1. CAHSEE Exam for 10 th graders Scheduled this year for March 8 and March 9, 2011

2. What is the CAHSEE? CA lifornia H igh S chool E xit E xamination

3. Outline for today 1.Review CAHSEE content: math and English 2.Review CAHSEE structure 3.CAHSEE strategies 4.Practice problems

4. Why should I even care about the CAHSEE??? It’s very simple…… If you don’t pass…… YOU DON’T GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL! – No graduation ceremony – No diploma – No financial aid at many colleges

5. MATH SECTION OF CAHSEE

6. What is covered by the math CAHSEE? 1.Number Sense (NS)14 2.Statistics, Data Analysis, Probability (PS)12 3.Algebra and Functions (AF)17 4.Measurement and Geometry (MG)17 5.Mathematical Reasoning (MR) 8 6.Algebra I (1A)12 TOTAL80 CAHSEE covers 6 th and 7 th grade math standards, as well as Algebra 1.

7. Additional facts you need to know about the math portion 12 trial questions for future tests – These don’t count against you, but you won’t know whether they are trial questions or not Total questions: 92 Two sessions with 46 questions each Approximate working times: 1 hour 30 minutes (i.e., 90 minutes) This means you have an average of about 2 minutes per question

8. Most important thing to know: You have unlimited time to complete the CAHSEE! BUT……you must be ready to demand the extra time! Be assertive! Don’t give in to peer pressure…take AND DEMAND as much time as you need!

9. ENGLISH SECTION OF CAHSEE

10. What is covered by the English language-arts part of the CAHSEE? 1.Word Analysis (RW) 7 2.Reading Comprehension (RC)18 3. Literary Response and Analysis (RL)20 4.Writing Strategies (WS)12 5.Writing Conventions (WC)15 6.Writing Applications (WA) 1 TOTAL73

11. Additional facts you need to know about the English portion 7 trial questions for future tests – These don’t count against you, but you won’t know whether they are trial questions or not Total questions: 79 multiple-choice, 1 essay

12. Differences in the English-language arts portion of the CAHSEE Approximate working times Number and kinds of question Session 12 hours21 multiple choice, 1 essay Session 21 hour 30 minutes58 multiple choice

13. Basic Strategies for CAHSEE success Have a positive approach – Look for questions you can answer and should get right – Skip the ones that give you a lot of trouble – Don’t get stuck on any one of the questions Multiple-choice elimination strategy – Eliminate the wrong answer right way – Mark them in your question booklet – Try to narrow your choices to two so you can take a better guess

14. Miscellaneous FAQs TIME UNLIMITED No calculators allowed unless IEP allows it Can’t use scratch paper….but CAN write in the test booklet. Passing score: 350 points Never leave a question unanswered: NO penalty for guesses

15. Quick review of basic strategies 1.Do the easy problems first. 2.Don’t get stuck on one problem—they’re all of equal value. 3.Eliminate answers; cross out the wrong choices in your test booklet. 4.Don’t misread a question—circle or underline important words. 5.Take advantage of being allowed to write in the test booklet. 6.No penalty for guessing means “never leave a question without at least taking a guess.”

16. Additional resources The California Department of Education has many valuable materials on line: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/hs/resources.asp

17. Good luck!