How to Ace the 4th Grade Reading MCAS Exam (For Parents)

If you live in Massachusetts, and you have a fourth grader, you are probably aware of the pressures of the 4th grade reading MCAS exam. There are many similarities between the MCAS 4th grade test and the one they took last year in third grade so you probably know how important MCAS preparation is.  These challenging reading comprehension tests involve texts that, by some measures, are at a sixth grade reading level.  One of these reading comprehension tests involve reading comprehension questions, and writing a paragraph response to it. If you are looking to help your child practice writing paragraph responses to reading comprehension questions for the 4th grade reading MCAS practice tests, go over these steps with him or her.

Step1
After you download a practice MCAS test from the MDESE website, read the 4th grade reading open response MCAS sample question. This way as you read the MCAS practice tests you can find answers to underline in the reading comprehension passages.

Step2
Read the passage in the MCAS 4th grade reading comprehension tests and underline details that answer the open response MCAS exam question.

Step3

Write MCAS sample reading comprehension questions as a topic sentence for paragraphs. Use the exact same words as the 4th grade reading open response MCAS exam question but make it a telling sentence instead of a question.

Step4
Look back in the reading comprehension passages. When it comes to MCAS preparation it’s best to read and reread reading comprehension tests, since they are checking your reading, not your memory!  Double check if you need to underline more sentences that answer the open response MCAS practice tests questions.

Step5
Write a detail that you underlined in reading comprehension passages for the MCAS exam. Then write a response to the MCAS 4th grade reading comprehension questions that you felt or figured out about that detail. Repeat this step on MCAS practice tests until you have a long paragraph that answers the 4th grade reading open response MCAS question.

Step6
Reread the question and your paragraph to be sure it answers the open response reading comprehension tests MCAS question.

Step7
Write a closing that sums up your answer to the open response MCAS sample question. This means to write the question again as a statement.

Step8
Read over your completed response to make sure it explains your thinking clearly, and you're finished!  Good luck with your MCAS preparation!