Home > Academics & Activities > Local facts and resources

Frequently asked questions about the California High School Exit Exam

Page 2 of 2

By GreatSchools Staff

How will CAHSEE improve school accountability?

Reports of how many students pass the test will be an important focal point for school improvement. All schools in California are ranked according to an Academic Performance Index (API), which shows if schools are making real progress each year. A school's CAHSEE results will be included among the factors that produce a school's API. Schools that don't meet their API growth targets are subject to state sanctions. The CAHSEE results are also used to calculate Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) as part of the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) requirements.

What allowances are made for students with special learning needs?

Special versions of the test are available to help students who have special learning challenges. For example, the test can be administered in braille, audio CD, and large-print format, and when necessary schools will provide a scribe. Students with physical disabilities will be entitled to the same accommodations they have during classroom instruction. State law allows local district school boards to make determinations about these special circumstances.

What allowances are made for students whose first language is not English?

Students must pass the exam in English in order to graduate. However, test variations for English learners have been added to the CAHSEE. During their first 24 months in a California school, English learners receive six months of instruction in reading, writing, and comprehension in English. During this time, these students are still required to take the CAHSEE.

Can I see the test?

Sample questions for the CAHSEE are available online. Look for "released test questions" on the California Department of Education's Web site.

Do other states require these tests?

High school exit tests are currently required or are being developed in 26 states.

Where can I find the law that created CAHSEE?

The requirements for the exam can be found in Section 60850 of the California Education Code. The law was passed in 1999 by the California State Legislature. Senate Bill 2 (O'Connell) authorized the California High School Exit Exam to ensure that those graduating from high school possess the skills necessary to function as responsible adults.

Thanks to the California Business for Education Excellence Foundation for providing information for this article.

Page 12Single Page

Comments from GreatSchools.net readers

10/6/2009:

"Well I just got my questions answered. This was rather useful, and I can finally stop stressing out about the exam. I'm pretty sure I'll pass this test and leave high school early. Thanks to whoever wrote this article. I'm very appreciative. (: "

10/6/2009:

"My son says that he took the high exit exam in the 10th grade and passed it. I was wondering will he still have to take it again now that he is in the 12th grade."

04/22/2009:

"So i am a junior now and i failed the math part and it was screwd up i hot 349 out of 350 what the heck grrrrr "

03/19/2009:

"HOW IS THE CHASEE GRADED ?"

11/5/2008:

"I disagree with the reasoning behind this test. My parents, Myself, husband and my first born graduated 12th grade and have become very successful in our careers without the exit exam. I have a child who has learning disabilities in home school that will not be able to pass this text no matter how many times he tries. What happen to no child left behind?? We have done just find for many years before this test. I could understand if your career was a high demand for advanced english and math, but not all careers require such standards!"

09/25/2008:

"I plan to graduate high school this year and will be getting all my requirements for the high, but when it comes to this test, I just can't seem to past it.. I am in SDC student and I think it should be lowered a little for SDC/RSP students. Just because we weren't smart enough to pass 1 test but then we have all the requirements to pass H.S. and end up failing. Now that doesn't seem fair."

09/15/2008:

"Well i feel like personally the cahsee is too hard and it really puts kids behind from going to college and i believe there is a program no kids left behind and just look how many are being left behind for those who do not pass the cahsee. Then on top of that the people who come from different countries i feel that it is not fair to them either."

03/25/2008:

"Question: Do you have to be a high school graduate to take the exit exam? Or, if you take the GED can you also take the CA exit exam?"

03/10/2008:

"yes i am a student in high school and i was wondering why you have to take math or english after you pass the calafornia exit exam."

03/10/2008:

"My son has ADHD. He will be entering the 9th grade in the fall. He has been with the IEP program since the 2nd grade. He is not at his grade level in math. What accommodations can b made if any to help him pass the CAHSEE test. He scores low in his CAT-6 test on all subjects. If any help is available please et me know. Thank You"

01/30/2008:

"My son is a SDC Student and is a credit current senior he has taken the exit exam 5 times and cant reach the 350 mark cant they lower the scores for RSP/SDC STUDENTS. "

11/5/2007:

"This article was brief and concise, and I thought it was easy to read and understand. "

10/24/2007:

"The CAHSEE is an exam that should and needs to be kept. Passing the exam or not depends on the student and whether or not they are able to receive their high school diploma. It is not unfair because every student must take it and they are all taught the same thing in high school. It is also a good way to encourage students to try hard in wanting to succeed. It also teaches and prepares students on their test taking skills and being able to retain the knowledge that has been taught to them over a period of time. Spokeswoman Hilary McLean said the exit exam is “ our best tool for ensuring that students have mastered critical skills”. That is very true because its not like the California school board can sit in class with each student and see if whether or not they are actually paying attention and learning. "

10/16/2007:

"It is not fair to other high school graduates that dont have to take this CAHSEE! Some people who struggle to pass this exam,but somehow they cant passes it over and over again!Instead of me graduating with the year that I suppossed to grad cant walk the line because of this CAHSEE! I have done my high school requirements but for just this exam i cant get through because I think its not really important! In how many times I took the test i get poor scores.I have a friend who didnt grad because of she didnt pass it by one point and she had all her requirements done.Everything was useless for her as she said! But she cant do anything about it!And how shes 24 and still getting her math on CAHSEE!I dont know how this test came out of no where! "

09/26/2007:

"Hi, I am Paul and my girlfriend is 23 going on 24 and I have beenn endouring her struggles with the cahsee. She is a h.s. dropout and she is nearly done with adult school, but she can not seem to get a handle on the math portion of the test due to a lack of direction from her school. She got into a preparation class but teachers were just too busy with a hundred students in a little room. It is outrageous that a 24 year old still has to pass a hogh school exit exam in an adult school that does not prepare students to pass this test. Please reply. A 24 year old woman should not have to worry about stuff like this, all she wants to do is move on with life and not deal with a silly h.s. exit exam, don't you think?"

06/18/2007:

"question: If a child has passed one state's exit exam and then move to another state, will that child be required to retake that states exit exam?"

05/4/2007:

" i came to california from portland oregon in june 2006 in oregon we are not required to pass any tests in order to graduate, however i did take the test and passed the english but failed the math twice isnt it unfair that i didnt gat to prepare for the test like other students did i only had a few months while other students had 2 years right now im preparing to take it again but i was wondering if there was anything i could do?"

04/25/2007:

"needed to look up info. for english at san joaquin delta college. this helped alot! thanks..!"

11/30/2006:

"what about the programs that are offered by the schools and the state, California exactly? what is being done to help does kids who struggle with the CAHSEE? the at-risk kids, are they being helped to obtain that knowledge to pass the exam? I do like the fact of the exam being given, but more opportunities should be given? For example more after school programs for all students, yet helping the students who require more attention should be offered."