State determined testing for grades 3-8, 10, 11. The state-determined testing window for the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) and Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) for the 2025-2026 school year is March 2, 2026 to May 8, 2026.
The testing window for MCA Reading & Math and MTAS/Alternate MCA: Reading, Math & Science is March 2 - April 30, 2026. The testing window for MCA Science is March 2 - May 8, 2026. Grade 3 Reading – March 24-26 Grade 4 Reading – March 24-26 Grade 5 Reading – March 30-31 Grade 6 Reading – March 30-31 Grade 7 Reading – April 7-8 Grade 8 Reading – April 7-8 Grade 3 Math – April 22-23 Grade 4 Math – April 9-10 Grade 5 Math – April 13-14 Grade 6 Math – April 15-16 Grade 7 Math – April 16-17 Grade 8 Math – April 27-28 Grade 10 Math – April 20-21 Grade 11 Math – April 28-29 Grade 5 Science – April 1-2 Grade 8 Science – April 30-May 1 Grade 10 Science – April 30-May 1
All Makeup Reading MCA April 9 All Makeup Math MCA April 29 All Makeup Science MCA May 7
All MCA/MTAS testing is State required. Fastbridge Screening is state required for all K-3 students. This is an optional screening for grades K-6 Star Testing is a local assessment ACT testing meets state requirements for College/Career Readiness
Results are provided on the following timelines: MCA/MTAS – Preliminary results upon completion, Final results Fall 2026 Fastbridge – Immediate upon completion Star Testing – Immediate upon completion ASVAB – 6-8 weeks after completion
The amount of time it takes students to take these tests vary. 3-8, 10 Reading MCA estimate 1 - 2.5 hours 3-8 Math MCA estimate 1 - 2.5 hours 11 Math MCA estimate 1 - 2 hours 5, 8, HS Science MCA estimate 0.5 - 1.5 hours Preliminary results available next day; official results available in August 2021. Star Reading/Star Math estimate 30-40 minutes. Results available immediately. Fastbridge estimates 10-15 minutes. Results available immediately.
ASVAB estimate 1.5 hours; Results available 2-3 weeks following test. ACT estimate 3 hours; Results available 2 weeks following test. PSAT Test 2 hours, 45 minutes; Results available 6 weeks following test.
