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Marin Catholic High School | College Preparatory

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Placement and Challenge Tests

Challenge and Placement Test Info and Dates

Math Placement Exam - Saturday, April 20, 9:00 - 10:30 AM
All incoming freshman students must take this test, which is used to determine initial math placement in the ninth grade.

Test Length: 75 minutes

For more information, click here.

Spanish Placement Test - Tuesday, April 23, 3:30 PM
Students who choose Spanish as their language of study and who have had any previous instruction in Spanish or are native speakers must take the Placement Test. Students with previous instruction may be placed into Spanish I or Spanish II. 

Students studying Spanish for the first time do not need to take the Spanish Placement Test.

Test Length: 60 minutes

For more information,  click here.

Students who are not admitted with Honors at Entrance but who wish to be considered for Honors courses must meet the minimum criteria to challenge placement in Biology, English and Global Studies.   In order to take the challenge test in any of these subjects, a student must have a composite score of 85% or better on the Entrance Exam and a 3.3 (B+) subject specific GPA in the 7th and 8th grade.  Additionally, some students will be identified as candidates to challenge based on their academic profile.  Students will be notified of their eligibility at scheduling night.

English and Global Studies Challenge - Wednesday, April 24, 3:30 PM
Students will be expected to demonstrate genuine proficiency in reading and composition.  They will read and consider a piece (or pieces) of writing; prose, poetry, fiction, or non-fiction, and be asked to demonstrate their understanding of that piece in a timed writing (essay) format.  Their responses will be evaluated for both form and content; they should prove they understand what they have read, and they should communicate that understanding in correct, clear and effective writing.  To earn placement in English 9 Honors and/or Global Studies Honors, students should post at least a 4 (on a 6 point scale) on the timed writing.  A scoring rubric for the timed writing will be provided.

Test Length: 60 minutes

For more information, click here.

Science Challenge - Saturday, April 20, 10:30 AM
The Science Challenge Test is appropriate for qualified students who:

  • Have had extensive lab experience in their previous science courses, that is, they have a good understanding of the scientific method, are adept at metric measurement and can use lab equipment correctly and safely.
  • Have a good ability to apply the basic principles of Chemistry, Physics, Earth and Life Sciences that they have been taught.  A score of 80% or better on the challenge test will allow the student the option of placement in Honors Biology.

Test Length: 60 minutes   

For more information, click here.


Visual and Performing Arts Placement
There is a challenge process for Art I only.   If you are interested in challenging this class we will arrange a meeting for your Art portfolio to be reviewed by the Department Chair.   

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