Standardized tests are used to measure how students from one school or class compare to other students at the state or national levels. These tests give MCA, its accrediting agencies, the Department of Education, the community at large, as well as parents, a standard to evaluate and measure student performance. Most standardized tests measure achievement or how much students have already learned. To measure fairly, these tests are given under the same strict conditions; time allocated, uniform questions, answer sheets and scoring.

Group standardized testing has been a basic component of educational programming since the 1920s. Never, though, has student test performance been as important as it is today. Standardized and other group tests are used at Maranatha to measure student's academic progress while gauging the quality of the school's academic program. These test results are published school-wide for stakeholders and student specific for parents.

MCA offers many testing options which provide valuable information for students, parents, teachers and administrators to assist each student to achieve their goals while in high school and after graduation.

All K-11 students are given the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills, while Grade 12 takes the Stanford Test, on a annual basis to evaluate how each student's academic performance compares nationally and locally.

In eighth grade we offer the EXPLORE test which will show results in English, reading, math and science and compare the results on a national level. The results will also predict college readiness based on their results and also give a predicted range for the score the student will receive on the PLAN exam. 

The PLAN exam is given in the 10^th grade and provides a predicted range for the student's performance on the ACT college entrance exam and a national comparison score in the same areas as the Explore. The PLAN results will also address college preparedness. In 11th grade students will be given the PSAT exam. This exam is the pre-test for the SAT college entrance test and is also used to determine National Merit Semi-Finalists. The results of this test give a national comparative score in critical reading, math and writing, and a prediction on how a student would perform on the SAT exam.

MCA provides registration materials for students to register for the ACT and SAT college entrance exams, however, the exams are taken off site. We also provide a vehicle for students, grades 8-12, to take the IDEAS interest inventory on an independent basis at any time it is desired.

Click here for the 2008-2009 Standardized Test Results.