The Maryland Graduation Assessments are a series of End of Course (EOC) exams that test student knowledge of course standards established by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).

 

Students participate in four required subject area tests:

 

Each test has varying participation requirements.

 

Students take the Algebra I assessment at the end of their Algebra I course. Students in the 8th grade Kent County Public Schools STEM Academy will take this assessment in middle school. All other students take the course and assessment in high school. If the MCAP Algebra 1 exam is taken in 8th grade, the students will need to take one other math state assessment in high school (Algebra II or Geometry).

 

Students take the MCAP English 10 assessment at the end of their English 10 course. Typically this class is taken during a student’s 10th-grade year of high school.

 

Students take the MCAP Government assessment at the end of their American Government course. Typically this class is taken during a student’s 10th-grade year of high school.

All 9th-grade students enrolled in the high school American Government course will take the Maryland state EOC assessment in MCAP Government with the resulting score accounting for 20% of the student’s final grade (Code of Maryland Regulations 13A.03.02).

 

Students take the Life Science Maryland Integrated Science Assessment (LS MISA) at the end of their Biology course. Typically this class is taken during a student’s 9th- or 10t- grade year of high school. All 9th-grade students enrolled in the high school Biology course will take the Maryland state EOC assessment in MCAP LS MISA with the resulting score accounting for 20% of the student’s final grade in the course (COMAR 13A.03.02).

 

In the state of Maryland, students must earn a credit in American Government and Life Science (Biology) to graduate high school. Ninth-grade students in these courses must take the state’s EOC exam in January and May, and it will account for 20% of the students’ final grade in these courses. Students in 10th, 11th or 12th grade must take the test, but it will not affect their final grade.

 

An EOC exam is a state-administered high school assessment incorporated into local courses as a final exam with a percentage counting toward the students’ overall course grade. The EOC Exam was adopted by the State Board on May 25, 2021 and took effect in the 2023-2024 school year.

 

The EOC exam comprises 20% of the student’s grade in the relevant course (COMAR 13A.03.02.06). It will be incredibly important that students work hard throughout the school year to prepare for the course EOC as it will have a direct impact on their final grade and GPA.

 

According to the expectations set by MSDE, students will not be allowed to retake the state test to improve their overall grade.

 

For more information about EOC exams and specific information regarding the high school American Government and Life Science MISA exams, please visit the MSDE EOC website.