Free NWEA MAP Test Practice for 2nd Grade

What Is the NWEA 2nd Grade MAP Test?

The MAP Growth for 2^nd  grade is a computerized test that measures the student’s abilities in math and reading comprehension, and for some schools, 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 12^th 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.

Should We Prepare for the MAP Test?

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.

2nd Grade MAP Sample Questions

Have a look at our 2nd Grade MAP Sample Questions below to get an idea of what to expect on the test.

The MAP K-2 VS the Standard MAP Test

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 1^st 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. 2^nd 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 5^th grade for math, and through 12^th 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 2^nd graders

2nd Grade MAP Test Scores

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!

2nd Grade MAP & The Common Core

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.

About the 2nd Grade MAP Math Test

Operations and Algebraic Thinking

• Representing and solving problems
• Analyzing patterns and connections

Numbers and Operations

• Understanding place value, counting, and sets
• Base ten - numbers and operations
• Fractions - numbers and operations

Measurement and Data

• Geometric measurement and problem solving
• Representing and interpreting data

Geometry

• Reasoning with shapes, attributes, and coordinate planes

Read more about MAP math testing.

About the 2nd Grade MAP Language Usage Test

Mechanics

• Capitalization
• Punctuation
• Spelling
• Parts of Speech

Nouns and pronouns

• Verbs
• Adjectives and adverbs
• Prepositions, conjunctions, and interjections

Usage

• Phrases and clauses
• Sentence structure, sentence types, and meaning
• Subject-verb agreement

Writing Process

• Pre-writing, planning, and research
• Genre
• Organization and use of transitions
• Thesis or topic development & drafting and providing supporting details
• Purpose, audience, style and tone

Read more about the MAP language usage testing.

About the 2nd Grade MAP Reading Test

Word Meaning: word Origins, Relationships, and Semantics

• Letters, syllables, affixes, and roots
• Antonyms, synonyms, homographs, and word nuances
• Context clues

Literary Concepts: Main Ideas, Details, and Inferences

• Identification of main ideas and details, summarization, and locating of information
• Conclusions, inferences, and predictions
• Identification and analyzation of characterization, plot, and setting

Literary Concepts: Purpose, Structure, and Devices

• Analysis of author’s purpose, style, and viewpoint
• Analysis of structure and genre
• Identification and interpretation of literary devices and figurative language

Informational Concepts: Main Ideas, Details, and Inferences

• Identification of main ideas behind details, summarization, and locating of information
• Facts and opinions, conclusions, inferences, predictions
• Following directions, identification of sequence, use of visuals

Informational Concepts: Purpose, Structure, and Argument

• Author’s purpose and viewpoint
• Structure and genre
• Argument and credibility

Read more about MAP reading comp testing.

8 Tips for Preparing your child for the 2nd Grade MAP Test

• Map out deadlines and priorities. Once your child has taken our initial sample test it will be much easier for you to know what topics to prioritize in your studying plan prior to the test. If your child struggled most with the vocabulary questions and least with math questions, for instance, you may want to begin with the MAP Reading comprehension section.
• Consult a teacher. Another great way to get a feel for what your child needs the most help with is by consulting his or her instructors. Your child’s instructor will be able to provide greater insight into your child’s academic strengths and weaknesses. Are You Yourself a Teacher? Check Out Our Exclusive Class Discounts.
• Incorporate fun. It is likely that your child will lose focus here and there. Studying is not easy- especially for a second grader! Therefore, we recommend adding some fun activities to the prepping mix. Examples include one-on-one baking sessions for mathematical concepts or story time and movie nights for strengthening vocabulary.
• Keep your child healthy and active. Remember: your child won’t be able to learn without the right tools, and these include good physical and mental health. Make sure your child gets plenty of sleep, eats right, and is given sufficient time to play and have fun. You will undoubtedly see the benefits.
• Take regular breaks during study sessions. Focusing for long periods of time is never easy. Give your child a chance to process new information by incorporating small breaks every so often.
• No pressure! It’s easy to get stressed out with a test like this coming up. But pressuring your child to study will intimidate them and may even lead to test performance anxiety. Instead, try to make light of the test and remind your child that he or she is great no matter what.
• Use practice tests. While adding variety to your child’s studying plan is beneficial, it is also important to make sure your child is comfortable with the testing format and content. Try TestPrep-Online’s NWEA-replicated practice tests, which offer every type of question on the exam, in the exact order and of the same quantity as the real test.