NWEA MAP scores help parents and teachers understand a student’s current achievement level and academic growth in subjects such as reading, mathematics, language usage, and science. MAP Growth is a computer-adaptive assessment, which means the difficulty of the questions changes according to the student’s answers. The goal is to measure what a student knows now and what they may be ready to learn next.



For the 2026–2027 school year, schools are using the updated 2025 MAP Growth norms. These norms provide the national comparison data used to interpret MAP scores by grade level, testing season, and subject. Understanding RIT scores, percentiles, and growth can make MAP results easier for parents to read.



What Does an NWEA MAP Score Mean?



MAP Growth results are reported using the RIT scale. RIT stands for Rasch Unit. It is an equal-interval scale, similar to the marks on a ruler, so a ten-point increase represents the same amount of measured growth at different points on the scale.



A RIT score should not be interpreted by itself. Parents should compare it with:



The student’s grade

The subject tested

The Fall, Winter, or Spring testing season

The national grade-level mean

The student’s achievement percentile

Growth between testing periods



These factors provide more useful context than the RIT number alone.



Understanding MAP Math and Reading Scores



MAP math and reading scores show a student’s measured achievement in each subject. Because MAP Growth is computer-adaptive, the assessment adjusts question difficulty based on the student’s responses.



Math results can help parents understand a student’s mathematics achievement and growth, while reading results provide information about reading performance and progress.



The two subjects should be interpreted separately because national achievement patterns and score comparisons can vary by subject and grade level.



What Is a MAP RIT Score?



The RIT score is the main numerical result reported by MAP Growth. Because the scale is designed as an equal-interval scale, changes in RIT scores can be useful for tracking growth over time.



For example, parents can compare Fall and Spring RIT scores to see how a student’s measured achievement changed during the school year.



However, a RIT score does not represent a percentage of questions answered correctly. It should be interpreted using the appropriate grade, subject, season, and current norms.



What Is an Achievement Percentile?



An achievement percentile shows how a student performed compared with same-grade students nationally.



For example, a percentile rank of 72 means the student scored as well as or better than approximately 72 percent of comparable students.



A percentile is not a percentage score. A student at the 72nd percentile did not necessarily answer 72 percent of the assessment questions correctly.



The percentile simply provides context about the student’s relative position within the national comparison group.



What Is a Growth Percentile?



A growth percentile measures how a student’s progress compares with students who had similar starting scores.



This is different from an achievement percentile. Achievement describes a student’s current performance, while growth describes progress between testing periods.



Parents should consider both measures when reviewing MAP results. A student can have a lower achievement percentile while still demonstrating strong growth.



What Changed in the New MAP Norms?



The RIT scale itself has not changed, but the national reference points have. NWEA reports that the 2025 norms generally reflect lower national achievement than the previous 2020 norms, with larger differences among lower-performing students.



As a result, the same RIT score may now correspond to a somewhat higher percentile than it did under the older norms.



This is why families should use current NWEA MAP score charts for 2026 and 2027 rather than older charts found online.



Why Grade and Testing Season Matter



MAP scores should always be interpreted according to the student’s grade and testing season.



MAP Growth assessments may be taken during Fall, Winter, or Spring. Each testing period provides appropriate national comparison information.



A score that may be typical for one grade or season may have a different interpretation for another. Parents should therefore use a chart that matches the student's specific grade, subject, and testing period.



Find MAP Scores by Grade Level



You can view updated NWEA MAP scores by grade level, MAP score charts, national averages, percentile ranges, and typical Fall, Winter, and Spring scores at ReadyScores.com.



The charts make it easier to compare a child’s score with students in the same grade and testing season. Separate information is available for MAP reading scores, MAP math scores, language usage, and science.



Current charts can help parents understand RIT scores and percentiles using the updated 2025 norms.



One Score Does Not Tell the Full Story



Parents should remember that one MAP score does not tell the full story. The MAP Growth Family Report combines achievement, growth, and projected proficiency so families can see both current performance and progress over time.



Parents can also consider classroom performance, teacher feedback, assignments, and other assessments when evaluating a child’s academic development.



Looking at RIT scores, percentiles, growth, grade level, subject, and testing season together provides a more complete understanding of MAP results.



About ReadyScores.com



ReadyScores.com is a resource for NWEA MAP scores, MAP scores by grade level, i-Ready scores, STAR scores, national percentile charts, and school assessment interpretation.



The website also provides free calculators in English and German. These include the NWEA MAP Score Calculator, i-Ready Score Calculator, APUSH Score Calculator, Time Duration Calculator, free Timecard Calculator, Work Hours Calculator, Arbeitszeitrechner, Stundenrechner, and other useful education and time tools.