Massachusetts · MCAS & Question 2 · Updated October 2026
Is MCAS still required
to graduate?
No — students no longer need to pass MCAS to graduate (Question 2, effective Dec 2024). But the test isn't gone: kids still take it, and it still counts for the Adams Scholarship and course placement. Here's what changed, by class year.
Last reviewed against DESE & Massachusetts sources · Updated as the rules change
Quick answer
Is MCAS still required to graduate in Massachusetts?
No. Since Question 2 took effect (December 5, 2024 at the earliest, according to DESE), students starting with the class of 2025 no longer have to pass MCAS to earn a diploma. Students still take MCAS: DESE says participation is required by federal and state law, and the ballot question did not change that.
Source: DESE — Student Competency Determination Update (Dec 11, 2024) · Updated
Try MCAS practice questions
Practice MCAS Questions
Pick your child's grade to start. No signup required.
The short answer (and the myth that won't die)
Plenty of headlines said “Massachusetts got rid of MCAS.” That's not quite right. In November 2024, about 59% of voters approved Question 2, which ended the requirement to pass MCAS to graduate — effective December 2024, starting with the class of 2025. The test itself was not eliminated: students still take MCAS (federal and state law require it), and it still earns the Adams Scholarship and feeds school ratings. What replaced the old gate is a district-certified Competency Determination — completing coursework aligned to state standards instead of hitting a passing score.
Source: WBUR — Massachusetts Question 2 approved (Nov 6, 2024)
Find your child's class year
The change phases in by graduating class. Find your child's year below.
Class of 2025
The first cohort that no longer needs to pass MCAS to graduate. For 2025, each district set its own coursework standards for the diploma.
Class of 2026
Under temporary statewide rules: 2 years of English, Algebra I + Geometry (or Integrated Math I/II), and 1 science course — certified by the district, not by an MCAS score.
Class of 2027
Same as 2026, with U.S. history added. Exact details are still being finalized by the state, so confirm specifics with your school.
Class of 2031
Under the proposed permanent framework, students entering 9th grade in fall 2027 (today’s 8th graders) would be the first required to complete MassCore coursework. It is a recommendation only — it still needs legislation and is being debated.
Class of 2032
Students entering 9th grade in fall 2028 would be the first under the rest of the proposed framework: new state end-of-course exams, a career and academic plan, and a capstone or portfolio. Also advisory only and still being debated.
Source: Officials approve competency determination to replace MCAS (May 2025)
Source: DESE — Graduation Standards Update, Education Leaders Webinar (June 11, 2026)
What happened, and when
On November 5, 2024, about 59% of Massachusetts voters approved Question 2, ending the requirement to pass MCAS to graduate.
The law took effect December 5, 2024 — making the class of 2025 the first cohort no longer required to pass MCAS to graduate.
The state board adopted temporary statewide coursework standards for the class of 2026 and beyond, since passing MCAS is no longer the bar.
The state graduation council recommended a permanent framework: MassCore coursework starting with 9th graders entering in fall 2027 (class of 2031), and end-of-course exams and the other requirements starting with 9th graders entering in fall 2028 (class of 2032). It is advisory and would need to pass the Legislature — treat any specifics as not yet settled.
Districts certify coursework for the diploma; MCAS is still given and still counts for the Adams Scholarship and accountability.
What changed: before Question 2 vs. now
| Before | Now (since Dec 2024) | |
|---|---|---|
| To earn a diploma | Pass the 10th-grade MCAS (the Competency Determination) | Complete district-certified coursework aligned to state standards |
| Is MCAS still given? | Yes — and you had to pass it | Yes — students still take it; a passing score is no longer required to graduate |
| Adams Scholarship | Earned through high MCAS scores | Still earned through high MCAS scores — unchanged |
| Who sets the graduation bar | The state, via the MCAS passing score | Districts certify coursework, within statewide minimums set by the state board |
| First affected class | In place since the class of 2003 | Class of 2025 onward |
Source: DESE — Student Competency Determination Update (Dec 11, 2024)
Does MCAS still matter? Yes — here's where
Passing it is no longer a graduation gate — but the test still carries real weight in four places.
High MCAS scores still earn the John & Abigail Adams Scholarship — a tuition waiver at Massachusetts state colleges and universities. The test is the qualifier here.
Many high schools still use MCAS results to place students into honors or advanced courses, so a strong score can open doors even when it isn’t a graduation gate.
MCAS still feeds the state’s school and district accountability ratings, which is part of why the test continues to be given to every student.
Massachusetts must still administer MCAS under federal (ESSA) and state law. Question 2 changed the graduation rule — it did not end the testing requirement.
Source: DESE — Student Competency Determination Update (Dec 11, 2024)
Check what your district requires
The state sets minimum coursework standards, but your diploma requirements are certified district by district — and some districts may still use MCAS in their own local rules. No statewide page can tell you your exact school's requirements, so confirm the specifics with your child's counselor or your district's graduation policy.
What this means for parents
The honest, no-panic version — what actually changes, what doesn't, and what to do about it.
This is the part most headlines get wrong. Your child still takes MCAS in 10th grade. What changed is that they no longer need a passing score to graduate — the diploma is now certified by completing the right coursework.
High MCAS scores still earn the John & Abigail Adams Scholarship (a state-college tuition waiver) and are still used by many schools for honors and course placement. For college-bound students, doing well on MCAS can still pay off.
The state sets minimum coursework standards, but the details are certified district by district — and some districts may still use MCAS in their own local requirements. Confirm your school’s specifics with a counselor; no statewide page (including this one) can answer that for your exact district.
Whether or not the test is a graduation gate, 10th-grade reading, writing, math, and science are the real bar — for the Adams Scholarship, course placement, and life after high school. Mastering the standards is what counts.
A permanent framework is being debated and won’t be settled for years. We report what the state has officially adopted, flag what’s still proposed, and update this page as the rules change — so be cautious of any source stating future requirements as final.
Source: DESE — Student Competency Determination Update (Dec 11, 2024)
What isn't settled yet
Massachusetts is still working out a permanent graduation framework. As of October 2026, proposals for new statewide requirements (including possible new end-of-course exams) are advisory and would need to pass the Legislature — and they're actively debated. We report what the state has officially adopted, flag what's still proposed, and update this page as the rules change.
Check the latest directly from the state: DESE — Student Competency Determination Update (Dec 11, 2024).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is MCAS still required to graduate in Massachusetts?
No — students no longer need to pass MCAS to graduate. Massachusetts voters approved Question 2 in November 2024, which took effect December 5, 2024 and removed the requirement to pass the 10th-grade MCAS for a diploma, starting with the class of 2025. Important: the MCAS test itself is not gone — students still take it.
Did MCAS get eliminated?
No. Question 2 eliminated the requirement to PASS MCAS to graduate — not the test. MCAS is still administered to students because federal law (ESSA) and state law require statewide testing. What changed is that a passing score is no longer the bar for earning a diploma.
Do students still have to pass MCAS to get a diploma in 2025 or 2026?
No. Starting with the class of 2025, passing MCAS is no longer required for a diploma. Instead, students earn their Competency Determination by completing district-certified coursework aligned to state academic standards. They still take the MCAS test; they just don’t need to pass it to graduate.
Do kids still take MCAS in 2026?
Yes. MCAS is still given to students because it’s required by federal (ESSA) and state law, and it still counts for the Adams Scholarship and school accountability ratings. Question 2 changed the graduation requirement, not whether the test is administered.
Do I still have to take MCAS if it doesn’t count for graduation?
Yes — students are still required to take MCAS. While a passing score is no longer needed to graduate, the test still matters for the Adams Scholarship, is often used for honors/course placement, and is federally required. So it’s worth taking seriously even though it’s no longer a graduation gate.
Is MCAS optional now?
Not optional to take — but optional as a graduation gate. Students still sit for MCAS, but they no longer need to pass it to earn a diploma. (Massachusetts also has a separate test-refusal/opt-out conversation, but that’s distinct from the Question 2 graduation change.)
Does MCAS still matter?
Yes, in several ways. Even though passing it is no longer required to graduate, MCAS still earns the John & Abigail Adams Scholarship (a state-college tuition waiver), is often used by high schools for honors and course placement, and feeds the state’s school accountability ratings. For college-bound students, strong scores still help.
Does MCAS still matter for the Adams Scholarship?
Yes. The John & Abigail Adams Scholarship — which waives tuition at Massachusetts state colleges and universities — is still earned through high MCAS scores. Question 2 did not change this, so MCAS performance remains directly valuable for that scholarship.
What replaces the MCAS graduation requirement?
A district-certified “Competency Determination.” Instead of a passing MCAS score, students now earn their diploma by completing coursework aligned to state academic standards, certified by their district. For the class of 2026 and beyond, the state set temporary statewide minimums (English, math including Algebra I and Geometry, and science).
What is the Competency Determination in Massachusetts?
The Competency Determination (CD) is the standard a student must meet to be eligible for a high school diploma in Massachusetts. It used to be earned by passing the 10th-grade MCAS. After Question 2, it’s earned by completing district-certified coursework aligned to state standards — the MCAS score no longer determines it.
What are the Massachusetts graduation requirements for the class of 2026?
Under temporary statewide rules, the class of 2026 must complete (and have the district certify) coursework including two years of English, Algebra I and Geometry (or Integrated Math I and II), and a science course — rather than passing MCAS. The class of 2027 adds U.S. history. Confirm exact details with your school, as the state is still finalizing them.
Did the class of 2025 still have to pass MCAS?
No. The change took effect December 5, 2024, making the class of 2025 the first cohort no longer required to pass MCAS to graduate. For 2025, districts set their own coursework standards to certify the diploma.
Sources
The facts on this page come from these DESE documents and news reports. Last reviewed .
Cite or share this page
Writing about the MCAS graduation change for parents or teachers? You're welcome to link to or quote this page.
MCAS practice by grade (3–8)
Students in grades 3–8 still take MCAS every spring. Each page covers what that grade's test includes, its format, and a short practice quiz.
States changing their graduation tests
The test isn't the point — the skills are
Graduation gate or not, strong reading, writing, and math still open doors — the Adams Scholarship, honors placement, and life after high school. iMasterly gives Massachusetts kids adaptive practice with Ms. Emma, an AI tutor who builds real mastery.
Start MCAS practice →