The MCAS stands for the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System. It is a standardized test given to elementary and high school students in public schools in Massachusetts, USA, The test covers four subjects: English, mathematics, science, and history.
A passing grade in the 10th grade MCAS is a graduation requirement for a high school diploma. Initially, a passing grade was required in all subjects tested, but currently, only English and mathematics are required.
Originally, each student had only one chance of passing the MCAS. Now he or she has four more chances by taking a simplified version of the test - a version that does not contain the difficult questions, but is supposedly graded with the same rubric.
The test was first administered in grades 4, 8, and 10. In 2001, the test was extended to grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, but not covering all the subjects in each year. The English composition portion of the test is given in April. The remaining portions are given in a two week interval in May. Results are expected in November. See MCAS Schedule.
For an official description of the MCAS, see The Department of Education's official description of 2001 MCAS (extracted from Overview of the MCAS 2001 Tests)
For more background information, go to Explore The Issues - The MCAS. You can also visit the official Department of Education web site devoted to the MCAS.
If you are interested in what kinds of questions are being asked, go to Department of Education - Test Items. The Department of Education also provides sample answers and examples of grading.
(last update: 24-Dec-2004)