Free MAP 4th Grade Practice Test - Math, Reading, Language Usage, and Science
Help Your Child Get Ready with Test-like Sample Questions and a Complete MAP Practice Package
- Start with a Free Practice Test: Take our free MAP 4th Grade practice test below to get a feel for the exam and identify trouble areas.
- 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 4th Grade MAP Test? A Quick Overview
The MAP Growth Test for 4th grade consists of between three and four sections, each containing approximately 43 questions. These subtests are Math, Reading, Language Usage (or Language Arts/ELA), and, for 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 1st-3rd-grade level.
- If your child excels, they will likely face questions from a 5th-6th-grade level and even above.
Free MAP 4th Grade Practice Test (Math, Reading, Language, and Science)
Try the following sample questions (taken from our complete practice package) with your child to help them get familiar with some of the question types on the test.
NWEA MAP 4th Grade Math Practice Questions
The MAP Math test for 4th grade includes about 43 questions that evaluate your child’s math skills in the following instructional areas (updated in July 2026):
Number:
- Computation
- Number Sense
Algebra:
- Equations, Expressions, Inequalities, & Functions
Geometry; Probability & Statistics:
- Measurement
- Geometric Relationships
- Statistics
Algebra Sample Question - Below-Grade-Level
Below are the first three figures, made out of squares, in a pattern. How many squares will there be in the seventh step of the pattern?
Show Answer
Solution:
Look at the sequence of the figures:
Step 1: The figure has 3 squares.
Step 2: The figure has 6 squares.
Step 3: The figure has 9 squares.
This sequence increases by 3 with each step. For the seventh step, the number of squares =7×3=21
To make it simpler, we can form a number series with this pattern:
3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21
Hence, the correct answer is option C.
Computation Sample Question - At-Grade-Level
Below is a price list:
Item | Price |
Notebook | $3 |
Eraser | $0.75 |
Pen | $1.50 |
Highlighter | $2 |
Binder | $3.25 |
Marker | $3.5 |
Michael bought one notebook, two pens, one highlighter, and one marker. How much did Michael pay for his purchase?
Welcome to your go-to practice resource for the 2026 NWEA MAP 4th Grade Test!
To boost your child’s scores, help them excel academically, and secure their spots in desired programs, we have designed an effective preparation process that has helped countless students succeed:
Show Answer
Amount Michael paid for his purchase:
Notebook = $3
Pens= 2×1.50=$3
Highlighter = $2
Textbook = $3.5
Total: 3+3+2+3.5 = $11.5
Hence, the correct answer is option B.
Geometry Sample Question - Above-Grade-Level
What will happen to the perimeter if all the side lengths are quadrupled?
Show Answer
The original perimeter of the rectangle is,
P=2×(7+5)=24 inches.
When all sides are quadrupled, the new dimensions are:
7×4=28inches, and 5×4=20inches.
The new perimeter is,
Pn=2×(28+20)=96 inches
Since 96=4×24 , the perimeter is multiplied by four.
Hence, the correct answer is option E.
How the Complete Grade 4 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 4 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 4th Grade Reading Practice Questions
The MAP Reading Test is designed to evaluate a 4th grader’s reading comprehension and analytical skills, ensuring they have a solid foundation for understanding and interpreting various types of texts.
Your child will be evaluated on the following instructional domains:
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
Fiction Sample Question - Below-Grade-Level
Read the passage:
John spent weeks preparing for his school’s baking competition. He practiced making cakes every evening, trying out new recipes and asking his family for feedback. On the day of the competition, John presented a beautiful chocolate cake with colorful decorations. The judge smiled and said, “You have a great talent for baking! This cake looks fantastic!” However, when the results were announced, John did not win. He forced a smile but quietly thought, “I hoped I would win after all the effort I put in.”
What word best describes how John feels at the end of the passage?
Show Answer
At the end of the story, John hoped to win but didn’t, even though the judge liked his cake. This made him feel disappointed because he worked hard but didn’t get the prize he wanted.
• A is wrong because John’s family and the judge were proud of him, but John wasn’t feeling proud at that moment.
• B is wrong because there’s no mention of John being tired in the story.
• C is wrong because John wasn’t excited; he was feeling sad about not winning.
Vocabulary Sample Question - At-Grade-Level
Read the passage:
Animals often live in groups, and different animals have special names for these groups. For example, a group of lions is called a “pride,” and a group of wolves is known as a “pack.” The names for animal groups help describe how these animals live and work together in nature. Some animal groups, like those of elephants, are called herds, while others, like birds, are called flocks.
Which of the following words best matches the meaning of “pride” as it is used for lions?
Show Answer
The correct answer is D – “Group” because “pride” is just another word for a group of lions.
• A is incorrect because “pack” refers to wolves, not lions.
• B is incorrect because “leader” refers to one lion, not a group of them.
• C is incorrect because “tribe” usually refers to human groups, not animals.
The word “group” fits best because it simply means a collection of lions, just like “pride” does.
Nonfiction Sample Question - Above-Grade-Level
Read the passage:
Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals found on Earth. The name “quartz” comes from the German word “quarz,” which refers to its crystalline structure. Quartz forms under various conditions and can be found in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. It is used not only for decorative purposes but also in industries due to its unique properties.
Quartz is prized for its ability to vibrate at a precise frequency when subjected to an electric charge, making it essential in the manufacturing of clocks, watches, and other electronic devices. Synthetic quartz can also be produced in laboratories for specialized applications.
Why is quartz widely used in electronic devices?
Show Answer
The correct choice is (C).
The passage explains that quartz is valued in electronics for its ability to vibrate at precise frequencies when exposed to an electric charge, which is crucial for devices like watches and clocks.
Option (A) is incorrect because, although quartz is abundant, this is not why it is used in electronics.
Option (B) is irrelevant, as the passage does not suggest synthetic quartz is the main reason for its use in electronics.
Option (D) is misleading, as the geological occurrence of quartz does not explain its importance in electronic applications.
NWEA MAP 4th Grade Language Usage Practice Questions
This test is designed to evaluate a 4th grader’s proficiency in language usage, ensuring they have a solid foundation in writing and grammar skills. This test is also known as Language Arts or ELA.
Your child will be assessed on the following instructional areas:
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.
Ruth Handler noticed that her daughter enjoyed playing with paper dolls and pretending they were adults. She wanted to create a doll that could inspire children to imagine their future. ____________________, she helped design the first Barbie doll and showed it at a toy fair in 1959.
Which transition phrase best completes the paragraph?
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A. Before long
Transition words and phrases help connect ideas and show how one sentence relates to the next. In informational writing, transitions help readers follow the order of events, examples, or contrasts.
The paragraph about Ruth Handler tells a sequence of events. First, Ruth saw a problem or need. Then, she acted on her idea. We need a transition that shows the next thing that happened, and that it happened soon after.
Among the choices, Choice A is the best answer. “Before long” is a time-order phrase that means something happened soon after something else. It fits because Ruth had an idea, and soon after, she helped create Barbie.
The other choices are incorrect:
- Choice B. For instance – This gives an example of something already mentioned. But here, she is not giving an example — she is taking action.
- Choice C. On the other hand – This shows a contrast or opposite idea. Nothing in the paragraph is showing an opposite.
- Choice D. In the same way – This shows similarity. But she’s not doing something similar — she’s doing something new.
Punctuation Sample Question - At-Grade-Level
Which sentence shows the correct punctuation for this dialogue?
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Correct Answer: C. “I’m almost ready,” said Ella, “but I still need to find my notebook.”
When a character says something in a story, you must use quotation marks and commas or periods the right way to show exactly what is being said and who is saying it.
The sentence in this question is a split dialogue. It means the speaker’s words are interrupted by the tag (said Ella), then the speaker continues talking.
Here’s how to punctuate it correctly:
Put quotation marks around both parts of Ella’s statements.
After the first part of what she says (“I’m almost ready”), add a comma before the closing quotation mark.
Then comes the speaker tag: said Ella. Since it’s in the middle, it is lowercase and ends with a comma.
Start the second part of the quote (“but I still need to find my notebook”) with lowercase because it continues the same sentence, not a brand-new one.
That’s why Choice C is correct.
Let’s review the other choices:
- Choice A: It’s missing a comma after Ella. That breaks the sentence and makes the tag confusing.
- Choice B: It uses a period after “Ella”, which makes the second part of the quote sound like a new sentence, but it’s really a continuation.
- Choice D: It’s missing the comma after “ready”, and that’s a common mistake in dialogue punctuation.
Grammar Sample Question - Above-Grade-Level
Read the sentence.
In the early 1800s, engineers like George Stephenson began designing steam-powered locomotives capable of pulling heavy loads across long distances, which led to major changes in transportation and industry.
What is the function of the gerund phrase “designing steam-powered locomotives capable of pulling heavy loads across long distances”?
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D. Object of the verb
This sentence tells us about an important moment in history – the invention of the first steam locomotives.
The focus of the question is on the bolded gerund phrase: “designing steam-powered locomotives capable of pulling heavy loads across long distances.”
Let’s first understand what a gerund phrase is. A gerund is a verb ending in -ing that acts as a noun, and a gerund phrase includes the gerund along with its object and any words that describe it.
In this case, the main gerund is “designing,” and the rest of the phrase gives more details about what was being designed.
Now look at the verb in the sentence: “began.” To figure out what the gerund phrase is doing, ask: What did engineers like George Stephenson begin?
The answer is: “designing steam-powered locomotives capable of pulling heavy loads across long distances.”
This tells us that the gerund phrase is the object of the verb “began.” So, Choice D is the correct answer.
The other choices are incorrect:
- Choice A: The Subject of the sentence is wrong because the subject is “engineers like George Stephenson,” not the gerund phrase.
- Choice B: Object of a preposition is incorrect because the phrase doesn’t come after a preposition like “by,” “about,” or “for.”
- Choice C: Subject complement is not correct either because a subject complement comes after a linking verb like “is” or “was,” and the verb “began” is an action verb, not a linking verb.
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 4th Grade Science Practice Questions
The MAP Science test is designed to assess a 4th grader’s understanding and application of scientific concepts, preparing them for more advanced studies in science.
Your child is assessed on the following domains:
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
Biology Sample Question - Below-Grade-Level
A group of squirrels live in a forest near a park. A child often sees the squirrels running around and gathering food in the fall but rarely sees them in the winter.
Why does the child rarely see the squirrels in the winter?
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B.
Squirrels work hard in the fall to gather food, such as nuts and seeds, so they have enough to eat during the cold winter.
In the winter, it’s too cold and there isn’t much food to find outside. That’s why squirrels stay cozy in their nests and use less energy. This helps them survive until it gets warmer in the spring.
While they don’t hibernate like some animals, they still stay inside most of the time, which is why the child doesn’t see them often in the winter.
Energy Sample Question - At-Grade-Level
The diagram shows a simple device that uses a battery to light up a small bulb.
Identify the main energy conversion that happens in this device for the bulb to light up.
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B
This device converts energy from one form to another to achieve a purpose. A battery stores chemical energy.
When the circuit is complete, this chemical energy is converted into electrical energy, which flows through the wires.
When the electrical energy reaches the light bulb, the bulb converts it into light energy (which we see) and also some heat energy (which makes the bulb warm).
So, the main conversion sequence is chemical energy to electrical energy, and then electrical energy to light and heat energy.
Human Interactions with Earth Sample Question - Above-Grade-Level
A community group wants to make their local park more environmentally friendly and protect nearby wildlife.
Which plan would best help the environment?
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Correct Answer: B.
Planting native trees and flowers helps the environment because these plants are well-suited for the local soil and weather. They also provide food and shelter for animals like birds, insects, and other wildlife.
Removing fallen leaves or adding bright lights might actually harm the ecosystem by disturbing animals or taking away their natural habitats.
MAP Scores for 4th Grade – What They Mean & How to Use Them (Including Chart)
The NWEA MAP uses a RIT (Rasch Unit) scale to measure a student’s academic level, providing a personalized assessment experience.
The RIT score reflects the difficulty of questions a student can answer correctly 50% of the time, offering a precise measure of their instructional level.
These scores are consistent across grade levels, allowing for accurate tracking of academic growth over time.
Teachers and parents can use MAP scores to identify a student’s strengths and areas needing improvement.
Additionally, these scores are an effective tool for identifying high-achieving students who are eligible for further placement into advanced or gifted programs.
How to Enhance Your Child’s MAP Scores in the Next Testing Terms
- Engage in Regular Practice: Consistent practice in reading, math, and language skills (as you can find on this page) can strengthen understanding and proficiency.
- Address Specific Weaknesses: Focus on areas where the student shows difficulty, using targeted exercises to build competence.
- Encourage a Growth Mindset: Promote the belief that abilities can improve with effort, fostering resilience and a positive attitude toward learning.
MAP Test 4th Grade Scores Chart
Build a Focused Grade 4 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.