Free NWEA MAP Test Practice for 3rd Grade!

What Is the NWEA MAP Test for 3rd Grade?

The MAP Test for 3rd grade is an untimed, computer-generated test divided into three subjects: math, language usage, and reading. It is a great way for both teachers and parents to gain a better understanding of a student’s progress throughout the year, as well as a student's instructional needs. It is also a way for schools to test whether students need to be placed in a special program. Learn more about MAP Testing.

3rd Grade MAP Test Sample Questions

NWEA 3rd Grade MAP Test Aligned with the Common Core

As the Common Core becomes more widespread across schools in the United States, many standardized and gifted tests are adapting to its standards. The MAP test for 3rd grade is no exception. For this reason, TestPrep-Online has developed practice tests that follow MAP's Common Core scheme. With our 3rd Grade MAP practice pack, you can ensure that your third grader is exposed to all the topics aligned with the Common Core, and is getting top-notch practice for the test.

The NWEA 3rd Grade MAP Math Section

The MAP Math section for 3rd grade includes four general areas that are typically covered by the time the student reaches 3rd grade:

• Numbers and Operations: using mental math to count and make calculations
• Operations & Algebraic Thinking: applying basic functions of fractions & decimals
• Algebra: solving equations with missing information
• Geometry: applying concepts in geometry, such as symmetrical and parallel lines

Most questions do not require a calculator, but for those that do, an on-screen calculator will appear. Test takers are also given scratch paper for working out problems. On average, there are 53 questions on the math section. However, this number is subject to change due to the test's adaptive nature.

The NWEA MAP Language Usage Section

The MAP Language Usage section is made up of 53 multiple-choice questions. Here's a look at what's covered in this section:

Language: demonstrating a grasp of various language conventions including punctuation, capitalization, and spelling
Grammar and Usage: exhibiting an understanding of grammar conventions and accurately applying them
Writing Conventions: demonstrating how to plan and organize writing

The NWEA MAP Reading Section

The MAP Reading section for third grade is adapted to ask questions that third graders are generally capable of answering. The reading section is divided into three main subsections:

Word recognition and vocabulary: decoding words and recognizing word structures and relationships
Literature: understanding key structures and ideas within literary texts, demonstrating an ability to analyze key crafts and purposes
Informational texts: demonstrating an understanding of main ideas and structure

9 Tips to Help your Child Ace the 3rd Grade MAP Test

Before the test:

• Make a study plan. Once you’ve taken our initial sample test, create a hierarchy of things to study based on where your child’s strengths and weaknesses lie.
• Stick to a routine. Help your child stay focused. Keep a fixed routine by scheduling the same time every day for studying. This keeps your child mentally prepared.
• Keep your child motivated. Add fun activities to the study plan to help keep your child excited about the learning process. Sitting at a desk is beneficial only for a short time before it becomes tiresome. We recommend the question game, in which you encourage your child to ask a specific number of questions every day with the promise of a reward at the end.
• Be positive. A negative attitude can be contagious- but so can a positive one! By being visibly excited about the subject at hand, your child is bound to be, too!

Day of the Test:

• Review- don’t learn. At this stage, you’ve hopefully already covered a good deal of new information. It is therefore not recommended to start learning anything new, as this can hinder your child from utilizing the material s/he has already learned and feels more comfortable with, and getting the optimal scores s/he deserves.
• Bring snacks. It’s hard to focus on an empty stomach; we recommend avoiding this issue by packing a variety of healthy energy sources for your child to nibble on during the exam. Who knows? That extra push could make a difference between a right answer and a wrong one.
• Come in layers. Your child can get distracted if the room is too cold or too warm. Avoid this issue by having your child dress in lightweight clothes and bring a sweater to the test which will allow them to be comfortable no matter what the temperature may be.
• Use the idea of a “participation reward”. Your child may be feeling under pressure before the test. Try to erase this feeling by bringing an incentive that is more direct- perhaps a treat after the test is finished, no matter what grades your child ends up receiving.
• Come early. Leave home early to allow time to find the location and manage mishaps that might occur on the way such as not being able to find the location or getting caught in traffic. In addition, it will give you the opportunity to provide your child with that much needed pep-talk.

MAP Testing Practice for 3rd Grade

Get more 3rd Grade MAP Sample questions with TestPrep-Online’s 3rd Grade MAP Practice Pack! Our pack offers 804 sample questions, including section-specific practice tests, so that you and your child can easily focus on one skill at a time, if necessary.

Despite being a standardized test, a child can—and should—prepare for the MAP test beforehand, since MAP testing scores can be a deciding factor for placement in either regular or gifted classes. To help you prepare, TestPrep-Online offers a full 3rd Grade MAP test practice pack.