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updated 4/29/13 ... sam

MHSA Science Tests

The MHSA Science Tests must be administered during a 2-week window which begins Monday, March 25 and closes Friday, April 5, 2013.

Maine High School Assessment (MHSA) - Science

The No Child Left Behind Act requires that states assess science each year, but not include schools’ scores in Adequate Yearly Progress determinations. Maine’s 2013 MHSA Science test will be administered the school weeks of Monday, March 25th – Friday, April 5th. The science test will consist of 44 common items administered across two, 50 minute sessions. Of the total 44 common items, 40 are multiple-choice questions worth 1 point each and the remaining 4 questions are constructed-response items worth 4 points each. The points are distributed across the Science & Technology Standards D & E with 30% of the questions aligned to D1 and D2; 305 of the questions aligned to D3 and D4; and 40% of the questions aligned to E1, E2, E3, E4, and E5. All student and school scores will be based solely on these 56 raw score points. These common items are previously field tested items aligned to the 2007 Maine Learning Results.

In addition to the items described above that result in a student’s score, each student will take several field-test items that are embedded within the test.   Scores on field-test items are used for planning purposes only, and are not included as part of calculations or reported at the student or the school level.

The 2013 MHSA science test is a continuation of the former MEA grade 11 science tests and is a product of the Maine Department of Education and Measured Progress. The 2013 multiple choice items will continue to be “formula scored” to keep the science assessment consistent with all other components of the MHSA (SAT). Because each science multiple-choice item has 4 answer choices, formula scoring assigns a correct answer 1 point, subtracts 1/3 of a point for a wrong answer, and awards 0 points for an answer left blank. Constructed-response items are scored on a 4-point rubric and are not part of the formula scoring process.

Science Resources

2012-13 NEW

2010-11

2009-10

Science Released Items

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2003

 

* The MHSA Test Administration Workshop Web Conference presentation is in Flash format. In order to view the file, you will need to have the Adobe Flash Player loaded on your computer. Most computers already have the Flash Player installed – however, if yours does not, or if your Flash Player is in need of updating (version 6 or older), you can download the player for free from Adobe by clicking on the icon below. This is a quick and safe download.

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