Week 0: Week 0 — Welcome: Your Map to MCAP ELA 10

1. MCAP ELA 10 is the Maryland English test you take in 10th grade. Your class is the last group to take it before Maryland switches high-school English to a new test called MSTAR in 2027–28. The skills are the same: read closely, prove your answers with evidence, and write clearly.
2. The test has four 70-minute sections; three count. Section 1 gives you single passages — one literary, one informational. Section 2 is a literary performance task: two passages linked by a theme, questions, and one written response. Section 3 is an informational performance task: two passages on one topic, questions, and one written response.
3. Most questions are multiple choice or technology-enhanced (drag, order, select). The signature question is the EBSR: Part A asks about the text, Part B asks which evidence proves your Part A answer. A right Part A with the wrong Part B loses points, so always choose evidence that proves the exact claim you picked.
4. Each written response is scored on two rubric rows: Written Expression (0–4) and Written Conventions (0–3). The three writing modes are Narrative, Informative/Explanatory, and Argumentative. Scorers credit what IS in your response — so every sentence you write can earn something.
5. Scores run from 650 to 850. Proficient starts at 750. Many students land between 725 and 749, just under the line. A few more correct Part B answers or one stronger written response is often the difference.
6. How this track works: one week at a time. Read the notes, master the flashcards, do the exercise, then pass the quiz. If a quiz goes badly, the Study Path teaches the week again before you retake it. Nothing here is a grade; it shows you what you own and what still needs work.
7. Reaching Proficient on MCAP ELA 10 is also one way to meet Maryland's College and Career Readiness English benchmark. It is not the only way, and this practice track does not decide or award CCR.

Week 0 has no gate quiz. Your one-time Baseline Exam is what opens Week 1. It measures where you start — it is not a grade.

Take the Baseline Exam

Raise your hand. Mr. James gets a message right away and can help you remotely. Nothing else is stored — just your last name, grade, and where you're stuck.

Ask at home: When you have to prove something to someone who doubts you, what kind of evidence actually changes their mind?

En español: Cuando tienes que demostrarle algo a alguien que duda de ti, ¿qué tipo de prueba realmente le hace cambiar de opinión?