Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Passing the GHSGT
Mathematics Test
About This Book
This book will provide you with an accurate and complete representation of the Georgia High School Graduation Test (GHSGT) in Mathematics. Inside you will find reviews that are designed to provide you with the information and strategies needed to do well on these tests. Two practice tests are provided, which are based on the official GHSGT. These practice tests contain every type of question that you can expect to encounter on the GHSGT. Following each test, you will find an answer key with detailed explanations designed to help you completely understand the test material.
About the Test
Who Takes These Tests and What Are They Used For?
The GHSGT is given to all students throughout Georgia who have entered the ninth grade since July 1, 1991. It is given to ensure that graduating students have mastered essential core academic content and skills. The test is given in four content areas: Mathematics, English Language Arts (ELA), Science, and Social Studies.
The GHSGT measures achievement in the skills and competencies outlined in the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS). Students must pass the test in order to earn a high school diploma; however, students who do not pass the test the first time are given many retest opportunities to pass the test and graduate in the spring of their GHSGT Mathematics twelfth-grade year. Those who fail to pass the test at this point, but have met all the other requirements necessary for graduation, may be able to obtain a Certificate of Performance or a Special Education Diploma. Students who leave school with either of these documents may retest again as often as necessary to obtain a high school diploma.
Is There a Registration Fee?
No. Because all Georgia public high school students are required to take and pass the GHSGT and GHSWT in order to receive a high school diploma, no fee is required.
When and Where Is the Test Given?
The GHSGT is administered to Georgia high school students for the first time in their eleventh-grade year. The GHSGT is administered in the spring, with retest opportunities in the following fall. Students will have five opportunities to take the GHSGT in each content area before the end of their twelfth-grade year.
Test Accommodations and Special Situations
Every effort is made to provide a level playing field for students with disabilities taking the GHSGT and seeking a standard high school diploma. Waivers and variances are made for students who meet certain criteria.
A waiver is a decision by the State Board of Education (SBOE) not to apply all or part of the requirements of the GHSGT to a Georgia student who meets certain basic qualifications, such as:
* A disability, documented in a student’s Individual Education Program (IEP), that makes the student incapable of passing a section of the test, even with specified testing accommodations.
*A substantial hardship beyond the student’s control that has prohibited the student from having a reasonable opportunity to pass a section of the GHSGT.
An accommodation is an adjustment that is made to the testing situation based on a disability and identified in a student’s IEP. Accommodations may include adjustments in the test setting, the amount of time provided in which to take the test, the way in which the test is administered, or the need for assistive technology.
A variance is a decision by the State Board of Education (SBOE) to modify all or part of the literal requirements for the GHSGT for students who have
* attempted the relevant section(s) of the GHSGT four or more times without passing and the most recent attempt is within the last calendar year; and
* successfully completed a structured remedial class(es) after each required attempt to pass the relevant section(s) of the GHSGHT; and
* passed any three of the graduation tests (four content sections of the GHSGT); and
* met the attendance and course requirements for graduation defined by the SBOE for the student’s graduating class; and if the students has a 90 percent or better attendance record, excluding excused absences, while enrolled in grades 9–12; and
* at any time obtained a scaled score that falls within one standard error of measurement (SEM) for passing the relevant section of the GHSGT; and
* successfully passed each of the End-of-Course Tests (EOCT) related to the sections of the GHSGT in which the variance is being sought.
Federal law requires that students with disabilities must participate in statewide assessments such as the GHSGT. Students seeking a waiver or variance must request consideration for a waiver through their local superintendent. More information on variances and waivers may be obtained at the Georgia Department of Education website at www.doe.k12.ga.us. Additional resources to help you prepare to take the GHSGT may also be found on this website. Students may also ask questions of their school counselors.
How to Use This Book
What Do I Study First?
Read over the review sections and the suggestions for test taking. Studying the review sections thoroughly will reinforce the basic skills you need to do well on the test. Be sure to take the practice tests to become familiar with the format and procedures involved with taking the actual GHSGT.
When Should I Start Studying?
It is never too early to start studying for the GHSGT—the earlier you begin, the more time you will have to sharpen your skills. Do not procrastinate! Cramming is not an effective way to study, since it does not allow you the time needed to learn the test material. The sooner you learn the format of the exam, the more time you will have to familiarize yourself with the exam content.
Overview of the GHSGT
The sixty multiple-choice questions on the mathematics portion of the GHSGT
are based on four broad strands, which are broken down into smaller standards:
Strand 1 standards focus on Number and Computation.
Strand 2 standards focus on Data Analysis.
Strand 3 standards focus on Measurement and Geometry.
Strand 4 standards focus on Algebra.
ITEM TYPES
Number and Computation, Data Analysis, Measurement and Geometry, Algebra
Item Type: 1
Stimulus Characteristics: Direct question requiring recall of facts and definition
Cognitive Level: Low
Correct Response Characteristics: Demonstrates knowledge of facts and basic ideas
Item Type: 2
Stimulus Characteristics: Direct question requiring some interpretation or simple computation (one-step problem)
Cognitive Level: Medium
Correct Response Characteristics: Demonstrates ability to substitute values in formulas and equations; identifies appropriate operation, unit of measure, type of graph, or geometric figure; applies problem solving skills to real-word situations
Item Type: 3
Stimulus Characteristics: Direct questioning requiring application of mathematical theories, analysis, or more complicated problem situations (two- and three step problems), evaluating data and drawing conclusions
Cognitive Level: High
Co...
