Your student’s participation in Minnesota’s statewide assessments helps to ensure that all learners have access to a high-quality education. Statewide testing provides valuable information that helps improve instruction, allocate resources, and support student success.
For more information, please visit the Minnesota Department of Education's State Testing landing page.
Testing sites will be secured by OpenEd; your family will be contacted to choose a date and a location from designated sites.
Take a look at the table below for an overview of Minnesota’s assessments and which grades they affect.
Assessment name | Which grades are eligible to take this assessment? | What is this assessment? | When is this assessment given? | Virtual or in-person? |
FastBridge | Grades K-8 | FastBridge is your district's chosen screener to meet Minnesota's requirements around dyslexia screenings as identified in the READ Act.
For guidance about Universal Literacy and Dyslexia Screening for grades K-3, click here.
For equivalent info for grades 4-8, click here. | Sept. 18-Oct. 3
Jan. 5-Jan. 30
May 4-29 | Virtual |
Capti ReadBasix | Grades 4-5, 6-8
Note: This assessment is required for any students in grades 4-5 who fall below the benchmark in the FastBridge assessment.
It is required for ALL students in grades 6-8. | Capti ReadBasix is a diagnostic reading assessment to inform instruction and intervention. | Sep. 2-Oct. 17
Jan. 5-Feb. 13
May 4-May 15 | Virtual |
MCA Reading/Math | Grades 3-8 | The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) are statewide assessments that help districts measure student progress toward Minnesota's academic standards and meet the requirements of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). | Mar. 2-Apr. 30 | In-person |
MCA Science | Grades 5-11 | The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) are statewide assessments that help districts measure student progress toward Minnesota's academic standards and meet the requirements of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). | Mar. 2-Apr. 30 | In-person |
MCA Reading | Grades 9-10 | The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) are statewide assessments that help districts measure student progress toward Minnesota's academic standards and meet the requirements of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). | Mar. 2-Apr. 30 | In-person |
MCA Math | Grades 9-10 | The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) are statewide assessments that help districts measure student progress toward Minnesota's academic standards and meet the requirements of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). | Mar. 2-Apr. 30 | In-person |