About CAHSEE Online
"CAHSEE Online" is the most accurate representation of what it is like
to take the actual California High School Exit Examination (CAHSEE). Students can
use the interactive website as a California standards assessment and test preparation
tool for taking the actual CAHSEE. The website was designed by educational and computer
professionals to help students master 100% of the California standards that are
necessary to pass both the Mathematics and English-Language Arts sections of the
CAHSEE.
CAHSEE Online was designed with an interactive and intuitive interface to provide
individualized study techniques for all students. Unlike a textbook, computers allow
a non-linear approach to learning and students can prepare for the CAHSEE at their
own pace. There is a built-in feature for students to receive immediate feedback
for each of their question responses with detailed explanations of the answers.
This feature further reinforces the learning process. Additionally, the grading
summary" provides a detailed analysis of individual student's strengths and
weaknesses based upon the California standards.
Using the exam blueprints as a guide, CAHSEE Online has the same look, feel, and
intensity as the real CAHSEE. There are 560 different Mathematics questions and
478 English-Language Arts questions that are divided into the different California
content strands and standards. If a student takes an average of two minutes to answer
each question, then it would take approximately 35 hours to review all of the questions
and detailed explanations in the Mathematics and English-Language Arts exams.
There is a "Hint" button available in the "Focused California Standard
Exams" section that contains detailed information, techniques, and test taking
tips for 100% of the California standards that are tested on the CAHSEE. It will
take an average student approximately 10 hours to review all of the hints contained
in the CAHSEE Online website.
According to TestTools, Inc. market research, it takes an average student approximately
45 hours to review all of the Mathematics and English-Language Arts material contained
in the CAHSEE Online webiste.
Using a "Three-Step" process that is based upon scientifically based research,
students can diagnosis, remediate, and review all the Mathematics and English-Language
Arts topics that are tested on the CAHSEE at their own individual pace.
Step 1 - Diagnostic CAHSEE PreTest
Take a practice Mathematics and English-Language Arts exam using actual CAHSEE released
questions from previous year's exams. The PreTests are subdivided into shorter individual
strand tests so students don't get frustrated taking a single longer test. Review
the student grading summary to identify individual strengths and weaknesses.
Step 2 - Focused California Standard Exams
Take a practice exam that is limited to a specific California content standard,
review standard specific hints to assist students in answering each question, and
get immediate answer selection feedback that includes a detailed explanation for
every question. This section allows individual students to focus their attention
on the specific individual California Mathematics and/or English-Language Arts content
standards that need improvement.
Step 3 - Diagnostic CAHSEE PostTest
Take another practice exam using actual CAHSEE released questions and compare results
to the PreTest. The questions in the PostTest section are different than the questions
contained in the PreTest section. Students can then compare their results from PostTest
with the results from the PreTest, review the differences, and repeat the "Focused
California Standard Exams" for the specific standards that need improvement.
The scores for CAHSEE Online are reported as "Raw Scores" or "Percent
Correct" on a 0% to 100% scale. The scores are calculated by dividing the number
of "Points Achieved" by the number of "Points Possible" on a
test and then multiplied by 100. This style of scoring is similar to the method
that is used in most California schools for traditional grades and report cards.
However, the results of the actual CAHSEE are reported using a "Scale Score"
so that the scores reported from year-to-year can be compared or equated. The passing
score for the Mathematics section of the CAHSEE is a Scale Score of 350 which represents
an approximately Raw Score (percent correct) of 55%. The passing score for English-Language
Arts section of the CAHSEE is a Scale Score of 350 which represents an approximate
Raw Score (percent correct) of 60%.