Benchmark Tests

BENCHMARK TESTS

Date: April 29 (A-L) or May 6 (M-Z)

See details for language, math, and performing art proficiency testing.

Math

This year, the Jones Math 1 Benchmark Exam will be used for placement consideration into Math 2. All incoming freshmen are required to take this benchmark exam. The Math 1 Benchmark Test will take approximately one hour, and students will not be allowed to use a calculator on the exam. Students should bring a pencil. Arrive 15 minutes early so testing can begin promptly. Once their test is complete, they are allowed to leave. If a student has taken or will take the CPS Algebra Exit Exam, those results will only be used if a student did not score high enough on the Jones Math 1 benchmark to be recommended for Math 2.

Last names starting with A-L will test on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM.
Last names starting with M-Z will test on Saturday, May 6, 2023 at 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM.

Freshmen who are currently enrolled in a high school level Geometry course that are interested in testing into Math 3 (Algebra 2) must take the Jones Math 2 Benchmark Test. This will last approximately one hour. Students will be allowed to use a non-CAS graphing calculator on this exam. Students will need to bring their own calculator. If you have a conflict with the date(s) or have further questions please contact Math Department Co-Chair Kim Bowman [email protected] or Assistant Principal Dr. Plunkett at [email protected] or 773-534-8600 ext. 48633.

**IEP/504 Accommodation: Students eligible for accommodations will receive them. Please submit a copy of the 504/IEP to the Main Office prior to your student’s test date.

Course Descriptions

Math 1: This course covers core concepts from Algebra 1, along with investigations of linear programming problems, exponent laws, logarithms, and normal distributions. This course is recommended for students who have not taken Algebra 1 before or for students who do not feel confident in their mastery of Algebra 1 skills. You do not need to take a benchmark exam to be placed in Math 1. However, you DO need to email Ms. Bowman at [email protected] to indicate this choice. Please include the student's full name and ID number.

Math 2: This course covers core concepts from Geometry, along with investigations of quadratics, trigonometry, and expected value. This course is recommended for students who have a strong mastery of skills from Algebra 1. You will need to meet the required percentage on the Math 1 benchmark exam (see the information below) to be placed in Math 2. If you receive Algebra Competency from a district-approved Algebra 1 course, you will be eligible to take Math 2, although we may still recommend Math 1 depending on the results from the Math 1 benchmark exam.

Math 3: This course covers core concepts from Geometry and Algebra 2, along with investigations of trigonometry, conic sections, and binomial distributions. This course is recommended for students who have a strong mastery of skills from high school level Algebra 1 and Geometry courses. You will need to meet a required percentage on a Math 1 AND Math 2 benchmark exam (see information below) to be placed in Math 3.

Math 4: This course covers core concepts from pre-calculus in preparation for any calculus course. This course is recommended for students who have a strong mastery of skills from high school level Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2. You will need to meet a required percentage on a Math 1 AND Math 2 benchmark exam, have taken a course equivalent to Algebra 2, and schedule an interview (see information below) with a math teacher to be placed in Math 4.

World Language

As you may know from previous communications, the World Language Department at Jones requires a placement test for all incoming freshmen that have previous knowledge of any of the three languages that the school offers: Mandarin Chinese, French and Spanish. It is very important that the students take the exam if they feel that they are ready to take a higher level of the language. Students with no previous language experience or students who fail to take the placement exam will be placed automatically into level 1 of their chosen language.

Freshmen with previous experience in languages offered at Jones should take a placement exam. The main languages offered include Spanish, French, and Chinese (Mandarin).

Last names starting with A-L will test on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at 8:00 AM-9:30 AM.
Last names starting with M-Z will test on Saturday, May 6, 2023 at 8:00 AM-9:30 AM.

If you have questions regarding testing please contact Jamie Riste [email protected]

**IEP/504 Accommodation: Students eligible for accommodations will receive them. Please submit a copy of the 504/IEP to the Main Office prior to your student’s test date.