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The MAP Growth for 2nd grade is a series of computerized tests that measure the student’s abilities in math, reading comprehension, language usage, and science. The test is adaptive, which means that if one question is answered correctly the next question becomes harder; if the question is answered incorrectly, the next question becomes easier. Students of different grades take the same test, as it adapts to their own level, and their score reflects their academic growth on a scale from kindergarten through 12th grade. The score is not derived from the percentage of questions answered correctly, but rather the level of questions they have an even chance of answering correctly. Most schools using the MAP administer the math and reading tests, and many schools introduce the language usage tests to 2nd graders for the first time, while the science test is often omitted.
Though it is not necessary, it is highly recommended to prepare for the MAP Test. The MAP assesses your child’s academic growth by asking questions and seeing what he or she is able to answer. Proper preparation, therefore, provides a more accurate image of your second grader’s abilities, as you want to be ready to present everything you can do, and not get tripped up on details that you may not have been prepared for. In addition, many academic establishments use MAP scores as admission material. Your child’s MAP score can mean entry into competitive gifted programs.
let’s break down the three most popular MAP Growth tests for 2nd grade and have a look at the material and question style for each test. View our 2nd Grade MAP Sample Questions below to get an idea of what to expect on the test.
The MAP Growth mathematics test consists of 40-43 questions, including word problems, number exercises, and visual displays, and the method of answering the question varies from question to question. In many questions, you will be asked to select one or multiple things on the screen or to fill in short answers. The questions include the following topics:
Algebraic Thinking – representing numbers, solving problems, analyzing patterns
Numbers and Operations – counting, sets, place value, base ten, fractions
Geometry and Measurement – shapes and their properties, length of sides, using rulers and protractors
Data – reading and analyzing data in charts
Read more about MAP math testing
Question 1: Math – Algebraic Thinking |
Which of the following represents the multiplication 2 x 4? A)
B)
C)
D) |
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Question 2: Math – Numbers and Operations |
A farm has a total of 23 animals. There are as many cows as the tens digit in the total number of animals on the farm. There are as many pigs as the ones digit in total number of animals on the farm. The rest of the animals are sheep. What is the correct distribution of animals in the farm? |
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Try this tip:
If you are asked a word problem, make sure you understand what it is asking and that you are not forgetting any part of the problem. Every aspect of the text should represent a number or operation. If you are asked a problem using images, make sure you understand what the purpose of each image is. If they represent numbers, make sure to keep track of which number each image represents.
Question 3: Math – Geometry and Measurement |
Which of the following shapes has been divided into equal parts? A)
B)
C)
D) |
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Question 4: Math – data |
How many books were read in the month of August? |
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Try this tip:
Make sure you are aware if the question is asking you to select one option or every relevant option. Also, when looking at a chart, the question may ask you for information that is not actually present. Make sure you are aware if you are trying to find something on the chart or if you need to perform some kind of operation based on something in the chart.
The reading test is designed to test your ability to analyze both literary and informational passages and concepts and answer questions about word meanings. This section includes 40-43 questions as well, generally with multiple-choice answers, and some passages may include multiple questions. The questions will usually ask you to analyze the following concepts:
Content: Identifying main ideas, locating information, drawing inferences, summarizing. Consider the following aspects:
Craft: Identifying the author’s purpose, writing style, point of view, structure, and genre. Consider the following aspects:
Word Meaning – roots and affixes, context clues, synonyms and antonyms
Read more about MAP Reading testing
Question 5: Reading – literary concepts |
Read the story. Lindsay and Gretchen are twins. They wished they had a pet at home. Lindsay wanted a dog, while Gretchen thought a hamster was the best choice. Lindsay and Gretchen went to the pet store after school. There, they worked out their differences and decided together which pet to take. When they came back home with the new member of the family, their mother looked at it with surprise. Lindsay and Gretchen explained that this cute rabbit was looking at them with sad eyes, and they immediately knew it was the right pet for both of them. 1. How was Lindsay and Gretchen's problem resolved? 2. What type of text is this?
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Question 6: Reading – informational concepts |
Read the index. |
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Try this tip:
Read the question before reading the passage. This way, you know what to look for when reading it. Remember that you are not timed, however, so take your time and make sure you’ve read and understood the whole passage. There may be important information even after you think you have the answer.
Question 7: Reading – informational concepts |
Click on two types of information you are likely to find in a newspaper. |
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Question 8: Reading – word meaning |
Read the sentence. |
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Here's another tip:
If there are words you are unfamiliar with, start with the ones you know and see what fits and what doesn’t. You can often eliminate answers even if you are not entirely sure what they mean.
The Language Usage test focuses on the ability to properly use the English Language. There are 40-43 questions that ask you to find or fix mistakes, complete sentences with missing parts, rewrite or restructure sentences, identify proper elements of writing, and other similar tasks. There may be multiple answers to choose from, words to fill in, items to rearrange on the screen, or other creative forms of answering questions. Students are tested in the following areas:
Mechanics – punctuation, capital letters, and spelling
Parts of Speech – knowing what types of words to use and where, as well asin what tense.
Usage – how to form sentences with proper grammar and structure, and how best to do so for the intended meaning.
Writing Process – forming meaningful bodies of writing for the intended purpose, as well as identifying different types of writing and their relevant characteristics and techniques
Read more about the MAP Language Usage testing
Question 9: Language Usage - mechanics |
Click on the contraction in which the apostrophe is in the right place. |
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Question 10: Language Usage – parts of speech/usage |
Read the sentence and answer the questions below: Darling, please go to the pantry and grab a few __________ for me. 1. Which words complete the sentence correctly? 2. Out of the following options, which version moves the word “darling” to the most suitable spot in the sentence? |
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Here’s a tip:
Even if you are not familiar with the technical rules, many times you can solve parts of speech and usage problems with instinct. If you are unsure of the answer, select the one that sounds most natural to you.
Question 11: Language Usage – writing process |
Suppose you are asked to write a school essay titled "Why I Like Going to the Museum." |
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The NWEA has two forms of the MAP assessment that may be appropriate for a 2nd grader. The first is the MAP K-2, taken also by kindergarteners and 1st graders, which is an adjusted version of the MAP Growth for students who are not yet fully comfortable reading. It uses recorded instructions instead of written ones and integrates recorded answer choices as well as pictures, so they do not need to be understood completely from the text. This allows the test to assess the students’ actual skills and not be thrown off by mistakes due to misunderstanding the text.
The other version is the standard one with only written instructions. 2nd graders who can comfortably understand the questions and answers without audio are encouraged to take this version. This is the same format of the test taken through 5th grade for math, and through 12th grade for all other subjects. The level of the tests will adapt to your child either way, yet this version has more room to grow and will better prepare students for the MAP in the years to come if they will be taking it again.
Ask your school or test provider which test they will be administering to your child, and if it is up to you, you can make the decision based on the criteria we’ve provided.
*TestPrep-Online offers preparation materials for both of these options:
The K-2 pack - Specially designed with recorded questions and answer choices as well as extensive use of child-friendly images that simulate the experience of this version of the test
The 2nd Grade Pack - Mimics the standard version of the test and centers around the average range of academic growth for 2nd graders
For score calculations, NWEA uses the Rasch Unit Scale (RIT). This scale is an equal interval scale that functions like a ruler. The scale allows for the student’s skills to be appraised individually, as each point remains the same regardless of age or grade.
Want to better understand 2nd Grade MAP test scores? Visit our MAP Scores page!
The Common Core is a set of learning standards used in many schools in the United States, which dictates what knowledge and skills a student should obtain by the end of a specific school year. Like many other standardized tests in the United States, NWEA’s MAP has incorporated the Common Core into its testing material. Questions appearing in the 2nd Grade MAP Test are, therefore, based on the content of the Common Core guidelines for 2nd Grade.
Though TestPrep-Online’s practice tests for 2nd Grade MAP are not adaptive like the original test, they do incorporate standards of the Common Core that appear on the exam, and are based on the same standards and the RIT range for second grade.
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