"In a Nutshell"

CAHSEE (California High School Exit Exam)

§ The California State Board of Education (SBE) requires that high school students graduating in the 2006 school year and beyond must pass this exam in order to receive a high school diploma.

§ All public schools are required to test 95% of 10th grade students in their 10th grade enrollment year with this state-mandated assessment. Therefore, student participation at the exam sessions in their 10th grade year is crucial to the existence of the school and is required.

§ The exam is given over two days. One day is for English Language Arts, the other day is for Math.

§ The tests are un-timed. The average time is two hours per session and there are two sessions per day with a break in between. The test schedule is set up using average times.

§ Students must be signed-up for a test site by their ES.

§ Students must show a photo identification of some kind to be able to take the test.

§ Test site locations and schedules are online, and available through your ES. You will also receive a letter in the mail letting you know where your test site is located.

§ The dates for the exams are on the Assessment Calendar online. Specific grades test on specific dates. Please note this when viewing the calendar.

§ Grade 10 students may only attempt one time per year and it must be in the spring. Grade 11 students may attempt two times per year. Grade 12 may attempt three times per year. For CWCS: Students who desire to participate in the graduation ceremony must attend all 3 sessions of the CAHSEE during their senior year (unless exam has been passed).

§ When the student begins an exam, they must complete both sessions on that same day. For example, if they sign up to take the Math exam, they must start at 10am and take the first two-hour session and also take the second two-hour session the same day in order to receive a score.

§ Students are supposed to attempt the CAHSEE in 10th grade for the first time, since that is when the 95% participation for students is counted. If they don't pass, there is no consequence for having to redo it in 11th grade, except retaking it. It is better to take it, not pass, count as a positive for the 95% requirement, and know what is needed to study in order to pass the next time.

§ Resources for study are available through your ES

§ Online resources are found at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/hs/resources.asp