A standardized exam or assessment is an academic assessment intended to test the knowledge, skill, aptitude, mental ability, mental capability, or class in different subjects. For public schools, standardized exams are required for graduation and certification. The Massachusetts Department of Education divides standardized tests into two categories: General Education Development Exams (GE) and College Level Examination Program (CLEP) Examinations. For students taking CLEP exams, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary Education will provide sample questions for every subject and help preparation tips and study time guidelines. Private schools, however, are responsible to their students for preparing for standardized exams.
In a CLEP exam, a knowledge level review is used to determine the student’s level of knowledge on the material covered by the exam. A variety of questions, which are of varying difficulty, are presented to test the student’s prior knowledge level and guide him/her toward answering the examination successfully. In a GED exam, the same type of review is used, but with slightly different questions. Although both types of examinations test a candidate’s knowledge level, the format, content, and requirements of the exam differ.
Both types of examinations are available on the Internet. There are websites that specialize in hosting free final examinations for GED and CLEP tests. There are also sites that host final exams for high schools, colleges, and universities. There are many online discussion forums where teachers and students can share their experiences with taking the exam. The Massachusetts High School Licensing Board offers a host of resources on GED and CLEP final exams.
The goal of the Massachusetts test is to allow students to take an examination to determine whether they meet the minimum threshold requirement to obtain a license in Massachusetts. This requirement is based on the state’s performance in reading, writing, speaking, and reading tests from prior years. Students are allowed to choose which tests they wish to take and are not penalized for choosing a different test than what the teacher requests.
If a student takes the preliminary GED or CLEP exam and scores above required scores, then they may proceed to the final examination. In the case of the GED, this examination must be taken in person at a local testing site. The only exception to this rule is if the student is disabled or physically impaired and needs to take the exam outside of school. If the student submits incomplete answers on the final exam, they will lose their point and will have to retake the course. In the case of the CLEP, all results are reported as a pass/fail.
In addition to the written exam and the GED, there are two other examinations in Massachusetts that may be taken in addition to obtaining your license: the Exams for Professional competence and the State Questionnaire. The Exams for Professional Competence require a candidate to show proof of their knowledge of the English language, while the State Questionnaire is a multiple-choice exam. Students can receive credit for successfully completing one or more of these exams, but will not receive credit for their participation in the general pool. There is also a test that will allow high school students to earn high school credit towards their college degree.