MAP 3rd Grade Reading Test: Free Practice, Scores & Prep Tips
Is your child getting ready for the 3rd Grade MAP Reading test?
This guide has everything you need to support their success. We’ll walk you through understanding the test, provide helpful practice, and share strategies to improve your child’s reading skills and maximize their MAP scores. You’ll find:
- Practice questions to gain familiarity with the test.
- Targeted tips to improve reading comprehension and accuracy.
- Resources to support your child’s learning journey.
Let’s help your child feel confident and prepared for the MAP Reading Test!
What’s on This Page
What Is on a MAP Reading Test for 3rd Grade?
The 3rd Grade MAP Reading test assesses a student’s reading skills across several areas. It uses an adaptive format, meaning questions get harder or easier depending on your child’s responses. This design provides insight into where your child is currently performing and shows areas for growth.
Check our detailed guide for more valuable MAP 3rd Grade test information.
Focus Areas for 3rd Grade MAP Reading
The 3rd-grade MAP Reading test includes 40-43 questions and evaluates different aspects of your child’s literacy skills. Below are the key areas usually covered:
- Reading Comprehension: Understanding the meaning of what is read. This includes:
- Finding the main idea of a story or informational text
- Identifying supporting details
- Making reasonable predictions and drawing conclusions.
- Literature: Analyzing different kinds of stories. Your child may be asked about:
- Characters and their traits
- Story plots
- Settings
- Informational Text: Being able to read and understand nonfiction texts including:
- Finding facts and details
- Understanding how different text features support information (e.g., headings, charts, diagrams)
- Foundational Skills:
- Vocabulary knowledge
- Understanding the rules of language (like word order and grammar)
Why Preparation Matters
While preparation isn’t mandatory for the NWEA MAP test, here’s why it’s incredibly helpful:
- Reduced Anxiety: Practicing reading and answering different types of questions helps your child feel more comfortable and confident for test day.
- Accurate Results: The MAP test gives a true picture of your child’s abilities when they perform their best. Familiarity with the format and style of questions ensures their results accurately reflect their knowledge.
- Learning Improvement: Preparing for the MAP test creates opportunities to strengthen existing reading skills and build new ones.
Take a Free MAP 3rd Grade Reading Practice Test
The sample test below is divided into easy, moderate, and difficult questions so that you can identify where your child struggles more and estimate their level.
Easy Questions
Sample Question #1
Read the sentences.
Philip is one of my most honest friends. If I ask for his opinion about something, he will always tell me the truth. Philip is a credible friend.
What does credible mean?
A. wise
B. selfish
C. sincere
D. responsible
Correct Answer & Explanation:
The correct answer is (C).
The meaning of the word “credible” can be inferred from the passage. The words “honest” and “truth” show that the best way to describe Philip is as a sincere friend. Therefore, the correct answer is (C).
Sample Question #2
Read the passage.
The desert rose can survive in drier climates, and it can go long periods of time without water. In terms of upkeep, this popular houseplant needs plenty of sunlight and cannot survive cold climates, but otherwise it is very low-maintenance. The most important thing about the desert rose, though, is that its sap is poisonous. Make sure to keep it out of reach of pets and children, as well as to wash your hands if you get sap on them.
In the passage, the phrase “low-maintenance” means
A. can survive cold climates.
B. can survive without sunlight.
C. requires a lot of attention.
D. requires little attention.
Correct Answer & Explanation:
The correct answer is (D).
The passage discusses the desert rose, a plant that can survive without a lot of water. It is mentioned that certain conditions must be kept to keep the plant alive, but otherwise, it is a low-maintenance plant.
The word “otherwise” hints at the contradiction of the second part of the sentence—there are several steps that need to be done in terms of upkeep, but apart from that the plant is low-maintenance. It can be inferred that the phrase “low-maintenance” means requires little attention. Therefore, the correct answer is (D).
Moderate Questions
Sample Question #1
Read the passage.
It is estimated that more than 427 million people speak Spanish as a native language. Within the US, over 38 million people speak Spanish at home. Spanish is considered one of the easiest languages for a native English speaker to learn. The grammar and pronunciation are different from English but simpler and more consistent. Many studies show that learning a second language offers proven benefits for memory, intelligence, and concentration. Spanish is the most popular second language learned in the United States, and even elementary schools have adopted it into their curriculums.
What is the author’s purpose in this passage?
A. to persuade
B. to guide
C. to entertain
D. to inform
Correct Answer & Explanation:
The correct answer is (A).
The author’s purpose in this passage is to persuade the reader to consider learning a second language, specifically Spanish. It means the author’s goal is to convince the reader to agree with the author’s point of view on a subject. Authors with this purpose may give facts, but their main goal is to argue or prove a point to readers.
The author in the passage states that learning a second language is beneficial for you, noting that Spanish is very popular and easy to learn. These details are meant to convince the reader and encourage him to learn Spanish as a second language. Therefore, the correct answer is (A).
Sample Question #2
Read the sentence.
The walk from the train station to her house was long, so Madison was grateful for David’s company.
What is the meaning of the word “company” based on the context of this sentence?
A. an organization that sells goods or services
B. the person or people who are with you
C. a group of people who work or perform together
D. a guest or guests in one’s house
Correct Answer & Explanation:
The correct answer is (B).
Note that all the meanings of the word “company” above are correct in general, but only one meaning is specifically correct when it is based on the context of the sentences in the question.
Madison was grateful that David was with her and escorted her on the long walk to her house. Therefore, the correct answer based on the context of the sentence is answer (B).
Difficult Questions
Sample Question #1
Read the paragraph.
Some people don’t enjoy summer. They think it gets too hot and humid, and they are unable to engage in activities outside. Don’t they realize that summer is the best season for traveling and spending time at the beach? Surely, people who don’t like summer are confused.
What is the underlying assumption in this paragraph?
A. People should love and appreciate summer.
B. Summer is not too hot.
C. People are not engaging in activities outside.
D. Summer is a better season than winter.
Correct Answer & Explanation:
The correct answer is (A).
Assumptions are beliefs or ideas that are held to be true, often with little or no evidence required. The paragraph discusses the advantages of summer and the confusion of people who do not enjoy summer. This means that the author of this paragraph assumes that everyone should love and appreciate summer. Therefore, the correct answer is (A).
Sample Question #2
Read the story.
My mom says that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. I don’t usually feel like eating until about 10 am, but I don’t mind having a drink earlier in the morning. To solve this problem, my mom invented a breakfast drink for me. She takes milk, a banana, strawberries, and granola and puts them all into a blender with ice. Then she blends it and pours it into a cup. I take the cup with me on the bus.
I drink it on the bus, and when I get to school, my stomach is full and happy. The only bad thing about it is that I have to wash out the cup in the boys’ bathroom at school. My friends all wish their moms would invent a breakfast drink for them, too.
What is the author’s purpose in using the first person in this story?
A. to create interest
B. to provide several points of view
C. to present the story through mom’s eyes
D. to share the drink’s recipe
Correct Answer & Explanation:
The correct answer is (A).
One of the main purposes in using the first person in a story instead of using the third person is to create interest. The advantage of using the first person point of view is that you get to witness the narrator’s thoughts and observe the world through his or her eyes. Therefore, the correct answer is (A).
Get 6 additional MAP 3rd Grade Reading practice tests to improve your child’s reading abilities.
Understand the 3rd Grade MAP Reading Scores
The MAP Reading test gives valuable feedback on your child’s reading progress, mainly through two types of scores: RIT scores and percentile ranks. Let’s break these down:
RIT Scores
- RIT stands for Rasch Unit. It’s a measurement scale to track student growth over time.
- RIT scores usually range from 140 to 300.
- Your child’s score shows their current reading achievement level, regardless of their grade.
RIT Percentiles
- Percentiles compare your child’s performance to other students in the same grade nationwide.
- For instance, a percentile of 75% means your child scored higher than 75% of students who took the same test.
What Is a Good MAP Score for 3rd Grade Reading?
A good MAP reading score for 3rd grade indicates the student is reading at or above expected levels. This score falls above the 50th percentile or at a RIT score of 187 to 214.
3rd Grade Reading Guarantee MAP Score
In Ohio, students generally need to score between 188 and 193 on the MAP Reading test to demonstrate proficiency and satisfy the 3rd Grade Reading Guarantee. However, the exact required score can change slightly within that range from year to year.
Higher/Average/Lower Achievement
Here’s a general way to interpret MAP scores:
- Higher Achievement: These scores reflect a well above-average performance for the grade level.
- Average Achievement: In line with typical expectations for 3rd-grade readers.
- Lower Achievement: These scores might indicate a need for extra support in reading.
Average MAP Score for 3rd-Grade Reading
The national average MAP score in 3rd grade reading usually falls around the 50th percentile or an RIT score of 187. However, remember that averages can vary from school to school.
See the table below for specific RIT scores and percentiles for 3rd Grade Reading (based on this official PDF):
| Percentile | Reading (RIT Score) | |
|---|---|---|
| Higher Achievement | 95 84 69 | 214 203 195 |
| Median | 50 | 187 |
| Lower Achievement | 31 16 5 | 178 170 159 |
Important Notice: Each school district might have slightly different target scores or ways of interpreting results. Consulting your child’s teacher is the best way to get specific information about their expectations and your child’s progress.
Improve your child’s MAP Reading scores with 6 MAP 3rd Grade Reading practice tests.
Building Strong Readers: Tips to Enhance Your Child’s MAP Reading Skills
- Read, Read, Read: Encourage your child to read for at least 20 minutes each day. Aim for a variety of books, including both fiction and nonfiction. Help them select books that match their interests and reading level. Visit the local library regularly to foster a love of reading.
- Practice Tests: Familiarize your child with the MAP format by trying short practice tests. This site offers an abundance of accurate practice tests with full solutions to increase your child’s chances of scoring high.
- Ask Questions: As they read, talk about what’s happening. Ask questions like “What was the main problem in the story?”, “Can you predict what will happen next?”, or “How did that character feel?” Discuss new words and their meanings in context.
- Word Detectives: Play word games to expand vocabulary. Create a “word of the day” challenge, look up word origins together, or find synonyms and antonyms for interesting words.
- Main Idea Hunt: Identify the “big idea” or key message in short passages or stories. Challenge your child to tell you the main idea in one sentence. Then, have them find details in the text to support their claim.
- The Summarizer: Work on summarizing what your child has read. Practice retelling a story, focusing on the most important events and details. This is great practice for remembering what they’ve read.
- Picture This: Encourage your child to visualize what they are reading. Suggest drawing a scene from the story, creating a simple comic strip, or illustrating specific characters. Visualizing aids in comprehension.
- Fact Finders: Investigate interesting topics with your child, using age-appropriate online resources or nonfiction books, This expands informational text reading skills and builds background knowledge.
- Make Predictions: Before reading, ask your child to predict what might happen next in a story. Discuss why they made that prediction and what clues support their ideas.
- Get Playful with Words: Simple word games like Scrabble Junior, Bananagrams, or creating silly rhymes strengthen vocabulary and phonics skills in a fun way.