Release of Spring 2023 MCAS Test Items - Grade 4 Mathematics Paper-Based Test - Overview and Session 1

Sep 30, 2026

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Released Spring 2023 MCAS Grade 4 Mathematics paper-based test items from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, including an overview of the next-generation assessment formats and how paper accommodations mirror operational item standards. The document outlines two separate test sessions, question types, and the five mathematics domains used for standards and MCAS reporting categories. Reference tools and testing rules are provided, followed by Session 1 directions, formats, and answer-grid procedures, including requirements for recording responses and showing work.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages29

Reading Time1 h 13 min

AccessFree to download

Overview of Grade 4 Mathematics Test

Test Sessions and Content Overview

Standards and Reporting Categories

Reference Materials and Tools

Grade 4 Mathematics

Session 1

Release of Spring 2023 MCAS Test Items from the Grade 4 Mathematics Paper-Based Test June 2023 Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education This document was prepared by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Jeffrey C. Riley Commissioner The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, an affirmative action employer, is committed to ensuring that all of its programs and facilities are accessible to all members of the public. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity, national origin, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation. Inquiries regarding the Department’s compliance with Title IX and other civil rights laws maybe directed to the Human Resources Director, 75 Pleasant St. , Malden, MA 02148 781-338-6105. © 2023 Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Permission is hereby granted to copy for non-commercial educational purposes any or all parts of this document with the exception of English Language Arts passages that are not designated as in the public domain. Permission to copy all other passages must be obtained from the copyright holder. Please credit the“Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.” Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 75 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA 02148-4906 Phone 781-338-3000 TTY: N.E.T. Relay 800-439-2370 [www.doe.mass.edu](www.doe.mass.edu) Overview of Grade 4 Mathematics Test The spring 2023 grade 4 Mathematics test was a next-generation assessment that was administered in two formats: a computerbased version and a paper-based version. Most students took the computer-based test. The paper-based test was offered as an accommodation for eligible students who were unable to use a computer. More information can be found on the MCAS Test Administration Resources page [at](at www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/admin.html)[ ](at www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/admin.html)[www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/admin.html](at www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/admin.html). Most of the operational items on the grade 4 Mathematics test were the same, regardless of whether a student took the computerbased version or the paper-based version. In places where a technology-enhanced item was used on the computer-based test, an adapted version of the item was created for use on the paper test. These adapted paper items were multiple-choice, multiple-select, or short-answer items that tested the same Mathematics content and assessed the same standard as the technology-enhanced item. This document displays released items from the paper-based test. Released items from the computer-based test are available on the MCAS Resource Center website [at](at mcas.pearsonsupport.com/released-items)[ ](at mcas.pearsonsupport.com/released-items)[mcas.pearsonsupport.com/released-items](at mcas.pearsonsupport.com/released-items). Test Sessions and Content Overview The grade 4 Mathematics test was made up of two separate test sessions. Each session included selected-response, shortanswer, and constructed-response questions. On the paper-based test, the selected-response questions were multiple-choice items and multiple-select items, in which students select the correct answer(s) from among several answer options. Standards and Reporting Categories The grade 4 Mathematics test was based on standards in the five domains for grade 4 in the Massachusetts Curriculum Framework for Mathematics (2017) . The five domains are listed below. • Operations and Algebraic Thinking • Number and Operations in Base Ten • Number and Operations—Fractions • Measurement and Data • Geometry The Massachusetts Curriculum Framework for Mathematics is available on the Department website at [www.doe.mass.edu/frameworks/current.html](www.doe.mass.edu/frameworks/current.html). Mathematics test results are reported under five MCAS reporting categories, which are identical to the five framew

FAQs

What formats were used for the Spring 2023 Grade 4 Mathematics MCAS test?

The test was administered in two formats: a computer-based version and a paper-based version. Most students took the computer-based test, while the paper-based test was offered as an accommodation for eligible students unable to use a computer.

How do paper-based released items relate to computer-based items?

Operational items were largely the same across formats. Where a technology-enhanced item was used on the computer-based test, an adapted paper version was created using multiple-choice, multiple-select, or short-answer questions aligned to the same mathematics content and standard.

What are key rules for Session 1 in the paper-based test?

Session 1 contains 10 questions and does not allow calculators. Students must read questions carefully, record answers in the Test & Answer Booklet, properly darken circles or complete answer grids, and show work when requested to receive full credit.

Sep 30, 2026

Upload by jay