Many students label the SAT as the most important test they will take in high school, but in truth the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) is the determining factor in students’ graduation from high school. Despite controversy, the test became a graduation requirement in the state of California beginning with the 2006 graduating class.

Sophomores are annually required to take this test which measures practical knowledge in math, reading, and writing. A practice CAHSEE exam is given in November along with a study booklet. Students should take advantage of these opportunities to prepare for the exam.

The actual test will be administered in March, and is divided into two portions: math and English.

The English section includes an essay, which is graded on a four-point scale, and the English Department will use the same point system while grading the practice test.

“Specifically for sophomore English, teachers have several packets of test preparation material. Additionally, students begin CAHSEE preparation in ninth grade with the district writing benchmark. The state supplies state booklets for math and English preparation. The test booklets are utilized by different teachers in different ways,” said English Department chair Liz Weaver.

The CAHSEE also includes 72 multiple-choice questions that test reading comprehension. A student must pass this section with a 60% or better. The questions are at a tenth grade level of difficulty.

Math makes up the second half of the test. This portion consists of 80 multiple-choice questions that test basic arithmetic skills at an eighth grade level. Unlike the English section, students are required to get 55% of these questions correct in order to pass.

“The testing was a lot easier than I thought it would be,” said junior Kirk Bairian. “Looking back, I didn’t really need to study because I had already been preparing for it during all of my classes at this high school.”

Indeed, CV teachers are well-qualified to prepare their students for the exam.



“I used to be on the panel that formulated the questions for the test and we basically asked the question ‘What should a high school student need to know to be successful?’” said math teacher and Dean of Attendance Lisa Reed. “We were looking for questions people should be able to know. We asked questions that tested practical skills.”

The CAHSEE is doubly important because it measures the progress of every school in California. These scores determine the Adequate Yearly Progress of Students. (AYP) Currently at CV, 82.5% of students who take the English Portion of the CAHSEE are proficient, and 76.5% who take the Math Portion are proficient, or skilled in these areas.

Fortunately, the majority of CV students pass the CAHSEE. In fact, 97% pass their first time. This is profoundly higher than the state passing rate which is only 68% in math, and 70% in English.

“Our students take CAHSEE testing very seriously because it directly affects them. A lot of students score high. I’m really proud.” said Reed.

However, if a student does not pass any section of the test on his or her first try, he or she has up to five chances to retake the section he or she missed.

“The high pass rates of CV students tell me two things. Number one, we prepare students well. And number two, students are learning what they need to know,” concluded Reed.