Hack the MAP Test!

by Robert L. and Tate S.

We are not really going to hack the MAP test. We're going to tell you about some tips and strategies for taking the test.

In our opinion, two of the hacks that seem most useful are:

1. Take your time.
2. Before you start reading, PEEK at the questions.

Take Your Time You will want to do your personal best, so you shouldn't just rush through it. You should take your time. Only focus on yourself, and not on anyone else. Even if everyone else is already finished, you should not feel peer pressure. You should stay calm and feel confident in doing your personal best on the MAP test. If you need it, you can ask for more time. The MAP test is not timed.

Peek! Most people just read the passage and answer the questions. However, it's best to know what you are looking for in the passage. So, before you even read, you should look at the questions and answers. Then you will know what you're looking for while reading. 

There are two more hacks we feel are important. 

3. Use the tools that are built into the MAP test on the computer.

We discovered that there are some helpful tools right in the MAP test. You can highlight as you read. You could mark possible answers to questions. There is also a "mask." It is called a "line reader tool." It allows you to focus on one line at a time on the screen. It might help you so you don't get lost while reading. 

4. It's okay to not get every question right. 

You will not know everything on this test. You can't! 

We learned that the MAP test is specifically designed so you will get about half the questions wrong! So don't panic that you're getting them wrong. You should keep trying to get them right. Try your best to make an "educated guess."

Here is a link to learn some more tips. The section on "Tools" is probably really  important to review before you take the test. It has some videos to tell you how each tool works. 

You can also take a practice test at this link. You can try out all the tools.