Free NWEA MAP Test Practice for 2nd Grade

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

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: 

• Literary – characters, setting, plot 
• Informational – fact and opinion, following directions, data and visuals 

Craft: Identifying the author’s purpose, writing style, point of view, structure, and genre. Consider the following aspects: 

Literary – literary devices

Informational – argument

Word Meaning – roots and affixes, context clues, synonyms and antonyms 

Learn more about MAP Reading testing 

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

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. 

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.

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.

• 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.