Looking Up Close at the HSAs
The High School Assessments, or HSAs, are given in four subjects: biology, government, algebra/data analysis, and English. Each HSA consists of topic areas within the course curriculum. Click here for a chart showing the topic areas covered by each HSA.
The exams contain both multiple-choice and written-response questions. Click here for a chart showing the amount of time scheduled for each exam.
The exams are administered a number of times during the year, with make-up opportunities for students who did not take or pass the tests. Click for a PDF of scheduled HSA test dates through 2010.
Each year, the Maryland State Department of Education releases one sample HSA per subject to the public. Below are PDFs of the sample tests. For more information about sample tests and how they are scored, go to http://www.mdk12.org/mspp/high_school/look_like/index.html.
Helpful Documents
Currently all students who began 9th grade in or after 2005 are required to pass the High School Assessments in order to graduate, including students in special education, English language learners (ELLs), and students with 504 plans. The Maryland State Board of Education is considering delaying the HSA graduation requirement only for special education, ELL, and 504 students; however, a final decision has not been made. For more information regarding the HSAs and students with special needs, click here.
A comprehensive list of HSA publications for parents, students, educators, and administrators (including some translated into foreign languages) can be found in the Where can I get more information? section of this Web site.
HSA Sample Tests w/Answer Keys