TJHSST Admissions Test Errors

New information for students who took the TJ admissions test in December (12/17/09)

Letter to Parents (12/9/09)

FCPS is very unhappy that irregularities in test booklets forced the school system to require all TJ applicants to be retested. We are very sympathetic with parents and students whose lives are being disrupted. 

The irregularities in the exam booklets were the responsibility of Pearson -- the company that develops, provides, and scores the admissions test for TJ. According to directions provided to FCPS by Pearson, the tests are not to be opened until they are distributed to students taking the test. Pearson has accepted responsibility for the irregularities. According to Pearson, a printer they hired made the mistakes.

Test booklet irregularities included missing sections and pages out of order, but the irregularities were not uniform across test booklets. FCPS is currently collecting and examining all test booklets to determine the types and scope of irregularities.

Students who have already written essays will not need to retake essays in January.

FCPS staff members did consider the possibility of retesting only those students who were directly affected by the testing booklet irregularities. Ultimately, FCPS decided that the fairest way to handle this is to retest all applicant students.

A make-up date for testing of students who are sick the day of the testing or have some other valid excuse was scheduled for this year's testing; a make-up day  will also be scheduled for students who have valid excuses for not being able to take the test on January 23, such as taking the SAT exam, which is also scheduled for that day.

Errors Discovered in TJHSST Admissions Test

Questions for Pearson may be addressed by contacting Adam Gaber at 917-224-6176 or Adam.Gaber@pearson.com.