MAP Test (MAP Growth) Score Benchmarks and Prep Strategies: How to Interpret RIT & Percentile Scores and Overcome Plateaus

For parents of children attending international schools, the “MAP Test (MAP Growth)” results report, which arrives two to three times a year, can be even more nerve-wracking than a standard report card.

“What’s a RIT score? Is it a grade?”

“The percentile was 50%. Is that average, or is it low?”

“Math is fine, but the Reading score went down…”

The MAP test is designed very differently from traditional standardized tests. Without knowing how to interpret it correctly, there's a risk of panicking unnecessarily or, conversely, overlooking key areas for improvement.

This article provides a comprehensive guide to correctly interpreting MAP test scores, understanding the gap between the US national average and the “international school average,” and using the best free tools to prepare.

1. What is the MAP Test (MAP Growth)? 3 Key Features

MAP Growth (Measures of Academic Progress) is an academic assessment test used by international schools worldwide.

① An Adaptive Test with “No Ceiling”

Its main feature is that it is a Computer Adaptive Test. When a student answers a question correctly, the next one becomes more difficult; if they answer incorrectly, it becomes easier. This allows the test to accurately measure a student's ability, even beyond their current grade level. For example, a 3rd-grade student with the math skills of an 8th grader will be presented with questions at that higher difficulty level, resulting in a higher score.

② It Measures “Growth,” Not Just a Comparative Score

The purpose of the MAP test is to see whether a student has improved since their last test, not to compete with others.

Since it's administered up to three times a year (Fall, Winter, Spring), short-term academic progress is visualized in a graph.

③ Four Main Subjects

• Math
• Reading
• Language Usage
• Science (varies by school)

2. How to Read Your Score Report (A Guide to Keep)

The report contains many numbers, but the two you need to focus on are the “RIT Score” and the “Percentile.”

① RIT Score = “Height”

The RIT (Rasch Unit) score is a stable scale, like a ruler, that measures academic achievement independent of grade level.

Just like height, the number is expected to increase as the student gets older.

• How to use it: Use it to compare against the student's own past performance, e.g., “The score improved from 205 to 210 since the last test!”

② Percentile = “Rank”

The Percentile (%ile) is like a ranking that shows where a student stands compared to all students in the same grade in the United States.

• 99th Percentile: Top 1% (Top level)
• 50th Percentile: Exactly in the middle (US national average)
• How to use it: Use it to compare with a larger peer group.

[Important] The “Average” at International Schools is High

This is a point many parents misunderstand.

Even if the report says “50th Percentile (Average),” that is strictly the average among all students in the United States.

At international schools in Japan, especially competitive ones like ASIJ, KIST, or YIS, where families are highly focused on education, it's not uncommon for the school's internal average to be at the 60th to 70th percentile.

This means a student could be “Average” (50th percentile) on the report but still be in the lower half of their class at school.

If you are aiming for top-tier schools, a good benchmark to aim for is the 70th to 80th percentile or higher.

3. Grade-Level Target Score Chart (Based on 2020 NWEA Norms)

The following table shows the US national average (Mean RIT).

We have also included an approximate target score for students aiming for top-tier performance (High Achiever).

Math

Students from Japanese educational backgrounds tend to excel in math, making it a subject where they often achieve high scores.

Reading

This is the area where non-native English speaking students often struggle the most. Pay attention to any large gap between Math and Reading scores.

4. Score Analysis Case Study: Why is the Reading Score Not Improving?

A common concern we hear is, “My child’s Math score is at the 95th percentile, but their Reading score is stuck in the 50s.”

Reason: Strong in Fiction, Weak in Non-Fiction

The MAP Reading test includes not only fiction but also a significant amount of informational text, such as science articles and historical documents. Even if a child enjoys reading novels like Harry Potter, their score may plateau around the Grade 3-4 level if they are not accustomed to the vocabulary and structure of logical, expository writing.

Solution: Utilize the “Lexile Measure”

Your child's MAP report includes their “Lexile measure” (e.g., 800L), which indicates their reading level. The most effective solution is to find books that match this Lexile measure—specifically non-fiction titles (science, biography, history)—when searching on sites like Amazon, and encourage your child to read them.

5. The Best Free Prep Tools You Can Start Using Today

We are often asked, “Should we send our child to a cram school for the MAP test?” Before you do, we highly recommend making full use of these officially recommended free tools at home.

① Khan Academy’s “MAP Accelerator”

The world's largest free learning platform, Khan Academy, has an official partnership with NWEA, the organization that creates the MAP test.

• How it works: Simply enter your child's MAP RIT score, and it will automatically generate practice problems perfectly matched to their current ability level.
• Benefits: It avoids questions that are too easy or too difficult, allowing your child to focus specifically on reinforcing their weak areas.
• Cost: Completely free.

② Newsela / CommonLit (For Reading Practice)

For Reading practice, websites that offer news articles and informational texts are highly recommended.

Newsela: This site allows you to read the same news article rewritten at different Lexile levels. Your child can practice reading about current events and scientific topics at a difficulty that is appropriate for them.

Conclusion: The MAP Test is a “Health Check-up”

The MAP test result is not a “judgment” like a report card grade.

Think of it as a “health check-up” or a diagnostic tool to understand your child's current academic standing.

Instead of scolding your child for a low score, use it as a compass to guide your next steps, such as, “It looks like you’re struggling with Geometry, so let’s review that section on Khan Academy.”

If you are unsure how to interpret the scores or how to create a concrete study plan, we recommend consulting with a counselor who specializes in international schools.