About the Test – 7th Grade NWEA/MAP Test
In 2016, percentiles from the 
MAP Test17.95 KB will be used by CPS as part of the Selective Enrollment admissions formula. The MAP Test will be 100% Common Core Compliant and therefore much more rigorous than tests encountered by students in previous years. Students who do well on the MAP test will have an edge in the admissions process
- Mathematics. Topics include:
- fractions and decimals
- arithmetic
- number properties
- percents
- units of measurement
- scientific notation
- geometry
- basic algebra
- inequalities
- probability
- ratios & proportions
- interpretation of graphs
- Reading Comprehension. All 7th grade students will read both non-fiction and fiction passages in a variety of genres. Test questions include vocabulary development (e.g., words in context and isolation), reading comprehension (e.g., main idea, detail, inference, etc.) and literary structure.
The SelectivePrep program to prepare for the 7th Grade Standardized Test (MAP) starts in March 2016. Our program, while always rigorous, has incorporated even tougher content to fully prepare students for the new Common Core compliant tests.
The MAP Test: You CAN prepare for it
Here’s what you need to know:
Computer skills unnecessary. The MAP is administered on a computer. However, computer expertise is not required to do well on this test — only the ability to push a button to enter a response.
Computer adaptive testing. The MAP test is a computer adaptive test. A computer adaptive test adjusts the next set of questions that a student received according to his/her answers to previous questions. A student who answers questions correctly will get questions that are more difficult, while a student who answers questions incorrectly will get an easier set of questions.
Some contend that because the MAP is computer adaptive, a student cannot prepare for it. This is not true. A computer adaptive test just uses a different method to measure student knowledge. Mastery of the underlying content is critical in getting a good score, on either a computer adaptive test or a traditional pen and paper test.
In addition, MAP is not unique in using a computer adapative test methodology to measure student achievement. For example, Educational Testing Services (ETS) uses computer adaptive testing for the GMAT test, the most widely used admissions test for business school admissions — and is considering using this methodology for additional tests. Few would content that it is not helpful to prepare for the GMAT.
More difficult content. The MAP test will be aligned to the Common Core standard. This means that students will encounter much tougher math content and denser reading comprehension passages than seen on any of the previous standardized tests — ISAT, Terra Nova, Iowa or Stanford. For example, the 7th grade Common Core math standard introduces more advanced skills in statistics, data interpretation, algebra and geometry. This does not mean that students must master high school level math to get a top score. However, knowledge of grade level math as defined by the Common Core standard is required.
Greater math variability. Content variability is particularly noticeable in the math section where students who are proficient in elementary subjects will be allowed to move on to more advanced topics than their peers in the same grade. There is variability in the verbal section as well, but it is not as pronounced.
Untimed. The math and reading sections should take about 45 minutes to one hour each. The MAP test is untimed so speed is not a factor in getting a high score — rather precision is key. Take your time and be careful so you get the correct answer! Due to its computer adaptive nature, students who get the highest scores tend to be those who spend more time tkaing the test — as they continue to work thorugh problems until they are stumped.
Basic skills first. The MAP presents questions on basic math topics first. If a student does not answer these questions correctly then he or she does not get the opportunity to respond to the more advanced math questions. Therefore, it is absolutely essential that any student who wants to do well on the MAP test first make sure that his/her knowledge of basic math is 100% solid. Working on more advanced math topics until this is done will not be productive.
Multiple choice/no skipping around. All questions on the test are multiple choice. A student must answer a question before he/she receives the next one — there is no skipping around. A student is only presented with one question at a time.
Special education students. As with any high stakes test, if your child has a learning issue, make sure that his/her IEP is in place and its accommodations are followed for 7th grade testing. If this does not happen, you may be eligible for a re-test.