A: The tests are being revised to incorporate several new features based on feedback from educators, including features intended to reduce testing time. Some of these features include:
A: Department of Elementary and Secondary Education DESE plans to administer the revised grades 3–8 English Language Arts ELA tests in spring 2027. More information about the development of these tests can be found in the timeline.
A: Yes, the presentation is available on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System MCAS Resource Center page. To find the presentation, scroll down to Recordings of Webinars on Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System MCAS Test Design Changes.
A: No. The Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System MCAS grade 10 English Language Arts ELA test design is not changing at this time. However, narrative essays will no longer be assessed on Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System MCAS but should be assessed at the local level.
A: As with all Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System MCAS tests materials, Assessment Development Committees (ADCs), made up of Massachusetts educators, play a major role in reviewing new passages and test questions. Educators review test materials both during the initial development and again after the test questions have been field tested. Each committee also reviews all passages, test questions and student performance data after field testing. In addition, a separate Bias and Sensitivity Committee (BSC) reviews all the testing materials before and after field testing.
A: Yes, we expect results from the revised tests will be comparable with previous years' results.
A: We are currently evaluating the expected amount of time per session and will inform the field later in the school year. Because this is the first time we are administering these tests, they will be estimates. We will have a better idea of testing time after this school year's testing.
A: The revised test design includes information about the types of questions on the tests, the points associated with each test, and the reporting category percentages. Each test includes both operational and matrix questions. Operational questions count toward a student's score, while matrix questions consist of both field-test and equating questions and do not count toward a student's score.
A: In total, there will be 50 points on the operational test that counts towards the student's score.
A: Stand-alone questions are independent and not associated with a passage. They will assess grade-level language standards, including Standard English grammar, mechanics, and usage. The questions are worth one-point each and include multiple-choice, multi-select, and technology-enhanced questions.
A: Extended response questions are questions based on passages in which students are expected to write one to two paragraphs, depending on the grade level. These student responses are expected to be shorter than essay responses. More information about these questions is available in the revised test design .
A: All extended response questions when initially field tested are scored by trained human scorers. Department of Elementary and Secondary Education DESE is currently evaluating whether extended responses will be able to be scored using a computer when they become operational.
A: Each extended response and essay question will include directions followed by the specific passage-based question. The length expectations for the extended response and essay questions are included in the revised test design . Each student's response will be scored using the student exemplars that represent each score point and the rubric. Extended response rubrics are posted on the rubrics page.
A: Yes, each question that requires writing will include the type of writing expected for either extended response or essay. In addition, the student directions will include the length expectations and specific instructions for each writing type. Each student response box will include a word counter which is specific to the grade level and the type of writing question. Information on expectations for the length of each student response can be found in the revised test design . The practice tests include examples of extended responses and essay responses.
Medium passage sets are a new type of passage set that will include selected-response questions and one extended-response question. See the test design for more information.
A: No. All selected-response questions will be worth one point. See the test design for more information.
A: The grades 6–8 tests will include one essay question and one extended-response question. The grades 3–5 tests will no longer include essay questions. Instead, students will be expected to write two extended responses.
A: Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System MCAS will no longer include narrative writing. This type of writing should continue to be assessed at the local level.
A: Yes, the English Language Arts ELA practice tests are now available on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System MCAS Resource Center .
A: Yes, extended response and essay rubrics are posted on the rubrics page. There are no changes to the essay rubrics.
A: Yes, student work samples will continue to be included with the released test questions.
A: No, individual student extended responses will not be released. This is similar to constructed responses in civics, mathematics, and science. For released extended-response questions, a set of student work samples will be available. In addition, the practice tests include examples of student work. Individual student essay responses will continue to be available for released test questions.
A: Yes, there are extended response and essay graphic organizers for students who have an A9 accommodation. The essay graphic organizers are expected to remain the same.
Last Updated: October 21, 2026