Skip to Main Content

Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) English Language Arts and Literacy

About the Test

The MCAP English Language Arts and Literacy assessments focus on the content outlined in the Maryland College and Career Ready Standards for each grade level. Students read literary and informational passages and engage in multi-media such as video or audio pieces. Students demonstrate their reading comprehension and literacy skills through responding to text-based questions and writing prompts. At the early grades, students also demonstrate their literacy skills through a variety of oral response methods. 

Grades K-2

The MCAP K-2 English Language Arts and Literacy diagnostic assessments will be made available for administration in the fall of grade 1, grade 2, and grade 3 on content from the previous year of instruction. As an additional part of the MCAP K-2 assessment system, the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA) is administered at the beginning of kindergarten.

Grades 3-8, and 10

For students in grades 3 through 8, the assessments are administered toward the end of the school year. Assessments in grade 10 are administered after a student has completed most of the required course.

Content Standards


Blueprints 

Evidence Statements 


Text Complexity Analysis Tools


Rubrics

​Grade 3
​Grades 4 - 5
​Grades 6 - 10
MCAP Informative Explanatory Rubric Grade 3
​MCAP Informative Explanatory Rubric Grades 4 and 5
 ​MCAP Informative Explanatory Rubric Grades 6-8 and 10
​MCAP Narrative Rubric Grade 3
​MCAP Narrative Rubric Grades 4 and 5
 ​MCAP Narrative Rubric 6-8 and 10
MCAP Opinion Rubric Grade 3
 MCAP Opinion Rubric Grades 4 and 5
 MCAP Argumentative Rubric Grades 6-8 and 10


Performance Level Descriptors (PLDs)


Test Preparation and Practice


Accommodations Information


Additional Resources and Information



Contact:

Ann Herrmann
Assessment Development Manager, Division of Assessment, Accountability and Performance Reporting
Office: (410) 767-0086
ann.herrmann@maryland.gov

Stephanie Weager
English Language Arts Assessment Specialist, Division of Assessment, Accountability and Performance Reporting
Office: (410) 767-0077
stephanie.weager@maryland.gov