Introduction

Testing can be complicated and confusing for everyone, so we hope that the information below will help guide you through the process. The testing and counselors office review all students testing requirements on a regular basis and make sure that students are aware of their standings.

Please be mindful that test scores for graduation requirements are based off when the student first took the test and that testing requirements change as the state of Maryland and our county updates policies and requirements.

 

Test Who takes it? When do they take it? How do they take it? What is the test used for? What is the passing score? Who is the administering organization?
MCAP Algebra 1 All students enrolled in Algebra 1 It is 2 days of testing in end of April – beginning of May Computer Graduation Requirement 725 or higher Maryland Department of Education
MCAP ELA 10 All students enrolled in ELA 10 It is 2 days of testing in end of April – beginning of May Computer Graduation Requirement and qualifies for College and Career Readiness

Grad – 725

CCR – 4 or higher

 Maryland Department of Education
HSA Government All students enrolled in Government It is 1 day of testing in the end of May Computer Graduation Requirement 394 Maryland Department of Education
HS MISA Science All students enrolled in BioGeoChemical It is 2 days of testing in May Computer Graduation Requirement A passing score has not been determined yet. Maryland Department of Education
FAST All students enrolled in Government and BioGeoChemical It is taken once in November and once in January Paper Instructional purposes Teachers use scores to help drive instruction. Prince George’s County Public Schools
Math All students enrolled in Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2 It is taken 3 times a year – Fall, Winter and Spring Computer Instructional purposes Teachers use scores to help drive instruction. Chesapeake Lighthouse Foundation
Reading All students enrolled in ELA 9, ELA 10, and ELA 11 It is taken 3 times a year – Fall, Winter and Spring Computer Instructional purposes Teachers use scores to help drive instruction. Prince George’s County Public Schools
Accuplacer All students who qualify for Dual Enrollment (2.5 GPA or higher)

For Spring Classes – 11th and 12th grade students take in September

For Summer and Fall Classes – 10th and 11th grade students take in February

 Computer Dual Enrollment and qualifies for College and Career Readiness Passing scores are based on the specific colleges’ requirements Prince George’s County Public Schools
PSAT 8/9 All 9th grade students Beginning of October Paper Speciality Programs and practice for SAT There is no passing score Chesapeake Lighthouse Foundation
PSAT/NMSQT All 11th grade students Beginning of October Paper Practice for SAT and Scholarships There is no passing score Chesapeake Lighthouse Foundation
PSAT 10 All 10th grade students Beginning of March Paper Practice for SAT There is no passing score Prince George’s County Public Schools
SAT School Day All 11th grade students Beginning of October Paper College admissions and CCR For CCR: Math: 530, ERW: 490 Prince George’s County Public Schools
AP All students enrolled in an AP course that have paid to take the test First two weeks of May Paper Earn college credit and qualifies for College and Career Readiness Passing scores are based on the specific colleges’ requirements Student pays for each exam

Graduation Requirements

In order for a student to graduate, they must take an Algebra 1, English 10, Science, and Government test.  The chart below will help you understand the score requirements for each test. Please be mindful that the passing scores are based off when the student first takes the test.

Test Class of 2020 Class of 2021 Class of 2022 Class of 2023
Algebra 1 Achieve passing score of first time taking Achieve passing score of first time taking Achieve passing score of first time taking Achieve passing score of first time taking
ELA 10 Achieve passing score of first time taking Achieve passing score of first time taking Achieve passing score of first time taking Achieve passing score of first time taking
HSA Biology Participate Only N/A N/A N/A
MISA Science Only take if they did not participate in HSA Biology Score has not been set yet Score has not been set yet Score has not been set yet
HSA Government Achieve passing score of 394 Achieve passing score of 394 Achieve passing score of 394 Achieve passing score of 394
Assessment Requirements for First Time Test Takers
First Time Taking 2014 – 2016 First Time Taking 2016 – 2017 First Time Taking 2017 – 2018 First Time Taking 2018 – 2019
Algebra 1 and ELA 10 Participate Only 725 725 725

Students will be required to retake the test in the Fall if they do not pass in the Spring.

If they still have not passed the test by the end of 11th grade, they will be required to take classes to complete a project for graduation

– Credit Requirements

Grade Promotion Requirements

In high school, a student is identified in their grade level based on the meeting of specific criteria regarding their credits. Below is the criteria to move to the next grade level and graduation requirements per graduating class. If a student fails courses in the school year that prevent them from moving forward, they will be recommended for summer school at the end of the school year. Upon passing the appropriate summer school courses (if possible), students will be bumped up to the correct grade level within SchoolMax.

Entering Freshmen in Fall 2014 through Fall 2020
  • From Grade 9 to Grade 10: students must have a total of 5 credits, including 1 credit of English.
  • From Grade 10 to Grade 11: students must have a total of 10 credits, including 2 credits of English, 1 credit of Mathematics, 1 credit of Science, and 1 credit of Social Studies.
  • From Grade 11 to Grade 12: students must have a total of 14 credits, including 3 credits of English, 2 credits of Mathematics, 1 credit of Science, and 1 credit of Social Studies, and be able to fulfill all requirements, not to exceed 9 original credits per year during the regular school day, for a Maryland High School Diploma in June.
  • Note: Students who have not met the requirements to be promoted to 12th Grade will still be bumped to 12th Grade in SchoolMax at the start of their 4th Year of High School, but will only be able to graduate in June with their class upon meeting all requirements for a Maryland High School Diploma.
Entering Freshmen in Fall 2021 or After
  • From Grade 9 to Grade 10: students must have a total of 5 credits, including 1 credit of English and 1 credit of Mathematics.
  • From Grade 10 to Grade 11: students must have a total of 10 credits, including 2 credits of English, 2 credits of Mathematics, 1 credit of Science, and 1 credit of Social Studies.
  • From Grade 11 to Grade 12: students must have a total of 14 credits, including 3 credits of English, 3 credits of Mathematics, 1 credit of Science, and 1 credit of Social Studies, and be able to fulfill all requirements, not to exceed 9 original credits per year during the regular school day, for a Maryland High School Diploma in June.

Graduation Credit Requirements

Please see below for the charts that describe the graduation requirements for students based on their graduation class (from Administrative Procedure 6150).

– Assessments

Class Math Requirement ELA Requirement Government Requirement Science Requirement
2020 Pass Algebra 1 with a 725 Pass ELA10 with a 725 Pass HSA Government with a 394

Participate in HSA Biology

OR

Participate in HS MISA
2021 Pass Algebra 1 with 725 Pass ELA10 with a 725 Pass HSA Government with a 394

Participate in HS MISA.

Passing score has not been determined yet
2022 Pass Algebra 1 MCAP with 725 Pass ELA10 MCAP with 725 Pass HSA Government with a 394

Pass HS MISA

Passing score has not been determined yet.
2023 Pass Algebra 1 MCAP with 725 Pass ELA10 MCAP with 725 Pass HSA Government with a 394

Pass HS MISA

Passing score has not been determined yet.

*These are the graduation requirements as of June 2019.  All requirements are subject to change by the county and state.

*Please note that each passing score is determined by when the student takes the test for the first time, not what graduating class they are in.

*If a student has not been their graduation requirements by their senior year, they will be placed in Academic Validation Program for that content and must complete and pass the projects needed.  Students are required to test during each administration until they have met the graduation requirement.

– Student Service Learning Hours

Resources

Forms

PGCPS Service Pre-Approval Form (To be filled out ahead of service with a new organization to ensure you will get credit for your hours)

PGCPS Service Hours Form

General Information

All students are required to complete 24 independent service learning hours. In order to earn these hours, students must volunteer with nonprofit or tax-exempt organizations.

Students must pick up and fill out a Student Service Learning form (found at the School Counseling Office) or print one of the forms from above in order to earn service hours. Forms must be signed by the student, their parent/guardian, and the supervisor at the organization they volunteered with.

Important: Virtual Service Hours forms are no longer being accepted based on an announcement from the Office of School Counseling on August 23, 2022. Hours earned after the July 15th submission deadline must be logged on the Traditional Service Hours Form and must be signed off by a parent/guardian as well as the organization with which you completed your hours.

Deadlines

Deadlines for submission of the Student Service-Learning Forms are listed below. Students must submit their forms by these deadlines within the academic year that they completed the hours. Late/Incomplete forms will not be accepted.

Deadline #1: October 15 (for any independent hours obtained between July and August 30 of the current year)

Deadline #2: January 31 (for any independent hours obtained between September 1 and January 31 of the current academic year)

Deadline #3: July 15 (for any independent hours obtained between February 1 and June 30 of the most recent academic year)

College and Career Readiness (CCR)

College and Career Readiness (CCR) is a designation given to students in Mathematics and English based on several tests taking over their high school tenure.  Students only need to reach the desired score on one of the tests in each content and they are deemed CCR. Students do not need to be deemed CCR in order to graduate, but it is highly recommended.  If a student is not deemed CCR by the end of 11th grade, they will be required to take additional CCR courses for English and Math and test again in 12th grade.

Mathematics: Students must reach the desired score in one of the following tests:

  • MCAP Algebra 2: 4 or higher
  • SAT Mathematics Section: 530 or higher
  • ACT Mathematics Section: 21 or higher
  • AP Calculus or AP Statistics Exam: 3 or higher
  • Accuplacer College Level Math: 45 or higher
  • Dual Enrollment: Enrolled in an IHE approved mathematics course

English: Students must reach the desired score in one of the following tests:

  • MCAP ELA 10: 4 or higher
  • MCAP ELA 11: 4 or higher
  • SAT ERW Section: 500 or higher
  • ACT Average of English and Reading Score: 21 or higher
  • Accuplacer: Reading – 79 or higher AND Sentence Skills – 90 or higher
  • Dual Enrollment: Enrolled in an IHE approved English course

Maryland Department of Education Information Page 

Tests

HSA

Test Who takes it? When do they take it? How do they take it? What is the test used for? What is the passing score? Who is the administering organization?
HSA Government All students enrolled in Government It is 1 day of testing in the end of May Computer Graduation Requirement 394 Maryland Department of Education

MISA

Test Who takes it? When do they take it? How do they take it? What is the test used for? What is the passing score? Who is the administering organization?
HS MISA Science All students enrolled in BioGeoChemical It is 2 days of testing in May Computer Graduation Requirement A passing score has not been determined yet. Maryland Department of Education

AP

Students who are taking AP classes have the opportunity to pay to take the AP test associated with the course in order to receive college credit.  Each college determines whether they will accept the AP scores based on the own requirements.

AP testing is the first two weeks of May.  Each content has a specific date. No make up dates are available.  If a student is absent for the test, they must provide documentation that is submitted to College Board to be approved.

Resources:

Accuplacer

The Accuplacer test is an exam used for students to qualify for Dual Enrollment courses.  Students with a GPA of 2.5 or higher are eligible to take the exam. 11th and 12th grade students take the test in November to be qualified for spring courses.  10th and 11th grade students take the test in February to be qualified for summer and fall courses. Students must also complete application for Dual Enrollment through the counselor’s office.

Resources:

PSAT

The purpose of the PSAT Suite of Assessments is to prepare students to take the SAT.  The more practice a student has with a test, they are more likely to be successful.

PSAT 8/9:

PSAT 8/9 is for all 9th grade students and is taken in October (the date is set by College Board) free of cost.  The test can only be administered on one day and no make-up dates are available.

PGCPS uses this test to help place students in Speciality Programs.  A 9th grade student can choose to wait and pay to take the test in December through PGCPS.

Students receive their score reports and test booklets to review and learn from their mistakes.

Resources:

PSAT/NMSQT:

PSAT/NMSQT is for all 11th grade students and is taken in October (the date is set by College Board) free of cost.  This test is only administered on the day assigned by College Board and no make up dates are available.

11th grade students can qualify for the National Merit Scholarship based on the PSAT/NMSQT scores.

Students receive their score reports and test booklets to review and learn from their mistakes.

Resources:

PSAT 10:

PSAT 10 is for all 10th grade students and is taken in March (the date is set by College Board) free of cost.  This test is only administered on the day assigned by College Board and no make up dates are available.

Students receive their score reports and test booklets to review and learn from their mistakes.

Resources:

SAT

SAT is an entrance exam used by most colleges and universities for admissions.  It is recommended that students take the test two to three times, starting in their junior year.

SAT School Day is when the SAT is given during the school day in March (the date is set by College Board) free of cost.  The test is only administered on the day assigned by College Board and no make up dates are available.

Students do not need to register on their own but they do need to set up a College Board account to be able to view their scores.

SAT – on your own:

We do recommend that students take the SAT two to three times, so you will need to register and pay on your own through College Board.

How to Register for the SAT:

  1. Sign in to your free College Board account. Your parent or counselor can’t register for you.
  2. Provide your full, legal name and other identifying information. Make sure it’s the exact same name and information shown on your photo ID.
  3. Decide if you want to answer other questions about yourself. This takes time, but it’s worth it if you want colleges and scholarship organizations to find you.
  4. Decide whether to sign up for the SAT with Essay.
  5. Upload a photo that meets very specific photo requirements.
  6. Check out, and print your Admission Ticket.

Online SAT Registration Help

Resources:

Should you take the ACT, SAT or Both?

ACT

ACT is an entrance exam used by most colleges and universities for admissions.

Use this website to register for the test

Resources:

Should you take the ACT, SAT or Both?