NWEA MAP Test 3rd Grade: Free Practice, Scores & Prep Tips

Welcome to your ultimate prep resource for the NWEA MAP Growth Test for 3rd Grade.

In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to help your child prepare effectively for their MAP test, including:

  • In-depth overview with important things to know
  • Free practice test
  • Scores interpretation
  • Recommendations for accurate practice tests
  • And more…

So if you want to maximize your 3rd grader’s MAP score potential, you’ll love this guide.

Let’s dive right in!

The 3rd grade MAP Test measures your child’s reading, math, language, and possibly science skills. It’s an adaptive test, meaning questions get harder or easier based on their answers. Prepare your child with regular reading, practice questions, and educational games that make learning engaging.

Subjects Covered on the MAP Growth Test for 3rd Grade

Reading Test

  • Decoding and Fluency: Your child should be able to sound out words accurately and read with a flow.
  • Vocabulary: A strong understanding of word meanings is key.
  • Comprehension: Finding the main idea in informational texts and other genres, figuring out what the author might really mean (reading between the lines), and drawing conclusions will all be tested.
  • Literary Analysis: Identifying the author’s message, comparing story elements, and noticing how authors use different writing techniques are areas for practice.

See our 3rd grade MAP reading guide for more information and practice questions.

Math Test

  • Numbers and Operations: A good grasp of counting, place value, adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing is essential.
  • Algebraic Concepts: This covers understanding patterns, simple expressions (like 2 + ? = 5), and equations.
  • Geometry and Measurement: Your child will work with shapes, measurements, and understanding information represented in charts or graphs.
  • Word Problems: These require translating a real-world scenario into a math problem.

Check our 3rd grade MAP math guide for more insights and sample questions.

Language Arts Test (Officially Named “Language Usage”)

  • Grammar and Mechanics: Proper punctuation, capitalization, and understanding of how to use words correctly are tested.
  • Writing: Questions often evaluate your child’s ability to organize ideas into sentences and paragraphs with logical sequence.

Visit our 3rd grade Language Arts guide for an in-depth overview and sample questions.

Science Test (Possible)

  • Some schools include this. If so, these are potential topics:
    • Life Science: Plants, animals, and how living things interact.
    • Physical Science: The basics of matter, energy, and forces.
    • Earth & Space Science: Learning about our planet, weather patterns, and space.

See our 3rd Grade MAP Science guide for detailed information and practice questions.

Additional Info for Parents

  • Test Adaptivity: The MAP Test changes its difficulty based on how your child answers.
  • Take Your Time: There are no time limits on these tests. Encourage your child to focus on doing each question carefully, not rushing.

Why Is the 3rd Grade MAP Testing Important?

The MAP Test offers benefits for your child, their teachers, and the school at large:

  • Understanding Your Child’s Learning: The MAP Test gives you a clearer picture of their academic strengths and where they might need additional support.
  • Customizing Their Learning: Teachers use MAP Test results to focus lessons and create activities tailored to your child’s individual needs. This personalized approach accelerates their academic progress.
  • Tracking Growth: Since your child retakes the MAP Test throughout the year, it’s a fantastic tool to help them see how much they’ve learned! Witnessing their improvement builds confidence and motivation.
  • Helping the School Succeed: MAP Test data informs teachers and school officials about the best ways to support students as a whole. This benefits your child and the whole school community.

Get 19 accurate MAP practice tests for 3rd grade to help your child prepare and score high.

The sample test below is divided into four parts, similar to the actual MAP test. For each section, you’ll find 3-4 practice questions with full solutions and helpful preparation tips. Good Luck!

MAP Math for 3rd Grade

MAP Math Sample Questions

Sample Question #1

3rd Grade MAP Test Sample Question - Math

A. 100 + 20 + 9
B. 100 + 30 + 8
C. 300 + 20 + 9
D. 300 + 30 + 8

The correct answer is (C).

To solve this problem, sum the number of squares in the blocks.
Each large block contains 10 rows of 10 squares, so the number of squares in each large block is:
10 × 10 = 100 squares. There are three large blocks that each contain 100 squares. Additionally, there are two columns that each contain 10 squares and three smaller blocks that each contain three squares.
The number of squares in the blocks is:
(3 × 100 squares) + (2 × 10 squares) + (3 × 3 squares) = 300 + 20 + 9

Therefore, the correct answer is (C).

Sample Question #2

MAP Test 3rd Grade Sample Question - Math

A teacher counted the number of squat jumps students in her physical education class did. What is the difference between the highest and the lowest score?

A. 8
B. 55
C. 60
D. 63
E. 81

The correct answer is (D).

First, find the highest and the lowest scores in the table. The highest score is 72, achieved by Demi. The lowest score is 9, achieved by Kim.
Next, you must find the difference between these numbers. Finding the difference means subtracting the smaller number from the greater number.
72 − 9 = 63.

Therefore, the correct answer is (D).

Sample Question #3

What angle is measured on the protractor?

NWEA MAP Test for 3rd Grade Sample Question - Math

A. 53 degrees
B. 57 degrees
C. 123 degrees
D. 127 degrees
E. 130 degrees

The correct answer is (D).

There are two scales to read on a protractor, which can make it tricky. You must ensure you read off the correct scale.

An angle is created by two lines meeting. Here, it is colored blue. To read off the protractor accurately, first look at the blue horizontal line. This line passes through the numbers 0 degrees and 180 degrees on one side of the protractor (highlighted yellow):

NWEA MAP 3rd Grade Example Question - Math

To know which scale to use, follow the 0 degrees that the line passes through. In this case, the 0 degrees is on the inside set of numbers, so you ignore the outside set of numbers and measure round counterclockwise, counting up first in tens.

Next, look at the other blue line. This also passes through two numbers (highlighted in green). But only look at the inside number. You can see the blue line is more than 120 degrees, but less than 130 degrees, so you can eliminate answers (A), (B), and (E).

On the outside edge of the protractor, each section is divided into ten small lines. Each line represents one degree. Counting counterclockwise from 120 degrees until you reach the blue line, you have gone through seven small lines. That represents seven degrees, which you must add to 120 degrees. Altogether, this is 127 degrees.

Therefore, the correct answer is (D).

Preparation Strategies

  • Math is Everywhere: Incorporate math into everyday activities (i.e. baking, sorting toys, telling time).
  • Visualize! Encourage your child to draw pictures, use manipulatives (like blocks), and graphs to make math concepts clearer.
  • Practice Makes Progress: Practice tests, workbooks, and age-appropriate online math games help to improve problem-solving skills and keep practice sessions fun.

Maximize your child’s math score with 6 MAP Math practice tests for 3rd grade and hundreds of enrichment questions.

MAP Reading for 3rd Grade

MAP Reading Sample Questions

Sample Question #1

Read the paragraph.

Making glass is an interesting process. First, you make a mixture of sand, lime, and soda. Then, you put the combined ingredients in a furnace that was heated to 2,850 degrees Fahrenheit, creating molten glass. Then, you remove the molten glass from the furnace.

After the molten glass is removed from the furnace,

A. it turns to sand
B. it melts again.
C. it is cooled and hardened.
D. it is broken into pieces.

The correct answer is (C).

The paragraph briefly describes the process of making glass. The final state of glass is solid, so you need to conclude how the glass becomes solid after it is removed from the furnace in its molten state. To become solid, the molten glass first has to be cooled. Then, it is hardened and cut into the desired shapes. Therefore, the correct answer is (C).

Answer (A) is incorrect because it is not likely that the molten glass will turn to sand after it is removed from the furnace since sand is only one of the ingredients of glass. Thus, the final state of glass cannot be sand.

Answer (B) is incorrect because the molten glass cannot melt again since it is already molten. Additionally, the final state of glass is solid, while molten glass is not solid.

Answer (D) is incorrect because a material that is in a liquid state (molten glass) cannot be broken into pieces.

Sample Question #2

Read the sentences.

The internet connection is not working. Try to ___connect the cable to the socket.

Which prefix best completes the sentence?

A. dis-
B. re-
C. un-
D. tri-

The correct answer is (B).

prefix is a group of letters that can be added to the beginning of a word. When added, the prefix changes the meaning of the base word. Base words are words that can be used on their own and you can add prefixes and/or suffixes to.

The base word in this sentence is “connect.” You must choose the correct prefix based on the context of the sentence.
In this sentence, the internet connection is not working, so you need to do something to make it work again.
Go over the answer choices to choose the correct prefix.

Answer (A): Disconnect means “to stop being connected,” as dis means “not.” In the context of the sentence, you want it to be connected again. Thus, this answer choice can be eliminated.

Answer (B): Reconnect means “to connect back together,” as re means “again” or “back.” This is the correct answer as it fits the context of the sentence in the question.

Answer (C) is incorrect because unconnect would mean something that is not connected, as un means “not.” In the context of the sentence, you want it to be connected again. Thus, this answer choice can be eliminated.

Answer (D) is incorrect because in triconnect, the prefix “tri” means “three,” and this does not relate to the context of the sentence.

Sample Question #3

Read the passage.

Octopi are fascinating, eight-legged creatures that live in oceans around the world. Their bodies are almost entirely soft, with no internal skeleton or protective outer shell. The only rigid part of their bodies is their beak. This enables them to squeeze through narrow openings to avoid predators. Another interesting piece of trivia is that octopi have three hearts—two to pump blood into their gills and one to pump blood into the rest of their bodies.

Which word from the passage best fits this definition: an organ for obtaining oxygen from water?

A. skeleton
B. beak
C. gills
D. heart

The correct answer is (C).

The word that best fits this definition is gills.

Answer (A) is incorrect because a skeleton is the bones forming the framework of the body.

Answer (B) is incorrect because a beak is part of a jaw that is covered with a horny or leathery cover.

Answer (D) is incorrect because a heart pumps blood into the body. It does not obtain oxygen from water.

Tips to Improve Your Child’s Abilities

  • The Joy of Reading: Reading shouldn’t feel like a chore! Let your child choose books they enjoy, read to them aloud, and make reading a regular part of your routine.
  • Beyond the Page: Talk with your child about what they’re reading – ask questions about characters, plot, and what they think might happen next.
  • Word Power: Play word games, introduce new vocabulary words when possible, and keep a fun dictionary nearby!

Maximize your child’s reading score with 6 MAP Reading practice tests for 3rd grade.

MAP Language Arts (ELA) for 3rd Grade

MAP Language Arts Sample Questions

Sample Question #1

Jennifer is writing a paper about junk food and why children should not consume much of it.

Which writing genre is appropriate for Jennifer’s purpose?

A. Descriptive writing
B. Poetry writing
C. Narrative writing
D. Persuasive writing

The correct answer is (D).

Jennifer’s purpose is to write a paper that will persuade the reader that kids should not eat junk food. Persuasion means winning someone to your viewpoint or cause. Therefore, the correct answer is persuasive writing.

Answer (A) is incorrect because the main purpose of descriptive writing is to describe a person, place, or thing in a way that a picture is formed in the reader’s mind. Generally, it is not used for persuasion.

Answer (B) is incorrect because in poetry writing you create poems using rhymes and other stylistic tools and your purpose is not necessarily to persuade the readers.

Answer (C) is incorrect because narrative writing is a type of writing that tells a story and which is usually categorized as fiction. Generally, it is not used for persuasion.

Sample Question #2

Which of the words is spelled correctly?

A. Preist
B. Recieve
C. Brief
D. Yeild

The correct answer is (C).

To know when to use ie or ei, you should use the following spelling rules:
When the sound of the vowel is /e/, write “ie” (e.g., chief).
When the /e/ sound comes after a /s/ sound, use “cei” (e.g., ceiling).
Additionally, when the vowel sounds like /ay/, use “ei” (e.g., neighbor).
The word “brief” has a vowel with an /e/ sound, and therefore it is written with “ie.” Thus, the correct answer is (C).

Sample Question #3

Read the sentence.

The museum near Ron’s house on Baker street was first opened to the public on the 5th of june, 2015, in a big ceremony.

Which words in the sentence should begin with a capital letter?

A. museum, street
B. june, ceremony
C. public, museum
D. street, june

The correct answer is (D).

Names of specific places and names of months should always be capitalized. Therefore, the word “street” should begin with a capital letter as it is part of the name of a specific place, Baker Street, and the word “june” should begin with a capital letter as it is a month. Thus, the correct answer is (D).

Preparation Tactics

  • Spark a Love of Writing: Provide writing prompts for short stories or imaginative scenarios to encourage a healthy relationship with writing.
  • Grammar Review: Review the basics if needed (like parts of speech, sentence types, and punctuation rules) using resources geared towards kids.
  • Read, Talk, Repeat: Promote discussions about books, movies, or podcasts. This builds verbal skills and critical thinking, vital for the MAP Test.

Improve your child’s Language skills and maximize their score with 6 MAP Language practice tests for 3rd grade.

MAP Science for 3rd Grade

MAP Science Sample Questions

Sample Question #1

MAP 3rd Grade Test Science Sample Question

Which force causes the child to move down the slide?

A. Friction
B. Magnetism
C. Gravity
D. Sunlight

The correct answer is C.

Sample Question #2

The Sun appears much larger than other stars in the sky because:

A. It’s the hottest star
B. It’s made of fire
C. It’s the closest star to Earth
D. It’s the oldest star

The correct answer is C.

While the Sun isn’t the biggest star in the universe, its proximity to Earth makes it appear much larger and brighter than distant stars.

Sample Question #3

Which part of a plant takes in water and nutrients from the soil?

A. Roots
B. Stem
C. Leaves
D. Flower

The correct answer is A.

Roots act like straws, absorbing water and nutrients that travel up to other parts of the plant. The stem supports the plant, the leaves make food, and the flowers help in reproduction.

Sample Question #4

Which of these objects is most likely to be attracted to a magnet?

A. A wooden block
B. A plastic spoon
C. A rubber eraser
D. An iron nail

The correct answer is D.

Magnets are attracted to objects made of certain metals like iron and steel. Other materials aren’t magnetic.

Study Advice

  • Encourage Curiosity: Answer your child’s questions about the natural world as best you can, or turn exploring those answers into a fun joint-discovery project!
  • Science Resources: Utilize age-appropriate science books, documentaries, and websites to build background knowledge.
  • Hands-On Learning: Simple experiments (like planting seeds) or trips to zoos, aquariums, or science museums can make concepts more tangible.

Think of practice simulations like a dress rehearsal for the MAP Test. They provide a safe space to try out questions, identify areas for improvement, and gain control over those test-day jitters. Here’s how simulations directly influence confidence:

  • Familiarity breeds comfort. Each simulation encounter makes the test format less intimidating. Through exposure, your child gains familiarity with question types and how to navigate the test. This reduced anxiety frees up mental energy for the actual test content.
  • Identifying knowledge gaps. Simulations spotlight weaker areas, giving your child specific skills to strengthen before the MAP test. Knowing they’ve focused on their weak spots gives them a boost of preparedness.
  • Practice makes progress. Seeing improvement on every practice simulation reinforces the idea that with effort, knowledge and skills grow. This confidence in their own progress encourages a positive mindset that’s vital for facing the real test.
  • Strategy mastery. In a practice setting, your child can perfect techniques like managing their time, reading directions carefully, or even taking a moment to calm themselves if needed. On test day, this confidence in the process is just as helpful as subject knowledge.
  • The power of feedback. Most simulations offer immediate feedback and explanations. Analyzing incorrect answers with detailed guidance from these virtual ‘tutors’ builds on a foundation of understanding, improving overall preparedness.

How to find valuable practice simulations:

  • Reputable educational websites: Look for test-prep resources tailored for MAP tests, but pay attention to the overall quality and content.

Check this excellent test prep resource for 19 accurate MAP 3rd grade practice tests.

  • Official NWEA Resources: The organization behind the MAP test offers resources and sample questions specific to your child’s grade level.

Important Note: Simulations are meant to be helpful! Emphasize to your child that practice scores are for guidance, not judgment. Encourage them to focus on gaining skills and identifying areas of improvement, not stressing about the results of these rehearsals.

The MAP Test can feel daunting for students, but you can make it a collaborative, empowering process with your support. Here’s how to offer that much-needed guidance:

Study Schedule and Planning

  • Break it down. Studying shouldn’t mean endless worksheets. Create a schedule of short, focused study sessions spread throughout the weeks leading up to the test. Consistency is key!
  • Balance and flexibility. Respect your child’s attention span and energy levels. If they’re struggling to focus, take a break. A plan shouldn’t be rigid, it needs room to adapt to how your child is feeling day-to-day.
  • The power of routine. Having regular study times fosters good habits, but it also mentally prepares your child to operate in a ‘test-focused’ mindset at certain points in the week.

Effective Study Techniques and Tools

  • Variety is key. Mix up learning activities to keep things fresh – reading, practice questions, online games, or even flashcards made together can increase engagement.
  • Discover optimal learning style. Does your child learn best through visuals? Try charts and diagrams. Auditory learner? Read passages aloud while they listen. Hands-on? Break out the blocks and manipulatives.
  • Harness technology responsibly. Reputable educational websites and apps offer test-specific practice resources. Supervise screen time to ensure focus and benefit outweigh distraction.

Long-Term Benefits of Early Test Preparation

  • Skill building in disguise. While focused on the MAP Test, these prep habits nurture study skills, time management, and critical thinking that transfer far beyond just one test.
  • Resilience and problem-solving. Tackling challenging topics with your help creates a space to model healthy struggle. They learn to approach setbacks with persistence, crucial for all future academic hurdles.
  • The ‘growth mindset’ payoff. Witnessing their progress through practice reinforces the idea that success isn’t set in stone – effort, and strategies directly impact improvement. This is vital to cultivating a proactive attitude toward learning overall.

Psychological and Emotional Preparation for Test-Takers

  • Focus on effort, not results. Let your child know they don’t need a perfect score. Emphasize the importance of giving their best and learning from every test experience.
  • Practice calming techniques. Teach simple deep breathing exercises and positive self-talk phrases they can use before and during the test to manage anxious thoughts.
  • Celebration over comparison. Help your child recognize their unique progress without comparing themselves to others. This promotes a healthy relationship with learning, centered on celebrating personal wins.

Test day might cause worry, but by setting your 3rd grader up for success, you’ll help them tackle it confidently. Keep these pointers in mind:

What to Expect on Test Day

  • Test setup: Prepare your child for what the test environment might be like. Will they be in their classroom, a computer lab, or somewhere else? Knowing what to expect logistically removes a layer of uncertainty.
  • The adaptive nature: Remind them it’s OK if questions become harder along the way. Let them know the MAP Test is supposed to adjust based on their answers and to just try their best on each question.
  • Untimed element: While some schools enforce time limits, often the MAP Test is untimed. Focus on accuracy over speed – tell them to take their time and not rush.
  • No outside help: Reaffirm they must answer based on their own knowledge. Teachers can certainly clarify instructions, but the goal is to see what they have mastered, not what a parent knows.

Last-Minute Tips and Advice

  • A good night’s rest: Sleep fuels success! Prioritize a full night’s sleep the night before for focus and clarity during the test.
  • Nourishing breakfast: A hungry tummy is a major distraction. A balanced morning meal ensures your child has the energy to power through.
  • Arrive on time, even early: Minimize anxieties by making sure your child gets to school with enough time to settle in and feel composed before starting the test.
  • Trust and encouragement: Your greatest tools! A reminder that you believe in them and that they should give their very best can offer incredible reassurance.
  • Perspective: After the test, emphasize the journey of learning, not just this one snapshot. Help them see that hard work and focus always benefit them in the long run.

Interpreting MAP Scores

  • The RIT Scale: MAP scores are expressed as RIT scores, reflecting your child’s level of mastery. Remember, this isn’t the same as a percentage out of 100. For example, a RIT score of 220 on 3rd grade means they performed extremely well on questions typically answered by students in that performance range.
  • What the scores indicate: Each subject your child takes (reading, math, etc.) generates a separate RIT score. Higher scores denote greater proficiency within that subject.
  • Tracking growth: The focus of the MAP Test lies in showing learning progress over time. Multiple tests throughout the year reveal if your child is acquiring skills in a timely manner, staying steady, or needing additional support.
  • Percentile Ranking: MAP scores provide percentile rankings alongside the RIT score. This tells you how your child compares to other students nationwide who took the same grade-level test. For example, a 75th percentile means your child scored higher than 75% of test-takers, offering a general understanding of how they stand in the broader picture.

How to Use Scores for Improvement

  • Collaboration is powerful: Schedule a meeting with your child’s teacher to discuss the results together. Teachers have deeper insights into what specific areas those scores represent and how to customize additional support.
  • Pinpoint specific strengths and weaknesses: MAP scores aren’t about judgment, they’re about identifying areas for development. Celebrate strengths while targeting opportunities for improvement!
  • Set specific goals: Instead of vague desires to “improve”, utilize MAP scores to define precise targets. For example: “Increase reading comprehension RIT score by 10 points by the next test.”

What is a good NWEA MAP test score for 3rd grade?

A good MAP test score for a 3rd grader depends on the time of year and individual growth goals. Generally, falling within or above the national average range indicates steady progress. However, even scores slightly below average can be “good” if they show improvement over time.

See the following table for specific RIT scores and percentiles for 3rd grade (based on this official document):

MathematicsLanguage UsageReadingSciencePercentile
Higher
Achievement
21121321420895
20220320320084
19519519519469
Median and
Mean
18818818718850
Lower
Achievement
18218017818231
17517217017616
1661631591685

Maximize your child’s score potential with hundreds of accurate MAP 3rd grade practice questions.

Teachers are at the front lines of interpreting and optimizing the value of the MAP Test. Here’s a breakdown of their multifaceted functions:

  • Data-driven decision-makers: MAP Test results aren’t merely a grade, they’re a detailed diagnostic tool for educators. Scores expose strengths and weaknesses across the classroom, driving them to create focused plans, whether it’s for the school, grade level, or individual students.
  • Personalizing learning: MAP scores empower teachers to customize your child’s learning. They offer tailored activities, group students with similar needs, or introduce extra support or enrichment strategies tailored to individual test results.
  • Communicating with parents: Your child’s teacher offers the ultimate context for MAP scores. Parent-teacher meetings focused on analyzing test data promote joint-decision making for your child’s academic needs.
  • Monitoring student’s progress: The MAP Test doesn’t just happen once. Teachers leverage those multiple data points over the school year to evaluate growth in every student. They can offer encouragement, adjust teaching strategies, or catch setbacks early, all thanks to MAP Test insights.
  • Positive test climate: Your child’s teacher works to foster a test environment of low-anxiety and healthy work habits. They communicate that the MAP test is about showcasing what a student has learned, not about their inherent intelligence.

A Teacher’s Best Tools for MAP Test Success:

  • Practice exercises: Teachers often utilize MAP-like questions or simulations in the weeks before the test. This eases apprehension by familiarizing students with the format and question types.
  • Test-taking strategies: Teaching techniques for time management, double-checking work, and managing stress all fall under a teacher’s purview. They prepare students with tools beyond knowledge itself.
  • Growth mindset reinforcement: Emphasizing a “learning as progress” mentality is part of a teacher’s guidance. Celebrating improvement on MAP tests builds student confidence and a hunger for lifelong learning.
  1. What subjects does the MAP Test cover?
    Typically, reading, math, and language usage. Some schools include a science section too.
  2. How long does the MAP Test take?
    There’s usually no strict time limit for each section. Students should focus on answering carefully rather than rushing.
  3. Is the MAP Test hard?
    The test adapts to your child’s answers, getting easier or harder as they progress. This ensures it accurately measures their knowledge!
  4. How can I help my child prepare?
    Reading together, practice questions (even short sessions!), and educational games all build crucial skills.
  5. When will I get my child’s scores?
    Schools set their own schedules for releasing results. Your child’s teacher is the best resource for getting that information.
  6. What does the MAP score mean?
    Scores reveal how well your child understands reading, math, and other subjects compared to other 3rd-graders.
  7. Is a higher score always better?
    Improvement is what matters most! Scores help show where your child has learned a lot and areas where they have room to grow.
  8. Can I help my child understand their score?
    Discuss MAP scores with your child’s teacher to get clarity on strengths, challenges, and ways to target the improvement process.
  9. Should my child feel stressed about the MAP Test?
    Remind your child the test is a tool to help them learn, not something to fear. Teachers use results to create the best learning experience for every student.

The MAP Test marks a moment in your child’s learning journey, not the final destination. This is your chance to celebrate successes uncovered by the test and identify areas where focused support can unlock even greater potential. Utilize practice resources, like age-appropriate practice tests or workbooks, to make skill-building engaging and to identify areas for development between testing windows.

Remember, effort and consistency propel growth! Celebrate improvement alongside your child, fostering a resilient mindset where challenges transform into opportunities. Keep open communication with your child’s teacher, working hand-in-hand with the guidance the MAP Test provides.

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