The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA Tests) will be held during the month of April. Please explore the links below for practice opportunities and tips on how to prepare yourself for the reading and writing components of this important state test.
Study Island is a test preparation website designed to prepare students for state standards based assessments. Students in grades 9-11 are required to complete Study Island activities each month. Students complete practice sessions based on their grade level. Once a student has mastered a concept, they earn a blue ribbon which indicates they have tested out of the given concept or theme. Please contact your teacher or advisor if you do not know your log in ID or password.
The Links to Learning Site is a great online practice resource designed to help you prepare for the MCA Reading Assessment. After clicking on the link, select your state (Minnesota) and then select "Reading." From here, you should choose grade level 10 or 11. You will then be presented with a reading passage, followed by questions which are very similar to those you will encounter on the MCA Reading Assessment. Make sure you enter your email at the top so that your results can be sent to you. Keep using these passages to practice until you feel confident that you are ready for the MCA tests.
Vocabulary.com offers "smart" vocabulary quizzes which adapt questions based on the answers you get correct and incorrect. You compete against yourself, but there are also leader boards of users who achieve very high point scores. You can also use options like the 50/50 or definition features if you are stuck. It is a fun game which helps you to improve your vocabulary for both personal and academic purposes.
Free Rice is a great site to use for both vocabulary and grammar practice. For each correct answer, ten grains of rice will be donated through the World Food Program to end hunger. You can play individually or form groups.
This document contains 33 pages of writing prompts for varying grade levels and topics. For MCA practice purposes, make sure to use the high school level prompts. Most MCA prompts are expository or persuasive, so try to practice using those in this document labeled as such. Practice writing formally, and make sure your essay has a clear introductory paragraph containing a thesis statement, 2-3 body paragraphs which support your point of view, and a conclusion which nicely summarizes your points. When you are finished with your practice essay(s), double check for mechanical errors, and then turn it in to me for feedback. You might also choose to ask a parent or older sibling with writing experience to give you suggestions on ways you might improve your writing.