MSA: Maryland School Assessment

What is MSA?

Some Facts about MSA:

The test meets the requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind Act.
The test assesses the Maryland content standards in mathematics, reading, and science.
The reading and mathematics tests are administered annually to students in grades 3 through 8. The science test is administered annually in grades 5 and 8.
MSA scores will show how well Maryland children have learned the reading, mathematics, and science skills specified in the State Curriculum.
The test includes both selected response (multiple-choice) and brief constructed response items.

Parents

Find out how you can support your child on MSA.

"The Maryland School Assessment will fulfill recommendations made by a state panel of parents, legislators, educators, and business and community leaders (the Visionary Panel for Better Schools) and will also meet the new federal testing requirements of President Bush's No Child Left Behind Act. It will launch a new decade of progress for our students"
- Nancy S. Grasmick
Former State Superintendent of Schools

The Maryland School Assessment (MSA) is a test of reading, math, and science achievement. This test provides educators, parents, and the public valuable information about student, school, school system, and state performance.

	What are MSA's performance standards?	What does MSA test?	What does MSA look like?	How are constructed responses scored?

What does MSA look like?

READING Public Release Items and Student Responses

Public Release Items:
Items and scoring information 3 4 5 6 7 8
Print version (PDF)3 4 5 6 7 8
Answer keys for print version 3 4 5 6 7 8

Reading Sample Items

Grade 3 4 5 6 7 8

MATHEMATICS Public Release Items and Student Responses

Public Release Items:
Items and scoring information 3 4 5 6 7 8
Print version (PDF) 3 4 5 6 7 8
Answer keys for print version 3 4 5 6 7 8

Mathematics Sample Items

MSDE has also provided examples of items similar to the assessed items on MSA.

Grade 3 4 5 6 7 8

Science Public Release Items and Student Responses

MSDE released the first Science MSA test form was released in 2007.

Practice Assessment Tools: Pearson Educational Measurement Solutions

NEW 2012 Public Release Items:
Items and scoring information 5 8
Print version (PDF) 5 8
2012 Answer keys for print version 5 8

2011 Public Release Items:
Items and scoring information 5 8
Print version (PDF) 5 8
2011 Answer keys for print version 5 8

2010 Public Release Items:
Items and scoring information 5 8
Print version (PDF) 5 8
2010 Answer keys for print version 5 8

2009 Public Release Items:
Items and scoring information 5 8
Print version (PDF) 5 8
2009 Answer keys for print version 5 8

2008 Public Release Items:
Items and scoring information 5 8
Print version (PDF)
Grade 5 All Sessions (Session 1, Session 2, Session 3, Session 4)
Grade 8 All Sessions (Session 1, Session 2, Session 3, Session 4)
2008 Answer keys for print version: 5 8

2007 Public Release Items:
Items and scoring information 5 8
Print version (PDF)
Grade 5 All Sessions (Session 1, Session 2, Session 3, Session 4)
Grade 8 All Sessions (Session 1, Session 2, Session 3, Session 4)
2007 Answer Key for Print version 5 8

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