Free MAP 3rd Grade Practice Test - Math, Reading, Language Usage, and Science
Help Your Child Prepare With Test-like Sample Questions and a Complete Practice Package
- Start with a Free Practice Test: Use our free MAP 3rd Grade practice test below to experience some of the question types and pinpoint areas needing improvement.
- Ready for More? The complete package adds three level-finding diagnostics (43 questions each) with clear reports by category, plus 44 matching quizzes in Math, Reading, Language Usage, and Science. Every question includes a child-friendly explanation.
Hey there! Do you have a question about the test or our practice package? Email me at roman@giftedready.com. I'm here to help your child succeed!
What Is on the 3rd Grade MAP Test? A Quick Overview
The NWEA MAP test in 3rd grade evaluates how well your child understands key subjects – Math, Reading, Language Usage (also referred to as Language Arts or ELA), and, in some schools, Science.
Key Facts for Parents:
- Untimed: Your child can move at their own pace.
- Number of Questions: Around 43 per subject
- Adaptive test design: Questions change based on right or wrong answers, while covering many levels to measure a wide range of skills.
- If your child struggles, questions may drop to a K-2 grade level.
- If your child excels, they will likely face questions from grades 4–5 and even above.
Free MAP 3rd Grade Practice Test (Math, Reading, Language Usage, and Science)
Explore these sample questions (drawn from our comprehensive practice package) with your child to help them become familiar with the types of questions they might encounter on the test.
NWEA MAP 3rd Grade Math Practice Questions
The MAP Math test for 3rd grade includes about 43 questions that evaluate your child’s math skills in the following instructional domains (updated in July 2026):
Number:
- Computation
- Number Sense
Algebra:
- Equations, Expressions, Inequalities, & Functions
Geometry; Probability & Statistics:
- Measurement
- Geometric Relationships
- Statistics
Geometry Sample Question - Below-Grade-Level
Which figure illustrates 4/5?
Show Answer
Answer: B
4/5 means there are four shaded parts out of 5 equal parts.
The numerator (number on top) represents the number of shaded parts while the denominator (number at the bottom) represents the total parts the figure was equally divided.
Option A has two shaded parts out of five equal parts. So, it represents 2/5.
Option B has four shaded parts out of five equal parts. So, it represents 4/5.
Option C has four shaded parts out of seven equal parts. So, it represents 4/7.
Option D has three shaded parts out of ten equal parts. So, it represents 3/10.
Therefore, option B correctly represents 4/5.
Measurement Sample Question - At-Grade-Level
Based on the data presented on the bar graph, what month did the Smith family have the highest expenses?
Welcome to the ultimate preparation guide for the 2026 NWEA MAP Test for 3rd Grade!
To help your child achieve top scores, excel in academics, and gain admission to advanced programs, we’ve crafted a proven preparation method that has supported many students in reaching their goals:
Show Answer
Answer: E
To determine which month had the highest expenses:
First, look at the bars representing each month on the graph. Next, compare the heights of the bars. The taller the bar, the higher the expenses for that month. Identify which bar is the tallest.
This will correspond to the month with the highest expenses. Lastly, check the label under the tallest bar to see which month it represents.
Thus, the Smith family had the highest expenses in December.
Algebra Sample Question - Above-Grade-Level
Ben wants to buy pens that cost $3 each. He has $24 to spend.
Let p represent the number of pens Ben can buy.
What is the greatest number of pens Ben can buy?
Show Answer
Answer: 8 pens
Each pen costs $3, and Ben has $24.
We can write an inequality:
3p ≤ 24
To find how many pens he can buy, solve for p:
This means Ben can buy at most 8 pens.
So the greatest number of pens he can buy is 8.
How the Complete Grade 3 Practice Package Builds Your Child's Skills
- Level-finding diagnostics (43 questions per test): Questions adjust to answers, and each test ends with a simple report by category and skills.
- Aligned with what schools teach: Built around the skills listed for Grade 3 and cross-checked with Common Core standards.
- Right-level quizzes: Below-grade, at-grade, and above-grade sets helps your child build skills step by step.
- Explanations for every question: Clear, kid-friendly explanations make learning stick.
This approach keeps practice focused and builds confidence for test day.
NWEA MAP 3rd Grade Reading Practice Questions
The NWEA MAP Reading test for 3rd grade evaluates students’ proficiency in various reading skills, including comprehension, vocabulary, and analysis.
These skills are grouped into three instructional areas:
Vocabulary and Literary Devices
Fiction, Poetry, and Drama:
- Theme, Plot, Setting, and Characters
- Point of View, Structure, and Genre Features
Nonfiction:
- Main Idea, Concepts, Events, and Individuals
- Perspective, Purpose, Argument, Structure, and Genre Features
Vocabulary and Literary Devices Sample Question - Below-Grade-Level
Read the index.
Alcott, Louisa May – pages 45–89
Baum, L. Frank – pages 90–134
Carroll, Lewis – pages 135–165
Montgomery, L. M. – pages 166–210
Twain, Mark – pages 211–250
Based on the index, on which of the following pages would you find a story by Lewis Carroll?
Show Answer
The index indicates that stories by Lewis Carroll can be found on pages 135–165. Page 140 falls within this range, so option B is the correct answer.
Nonfiction Sample Question - At-Grade-Level
Read the passage.
Olive oil is made from olives, which are harvested from olive trees when they are fully ripe. Once harvested, the olives are washed to remove dirt and impurities. The cleaned olives are then crushed to create a paste. This paste is pressed to extract the liquid, which contains both water and oil. The mixture is then separated to remove the water, leaving behind pure olive oil. The final product is filtered, bottled, and distributed to stores.
Which of the following order of directions best fits olive oil’s production process?
Show Answer
The correct answer is D: Olives are harvested, washed, crushed into a paste, pressed, and then separated to remove water.
The explanation of olive oil production in the passage emphasizes that the process begins with harvesting, followed by washing, crushing, pressing, separating, filtering, and bottling, making option D the most accurate choice.
Nonfiction Sample Question - Above-Grade-Level
Read the passage.
Usain Bolt, often referred to as the fastest man alive, is a retired Jamaican sprinter who is an eight-time Olympic gold medalist. Bolt set world records in the 100-meter, 200-meter, and 4100-meter relay, with times that remain unbroken to this day. Born on August 21, 1986, in Trelawny, Jamaica, Bolt began running competitively in his teenage years and quickly gained recognition for his unmatched speed and unique charisma. By the age of 20, he had qualified for his first Olympics, where he demonstrated his potential on the global stage.
In the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Bolt became a household name, winning three gold medals and setting new world records in all his events. His dominance continued in the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, where he repeated his triumphs and earned the title of the greatest sprinter in history. Bolt retired in 2017 but remains an influential figure in the world of sports. Fans and analysts often discuss his remarkable speed and his legacy in athletics.
Which of the following details cannot be found in the passage?
Show Answer
The correct answer is C. The specific times of Bolt’s world records.
The passage provides several specific details about Usain Bolt’s career:
• The total number of Olympic gold medals (eight).
• The year he retired from competitive running (2017).
• The age he qualified for his first Olympics (20).
However, the exact times of his world records are not mentioned, making Option C the correct answer.
NWEA MAP 3rd Grade Language Usage Practice Questions
The NWEA MAP Language Usage Test for 3rd grade focuses on assessing students’ proficiency in various aspects of language, including grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and writing strategies.
Here’s the full list of instructional areas that are evaluated on the 3rd grade Language Usage test:
Grammar and Usage
Capitalization, Punctuation, and Spelling
Narrative, Expository, and Argumentative Writing:
- Structure, Development, Cohesion, and Style
- Research, Process, Purpose, and Audience
Writing Sample Question - Below-Grade-Level
Read the paragraph.
Dolphins are known for their intelligence and friendly behavior. They can learn complex tricks and often enjoy interacting with people. Dolphins use a system of clicks and whistles to communicate with each other.
Which of the following sentences could be a strong concluding sentence for the paragraph?
Show Answer
Correct answer: C.
The conclusion summarizes the paragraph well. It reminds readers that dolphins are intelligent and social animals, connecting back to the main ideas.
A) Dolphins are friendly animals that people enjoy watching: This is too general and does not effectively conclude the paragraph.
B) Lastly, dolphins are found in oceans around the world: This introduces a new idea instead of summarizing the paragraph.
D) Many people swim with dolphins: This is a specific detail that does not conclude the overall idea.
Grammar Sample Question - At-Grade-Level
Read the sentences.
The child painted a picture. The picture was colorful. The child smiled at his artwork.
Which is the best way to combine these sentences?
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B.
The best way to combine these sentences is “The child painted a colorful picture and smiled at it.” This version is concise and connects the ideas smoothly, avoiding repetition.
A) The child smiled at his colorful artwork after he painted a picture.: While this is clear, it is longer and less concise than option B.
C) The child was happy with his painting, so he smiled.: This introduces “was happy,” which changes the tone and focus of the sentence. It also omits the detail that the picture was colorful.
D) After painting, the child smiled at the picture.: This is concise but loses the detail that the picture was colorful.
Spelling Sample Question - Above-Grade-Level
In which sentence is the underlined word spelled correctly?
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C.
“There were many deer in the forest” is correct because “deer” is an irregular noun that remains the same in singular and plural forms.
A) “Wolfs” should be “wolves.”
B) “Childs” should be “children.”
D) “Sheeps” should be “sheep.”
Give Your Child the Tools to Excel
Get the complete package with 3 level-finding diagnostics and 44 matching quizzes across Math, Reading, Language Usage, and Science. You’ll get clear reports by category and skills, and explanations for every question, so practice time is focused.
NWEA MAP 3rd Grade Science Practice Questions
The NWEA MAP Science test for 3rd grade evaluates students’ understanding across various scientific domains, including:
Biology
- Organisms
- Ecosystems
- Change over Time, Heredity
Chemistry and Physics
- Matter
- Forces
- Energy and Waves
Earth and Space Science
- Earth in Space
- Components and Processes of Earth
- Human Interactions with Earth
These skill areas align with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
Biology Sample Question - Below-Grade-Level
Look at the picture of the ants gathering food. These ants are part of an ecosystem. What role do the ants play in the movement of energy in their environment?
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B. Consumers – they eat plants and other small organisms.
Ants are considered consumers because they rely on plants or other small organisms for food. They do not produce their own energy like plants (producers) or break down dead materials like decomposers. By consuming food, they play an important role in transferring energy through the ecosystem.
Physics Sample Question - At-Grade-Level
Look at the picture of the two children pushing the swing. The swing moves forward and backward when the children apply a force.
What happens if the children stop pushing the swing?
Show Answer
Correct Answer:
C. The swing will slow down and eventually stop.
When the child stops pushing, the swing slows down due to friction from the air and the chains, as well as gravity. This causes the swing to lose energy and come to a stop after some time. This demonstrates how forces interact with motion.
Earth in Space Sample Question - Above-Grade-Level
The Earth is made up of different layers, each with unique characteristics.
Which layer is responsible for causing earthquakes and volcanic activity?
Show Answer
The correct answe is A.
Earthquakes and volcanic activity mainly occur in the crust, the outermost layer of the Earth.
The crust is like the Earth’s skin, and it’s the top layer where we live. It’s made up of big puzzle pieces called tectonic plates. These plates are always moving very slowly, but sometimes they bump into each other, pull apart, or slide past each other.
When they do this, it can cause the ground to shake—that’s an earthquake.
In some places, the plates can also create openings where hot, melted rock (called magma) comes out as lava—this is a volcano. So, the crust is the layer responsible for both earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
MAP Scores for 3rd Grade – What They Mean & How to Use Them (Including Chart)
The MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) test provides a RIT (Rasch Unit) score for each subject assessed, such as math, reading, and language usage.
This score reflects your child’s current achievement level and is measured on an equal-interval scale, similar to a ruler, allowing for consistent tracking of academic growth over time.
Understanding RIT Scores:
- Equal-Interval Scale: The RIT scale is stable and equal-interval, meaning the difference between scores remains consistent across the scale. This allows for accurate measurement of a student’s academic knowledge, skills, and abilities, regardless of their age or grade level.
- Growth Measurement: By comparing RIT scores from different testing periods, you can observe your child’s academic progress. For example, an increase in RIT scores over time indicates growth in the subject area assessed.
- Grade-Level Norms: NWEA provides charts showing the median RIT scores for students at various grade levels, which can help determine if your child is performing at, above, or below the typical level for their grade.
MAP Test 3rd Grade Scores Chart
To see more information about the scores and how to analyze them, visit our in-depth MAP test scores guide.
Build a Focused Grade 3 Practice Plan
Go beyond the free test with three full diagnostics that adjust to your child’s answers and end with clear reports. Then follow targeted quizzes – each with an easy explanation – to turn weak spots into progress.