CAHSEE (ELA) What is it? Detailed Information about this important test! Detailed Information about this important test!

The Six Strands Word Analysis (WA) Reading Comprehension (RC) Literary Response & Analysis (LR) Writing Strategies (WS) Writing Conventions (WC) Writing Application (AP)

Word Analysis (WA) 7 multiple choice questions Students apply knowledge of word origins to determine the meaning of new words Some are independent vocabulary questions and others are from taken from reading a short article.

Reading Comprehension (RC) 18 multiple choice questions Students read and understand a wide variety of non-fiction literature, magazine articles, business forms, newspaper articles, and online information.

Literary Response and Analysis (LR) 20 multiple choice questions Students read and respond to works of literature. Students conduct in-depth analyses of the literature using literary terms.

Writing Strategies (WS) 12 multiple choice questions Students read rough drafts of essays written by students and answer questions about structure (formal introduction, supporting evidence and conclusion). Questions deal with making the essay better.

Writing Conventions (WC) 15 multiple choice questions Students answer questions about grammar, sentence construction, and paragraph structure. Some questions deal with sentence correction or combining sentences.

Writing Applications (WA) One Formal Essay Students write one essay. The essay will be a one of the following types: response to a literary or expository passage, a narrative/biographical essay, a persuasive essay, or a business letter.

How is the CAHSEE Scored? How is the CAHSEE Scored?

Scoring for CAHSEE (ELA) 72 multiple choice questions 18 points (Essay) Total of 90 Raw Points Each point is worth approximately 6.49 points Total points possible = 584 points Minimum passing points = 350

Scoring (Cont.) Based on the general points allotted for the test, the following is an an approximation of how the points might be distributed: 72 multiple choice questions = 467 points 1 Essay = 117 points –4 Essay (18 raw points) = 117 points –3 Essay (13.5 raw points) = 88 Points –2 Essay (9.0 raw points) = 59 points –1 Essay (4.5 raw points) = 29 points NOTE: The easiest increase in total points on the CAHSEE is to move from a 1 to a 2 or a 3 on the essay scoring.

How is the CAHSEE Given? How is the CAHSEE Given?

Duration of the CAHSEE The English portion of the test is given on one day and the next day is the Math portion of the test. The test is given in a 3 hour block, BUT there is no maximum time for any portion of the test. Each student can take as long as he/she needs to take to complete the test to the best of his/her ability (within the span on one day.)

CAHSEE Test Dates in Relationship to CAHSEE Workshop th grade test is: Tuesday, Feb. 4 th and Wednesday, Feb. 5 th Place: TBA

What Happens if You Fail the CAHSEE after all the Tests Are Given? Next year, juniors who have not passed the test will be enrolled in a CAHSEE Workshop class. This class is in addition to the regular English class. If students have not passed the exam by the end of their senior year, they will not receive a high school diploma. They can only receive a certificate of completion regardless of what their grades are for courses.

How Does the CAHSEE Bootcamp Help YOU? How Does the CAHSEE Bootcamp Help YOU?

CAHSEE Bootcamp… allows you to practice with questions that are mirrored after the CAHSEE test questions. allows you to practice test taking strategies that can help you complete the selections of the test and achieve the highest possible points. gives you the opportunity to brainstorm why answers are correct or incorrect with your peers and teacher.

How Do You Succeed in the CAHSEE Workshop Don’t be absent as each day is important! Do the work assigned to the best of your abilities. ASK QUESTIONS when you don’t understand something. Read, listen to, watch, and speak as much English as possible if you are a ELL student – The CAHSEE tests a student’s ability in English not in Spanish, German, French, or any other language. Be positive in your attitude toward passing the CAHSEE!

Why is it important to do well on the CAHSEE? Why is it important to do well on the CAHSEE?

Students cannot graduate from high school unless they pass the exam. Schools and districts are judged according to the number of students who score PROFICIENT on the exam, not merely “pass” the test.