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5th Grade MAP Test Sample Questions
Math
The MAP Growth Math tests you in a number of mathematical areas, including number sense, numbers and operations, algebraic thinking, geometry, measurement, and data. The questions can be multiple choice, drag and drop, word problems, complete the table, or any other number of question types. For more information on the math topics, see below. Here are some examples of what they might look like:
Which decimal is represented by the shaded region?
A. 0.24
B. 0.28
C. 0.47
D. 0.72
E. 2.8
Answer
The correct answer is (B).
Recall the place value columns for decimals. The first column after the decimal point is tenths, the second one hundredths, and the third thousandths. This means, if you have a fraction out of 10, you should have a decimal with numbers only in the tenths column, e.g. 0.2, 0.7, 0.1, etc.
If you have a fraction out of 100, you should have a decimal with numbers up to the hundredths column only, e.g. 0.14, 0.57, 0.99, etc.
This grid has 100 squares. There are 28 shaded squares. Therefore, the shaded region can be written as a fraction: 28/100. This means 28 ÷ 100. When dividing by 100, move the decimal place two places to the left. Therefore 28.00 becomes 0.28. Thus, it is a decimal with numbers up to the hundredth place.
What is 7/8 - 1/6
A. 6/2
B. 6/8
C. 6/24
D. 17/24
Answer
The correct answer is (D).
To subtract fractions, you must create the same denominator for both fractions. Look at the multiplication tables for eight and six to find a suitable multiple that is common to both:
6: 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48 …..
8: 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48 …
You can see that 24 and 48 are both multiples of eight and six. There are many more, but it is easier to use the smallest possible number. This is called the least common denominator. Thus, choose 24 as the common denominator of both fractions.
To change 7/8, multiply the denominator by three to change eight into 24. To keep the fraction equivalent, you must also do the same to the numerator.
7/8 x 3/3 = 21/24
To change 1/6, multiply the denominator by four, to change six into 24. You must do the same to the numerator.
1/6 x 4/4 = 4/24
Now that both fractions have a common denominator, you can subtract the numerators. You never add or subtract denominators in fractions questions.
21/24 -4/24= 17/24
Therefore, the correct answer is (D).
Tip: Review all of the basic operations and make sure you remember all the rules for using them with fractions and decimals. Remember that fractions need to share the bottom number in order to add and subtract them simply, and the first decimal place is out of ten, while the second is out of one hundred.
The rule in the function table below is divide x by five, then subtract three to get to y.
What are the missing values in the table?
A. 6/2
B. 6/8
C. 6/24
D. 17/24
Answer
The correct answer is (D).
To subtract fractions, you must create the same denominator for both fractions. Look at the multiplication tables for eight and six to find a suitable multiple that is common to both:
6: 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48 …..
8: 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48 …
You can see that 24 and 48 are both multiples of eight and six. There are many more, but it is easier to use the smallest possible number. This is called the least common denominator. Thus, choose 24 as the common denominator of both fractions.
To change 7/8, multiply the denominator by three to change eight into 24. To keep the fraction equivalent, you must also do the same to the numerator.
7/8 x 3/3 = 21/24
To change 1/6, multiply the denominator by four, to change six into 24. You must do the same to the numerator.
1/6 x 4/4 = 4/24
Now that both fractions have a common denominator, you can subtract the numerators. You never add or subtract denominators in fractions questions.
21/24 -4/24= 17/24
Therefore, the correct answer is (D).
A marathon runner ran for six hours. Select all the measurements that are equal to six hours.
A. 21,000 Seconds
B. 21,600 Seconds
C. 10,300 Seconds
D. 300 Minutes
E. 360 Minutes
F. 180 Minutes
Answer
The correct answers are (360 minutes), and (21,600 seconds).
To find the correct answers, you need to change 6 hours into measurements of minutes or seconds to match the answer choices.
There are 60 minutes in an hour so to convert hours to minutes you must multiply by 60.
6 hours × 60 = 360 minutes
There are also 60 seconds in a minute so to convert minutes to seconds you must multiply by 60 again.
360 minutes × 60 = 21600 seconds
Therefore, the correct answers are (360 minutes) and (21,600 seconds).
Tip: Go over all the basic measurements for distance, weight, size, temperature, etc.
Reading
The MAP Growth Reading test presents passages for literary and informational texts, as well as specialized stimuli and individual sentences, and asks you to answer questions about analyzing the ideas and elements that make up and color the texts, as well as identifying their structure and purpose. Some questions are also designed simply to assess your understanding of the meanings of words in the passage, using affixes, context clues, or vocabulary knowledge. For more information on the reading questions, see below.
Read the passage.
Anne's cup of happiness was full, and Matthew caused it to overflow. He had just got home from a trip to the store at Carmody, and he sheepishly produced a small parcel from his pocket and handed it to Anne, with a cautious look at Marilla.
"I heard you say you liked chocolate sweeties, so I got you some," he said.
"Humph," sniffed Marilla. "It'll ruin her teeth and stomach. There, there, child, don't look so dismal. You can eat those, since Matthew has gone and got them. He'd better have brought you peppermints. They're wholesomer. Don't sicken yourself eating all them at once now."
"Oh, no, indeed, I won't," said Anne eagerly. "I'll just eat one tonight, Marilla. And I can give Diana half of them, can't I? The other half will taste twice as sweet to me if I give some to her. It's delightful to think I have something to give her."
"I will say it for the child," said Marilla when Anne had gone to her gable, "she isn't stingy. I'm glad, for of all faults I detest stinginess in a child. Dear me, it's only three weeks since she came, and it seems as if she'd been here always. I can't imagine the place without her. Now, don't be looking I told-you-so, Matthew. That's bad enough in a woman, but it isn't to be endured in a man. I'm perfectly willing to own up that I'm glad I consented to keep the child and that I'm getting fond of her, but don't you rub it in, Matthew Cuthbert."
(Adapted from Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery)
What point of view is used in the passage?
A. first person
B. second person
C. third person omniscient
D. third person limited
Answer
The correct answer is (C).
The third person omniscient point of view is a method in which the narrator knows the thoughts of every character in the story and everything that happens to every character, including things that other characters are not aware of. The narrator in the passage tells about Anne's feelings ("Anne's cup of happiness was full"), but also tells about events that take place when she is not around (Marilla's words to Matthew). Therefore, the point of view is third person omniscient and the correct answer is (C).
Answer (A) is incorrect because, when the first person is used, the story is told from one character's point of view using words such as "I," "me," "myself" etc. The reader only knows about this character's thoughts and feelings and only know things this character knows. It is not what happens in the passage.
Answer (B) is incorrect because, when the second person is used, the story is told to someone, using words such as "you" and "yourself." It is not used in the passage.
Answer (D) is incorrect because the third person limited point of view adheres to the perspective of one character, so the reader is only aware of what this character is aware of, unlike the third person omniscient, which gives the perspectives of more than one character. Since the passage gives both Anne's and Marilla's perspectives, it is not limited to one character.
Tip: Try reading the question before the passage. This will let you know what to look for while you read.
Read the passage.
The Galápagos Islands are a group of islands located in the Pacific Ocean near the equator. Made up of 19 major islands and two smaller islets, the group is a province of Ecuador and is classified as both an Ecuadorian national park and a World Heritage Site. The Galápagos Islands' most famous feature is their wildlife, as a large number of these species are unique to the Galápagos.
According to the passage, the Galápagos Islands are not
A. a province of Ecuador.
B. a World Heritage Site.
C. a national park of Ecuador.
D. a popular tourist destination.
Answer
The correct answer is (D).
Notice the word not at the end of the instruction. This means that it is recommended to approach this question by eliminating the incorrect answer choices. In general, when facing a question that instructs you to locate information in the text, consider eliminating answer choices in order to choose the correct answer.
Answers (A), (B), and (C) are incorrect because the passage states that the Galápagos Islands are a province of Ecuador, a national park of Ecuador, and a World Heritage Site.
Though answer (D) might also be a correct statement regarding the Galápagos Islands, especially considering they are a world Heritage Site, it is not stated anywhere in the passage. The question is prefaced with "according to the passage," so even though this statement makes sense and may very well be true, the passage never tells us this, so it is the correct answer.
Read the paragraph.
Since the city hall decided to close the youth center, local parents have collected donations to keep it open and organized a marathon to raise funds. One parent told the reporters who came to the marathon, "The notion that the youth center does not benefit our youngsters is a fallacy."
Which of the following is closest in meaning to the word "fallacy"?
A. rumor
B. idea
C. misconception
D. belief
Answer
The correct answer is (C).
The closest word in meaning to "fallacy" is "misconception." Even if you do not know this word, you can understand its meaning from the paragraph: the parent who talks to the reporters about the intention to close the youth center probably wants to speak against it, because he is trying to raise money to prevent it from happening. When he speaks about the idea that the youth center does not benefit youngsters, he probably wants to say it is a false belief. The answer closest in meaning to this is answer (C), "misconception," which is a false belief, or fallacy.
Tip: Practice reading from books or any type of text you have. The more you read, the easier time you will have with these types of questions.
Language Usage
The MAP Growth Language Usage assesses understanding of the English Language in the areas of mechanics, such as punctuation and spelling, parts of speech, such as using and identifying different types of nouns and verbs, usage, such as sentence structure, and writing process, such as identifying writing styles and accomplishing writing goals. You will often be presented with sentences or paragraphs and asked to identify mistakes, make edits, or classify the words, clauses, sentences, or writing styles that are being used. For more information on the language usage topics, see below.
Which of the sentences is punctuated correctly?
A. Ladies and gentlemen may I have your attention, please?
B. It was nice, to meet you Sir.
C. Rachel can you bring me a glass of water?
D. Thank you, Manuel, for your help yesterday.
Answer
The correct answer is (D).
When addressing someone (or multiple people) directly in writing, whether by name or by title, commas are used to indicate the one being addressed. If the name appears at the beginning of the statement directed at that person, the comma appears after the person's name. If the name appears at the end, the comma appears before the name. If the name is in the middle of the sentence, separating what is being said to that person, a comma is placed both before and after the name.
The only sentence that follows these rules correctly is in answer (D). Therefore, the correct answer is (D).
Answer (A) is incorrect because there should be a comma after the compound noun "ladies and gentlemen" as it is a direct address of multiple people, using the title of "ladies and gentlemen."
Answer (B) is incorrect because there should be a comma before the word "Sir" as it is a direct address to the person being called "Sir." There should not be a comma after the word "nice."
Answer (C) is incorrect because there should be a comma after the name "Rachel," as it is a direct address.
Tip: When you are not sure of the rule, trust your instincts. The right answer might feel right to you even if you can’t explain why it is right. However, only rely on this if you have no logical reason to choose one over the other based on knowledge of a rule.
Read the sentences.
Despite being very tired, my friends and I visited the new exhibition in the art museum. The exhibition included some paintings drawn by a famous Italian artist.
Which of the following is an active verb?
A. drawn
B. tired
C. visited
D. famous
Answer
The correct answer is (C).
When a verb is active, the subject of the sentence performs the action.
For example: I took my dog for a walk outside.
In this example, "I" is the subject and it performs the action of taking the dog for a walk.
When a verb is passive, the subject of the sentence does not perform the action, but rather, the action is performed upon the subject.
For example: The dog was taken by me for a walk outside.
In this example, "The dog" is the subject, but the action of "taking" is not performed by it, but rather by the object "me."
In the sentence above, "visited" is an active verb as the subject, "my friends and I," performs the action of visiting.
Answer (A) is incorrect as the subject "paintings" does not perform the action of drawing. The action of drawing those paintings is performed by the "famous Italian artist."
Answers (B) and (D) are incorrect as "tired" and "famous" are adjectives, not verbs.
Which of the following sentences is a compound sentence?
A. Dana and Ron walk to school together every day.
B. The audience applauded and cheered the players.
C. It was hot yesterday, so I wore short pants and a t-shirt.
D. During the production of the film, there was a snowstorm.
Answer
The correct answer is (C).
A compound sentence has two independent clauses or sentences. The independent clauses can be joined by a conjunction (such as "and," "for," and "but") and a comma or by a semicolon. An independent clause is a clause that has a subject and verb and forms a complete thought.
For example, "He read a book, and I watched TV."
Some simple sentences have a compound subject or a compound predicate, but they are not compound sentences.
The only compound sentence is in answer (C). It is made up of two simple sentences joined by a comma and the conjunction so. Therefore, the correct answer is (C).
Answer (A) is incorrect as it is a simple sentence with a compound subject (Dana and Ron).
Answer (B) is incorrect as it is a simple sentence with a compound verb (applauded and cheered).
Answer (D) is incorrect as it is a simple sentence with an introductory phrase (during the production of the film). The part "during the production of the film" does not form a complete thought by itself, so it is not an indepentent clause.
Tip: To identify an independent clause in a sentence, try reading that segment by itself and see if it sounds like it could be an entire sentence. If it can, it is probably an independent clause.
Read the paragraph.
How do you become a scientist? You should start by completing your school studies. Then, you can think about the field that interests you the most. Once you make a decision regarding your favorite field of study, you need to either go to college or university in order to learn this field of study thoroughly.
Which pattern of organization is used in this writing sample?
A. compare and contrast
B. order of importance
C. cause and effect
D. sequence
Answer
The correct answer is (D).
When information in a passage is organized by the order in which it occurs or by following a particular order, it is called sequential order. Words commonly used in texts that are organized in a sequential order are first, next, the, then, lastly, before, etc. The most common sequences you will find are stories or series of events that are described as happening one ofter the other, However, instructions for a series of tasks to perform one after the other certainly applies as well. In this specific text, you are given clear steps that are needed to be followed in order to become a scientist, thus this text is organized as a certain order and is a sequential text.
Answer (A) is incorrect as compare and contrast is a pattern of organization where the similarities and differences of two or more things are explored. Nothing is being compared in this paragraph.
Answer (B) is incorrect as in order of importance, the ideas or steps are put in order from the most important to the least important. It is not the case in this paragraph as all of the steps have the same importance. Answer (C) is incorrect as cause and effect explains how one thing leads or led to another, exploring the reason something happened or what can make something happen, or else the outcome or consequences of of the topic at hand. This paragraph does not describe how each step causes the next, but rather how one needs to be done first and then the next.
Now that you’ve seen what the questions on the test will look like, let’s delve into the sub-topics that determine what these questions will aim to assess:
NWEA MAP Math Topics for 5th Grade
The reading section tests the student on both informal texts and literature:
- Informational Texts: spotting purpose and argument, as well as considering points such as subjectivity and perspective. You must also analyze structure and be able to identify main ideas and draw conclusions from the text
- Literature: analyzing literary texts and recognizing key themes and structures in various literary texts. You must also identify supporting details, literary elements, and draw inferences
- Word Meaning and Vocabulary Knowledge: understanding the meaning of words through context and based on prior knowledge, spotting a hidden relation between different words, and recognizing the structures behind them
NWEA MAP Language Usage Topics for 5th Grade
- Mechanics: The technical rules of writing; includes capital letter usage—such as in proper nouns and titles, punctuation—such as commas, apostrophes, and quotations, and spelling—including words around the 6th grade level, as well as making them plural and changing between the tenses.
- Parts of Speech: The different types of words used to form sentences, such as nouns, verbs, adjectives, and more; includes knowing how to recognize, use, and differentiate between different subcategories, such as personal and posessive pronouns or active and passive verbs.
- Usage: The rules of sentence structure; how to properly form sentences and identify their parts; includes classifying and differentiating between different types of sentences and identifying subject and predicate.
- Writing Process: Knowing how to properly build and identify different types of writing; includes recognizing what methods, words, or pieces of information to use in accordance with the goal.
Why Prepare for the NWEA 5th Grade MAP Test?
By preparing for the 5th grade MAP test, students have the opportunity to provide a more accurate image of their academic capabilities. Many questions are based on topics that can easily be prepared for by using the right studying methods. A high MAP score also gives your child the opportunity to contend for certain gifted programs, which use the MAP assessment as an admittance test.
TestPrep-Online offers comprehensive MAP practice pack for 5th Grade. Our 5th grade package provides several methods of preparation for the MAP Growth, including section-specific study-guides, plenty of practice quizzes and full-length tests—amounting tohundreds of sample questions with detailed explanations—for the Language Usage, Reading, and Math sections.
5th Grade MAP Scores
To calculate the scores of each MAP test, NWEA uses the Rasch-Unit scale (RIT). The RIT scale is a scale composed of equal intervals to measure progress. The scale can easily be compared to a ruler, since the difference between two adjacent RIT scores remains the same regardless of where they lie on the scale. Every RIT score is specifically designed to give students, parents, and teachers the opportunity to measure academic progress without taking into account either age or grade. A student’s score will not reflect the number of questions answered correctly, but rather the level of question he or she has an even chance of answering correctly. The higher grade the student is in, the further along the scale he or she is likely to be; a higher score for 5th grade will be one that is further along than the average 5th grader, and might resemble an average score for 6th or 7th grade.
To find more information on 5th Grade MAP Testing scores, check out TestPrep-Online’s MAP scores page.
Use of the Common Core in MAP
The Common Core is a set of learning standards designed for each grade that has become more and more popular across schools in the United States, and it is the norms upon which the NWEA bases its goals and questions.
Our practice pack for the 5th grade MAP test is also based on the Common Core in order to ensure that you are practicing the material you will encounter on the test. Though our MAP practice material is not adaptive, it will give you and your child the chance to see they types of questions and topics that they will face on the test, all centering around their level, including higher and lower levels as well to simulate the adaptive experience.
Prepare for the 5th Grade MAP Test with TestPrep-Online!
TestPrep-Online offers a variety of practice material to help students of all grades and ages prepare for their tests and reach the best of their potential. Our collection of MAP Practice Packs can help. The 5th Grade Practice Pack offers over 800 questions, including section-specific practice tests, detailed Q&A explanations, and math enrichment questions.
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