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Test Specifications
Specifications Copyright © 2008 by NCS Pearson, Inc.
The CHSPE consists of two test sections:
English-language Arts and Mathematics.
English-language Arts Section
The English-language Arts section consists of two subtests: Language and Reading.
Both subtests must be passed to pass the English-language Arts section.
Language Subtest
The Language subtest has one writing task and 48 multiple-choice questions.
The writing task requires a persuasive essay. Persuasive writing requires the clear
and logical presentation of reasons and details offered in support of a position in
order to convince the reader to accept that position.
The multiple-choice questions combine mechanics and expression, as defined below,
include some study skills items, and measure achievement in applying the principles
that form effective writing.
A. Language Mechanics
Capitalization
Distinguish correct capitalization
Usage
Identify correctly applied grammar
Punctuation
Distinguish correct punctuation
B. Language Expression
Sentence Structure
Distinguish between clearly written sentences and sentences that contain errors in expression or construction.
Prewriting
Plan, organize, and improve writing samples.
Content and Organization
Determine appropriate editing of short paragraphs.
Reading Subtest
The Reading subtest has 30 vocabulary questions and 54 reading comprehension questions, all of which are multiple-choice.
The vocabulary questions assess synonyms, multiple-meaning words, and context clues as defined below.
A. Synonyms
Demonstrate the ability to recognize a synonym for a word used in context.
B. Multiple-Meaning Words
Demonstrate the ability to determine the meaning of a given word with multiple meanings.
C. Context Clues
Demonstrate the ability to use context clues to assign meaning to an unknown word.
The reading comprehension questions test initial understanding, interpretation, critical analysis, and strategies
using three types of text: literary (material typically read for enjoyment), informational (material typically
found in textbooks and other sources of information), and functional (material typically encountered in everyday-life
situations). The specific reading comprehension skills assessed are listed below.
A. Initial Understanding
Demonstrate the ability to comprehend explicitly stated relationships in a variety of reading selections.
- Determine explicit supporting details
- Determine explicit sequence or action
- Determine explicit explanation or cause
B. Interpretation
Demonstrate the ability to form an interpretation of a variety of reading selections based on explicit and implicit
information in the selections.
- Determine implicit details, plot, sequence, or action
- Determine implicit causes for or effects of actions, events, or ideas
- Draw conclusions from details
- Extract implicit main idea or theme
- Determine problems and solutions in text
- Generalize beyond text
- Interpret character traits, motivation, or behavior
- Make predictions
- Determine important from less-important ideas
- Categorize, classify, compare, or contrast
- Provide support for conclusions or outcomes
- Apply ideas and information to new situations or problems
C. Critical Analysis
Demonstrate the ability to synthesize and evaluate explicit and implicit information
in a variety of reading selections.
- Analyze authors purpose, assumptions, or viewpoint
- Analyze text structure or elements
- Distinguish fact from opinion
- Identify, differentiate, or analyze characteristics of genre
- Determine authors intended audience
- Discern author's voice
- Discern and interpret literary devices
- Evaluate sufficiency or consistency of information or text
D. Strategies
Demonstrate the ability to recognize and apply text factors and reading strategies in a variety of reading selections.
- Ask clarifying questions
- Determine background knowledge
- Select an appropriate reading strategy in a given situation
- Apply text structure to reading task
- Determine if needed information is within or out of text
- Determine unknown words from context
- Set purpose for reading
Mathematics Section
The Mathematics section has 50 multiplechoice questions that assess content in the following areas: number sense and operations;
patterns, relationships, and algebra; data, statistics, and probability; and geometry and measurement. The questions also
assess the mathematical processes of communication and representation, estimation, mathematical connections, and reasoning
and problem solving. The skills and processes assessed are listed below.
A. Number Sense and Operations
Demonstrate understanding of the meaning and use of numbers, the various representations
of numbers, number systems, and the relationships between and among numbers. Demonstrate understanding
of the meaning of operations, the relationship between operations, and the practical settings in which a specific
operation or set of operations is appropriate.
- Identify numbers expressed in scientific notation
- Identify factorial representation
- Identify the effects of an operation
- Compare and order real numbers
- Solve problems using estimation strategies
- Identify and use order of operations rules
- Simplify expressions containing exponents or radicals
- Solve problems involving absolute value
- Solve problems using nonroutine strategies
B. Patterns, Relationships, and Algebra
Describe, complete, continue, and demonstrate understanding of patterns involving
numbers, symbols, and geometric figures. Patterns with numbers include those found in lists, function tables, ratios
and proportions, and matrices. Demonstrate understanding of algebraic principles through interaction with expressions,
equations, algebraic notation, and other representations of mathematical relationships.
- Identify slopes of lines given points, equations, or graphs
- Solve problems involving ratio or proportion
- Analyze characteristics of linear relationships
- Identify equations of linear functions given tables of values, points, or graphs
- Evaluate expressions
- Solve problems involving patterns
- Identify equations of quadratic functions given tables of values or graphs
- Identify graphs of inequalities
- Solve problems involving logical reasoning
- Solve linear, quadratic, or radical equations
- Solve systems of linear equations
- Translate problem situations into algebraic expressions and equations
C. Data, Statistics, and Probability
Describe, interpret, and make predictions based on the analysis of data presented
in a variety of ways, including graphs, plots, tables, and lists. Demonstrate an
understanding of probability concepts through interaction with simple events,
compound events, and experimental probability.
- Analyze data and draw inferences from tables and graphs
- Make a prediction based on experimental or statistical data
- Determine combinations and permutations
- Determine and use measures of central tendency and dispersion
- Find the probability of a simple or compound event
- Solve problems involving probabilities
D. Geometry and Measurement
Demonstrate understanding of the characteristics and properties of plane and solid figures, coordinate geometry, and
spatial reasoning. Demonstrate understanding of the meaning and use of various measurement systems, the tools of
measurement, and the integral role of estimation in measurement.
- Identify and classify solid and plane figures
- Determine measurements indirectly from scale drawings
- Solve problems involving perimeter, circumference, area, or volume
- Solve problems using the Pythagorean theorem
- Identify geometric transformations
- Solve problems using properties of geometric figures
- Solve problems using spatial reasoning
- Solve problems involving similar figures
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Processes
Communication and Representation
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Demonstrate an understanding of the symbols and terms utilized in mathematics, and correctly interpret alternative
representations of numbers, expressions, and data.
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Estimation
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Apply estimation strategies in problem solving and determine the reasonableness of results.
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Mathematical Connections
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Demonstrate an understanding of the interrelatedness of mathematical concepts, procedures, and processes both
among different mathematical topics and with other content areas.
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Reasoning and Problem Solving
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Demonstrate the ability to apply inductive, deductive, or spatial reasoning and to make valid inferences and draw valid
conclusions. Demonstrate the ability to apply strategies to solve conventional and nonroutine problems.
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