Assessments for Graduation
The Maryland Graduation Assessments are a series of end-of-course exams that test student knowledge of course standards that are established by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). Students participate in four required subject area tests:
Each test has varying participation requirements. Click the menu items to view each requirement.
Algebra I
Students take the Algebra I assessment at the end of their Algebra I course. Middle
School students participating in the above grade level or GT math sequence will
take the assessment in middle school. All other students take the course and assessment in high school.
Testing Requirements:
Earned Credit for Algebra I prior to the 2020-21 school year
Assessment Requirement: No testing requirement due to COVID testing waivers
Earned Credit for Algebra 1 after 2020-2021 school year
Assessment Requirement: Participate in the Algebra I MCAP
Algebra I FAQ:
When do students take the assessment?
Students will take the exam in May/June of the year that they take the Algebra I course. Students who miss the assessment will test in the following school
year.
How long does it take to receive assessment results?
Parents can view results for the Spring test administration in late summer by accessing the HCPSS Connect (Standardized Test Scores Tab). Paper reports are distributed in the Fall of the
following school year.
Are the assessment results reported to colleges?
No, the assessments are only used as a graduation requirement. The overall test performance is not shared with colleges.
Are there any substitute assessments for Algebra I assessment?
Yes, students can use a score from the Algebra II assessment.
Are there any exemptions to the Algebra I requirement?
Yes, students who are awarded Algebra I course credit from private school, home schooling or an out of state school are exempt from the Algebra I assessment requirement.
English 10
Students take the English 10 assessment at the end of their English 10 course. Typically this class is taken during a student’s 10th grade year of high school.
Testing Requirements:
Earned Credit for English 10 after the 2020-2021 school year
Assessment Requirement: Participate in the English 10 MCAP
English 10 FAQ
When do students take the test?
Students will take the assessment in May/June of the year that they take the English 10 course. Students who miss the assessment will test in the following school year.
How long does it take to get results?
Parents can view results for the Spring test administrations in late summer by accessing the HCPSS Connect system (Standardized Test Scores Tab). Paper reports are distributed in the Fall of the following school year.
Are the assessment results reported to colleges?
No, the assessments are only used as a graduation requirement. The overall test performance is not shared with colleges.
Are there any substitute assessments for English 10 assessment?
No, there are no substitute assessments for the English 10 assessment.
Are there any exemptions to the English 10 requirement?
Yes, students who are awarded English 10 course credit from private school, home schooling or an out of state school are exempt from the English 10 assessment requirement.
American Government
Students take the Government assessment at the end of their American Government or AP American Government course. Typically, this class is taken during a student’s 10th grade year of high school.
Earned Credit for Government courses prior to the 2021-22 school year
Assessment Requirement: No testing requirement due to COVID testing waivers
Earned Credit for Government courses in the 2021-2022, 2022-2023 or 2023-2024 school year
Assessment Requirement: Participate in the Government MCAP
Earned Credit for American Government (SS-501) /American Government Honors
(SS-502) in 2024-2025 school year and beyond
Assessment Requirement: Participate in the Government MCAP. Exam counts for 20%
of the student’s course grade.
Earned Credit for AP United States Government and Politics (SS-504) in 2024-
2025 school year and beyond
Assessment Requirement: Participate in the AP US Government and Politics Exam or
MCAP Government assessment.
American Government FAQ:
When do students take the assessment ?
Students will take the assessment in May/June of the year that they take the American Government course. Students who miss the test will be tested in the summer.
How long does it take to receive assessment results?
Student MCAP final exam scores will be reported on 4th quarter report cards. Parents can see results for the Spring test administrations in late summer by accessing the HCPSS Connect system (http://www.hcpss.org/connect/ Standardized Test Scores Tab). Paper reports are distributed in the Fall of the following school year.
Are the assessment results reported to colleges?
No, the assessments are only used as a graduation requirement. The overall test performance is not shared with colleges.
Are there any substitute assessments for Government assessment?
Yes, students taking AP US Government and Politics Course can participate in the U.S. Government and Politics AP assessment.
Are there any exemptions to the Government assessment requirement?
Yes, students who are awarded American Government course credit in private school, home schooling or an out of state school are exempt from the Government assessment requirement.
Life Science
Students take the Life Science Maryland Integrated Science Assessment (LS MISA) at the end of their Biology course. Typically, this class is taken during a student’s 9th or 10th grade year of high school.
Earned Credit for Biology (SC-500) /Biology GT (SC-515) prior to 2022-2023 school year
Assessment Requirement: Participate in the LS MISA MCAP
Earned Credit for Biology (SC-500) in the 2023-2024 school year
Assessment Requirement: Participate in the LS MISA MCAP
Earned Credit for Biology (GT) (SC-515) in 2023-2024 school year
Assessment Requirement: Participate in the LS MISA MCAP. Exam counts for 20% of
the student’s course grade.
Earned Credit for Biology (SC-500) /Biology (GT) (SC-515) in 2024-2025 school
year and beyond
Assessment Requirement: Participate in the LS MISA MCAP. Exam counts for 20% of
the student’s course grade.
LS MISA FAQ:
When do students take the assessment?
Students will take the assessment in May/June of the year that they take the Biology course. Students who miss the test will be tested in the summer.
How long does it take to receive assessment results?
Student MCAP final exam scores will be reported on 4th quarter report cards. Parents can see results for Spring test administration scores in late summer by accessing the HCPSS Connect system (Standardized Test Scores Tab). Paper reports are distributed in the Fall of the following school year.
Are the assessment results reported to colleges?
No, the assessments are only used as a graduation requirement. The overall test performance is not shared with colleges.
Are there any substitute assessments for LS MISA?
No, there are no substitute assessments for LS MISA.
Are there any exemptions to the Science assessment requirement?
Yes, students who are awarded Biology course credit from private school, home schooling, or an out of state school are exempt from the LS MISA requirement.