Massachusetts · 2026 score reports
MCAS Scores
Explained:
The 440–560 Range
Last reviewed against Massachusetts DESE sources
Quick answer
What is a good MCAS score?
500 or higher (Meeting Expectations). The full MCAS scale is 440-560: Not Meeting Expectations 440-469, Partially Meeting 470-499, Meeting 500-529 and Exceeding 530-560. The same ranges apply to every next-generation MCAS test in every grade.
Source: DESE: Profiles help, General Achievement Level Definitions (Next Generation) · Updated
Next step
Practice for the MCAS, grades 3 to 8
Practice tests built to the MCAS, with every answer explained. Pick a grade to see what is on it, or start practicing with an account.
Try MCAS practice questions
Practice MCAS Questions
Pick your child's grade to start. No signup required.
What does my child's score mean?
Type the 3-digit scaled score from your child's MCAS report. Meeting Expectations starts at 500 on every test.
Source: DESE: General Achievement Level Definitions – Next Generation Tests
The four MCAS achievement levels
Exceeding Expectations
DESE: exceeded grade-level expectations by demonstrating mastery of the subject matter.
Meeting Expectations
DESE: met grade-level expectations and is academically on track to succeed in the current grade in this subject.
Partially Meeting Expectations
DESE: partially met grade-level expectations. The school, with the family, should consider whether the student needs additional academic help.
Not Meeting Expectations
DESE: did not meet grade-level expectations. The school, with the family, should decide on coordinated academic help or additional instruction.
MCAS uses the same cut points for every grade and subject: 470, 500 and 530. A 505 in grade 3 math and a 505 in grade 8 science are both Meeting Expectations.
Source: DESE: School and District Profiles, achievement level definitions
Reading the MCAS report
Scaled score and gray bar
The score sits on a 440-560 bar split into the four levels. The gray bar shows the range of likely scores if your child took the test several times.
Scaled score comparison
Your child's score next to the school, district and state averages, plus their scores from the last two years.
Reporting categories
Points earned out of points possible in each area (in ELA: Language, Reading and Writing), with school, district and state percentages.
Every test question
Points earned on each question, with its reporting category. Released questions are on DESE's website, so you can look at the ones your child missed.
Source: DESE: MCAS Spring 2026 Individual Student Report, sample
The growth percentile
For some tests the report adds a student growth percentile from 1 to 99. It compares your child's learning with students across the state who had similar earlier MCAS scores.
A child can be below 500 and still show higher-than-average growth, so read the score and the growth percentile together.
Source: DESE: MCAS Spring 2026 Individual Student Report, sample
Old MCAS scores (200-280)
Before the next-generation tests began in 2017, MCAS used a 200 to 280 scale with the levels Warning, Needs Improvement, Proficient (240-258) and Advanced (260-280). Those numbers cannot be lined up with today's 440-560 scores. Compare levels, not points.
Source: DESE: General Achievement Level Definitions – Legacy Tests
Getting ready for spring
Start with the reporting categories where your child earned the smallest share of points. Our MCAS practice pages by grade:
Questions parents ask
What is a good MCAS score?
500 or higher, which is Meeting Expectations. 530 and above is Exceeding Expectations. Every next-generation MCAS test (ELA, math, science and civics, in every grade) uses the same 440 to 560 scale with the same cut points: 470, 500 and 530.
What is the MCAS score range?
440 to 560. Not Meeting Expectations is 440-469, Partially Meeting 470-499, Meeting 500-529 and Exceeding 530-560.
Is Partially Meeting Expectations failing?
It means your child partly met the grade-level expectations. DESE says the school and family should consider together whether extra help is needed. Meeting Expectations (500+) is the level DESE describes as on track to succeed in the current grade.
What is the growth percentile on the MCAS report?
It compares your child's progress with students across the state who had similar earlier MCAS scores, on a 1 to 99 scale. The report reads 1-40 as lower-than-average growth, 41-60 as average and 61-99 as higher-than-average.
What does the gray bar on the MCAS report mean?
It shows the range of likely scores your child would get if they took the test several times. A score near a cut point (like 498 or 502) could land on either side on another day.
My child's old MCAS score was 240. Is that the same scale?
No. The legacy MCAS used a 200 to 280 scale (Proficient started at 240). The next-generation tests, starting in 2017, use 440 to 560. The two cannot be compared point for point.
Is MCAS still a graduation requirement?
Not since the November 2024 ballot question removed the grade 10 MCAS competency requirement. Students still take the tests. See our page on whether MCAS is still required for the details by class year.
My child is below 500. What should we do next?
Look at the reporting categories and the question-by-question table on the report: they show where points were lost. Then work on the exact skills behind them. A full practice test built like the MCAS, such as iMasterly's, scores your child by reporting category and explains every question, so you can practice before spring. Your child's teacher can tell you what support the school offers.
Sources
Every number on this page comes from these Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education documents. Last reviewed .