The Life Cycle of an English Language Arts ELA Item outlines the test development process for passages and items.
Each English Language Arts ELA test question is aligned and coded to the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. More information may be found on the English Language Arts ELA Item Alignment and Coding webpage.
Practice tests for all Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System MCAS tests may be found on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System MCAS Resource Center English Language Arts Practice Tests webpage . The practice tests will include examples of the various item types for both the paper-based and computer-based tests.
The Student Tutorial is to help students become familiar with how to navigate the testing environment for the computer-based tests, (e.g., advancing, going back, tool bar, embedded supports, accommodations, and item types).
Each English Language Arts ELA Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System MCAS item is aligned to a cognitive skill level, based on Norman Webb's Depth of Knowledge levels, which are described on the Cognitive Skill Level Descriptions for English Language Arts ELA Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System MCAS Items webpage.
Last Updated: October 21, 2026