The High School Proficiency Assessment (HSPA) is a standardized test that is administered by the New Jersey Department of Education to all New Jersey public high school students in March of their junior year. The test is an assessment that is given to determine if a student has gained the knowledge and skills necessary to graduate from high school and succeed in a job, in college, or in the military.
How is it structured?
The HSPA has two test sections: Mathematics and Language Arts Literacy. The test is administered for 2.5 to 3 hours each day over a three-day period.
How is it scored?
The HSPA report will show total scores in both Mathematics and Language Arts Literacy. It will also show subtotal scores for the specific knowledge and skills measured in each content area. The total scores will be reported in one of three proficiency levels: Advanced Proficient, Proficient, or Partially Proficient.
Dolphin Academic Prep offers personalized HSPA tutoring!
Our experience with the HSPA test has enabled us to develop a highly effective approach for HSPA prep. In particular and in addition to developing the problem-solving techniques that are the crux of our test-prep tutoring, our Dolphin HSPA prep tutors also take care to emphasize the specific knowledge, concepts, strategies and skill sets required for success on the HSPA . We emphasize the kinds of problem-solving skills that will enable your student to effectively wrestle with unusual and/or unfamiliar question types. As part of the overall process, we also help our parents understand the HSPA’s score report and how it translates to your child.
Every student is different and therefore we believe it’s imperative that in order to maximize performance on the HSPA it is necessary to tailor the prep process to the individual student in an effort to develop the approach that best works for them.
Diagnostic, Evaluation and Practice
Before the first HSPA tutoring session, each student receives a diagnostic HSPA test. The diagnostic test gives the student an introduction to the test and HSPA test prep; it also allows for a baseline to be created. Moreover, based on the results, we formalize an evaluation that identifies the areas of strength, those areas that need the most help, specifies an optimal prep schedule, and sets specific goals. Throughout the HSPA test prep our Dolphin HSPA Tutors will continue to administer practice HSPA test like questions so that your child becomes familiar with the format, style and speed of the test, so on exam day it minimizes any surprises they may face.
More information
New Jersey state law requires that all public high school students pass the HSPA in order to graduate. Students who do not pass the HSPA on their first try have two opportunities to retake it during their senior year of high school. Junior and senior years of high school can be a confusing time with all the standardized tests one needs to take.
We are here to answer your questions, so give us a call or send us an email to see how personalized HSPA tutoring and College Guidance with a private Dolphin Academic Prep tutor can help benefit you.
When is the HSPA offered?
Check to see when the HSPA is being offered.