Download Test Specifications for the California High School

Test Specifications for the California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE)
(©2008 by NCS Pearson, Inc. Reproduced by permission, all rights reserved.)
The CHSPE consists of two test sections:
English-language Arts and Mathematics.
English-language Arts
Section
Reading Subtest
The Reading subtest has 30 vocabulary
questions and 54 reading comprehension questions, all of which are multiplechoice.
The English-language Arts section consists
of two subtests: Language and Reading.
Both subtests must be passed to pass the
English-language Arts section.
The vocabulary questions assess synonyms,
multiple-meaning words, and context clues
as defined below.
Language Subtest
The Language subtest has one writing task
and 48 multiple-choice questions. The
writing task requires a persuasive essay.
Persuasive writing requires the clear and
logical presentation of reasons and details
offered in support of a position in order to
convince the reader to accept that position.
The multiple-choice questions combine
mechanics and expression, as defined
below, include some study skills items,
and measure achievement in applying the
principles that form effective writing.
A. Language Mechanics
Capitalization
Distinguish correct capitalization
Usage
Identify correctly applied grammar
Punctuation
Distinguish correct punctuation
B. Language Expression
Sentence Structure
Distinguish between clearly written sentences and sentences that contain errors
in expression or construction
Prewriting
Plan, organize, and improve writing
samples
Content and Organization
Determine appropriate editing of short
paragraphs.
Modified August 23, 2011
A. Synonyms
Demonstrate the ability to recognize a
synonym for a word used in context
B. Multiple-Meaning Words
Demonstrate the ability to determine the
meaning of a given word with multiple
meanings
C. Context Clues
Demonstrate the ability to use context
clues to assign meaning to an unknown
word
The reading comprehension questions test
initial understanding, interpretation, critical analysis, and strategies using three types
of text: literary (material typically read for
enjoyment), informational (material typically found in textbooks and other sources
of information), and functional (material
typically encountered in everyday-life situations). The specific reading comprehension skills assessed are listed below.
A. Initial Understanding
Demonstrate the ability to comprehend
explicitly stated relationships in a variety
of reading selections.
• Determine explicit supporting details
• Determine explicit sequence or action
• Determine explicit explanation or cause
B. Interpretation
Demonstrate the ability to form an interpretation of a variety of reading selections
based on explicit and implicit information
in the selections.
• Determine implicit details, plot, sequence, or action
• Determine implicit causes for or effects
of actions, events, or ideas
• Draw conclusions from details
• Extract implicit main idea or theme
• Determine problems and solutions in
text
• Generalize beyond text
• Interpret character traits, motivation, or
behavior
• Make predictions
• Determine important from less-important ideas
• Categorize,�classify, compare, or
contrast
• Provide support for conclusions or
outcomes
• Apply ideas and information to new
situations or problems
C. Critical Analysis
Demonstrate the ability to synthesize and
evaluate explicit and implicit information
in a variety of reading selections.
• Analyze author’s purpose, assumptions,
or viewpoint
• Analyze text structure or elements
• Distinguish fact from opinion
• Identify, differentiate, or analyze characteristics of genre
• Determine author’s intended audience
• Discern author’s voice
• Discern and interpret literary devices
• Evaluate sufficiency or consistency of
information or text
D. Strategies
Demonstrate the ability to recognize and
apply text factors and reading strategies in
a variety of reading selections.
• Ask clarifying questions
• Determine background knowledge
• Select an appropriate reading strategy in
a given situation
• Apply text structure to reading task
• Determine if needed information is
within or out of text
• Determine�unknown words from
context
• Set purpose for reading
Mathematics Section
The Mathematics section has 50 multiplechoice questions that assess content in the
following areas: number sense and operations; patterns, relationships, and algebra;
data, statistics, and probability; and geometry and measurement. The questions
also assess the mathematical processes of
communication and representation, estimation, mathematical connections, and
reasoning and problem solving. The skills
and processes assessed are listed below.
A. Number Sense and Operations
Demonstrate understanding of the
meaning and use of numbers, the
various representations of numbers,
number systems, and the relationships
between and among numbers. Demonstrate understanding of the meaning of
operations, the relationship between operations, and the practical settings in which
a specific operation or set of operations is
appropriate.
numbers, symbols, and geometric figures.
Patterns with numbers include those found
in lists, function tables, ratios and proportions, and matrices. Demonstrate understanding of algebraic principles through
interaction with expressions, equations,
algebraic notation, and other representations of mathematical relationships.
• Identify slopes of lines given points,
equations, or graphs
• Solve problems involving ratio or proportion
• Analyze characteristics of linear relationships
• Identify equations of linear functions
given tables of values, points, or graphs
• Identify geometric transformations
• Identify equations of quadratic functions
given tables of values or graphs
• Solve problems using properties of geometric figures
• Identify graphs of inequalities
• Solve problems using spatial reasoning
• Solve�problems involving logical
reasoning
• Solve problems involving similar figures
• Solve linear, quadratic, or radical
equations
Processes
Communication and Representation
Demonstrate an understanding of the
• Solve systems of linear equations
• Translate�problem situations into
algebraic expressions and equations
• Analyze data and draw inferences from
tables and graphs
• Simplify�expressions containing
exponents or radicals
• Make a prediction based on experimental
or statistical data
• Solve problems involving absolute
value
• Determine combinations and permutations
• Solve�problems using nonroutine
strategies
• Determine and use measures of central
tendency and dispersion
• Compare and order real numbers
B. Patterns, Relationships, and Algebra
Describe, complete, continue, and demonstrate understanding of patterns involving
• Solve problems involving perimeter,
circumference, area, or volume
• Solve problems involving patterns
• Identify and use order of operations
rules
• Identify the effects of an operation
• Determine measurements indirectly
from scale drawings
• Evaluate expressions
• Solve�problems using estimation
strategies
• Identify factorial representation
• Identify and classify solid and plane
figures
• Solve problems using the Pythagorean
theorem
C. Data, Statistics, and Probability
Describe, interpret, and make predictions
based on the analysis of data presented in
a variety of ways, including graphs, plots,
tables, and lists. Demonstrate an understanding of probability concepts through
interaction with simple events, compound
events, and experimental probability.
• Identify numbers expressed in scientific
notation
D. Geometry and Measurement
Demonstrate understanding of the characteristics and properties of plane and solid
figures, coordinate geometry, and spatial
reasoning. Demonstrate understanding of
the meaning and use of various measurement systems, the tools of measurement,
and the integral role of estimation in
measurement.
• Find the probability of a simple or compound event
symbols and terms utilized in mathematics, and correctly interpret alternative representations of numbers,
expressions, and data.
Estimation
Apply estimation strategies in problem
solving and determine the reasonableness of results.
Mathematical Connections
Demonstrate an understanding of the
interrelatedness of mathematical concepts, procedures, and processes both
among different mathematical topics
and with other content areas.
Reasoning and Problem Solving
Demonstrate the ability to apply inductive, deductive, or spatial reasoning and
to make valid inferences and draw valid
conclusions. Demonstrate the ability to
apply strategies to solve conventional and
nonroutine problems.
• Solve problems involving probabilities
Modified August 23, 2011