Michigan standardized test prep

The Michigan standardized test program evaluates students in K-12 using a combination of summative assessments, benchmark assessments, merit examinations, and alternate assessments for students with special needs or those for whom English is a second language.

On this page you will learn more about Michigan standardized testing, including the types of tests required, testing dates, and the grade levels targeted. You’ll also learn how you can help your child prepare for standardized tests in Michigan.

Which State Tests Are Available in Michigan?

The Michigan state test options have changed frequently over the past decade as the state has attempted to refine and improve the testing process for students and teachers. About 99% of the testing in Michigan is now done online.

Below are the primary tests your student will encounter within the public school system in Michigan:

M-STEP Summative Tests – Each spring, students in grades 3-8 are measured on academic standards in English language arts (grades 3-7), mathematics (grades 3-7), science (grades 5 and 8), and social studies (grades 5 and 8). Students in grades K-8 and 11 can access sample M-STEP tests here.
Michigan Merit Examination (MME) – All 11th graders in Michigan participate in an M-STEP science and social studies assessment. Michigan also requires all high school juniors to take the SAT with essay and the ACT WorkKeys. The state uses the data from these national tests to evaluate student progress in English and Math.
PSAT – The Michigan Department of Education has chosen to administer the College Board’s PSAT 8/9 and PSAT 10 to students in grades 8, 9, and 10 to evaluate English language arts and math progress. However, the scores from these tests are not included in Michigan’s accountability system.
MI-Access – Students with significant cognitive impairments, or whose IEP team have determined that general assessments (even with accommodations) are not appropriate, are eligible to take alternate assessments. MI-Access assesses English language arts and mathematics in grades 3 through 8, and 11. Science is assessed in grades 4, 7, and 11. Social studies is assessed in grades 5, 8, and 11.
WIDA – Michigan’s federally required summative assessment for students identified as English Learners (ELs) is called the WIDA ACCESS for ELLs. The annual assessment is designed to monitor their development of Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking skills.
Early Literacy and Mathematics Benchmark Assessments – Michigan students in Kindergarten, first grade, and second grade are assessed annually in English language arts and mathematics.

In Michigan, testing is mandatory for all children attending a publicly supported school. There are no legal options for opting out of standardized testing.

When is Standardized Testing in Michigan?

Except for the Benchmark Assessments, which can be given any time of year, all Michigan standardized tests are administered in the Spring. Schools receive preliminary reports of results within just a few days of testing, but parents usually do not receive a report until the beginning of the following school year.

Do Homeschoolers Have To Take Standardized Tests in Michigan?

Although Michigan does not require home educators to maintain any specific records by law, they are welcome to participate in yearly state testing at their local school for no cost. To take advantage of this option, families will need to contact their local school district to make arrangements for testing. Individual student scores are available to parents, but are not included in the overall district’s results.

Michigan does have some requirements for homeschoolers, so be sure to understand Michigan's homeschooling laws.

How Time4Learning Can Help With Michigan Test Prep

Time4Learning can be an effective partner with parents and students in preparing for the M-STEP and other state assessments. The real preparation for all standardized tests that assess a wide range of fundamental skills is to steadily build aptitude in math, reading and writing fundamentals.

Time4Learning’s monthly subscription includes structured lessons and activities that correlate to the educational standards that standardized tests are built around.

Some of the ways that you can use the curriculum for Michigan test prep include:

Our online curriculum includes state assessment simulations in grades 3-8 which gives students actual practice in what it’s like to take a normed test.
By combining learning with fun, educational learning games, students in K-2 are motivated to practice the core skills they’ll be tested on in their benchmark assessments.
Elementary students can log into the program in the evenings or on weekends to bolster specific concepts they’ve not fully grasped during the school week.
Time4MathFacts, which is included in each Time4Learning subscription, is a game-based learning system that helps early and upper elementary students master the math facts that feature heavily in normed tests such as the M-STEP.
Our solid math curriculum helps students gain a thorough understanding of math concepts, from foundational skills to more complex topics which boosts confidence and reduces test taking anxiety.
High schoolers preparing for the MME can use Time4Learning to get multimedia tutorials in everything from Chemistry to World History.
When receiving the M-STEP report from the previous year, parents can use the results to pick and choose the Time4Learning lesson plans that align with areas where their student struggled.
Take advantage of our social studies curriculum to supplement your child’s education to help them prepare for the social studies tests in grades 5 and 8.

Legal note

We have done our best to ensure the accuracy of this information, however it should not be interpreted as legal advice. It is your responsibility to interpret and understand the laws that you will be homeschooling under.