Test Dates: Week starting 3/24-3/25
2026 Test Design
6 Reading Passage Sets (4 are common; 2 are matrix/experimental). A passage set can contain between 1-3 passages.
37-46 Selected Reading Response Questions (21-27 are common multiple choice questions, 4-7 are common multiple select questions such as drag-and-drop; hot-spot; sequence, or charting, and 12 are matrix selected response questions with some being multiple choice and some being multiple select)
3 Essays (2 are common; 1 is matrix). These could be a combination of argument, explanatory, and narrative essays. Computer-based tests will have 5,000 characters in which to write each essay. The text box prevents writing more than 5,000 characters.
Assessed Standards Reflect: 55% Reading, 20% Writing, 25% Language
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Review Topic: Introduction to the Test.
Sources for Practice:
Essay rubrics can be found here for grade 10.
Cognia MCAS Resource Center ELA Practice Tests (as of 2/6/25, the Computer-Based test resources are not updated, although the Paper-Based test resources are updated)
Cognia interface tutorial (Select “Student Tutorial - English”) which includes ELA, Math, and Science tools that you can try. The tutorial is self-paced.
Note that while available to everyone in the Tutorial, some tools are only available to those with accommodations. These tools include text-to-speech, word prediction, speech-to-text, and spell-checker.
When there is a long passage, have students note that the passage scrollbar is completely separate from the page scrollbar.
When a question set refers to multiple passages, be aware of the tabs that allow you to flip between passages. The highlighted one is often the reverse of what you expect it to be.
For the essay, the text box does not allow you to hit TAB to indent. Therefore, you may want hit SPACE 8 times and skip a line between paragraphs to visually organize.
For the essay, the countdown box cannot be turned off. Sorry.
Technology-enhanced questions may include drag-and-drop; hot-spot, text-highlight, inline choices, response tables, and response boxes.
Review Topic: Reading Comprehension. Process of Elimination Practice
Types of Reading Comprehension Questions
Getting good at Process of Elimination Tests (Worksheet)
Review Topic: The Writing Rubric and Narrative Writing
The MCAS 2.0 Writing Rubric: There is one rubric for all forms of writing. (Click Here for Google Doc).
Review Links: Narrative Skills √+ A Few Narrative Elements √+ Transition Words and Phrases
Writing Narrative Essays Writing Narrative Essays on the MCAS 2.0, Notes and Narrative Worksheet
Notes on Narrative Essay
Show “enough” work, 3 paragraphs, up to 5000 characters!
Vary sentence structures
Use rich and appropriate diction
Relevant details, vivid images, draw on text-based details, too
Strong "reflective" tone/mood was noted by grader. "I recalled being lost like this before when I was eight."
SAMPLE NARRATIVE PROMPT
For this question, you will write a narrative response based on the passage(s). Write your response in the space provided. Your writing should:
Use characters, settings, events, and other details from the passage(s).
Use correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Based on "Snapping an Iconic Photo" and "The Story of the 'Migrant Mother,'" write a reflection on Florence Thompson from the perspective of one of her adult children, including the effect Thompson had on her children's lives. Be sure to use what you know about the characters, settings, and events from both passages to develop your reflection.
Alternative Prompts: (Same Directions as Above.)
Based on The Great Gatsby, write a reflection from the perspective of Nick Carraway, who five years after the events of the novel is working in a midwestern hardware store owned by his family. Be sure to use what you know about his character and the events in the novel to develop your reflection.
Review Topic: Explanatory Writing
What does "explanatory" mean? It's not a narrative. It's not analysis. It's closer to a detailed summary, not a general one but one that presents the most important or practical details of a reading and includes textual evidence.
Notes on Informative/Explanatory Essay
Have a thesis. Use specific examples--quotations and snippets--from text(s), organization and clarity are key. have correct grammar, spelling and punctuation.
Students may be given two or more readings. (eg. explain the benefits of “X” as it is described in these articles.)
If asked to write about character, present key traits and/or techniques that the author uses.
Explanatory Essay Activity: Respond to the prompt related to 1984 and The Jungle--page 153 in handout, by making your own graphic organizer. Then place relevant details from each text into your organizer and write a thesis/guiding statement to start the essay. Finally, check your work against mine. Click Here for My Notes for this essay prompt
Alternative Prompts. 1) Look at the lives of Walter Younger in A Raisin in the Sun and Jay Gatsby in The Great Gatsby and explain how each man's dreams threaten his well being. 2) Look at the lives of Mama in A Raisin in the Sun and Ruth in The Color of Water and explain how their parentling philosphies differ while they accomplishing similar goals with thier children.
I suggested you start by making a graphic organizer, identifying points of comparison and crafting a thesis, one that most likely uses key words from the explanatory prompt.
Argumentative Essay Practice
Review Topic: Argumentative Writing
Argumentative or Persuasive Considerations: This format is most like the formal academic writing you've always done. Remember to include the following: 1) A good thesis/statement of purpose. 2) supporting evidence. 3) A strong conclusion.
Tips: *Pay attention to prompt in case you're asked to write in a specific form, like an editorial or a letter.
Notes on Argumentative Essay
Stress clarity
Details included from all sources; write detailed paragraphs
An introduction can be an asset
Develop an argument; don't just paraphrase
Conclusion Idea: Always “circle back” to intro/thesis
1) One a blank piece of paper, identify the thesis and main points in a sample argumentative essay on Why it's important for teachers in your school to be trained in mindfulness.
Click Here for Essay and Activity
2) Alternate Activity: Write a quick outline--thesis and main points--for one of the following argumentative topics:
College athletes should not be paid
High school students should take a course in stress management
High schools should abandon block schedules
High school students should keep their cell phones in their lockers
Other Resources:
Approved ELA Graphic Organizers: Narrative Essay, Argumentative Essay. (Students will probably be better off making their own)