Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System

Overview of Spring 2021 MCAS Item Releases

The table below provides an overview of item releases from the spring 2021 MCAS tests. The table displays the percentage of operational items that were released for each test or grade range. Operational items are those items on which student scores are based. Test forms may also include field-test and equating items, which do not count toward student scores and are not released.

TestsTesting Mode1Percentage of
Operational Items
Released
ELA Grades 3–82computer, paper56%
ELA Grade 10computer, paper100%
Math Grades 3–8computer, paper50%
Math Grade 10computer, paper100%
STE Grades 5 and 8computer, paper49%


1 For next-generation tests, paper-based test forms were offered as an accommodation for some students. The vast majority of students took the computer-based test.

2 For ELA Grades 3–8, the percentage of items released varied by grade. Altogether, 56% of operational items were released across these grades.

Last Updated: July 2, 2021