NWEA MAP Test Scores

The MAP Growth Test has, over the years, become increasingly popular among schools in the United States. MAP’s unique quality lies in its measuring of students' personal academic progress. MAP testing scores chart a student’s academic growth in a manner that is easy for both parents and teachers to understand. Preparing for the test can give your child the opportunity to not only reach his or her potential, but to maximize it.

Learn more about standardized MAP testing for homeschoolers.

To calculate MAP assessment scores, NWEA uses the RIT, or Rasch unIT scale. This scale measures the value of a student’s score in relation to his or her scores on previous tests. Each RIT score indicates a point on a continuous scale of learning. These NWEA scores are not to be interpreted as target scores, but rather as benchmarks of a student’s academic skill level over a given period of time. Questions on the MAP receive their RIT values after being tested on thousands of students across the United States. Responses to items throughout a student’s test are used to produce the final RIT score for that student.

The numerical (RIT) value given to a student predicts that at that specific difficulty level, a student is likely to answer about 50% of the questions correctly. Results are scored across an even interval scale, meaning that the difference between scores remains consistent regardless of whether a student scores high or low. It also means that grade level is not a factor. Since the MAP test is taken on a computer, once the child finishes the test, scores are immediately available.

MAP Scores by Grade Level 2024

These NWEA reports show the MAP scores percentiles distribution in fall 2020 based on grade level. In order to understand how well a student performed on the test, his or her RIT score is compared to all of the other results from students in the same age group (the same grade). This measurement is called a percentile, and it tells you what percentage of your child’s peers he or she outperformed on the test.

For example, according to the first row of the chart for 5th grade (you can change the grade with the arrows on the left), in order to score better than 95% of your peers, you would need to receive a 234 in mathematics, a 228 in language usage, and a 231 in reading. An alternative example can be a 5th-grade student who scored 233 in mathematics – a little bit below the 95th percentile, 212 in language usage – a little bit above the 69th percentile, and 190 in reading – a bit above the 16th percentile.

Use the NWEA percentile benchmarks below to better understand your child’s latest test score, compared with others.

Note:
There are no NWEA MAP Language Usage tests in kindergarten and 1st grade. In addition, there are no available norms for the Language Usage section for 12th grade because an insufficient number of students in this grade took this section.
All MAP test percentiles are from the NWEA website.

• Read a variety of texts. Boosting your vocabulary and getting used to reading challenging texts can both be done through making sure to read texts you are unaccustomed to.
• Become an active reader. Actively reading means keeping yourself focused on the main goals of the text, searching for the main purpose of each paragraph and how it contributes to the overall role of the text. This skill is absolutely vital for reading comprehension questions.
• Carry a vocabulary notebook. Came across a new word? Jot it down! Writing it makes it easier to remember. You will be surprised how many useful words you’ll come across, especially if you follow our first tip.
• Practice speed reading techniques. Linked to active reading, speed reading can be an excellent way of zeroing in on the main purpose of passages and thus saving valuable time during the test. Remember: while the MAP is not a timed exam, the mind itself has a limit to how long it can remain focused, so that, no matter what, your time is limited.
• Practice with MAP reading comprehension questions. Using actual map reading comprehension questions during your revision process can help you get used to the format of the exam and thus keep you from getting get taken aback come test day.

• Solve one math problem a day. Math becomes far less threatening when you make the goal to practice it a little smaller. Thus, we recommend starting with one math problem a day and working your way from there.
• Practice using specific math techniques. Sometimes getting to the right answer with a math problem is all about nailing down the right technique to use. Therefore, take the time to learn and revise various methods of solving mathematical problems.
• Know the why, not just the how. Especially with math questions, It can be very easy to fall into the trap of answering the question simply through using the standard given formula and nothing more. However, it is important to make sure you understand the formula as well. If not it can be extra tricky when you reach questions that are a little more abstract and a little less straightforward.
• Go back to the basics. Having trouble with the complicated stuff? No problem! We recommend revising the simpler stuff once more. Very often a simple gap in past learned material is the only thing standing between you and the right answer.
• Practice with MAP math questions. MAP math questions can be an excellent way to get used to both the format and the phrasing of the questions as well as give you hints on some of the classic “tricks” you may find on the actual exam.

A typical NWEA MAP Growth Scores Report, in a nutshell, is designed to show you how your student has progressed academically both overall and from semester to semester. Find out how to read and interpret the different components of an NWEA MAP Test Scores Report, including the graph, table, and descriptors.

*Report taken from the official NWEA Site*

RIT scores are used to track your child’s progress over a period of time. The scores are not meant to be used as a tool of comparison between students, nor are the scores used as an indication of course achievement. MAP scoring is a means of representing your child’s academic skill set. Proper preparation can provide a more accurate report of these academic abilities.

Because of MAP's unique RIT scoring system, it is often used as a means to spot gifted students. Check out our MAP Test Scores Gifted Charts below to get an idea of what a gifted score may look like:

**Please note that our charts are only an estimation of gifted measurement and reflects solely upon the top percentile norms of 2020 (the 95th and 84th percentiles).

*Please note that there are no NWEA MAP Language Usage tests in kindergarten and 1st grade.

RIT scores are expected to increase over time. Scores of students in lower grades tend to increase more quickly than those of students in higher grades due to the increased level of difficulty of the higher grade-level tests. RIT scores generally range between 140 and 300. In third grade, students usually score anywhere between 140 and 190, and in higher grade levels they may progress to a score between 240 and 300.

Though the NWEA reports may help you understand your child’s score better, they are not enough to ensure a better one in the future. To receive a better MAP test percentile ranking, your child needs to practice using the correct study tools.

Our MAP practice packs can gauge your child's abilities, whether your child is at the top of the class or needs some extra guidance. Our practice tests with varying levels of difficulty in every test subject will help your child improve, no matter what his or her level is.

With over 800 questions to work with, your child is guaranteed to feel challenged. Access our MAP practice material today so your child can feel confident and prepared on test day.