When Chasidy Young attended the Alabama High School Graduation Exam tutoring sessions last summer, it was her final try to improve her reading and language scores.

After attending the free sessions offered by Selma High School and the Selma City School system, Young passed all her tests.

Selma High School again will hold free tutoring sessions this summer to prepare students for the Alabama High School Graduation Exam on July 12-16.

Students can receive individual or group tutoring in the five components: biology/science, mathematics, reading, language and social studies. Sessions will be held at Selma High School until July 9, Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. until noon.

“I would recommend it,” said Chasidy Young, Selma High School class of 2010 graduate. “They break it down for you so you can understand. It was very helpful.”

Young attended summer tutoring sessions last year, focusing on reading and language skills.

She used provided workbooks, online study resources and met for group sessions. Students in sessions also worked to help each other with questions, Young said.

“We’re trying to get the students to come in the summer and take it now,” said Mamie Solomon, testing and guidance coordinator.

Every student must pass all subjects to receive a diploma. They are eligible to begin testing in the spring of 10th grade, and are given six opportunities before graduation. Each section is administered on a different day within one week. Sections can be taken in the same week or in a longer span of time.

Administered times are in July, Sept., Dec. and March. Tests can be taken over as many times as a student needs to pass.

“If they exit school before passing it, they can take it any of the four times each year that it is offered,” said Gloria Turner, director of assessment and accountability with the state Department of Education.

Passing scores are: reading 563, language 560, mathematics 477, science 491 and social students 509. Tests are comprised of 84 to 100 multiple-choice questions.

Questions are formatted to test the knowledge and skills of an 11th grade student.

The upcoming testing schedule looks like this: July 12, biology/science; July 13, mathematics; July 14, reading; July 15, language; and July 16, social studies. Exams will begin promptly at 8:30 a.m. at Selma High School each day.

Exams are part of the Education Accountability Law, passed in 1995, designed to raise the standards and performance of students.

The first tests were given in 1983, but not required until the class of 2001, and then had to pass only the reading and language portions. Students in the class of 2002 had to pass reading, language, math and science. The social studies component was added starting the class of 2006.

For more information about free tutoring sessions, contact Mamie Solomon at 874-1614.