Assessments

FastBridge Screener for grade 6, 7, & 8 - Reading & Math

September 2 - 12

December 1 - 12

May 11 - 29

Learn more about FastBridge here

Capti ReadBasix Diagnostic Assessment

September 10 - 19

December 8 - 17

March 9 - 19

Learn more about Capti here

ACCESS Testing Dates 2026

ACCESS Reading - February 9th - 13th
ACCESS Listening - February 17th - 20th
ACCESS Speaking - February 23rd - 27th
ACCESS Writing - March 2nd - 5th

ACCESS Make Up Days - March 11th - 13th & 16th - 19th

English Language Proficiency Accountability Assessments

The ACCESS for ELLs and Alternate ACCESS for ELLs are the assessments developed by the WIDA consortium and administered to English learners in order to measure progress toward meeting Minnesota’s standards for English language development, developed by the WIDA consortium. Most English learners will take the ACCESS for ELLs, but English learners who received special education services and meet the participation guidelines may take the Alternate ACCESS for ELLs. A link to the WIDA website is provided under related resources on the right side of the page.

ACCESS PracTice Test

MCA Testing Dates 2026:

Reading - April 7^th (make ups April 8 - 9)

Math - April 15^th (make ups April 16-24)

8^th Grade Science - April 27^th -30th (make ups May 4-8)

Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA)

The MCA is a state developed test that assesses reading and math for all grades and writing for some grade levels. This test is used to measure individual student achievement and test items reflect the depth and breadth of instruction required by the Minnesota Department of Education. The MCA include both multiple-choice and open ended items requiring students to write expanded answers. To ensure validity and reliability of test results, the test vendor provides all scoring, including scoring of reading and mathematics open ended items, of the writing test. This test was developed with the assistance of teachers across Minnesota, teaching at or near requisite grade-level as well as with the help of national experts. There is no passing score requirement.

Preparing to take the MCAs

Families are encouraged to help your student prepare for testing by helping them do the following:

• having a good night of sleep and eating breakfast at home or school

• making sure the school-issued iPad is fully charged and brought to school

• bringing wired earbuds or headphones (wireless/bluetooth earbuds/headphones are not allowed)

• bringing a water bottle

• having a positive mindset about testing

• setting a goal to complete all of the questions of the test, to try to improve from the previous time, etc.

• reminding them that their teachers will have to store their cell phones while they are taking a test or the phone should remain home

MCA item sampler