CHSPE Exam

The California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE) was established via California law to allow students to earn the equivalent of a high school diploma. If you are eligible to sit for the CHSPE and pass it successfully, the California State Board of Education will issue you a Certificate of Proficiency. The Certificate of Proficiency is legally equivalent to a high school diploma. Passing the CHSPE is not equivalent to completing the requirements for high school graduation; however, the Certificate of Proficiency awarded subsequent to passing the CHSPE can be used for both federal financial aid, for the purposes of attending college, and federal civilian employment in which a high school diploma is required.

What are the eligibility requirements to take the CHSPE?

In order to sit for the CHSPE, you must be able to demonstrate that you are at least 16 years of age and have been enrolled in the tenth grade for at least one academic year, or plan to complete at least one academic year of tenth grade enrollment at the end of a regular fall or spring administration period. You can demonstrate your eligibility by using one of two methods, either online or by mail:

• Method A: submit a document demonstrating your name, birthdate, or grade level, if you are in the eleventh grade or higher
  • Eligible documents include: a copy of a DMV-issued driver’s license; passport; birth certificate; DMV-issued, military-issued, high school/college-issued, or government-issued ID card; Permanent Resident Card, foreign birth certificate, or Consular Report of Birth Abroad; or a school transcript with a school seal.
• Method B: submit verification of your eligibility via the School Eligibility Verification Section of the registration form completed by a school principal, vice principal, registrar, counselor, or school administrator identified on an R-4 Private School Affidavit or statement. If you are under the age of sixteen when registering for the CHSPE, you must use Method B.

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What fees are associated with the CHSPE?

The CHSPE will cost $162 for regular registration; $187 for late registration; and $212 for emergency registration. The CHSPE testing fee is non-refundable and must be submitted as either a bank-issued cashier’s check or money order. For those who qualify, there are also foster youth and homeless youth fee waivers available. See the CHSPE website for more information on potential fee waivers.

What does the CHSPE cover?

The CHSPE consists of an English Language Arts section and a Mathematics section. Passing both sections is required in order to pass the CHSPE and receive your Certificate of Proficiency. The content sections, topics, and number of questions per section are as follows:

• English Language Arts
  • Reading Subtest (84 total questions)
    • Comprehension
      • Initial Understanding: 10 questions
      • Interpretation: 20 questions
      • Critical Analysis: 14 questions
      • Strategies: 10 questions
    • Vocabulary
      • Synonyms: 12 questions
      • Multiple Meaning Words: 6 questions
      • Context Clues: 12 questions
  • Language Subtest (48 total questions, 1 writing task)
    • Mechanics
      • Capitalization: 8 questions
      • Usage: 8 questions
      • Punctuation: 8 questions
    • Expressions
      • Sentence Structure: 10 questions
      • Prewriting: 5 questions
      • Content and Organization: 9 questions
  • Writing: 1 writing task
• Mathematics (50 total questions)
  • Number Sense and Operations: 9 questions
  • Patterns, Relationships, and Algebra: 15 questions
  • Data, Statistics, and Probability: 12 questions
  • Geometry and Measurement: 14 questions

Test Preparation

Now that you have a better understanding of the eligibility requirements, content, and overall structure of the CHSPE, it’s time to prepare. The most effective way to ensure you pass the CHSPE and earn your Certificate of Proficiency is by using the most comprehensive test preparation materials you can find. Mometrix Test Preparation’s CHSPE Secrets study guide contains everything you need. In the CHSPE Secrets study guide, you get real CHSPE content, as well as expert tips for reducing test anxiety, remembering information, and enhancing test performance. In addition to the CHSPE Secrets study guide, Mometrix has designed a comprehensive CHSPE Practice Test, as well as a complete set of CHSPE Flashcards. Read the CHSPE Secrets study guide, assess your knowledge using the CHSPE Practice Test and CHSPE Flashcards, and earn your California Certificate of Proficiency. Earning your Certificate of Proficiency is the key to your future, so don’t delay—let Mometrix Test Preparation help you today.

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