Ohio Graduation Test

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The Ohio Graduation Test or OGT replaced the Ohio Ninth Grade Proficiency Test as the state-wide exit exam. Students take the OGT for the first time in March of their sophomore year but have six additional opportunities (including an optional summer administration) to pass all parts of the OGT, which is required in order to graduate. The test consists of Reading, Math, Writing, Science and Social Studies sections. While the Ohio Department of Education began administering practice tests to students in 2002, the first official OGT was given in the Fall of 2004.

The Ohio Graduation Test is part of No Child Left Behind, which requires annual testing in Reading and Mathematics. NCLB and state exit exams like the OGT have undergone harsh criticisms because statistically, children in lower socio-economic levels have difficulty passing standardized tests. The worry is that with tests like the OGT, more minorities and children from low-income families will not be able to obtain a high school diploma. The debate is ongoing, but for now, the Ohio Graduation Test is an educational standard in Ohio.

The OGT has an extremely high level of security regarding access to the testing material. Access by those taking the test is strictly forbidden; This is enforced by both schools and the board of education.

The tests include multiple choice, short answer (2 point), and extended response (4 point) questions. The Reading, Math, Science and Social Studies tests consist of 44 items, some of which are field test questions that do not count toward a student's score. For the Writing test, there are two essays and several multiple choice questions. Calculators, desgigned especially for the test, are allowed for the Math and Science sections. Students have two and half hours to take each section, with the exception of those students granted additional time because of an IEP, 504 Plan, or LEP status.