WHAT IS HSA?

The Maryland High School Assessments (HSA) are tests developed by the Maryland State Department of Education in English, Biology, Government and Algebra/Data Analysis and are taken after the student completes the corresponding course.  The tests contain multiple-choice items as well as questions requiring written responses.

Students entering grade nine after the fall of 2005 and are seeking a Maryland High School Diploma must meet the HSA testing requirement either by passing all 4 tests or they must have a Total Combined Score of 1602 or higher.

The test scores, called scale scores, range from 240 to 650.  A test is passed if the student’s score is equal to or greater than the passing score.  If your child took a test more than once, the highest score is reported.

Each student (seniors and juniors) should receive a letter from Prince George’s County Public Schools, Department of Testing with their scale score, the test date (month and year) and whether they passed or failed.