MCAS testing is intended to address the requirements laid out in the Education Reform Law passed in 1993.
Students are tested in English language arts, math, science and technology, history and social studies.
The MCAS test consists of multiple-choice questions in all areas of the test except English, short-answer questions in the math portion only), open-response questions in all areas of the test except English and writing prompts during the English portion only.
Results are graded using the following classifications of performance level: warning or failing, needs improvement, proficient and advanced or above proficient.
All high school students in Massachusetts are required to take and pass the grade 10 MCAS exam for English, math and one field of science (biology, physics, chemistry or technology/engineering) as a part of the graduation requirements.