Keystone Courses
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The Keystone Exams are end-of-course assessments designed to assess proficiency in various subject areas, including Algebra I, Biology, and Literature. The Keystone Exams are just one component of Pennsylvania’s high school graduation requirements. Students must also earn state-specified credits, fulfill the state’s service learning and attendance requirements, and complete any additional local school system requirements to receive a Pennsylvania high school diploma. The Pennsylvania Department of Education provides detailed information about how the Keystone Exams are being integrated into the Pennsylvania graduation requirements on their website. |
Accordion
Keystone Algebra
ALIGNMENT
The Algebra I Keystone Exam consists of exam questions arranged into two modules:
- Operations and Linear Equations & Inequalities
- Linear Functions and Data Organizations
Each module corresponds to specific content aligned to statements and specifications included in the course-specific assessment anchor documents. The Algebra I content included in the Keystone Algebra I multiple-choice questions will align with the Assessment Anchors as defined by the Eligible Content statements. The process skills, directives, and action statements will also specifically align with the Assessment Anchors as defined by the Eligible Content statements.
The content included in Algebra I constructed-response questions aligns with content included in the Eligible Content statements. The process skills, directives, and action statements included in the performance demands of the Algebra I constructed-response questions align with specifications included in the Assessment Anchor statements, the Anchor Descriptor statements, and/or the Eligible Content statements. In other words, the verbs or action statements used in the constructed-response questions or stems can come from the Eligible Content, Anchor Descriptor, or Assessment Anchor statements.
KEYSTONE EXAM FORMAT
The Algebra I Keystone Exam includes questions that require students to select the best answer from four possible answer options. Students read each question and record their answers in the space provided. The correct answer for each multiple-choice question is worth one point.
The Algebra I Keystone Exam also includes questions that require students to write responses. Students read the question and write their responses in the spaces provided. Each constructed-response question is designed to take about ten minutes to complete. During an actual exam administration, students are given additional time as necessary to complete the exam. Each constructed-response question in Algebra I is scored using an item-specific scoring guideline based on a 0–4 point scale. In the sampler below, each item specific scoring guideline is combined with sample student responses representing each score point to form a practical, item specific scoring guide.
The sampler also includes the General Description of Scoring Guidelines for Algebra I used to develop the item-specific scoring guidelines. These general guidelines should be used if any additional item-specific scoring guidelines are created for use within local instructional programs.
Resources:
Algebra I Assessment Anchors (PDF)
Algebra I Items ans Scoring Sampler (PDF)
Algebra I Test Definition (PDF)
Keystone Biology
ALIGNMENT
The Biology Keystone Exam consists of exam questions arranged into two modules:
- Cells and Cell Processes and Continuity
- Unity of Life
Each module corresponds to specific content aligned to statements and specifications included in the course-specific assessment anchor documents. The Biology content included in the Keystone Biology multiple-choice questions will align with the Assessment Anchors as defined by the Eligible Content statements. The process skills, directives, and action statements will also specifically align with the Assessment Anchors as defined by the Eligible Content statements.
The content included in Biology constructed-response questions aligns with content included in the Eligible Content statements. The process skills, directives, and action statements included in the performance demands of the Biology constructed-response questions align with specifications included in the Assessment Anchor statements, the Anchor Descriptor statements, and/or the Eligible Content statements. In other words, the verbs or action statements used in the constructed-response questions or stems can come from the Eligible Content, Anchor Descriptor, or Assessment Anchor statements.
KEYSTONE EXAM FORMAT
The Biology Keystone Exam includes questions that require students to select the best answer from four possible answer options. Students read each question and record their answers in the space provided. The correct answer for each multiple-choice question is worth one point.
The Biology Keystone Exam also includes questions that require students to write responses. Students
read the question and write their responses in the spaces provided. Each constructed-response question is designed to take about eight minutes to complete. During an actual exam administration, students are given additional time as necessary to complete the exam. Each constructed-response question in Biology is scored using an item-specific scoring guideline based on a 0–3-point scale. In the sampler below, each item-specific scoring guideline is combined with sample student responses representing each score point to form a practical, item- specific scoring guide.
The sampler also includes the General Description of 3-point Scoring Guidelines for Biology used to develop the item-specific scoring guidelines. These general guidelines should be used if any additional item-specific scoring guidelines are created for use within local instructional programs.
Resources:
Keystone Biology Assessment Anchors (PDF)
Biology Items and Scoring Sampler (PDF)
Biology Test Definition (PDF)
Keystone Literature
ALIGNMENT
The Literature Keystone Exam consists of exam questions arranged into two modules:
- Fiction Literature
- Nonfiction Literature
Each module corresponds to specific content aligned to statements and specifications included in the course-specific assessment anchor documents. The Literature content included in the Keystone Literature multiple-choice questions will align with the Assessment Anchors as defined by the Eligible Content statements. The process skills, directives, and action statements will also specifically align with the Assessment Anchors as defined by the Eligible Content statements.
The content included in Literature constructed-response items aligns with content included in the Eligible Content statements. The process skills, directives, and action statements included in the performance demands of the Literature constructed-response items align with specifications included in the Assessment Anchor statements, the Anchor Descriptor statements, and/or the Eligible Content statements. In other words, the verbs or action statements used in the constructed-response items or stems can come from the Eligible Content, Anchor Descriptor, or Assessment Anchor statements.
KEYSTONE EXAM FORMAT
The Literature Keystone Exam includes items that require students to select the best answer from four possible answer options. Students read each item and record their answers in the space provided. The correct answer for each multiple-choice item is worth one point.
The Literature Keystone Exam also includes items that require students to write responses. Students read the item and write their responses in the spaces provided. Each constructed-response item is designed to take about ten minutes to complete. During an actual exam administration, students are given additional time as necessary to complete the exam. Each constructed-response item in Literature is scored using an item-specific scoring guideline based on a 0–3-point scale. In the sampler below, each item-specific scoring guideline is combined with sample student responses representing each score point to form a practical, item-specific scoring guide.
The sampler also includes the General Description of Scoring Guidelines for Literature used to develop the item-specific scoring guidelines. These general guidelines should be used if any additional item-specific scoring guidelines are created for use within local instructional programs.
Resources:
Literature Assessment Anchors (PDF)
Literature Items and Scoring Sampler (PDF)
Literature Test Definition (PDF)