End-of-Course Examination Program (EOCEP) for Block High Schools

The South Carolina Board of Education requires participation in the End-of-Course Examination Program (EOCEP) for students enrolled in gateway courses which are awarded credit in English 2, Algebra 1/Intermediate Algebra, Biology 1, and the United States History and the Constitution. English 1 testing will be administered to identified students only. With exception of the English 2, the EOCEP examination scores count 20 percent in the calculation of the student’s final grade.  

EOCEP testing will be conducted during specified test days in December and January for identified Greenville County students who are enrolled in one of the participating courses. Refer to your student’s school website for a listing of exam dates and times.

Tests will be administered via the online testing format unless the student has an IEP, 504, or ESOL accommodation plan specifying the paper format is needed. As students will test online using a device (e.g., Chromebook, computer), students are prohibited from using the testing device to create, store, or transmit by any means any documents or images related to the test. Additionally, the SCDE requires all other devices to be collected prior to the test administration as students may not possess any electronic or other device that can be used for communication, timing, creating images, or storing images (such as cell phone or smart watch) in the test setting. 

EOCEP tests consist of mostly selected-response items but may include some technology-enhanced and scenario based items. The English tests contain separate reading and writing sections which are administered on separate testing days. The English Writing tests include a Text-Dependent Analysis item and selected-response writing items. 

The EOCEP tests are untimed; however, 2-3 hours is the estimated test administration time for most students to complete the test. Students are expected to complete the test during a single day unless the student has an IEP or 504 Accommodation Plan specifying administration of a single test over multiple days.

To prepare students for online testing, a public version of the Online Tools Training (OTT) is available for students to interact with the testing software and tools before the “real” administration of the assessment. While the OTT simulates the test experience, correct answers and scores are not provided. A public version of the OTT is available at https://wbte.drcedirect.com/SC/portals/sc. (Use Google Chrome to access this site.) This public version does not include audio for oral administration or video for sign language.

Testing Tips

Parents can be a great help to their child by following these suggestions.  

Students should:

• Rest on the nights before these tests.  
• Eat a nourishing breakfast on the morning of each test.
• Be in school and on time, except in cases of illness.
• Listen attentively to the teacher’s directions so he/she will know exactly what to do. 
• Read each test question and each response carefully before marking an answer choice.
• Stay calm, if there are questions that seem difficult. 
• Mark his/her best answer.
• Refrain from bringing any electronic device that can be used for communicating, timing, or imaging into the testing location.

Parents should:

• Meet with your child’s teachers as often as necessary to discuss his/her progress.  
• Check or review your child’s homework, projects, or other school work.
• Ask teachers to suggest activities for you and your child to do at home to help prepare for tests and to improve your child’s understanding of schoolwork. 
• Talk with your child about school.
• Provide positive feedback by praising your child for what he/she does well.

Help us help your child perform to the best of his or her ability.  For more information about testing or your child’s progress, please call your child’s school.