How to Pass the CAHSEE High School Exit Exam

Pass Both the Math and English Language Arts With CAHSEE Test Prep

Dec 21, 2009 John Wu

The state requires all public high school students to pass the CAHSEE exit exam to get a high school diploma. Passing requires studying and taking practice tests.

The California high school exit exam (CAHSEE) is required for all California students to graduate from any public high school in the state. Those who homeschool or attend private school are not required to take this exit exam because private schools set their own graduation standards.

Besides taking the high school exit exam, other methods of graduating from high school in California include passing the GED or passing the CHSPE (California High School Proficiency Exam).

Free Official CAHSEE Study Materials

The free study materials provided by the state are not very helpful for those struggling with passing the exam. Those state handbooks describe what's being tested and provide a few sample test questions. It doesn't describe how to study the topics that will be covered on the exam. For example, if a student has a lot of trouble with algebra, it does not provide any materials for reviewing how to solve an algebraic equation.

However, not everything provided by the state is worthless. There are free practice exams available from the California Department of Education that should be used after thoroughly studying the topics that will appear on the test.

Free CAHSEE Study Guides

Students and parents should check their high school library and their city and county libraries for available study guides. There are also many online websites that provide free instruction for students trying to pass the California high school exit exam.

Alternatively, look for books in the library for the following subjects:

CAHSEE Math Topics

  • Arithmetic (known as Number Sense in the official study guide)
  • Basic Statistics
  • Algebra
  • Geometry
  • Mathematical Reasoning

CAHSEE English Language Topics

  • Vocabulary
  • Grammar
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Expository Writing (2½ page essay required on the exam)

California High School Exit Exam Study and Practice Tests

Students should spend about five weeks reviewing all of the topics to be covered on the exam, with more time spent on sections where the student may have trouble. Don't use the practice tests until after several weeks of study because the number of released tests available is limited.

After studying all of the subjects covered on the exam, take a CAHSEE practice exam. Around 60% of the English Language Arts questions need to be answered correctly while 55% of the math questions need to be answered correctly to pass each part of the exam.

If a student passes one section but fails the other, he does not have to retake the entire test. Only failed sections need to be retaken for high school graduation. Each student has one opportunity to pass the exam during tenth grade, two opportunities during eleventh grade, and five opportunities during twelfth grade. Those who do not pass the test by the end of twelfth grade are entitled to intensive instruction until both parts of the exam have been passed or for two academic years after twelfth grade.

Reference:

California Department of Education. "California High School Exit Examination Guide."

California Department of Education. "Program Overview – California High School Exit Examination."

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