About the Assessment
The MCAP English Language Arts and Literacy assessments focus on the content outlined in the Maryland College and Career Ready Standards for each grade level. Students read literary and informational passages and engage in multimedia such as video or audio pieces. Students demonstrate their reading comprehension and literacy skills by responding to text-based questions and writing prompts. In the early grades, students also demonstrate their literacy skills through a variety of oral response methods.
Grades 3-8, and 10
For students in grades 3 through 8, the assessments are administered toward the end of the school year. Assessments in grade 10 are administered after a student has completed most of the required course.
Content Standards
Maryland College and Career Ready Standards
Blueprints
Grade 3 Overview
Grades 4-8, & 10 Overview
Evidence Statements
Grade 3
Grade 4
Grade 5
Grade 6
Grade 7
Grade 8
Grade 10
Text Complexity Analysis Tools
Informational Text Analysis Worksheet
Literary Text Analysis Worksheet
Rubrics
Performance Level Descriptors (PLDs)
Grade 3
Grade 4
Grade 5
Grade 6
Grade 7
Grade 8
Grade 10
Test Preparation and Practice
The following links provide resources that can help students prepare for the MCAP English Language Arts and Literacy Assessments.
Grades 3 - 8 and 10 Practice Tests
MSDE Public Release Site
This site provides access to released questions from former MCAP tests. MCAP released questions are representative of the content and skills included on the MCAP and are provided to help students recognize the nature and format of the questions.
Accommodations Information
Maryland Assessment, Accessibility, and Accommodations Policy Manual
Additional Resources and Information
Maryland English Language Arts Content and Curriculum Office