AHSGE Test

Every high school student in Alabama must now pass the Alabama High School Graduation Exam in order to receive a diploma. The AHSGE was instituted in 2001 to make sure that Alabama's students are prepared and equipped to meet the challenges of living in our high tech society which places such a premium on education. In addition, the AHSGE, by raising the educational level of its citizens, is also helping to attract jobs and industry to Alabama. Students have six opportunities to pass the test, from 10th grade to 12th grade. It was designed so that a person with the knowledge and skills of an 11th grade education can pass it.

The AHSGE consists of five sections-reading, math, language, science, and social studies. All questions are in multiple choice format. The first section tests reading and comprehension, and there are 84 questions, and 563 is the cutoff for a passing score. Language tests grammar, punctuation, vocabulary, etc., and has 100 questions, with a passing score of 560. The math portion mainly tests basic algebra, and some pre-geometry. It has 100 questions, and a score of 477 is required to pass. The science section is mostly biology and some physical science, and has 100 questions with a score of 491 required to pass. Social studies consists of 100 questions about American history up to and including World War II, and requires a 509 score to pass.

The AHSGE is an untimed test; most testing sessions end after three hours, but any students needing additional time to complete it will receive as much as they need. A high school diploma is vitally important to achieving success in modern America, and every Alabama student should thoroughly prepare to pass the AHSGE.