Ohio's State Test for Algebra I (ODEW): the reporting categories, the two parts and calculator policy, the item types, the high school reference sheet, the five performance levels, the 684 graduation competency score, and how to study for the end-of-course test

Ohio's State Test for Algebra I is the end-of-course (EOC) exam for the Algebra I course, administered by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW). It is built directly from Ohio's Learning Standards for Mathematics for Algebra I, whose codes follow the national domain structure (for example A-REI.B.4, solving quadratic equations). This page is the index for the whole course: it explains the reporting categories, the two-part structure with its calculator policy, the computer-based item types, the high school reference sheet, the five performance levels, the 684 competency score for graduation, and how to study each strand. The topic pages below carry the worked Ohio-Algebra-I-style questions across the online item types.

What the test is and why it matters

Ohio's State Tests at high school are end-of-course exams: each is tied to a specific course rather than to a single exit exam. Algebra I is the foundational high school math EOC, normally taken in grade 8 or grade 9 on completing the course. It is one of six Ohio high school EOCs (Algebra I, Geometry, English II, American History, American Government, and Biology), and there is a separate Geometry end-of-course test that continues the math sequence. Algebra I also feeds forward into Geometry and Algebra II, which makes its skills the base of the whole high school math sequence.

The Algebra I test matters twice. As a course test it reports how well a student has met Ohio's Learning Standards for Algebra I. As a graduation test it is one of the two EOCs (with English II) whose score can demonstrate the competency required to earn an Ohio diploma. The test is delivered online, with fall, spring, and summer testing windows so a student can retest if needed.

The reporting categories

ODEW groups Ohio's Learning Standards for Mathematics into broad reporting categories so the score report can show strengths and weaknesses by strand rather than by single standard. For Algebra I these categories center on the conceptual categories of Ohio's standards. Functions and equations dominate the points.

Two consequences follow. First, functions and equations together are the largest block, so reading and building linear, quadratic, and exponential functions, plus fluent solving and systems, is the surest route to a strong score. Second, Modeling and Reasoning is not a separate body of content: it is assessed through items in the other categories that ask you to set up, justify, or interpret, so the test rewards explaining and applying, not only computing. ODEW publishes the blueprint as percentage bands for each reporting category rather than fixed counts, and the exact split varies by test form, so treat the weightings above as relative emphasis, not a fixed score sheet. The topic pages note which Ohio standard each item targets as you go.

The two parts and the calculator policy

Ohio's Algebra I test is given in two parts, and the calculator rule changes between them.

• Part 1: calculator not permitted. This part tests fluency you must have without a calculator: solving linear equations, simplifying expressions, factoring, and reading a graph.
• Part 2: calculator permitted. The online platform provides an on-screen calculator, and an approved handheld calculator may be used under Ohio's calculator policy.

The reporting categories span both parts, so a function or a quadratic can appear with or without a calculator. ODEW describes the test as essentially untimed within the school's testing schedule, and districts commonly plan about 90 minutes per part. On Part 2 the calculator is the on-screen tool in the platform, plus any approved handheld; calculators with computer-algebra-system (CAS) features, QWERTY keyboards, or wireless or internet access are prohibited. Because the rules are set per administration, always check the current ODEW calculator policy before test day.

The item types

Because the test is computer-based, it mixes traditional multiple choice with technology-enhanced items (TEIs). You will meet these on Algebra I:

• Multiple choice (MC). Four options, one correct, no partial credit. Still a large share of the points.
• Multiple-select. A list where more than one option is correct; the prompt tells you how many to choose, for example "Select the TWO." Read the count.
• Equation or numeric response. You type a mathematical response, a number, an expression, an equation, or an inequality, into a response box from an on-screen palette, for example entering $y = 2x + 3$ or $\frac{-2 \pm \sqrt{5}}{2}$.
• Technology-enhanced (graphing, drag and drop, tables). You plot points, a line, or a parabola on a coordinate grid; drag numbers, expressions, or labels into categories or a figure; or complete a table.

Because many TEIs are scored by exact match and some allow partial credit, the test rewards precise work. A sign slip that a multiple-choice distractor might have caught now simply costs the point, so show structure and check signs.

The high school mathematics reference sheet

Ohio provides one high school mathematics reference sheet for all of its high school math tests, so the same sheet serves Algebra I and Geometry. It is printed in the paper test booklet and embedded in the online platform. Knowing what it does not give you matters as much as knowing what it does.

The sheet provides (the parts most useful for Algebra I):

• Slope and distance. Slope $m = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1}$ and the distance formula $d = \sqrt{(x_2 - x_1)^2 + (y_2 - y_1)^2}$.
• Line forms. Slope-intercept $y = mx + b$ and point-slope $y - y_1 = m(x - x_1)$.
• Quadratic formula. $x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}$ for $ax^2 + bx + c = 0$.
• Sequences. Arithmetic $a_n = a_1 + (n - 1)d$ and geometric $a_n = a_1 r^{\,n-1}$.
• Geometry, interest, and conversions. The Pythagorean theorem $a^2 + b^2 = c^2$, area and volume formulas, simple interest $I = Prt$, and customary and metric unit conversions.

The sheet does NOT provide, so you must memorize:

• The exponent properties (product, quotient, power, negative, and rational-exponent rules).
• The factoring patterns (difference of squares and perfect-square trinomials).
• Vertex form $f(x) = a(x - h)^2 + k$ and the axis of symmetry $x = \frac{-b}{2a}$.
• The exponential model forms $f(x) = ab^x$, growth $y = a(1 + r)^t$, and decay $y = a(1 - r)^t$.

The performance levels

Raw points convert to a scale score, reported in five performance levels from least to most mastery:

• Limited - has not met the standard; minimal command of the content.
• Basic - partially meeting the standard; not yet consistent in the course skills.
• Proficient - meeting the standard, scale score 700 to 724 on Ohio's high school tests.
• Accelerated - above the standard; on track for college and career readiness.
• Advanced - well above the standard; thorough command of the content.

Proficient is the level Ohio uses to mark meeting the standard, and Accelerated or Advanced signals a student is on track for college and career readiness. The raw points needed for each level are equated by ODEW across forms, so the scale-score thresholds stay constant even when the items differ.

The 684 competency score and the diploma seals

The performance levels report mastery of the course; a separate score governs graduation. For Ohio's graduation requirements (classes of 2023 and beyond), a student demonstrates competency in mathematics by earning a score of 684 or higher on the Algebra I (or Integrated Mathematics I) end-of-course test, and competency in English by earning 684 or higher on the English II test. Note that 684 sits inside the Basic range, below the Proficient cut of 700, so the graduation competency bar and the Proficient performance level are different thresholds.

If a student does not reach 684, the school provides support and the student retakes the test at least once before using an alternative demonstration of competency, such as College Credit Plus, a career-technical or industry-credential route, military enlistment, or a remediation-free ACT or SAT score in the subject.

Competency is one part of graduation; students must also earn at least two diploma seals, at least one state-defined. Some seals connect to the other EOCs: the Citizenship Seal can be earned with a Proficient score on both the American History and American Government tests, and the Science Seal with a Proficient score on the Biology test. The Algebra I and English II tests themselves carry the competency requirement rather than a specific seal. Because the rules are detailed and have changed over time, always confirm the current ODEW graduation requirements for your class.

How to study Ohio's Algebra I test

1. Bank functions and equations first. Linear and quadratic equations, functions, and systems are the largest, most reliable block of points.
2. Drill the non-calculator skills for Part 1. A whole part bans the calculator. Solving, factoring, simplifying, and graph reading must be automatic.
3. Train every item type. Equation and numeric entry, multiple-select, graphing, and drag and drop, not just multiple choice. The test rewards producing answers.
4. Memorize what the sheet omits. The exponent rules, factoring patterns, vertex form, the axis of symmetry, and the exponential models are not on the reference sheet.
5. Set up, then interpret. Modeling and Reasoning is woven through the test, so write the model or the steps before you compute, and read the answer back in context.
6. Aim past 684 toward Proficient. Clearing 684 meets the graduation competency bar; reaching Proficient and beyond shows mastery of the course.

The course, topic by topic

Each topic below has its own answer page with worked Ohio-Algebra-I-style questions across the online item types, plus an overview guide and a quiz for each module.

Expressions and Structure (Number and Quantity, Algebra).

• Interpreting expressions and their parts, rewriting expressions using structure, polynomial operations: add, subtract, multiply, factoring polynomials, exponent properties and radicals, units, quantities, and accuracy.

Linear Equations and Inequalities (Algebra).

• Solving linear equations in one variable, solving linear inequalities in one variable, rearranging literal equations and formulas, creating equations and inequalities from context, writing equations of lines, slope, intercepts, and graphing lines.

Systems of Equations and Inequalities (Algebra).

• Solving systems of linear equations algebraically, solving systems by graphing, graphing linear inequalities, systems of linear inequalities, modeling with systems and constraints.

Functions (Functions).

• Function notation, domain, and range, interpreting key features of graphs, average rate of change, building functions and writing linear functions, arithmetic and geometric sequences, exponential functions, growth, and decay, comparing linear, quadratic, and exponential models.

Quadratics (Algebra and Functions).

• Solving quadratics by factoring, solving by square roots and completing the square, the quadratic formula and the discriminant, graphing quadratic functions and key features, quadratic applications and modeling.

Statistics and Probability (Statistics and Probability).

• Representing data: dot plots, histograms, and box plots, comparing center and spread, two-way frequency tables, scatter plots and linear models, correlation, causation, and the correlation coefficient.

For the official materials

ODEW publishes the Algebra I blueprint, the test specifications, the high school mathematics reference sheet, the calculator policy, practice tests, and released item sets on its Algebra I course resources page, and Ohio's Learning Standards for Mathematics live on the Ohio's Learning Standards in Mathematics site. The graduation requirements, the 684 competency score, and the diploma seals are detailed on the ODEW graduation requirements pages. Always study from the current released items and the official blueprint, because the item types, the weightings, and the standards are specific to Ohio.