Starting as early as sixth grade, students can explore college and degree options by using their MAP Growth scores
BOSTON, Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — NWEA, a K-12 assessment and research organization, released today an enhanced free online tool that helps middle and high school students map their path to college. Starting in middle school, students can enter their MAP Growth assessment scores into the NWEA College Explorer to see how their current performance estimates their potential ACT and SAT scores. The tool then provides matching post-secondary schools that have historically admitted similarly scoring students.
“One of the key factors of student success is having the right information to help them see a clear path to what they want after they graduate,” said Dr. Susan Kowalski, Lead Research Scientist at NWEA. “Having data that gives them options and the time to make decisions before opportunities diminish is why we developed this free online tool.”
The NWEA College Explorer also allows students to see whether they are on track for a specific college or university and explore majors that may be a good fit based on their scores. For example, a seventh grader interested in engineering who scores a 222 on the fall MAP Growth math assessment is projected to meet the SAT math score typically expected for admissions at most colleges and universities, but fall below the expected ACT math score. These insights can help students identify areas for growth, set academic goals, and have more informed conversations with teachers and school counselors about their post-secondary pathways.
View the NWEA College Explorer Tool: https://www.nwea.org/mapping-the-road-to-college/
About NWEA
NWEA®, a division of HMH, supports educators worldwide by providing responsive, evidence-based assessment solutions that illuminate learning needs and fuel student growth. For more than 40 years, NWEA has developed innovative pre-K–12 assessments, including its flagship assessment – MAP Growth, and professional learning that helps educators strengthen their practice and improve student outcomes. As part of its commitment to bring valuable insights to the education community, NWEA engages in research that examines issues that shed light on inequities and other barriers to academic opportunities. Visit NWEA.org to find out how NWEA partners to help all kids learn.
Contact: Simona Beattie, Communications Director, simona.beattie@nwea.org or 971.361.9526
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SOURCE NWEA
