these elements include:

• Identifying characters
• Recognising the author's purpose
• Pinpointing key plot elements

The Reading Comprehension section may present questions such as:

#### Reading Comprehension – Sample Question 1

Which of the following is an antonym of the word ‘beneficial’?

c) Detrimental
d) Valuable

An antonym is a word that is opposite in meaning. The other possible answers are all synonyms, as they have a similar meaning to the word ‘beneficial’.

#### Reading Comprehension – Sample Question 2

Which type of figurative language is found in this sentence: The wind howled like a werewolf under a full moon?

a) Irony
b) Metaphor
c) Simile
d) Hyperbole

The sentence is highlighting the similarities between two subjects. In this case, the simile is comparing the wind to a werewolf using the word ‘like’. Other comparison words used in similes include ‘as’, ‘so’ and ‘than’.

## How Is the Test Scored?

The 7th Grade MAP test is scored using a Rasch UnIT (RIT) Scale, which provides a result that is independent of grades.

Each RIT Scale demonstrates the level of difficulty in which a student is able to answer the given questions correctly about 50 per cent of the time.

This is known as the zone of proximal development, which refers to the difference between what a pupil can do without help and what they can achieve with guidance and encouragement. This allows the test to not simply assess what a child already knows but deduce their potential for success.

Unlike other school tests, there are no high or low scores in the MAP test. The assessments are designed to benchmark each student’s progress across school years.

That said, years of testing has provided an idea of national standards. For children in the 7th grade, an average score is 220 for Math, 213 for Language Usage and 214 for Reading.

## Tips on How to Pass the 7th Grade MAP Test

Passing the 7th Grade MAP test largely depends on the knowledge your 7th grader has accumulated throughout the school year, but they can certainly improve their score with practice.

The three parts of the test – Mathematics, Language Usage and Reading Comprehension – can all be revised for, and practice makes perfect!

Follow these tips for the best chance of success:

• Practice similar math problems with your child. Math is such a big subject that it can be difficult to revise for. If you set a goal to practice just one math problem a day, you have made the prospect far less scary. Start with one of the online math problems for 7th graders and work your way up, knowing that each burst of practice will help when it comes to test day.

• Keep a consistent study schedule, but vary the method to keep their attention. While it is important to stick to a revision timetable to help your child progress, they may become bored or frustrated. Try and switch up the practice to keep it exciting.

• Practice using some specific math techniques. Take the time to learn about various methods of solving mathematical problems. If you have a few different techniques under your belt, you can use the most appropriate one in the test to quickly arrive at the solution. To make this fun, you can make use of math games for 7th graders.

• Play spelling games like Scrabble or sentence structure games like Madlibs. By turning revision into games, your child is more likely to engage in practice for the 7th Grade MAP test.

• Revision is key. Use resources made for MAP test Practice 7th Grade, such as online math worksheets for 7th graders. This will enable your child to get used to the format and phrasing of the questions.

• Have your child read a newspaper article and then discuss the meaning, subject and context of the story with you. The assessment may ask your child to answer questions on texts they are not accustomed with. Working with them to deduce meaning will help them to identify the key aspects of a story. It will also help them answer questions on word meaning in the 7th Grade MAP test.

• Practice with MAP reading comprehension questions. By revising comprehension questions, you can get used to the format of the exam so you know the layout to expect.

• Encourage good sleep, exercise and nutrition. Your child will benefit hugely from a well-rounded diet, fresh air and around ten hours of sleep each night.

To get into the top 50% of scores, a student will need 220 on the mathematics section, 213 on language usage and 214 on reading.

If the student is aiming at the top 5% of scores, they need to achieve 249 on mathematics, 237 on language usage and 241 on reading.

The 7th MAP test examines how much a student knows over the three areas of mathematics, language usage and reading.

They will be tested on knowledge specific to 7th grade. The MAP is a tool that is designed to test a student’s academic progress and what they need to focus on to improve for the next school grade.

## Final Thoughts

The 7th grade is a big time in your child’s life and an important time to put their best foot forward.

Preparation can only help, as long as you remember to keep the pressure off and reward their progress. Try and make the testing process as stress-free as possible and your 7th grader will thrive.