Office of College, Career and Technical Education

Previous Competency Determination Requirements for Students in the Classes of 2024-2026

The information below describes the CD requirements for the classes of 2024-2026 prior to January 3, 2025. Beginning on January 3, 2025, all students are required to meet the current Competency Determination (CD) requirements.

For CD requirements for earlier classes that do not appear in this document, please contact competency.determination@mass.gov .

Classes of 2024 and 2025

English language arts (ELA)

  • Option 1: Earn a score of 472 or higher on the high school MCAS test
  • Option 2: Earn a score of 455–471 on the high school MCAS test and fulfill the requirements of an Educational Proficiency Plan (see below)

Mathematics

  • Option 1: Earn a score of 486 or higher on the high school MCAS test
  • Option 2: Earn a score of 469–485 on the high school MCAS test and fulfill the requirements of an Educational Proficiency Plan (see below)

Science

  • Earn a score of 220 or higher on a legacy MCAS STE test, or the interim passing standard for Biology (467) or Introductory Physics (470)

Class of 2026

Prior to January 3, 2025, students in the class of 2026 had to meet the following requirements to earn a CD. For requirements for the class of 2026 after January 3, 2025, see the current Competency Determination (CD) requirements.

ELA

  • Option 1: Earn a score of 486 or higher on the high school MCAS test
  • Option 2: Earn a score of 470–485 on the high school MCAS test and fulfill the requirements of an Educational Proficiency Plan

Math

  • Earn a score of 486 or higher on the high school MCAS test
  • Earn a score of 470–485 on the high school MCAS test and fulfill the requirements of an Educational Proficiency Plan

Science

  • Earn a score of 470 or higher on one of the MCAS Science tests

Educational Proficiency Plan

An Educational Proficiency Plan (EPP) was required to be developed for any student who did not meet or exceed the Proficient level (a minimum scaled score of 240) or the equivalent on the MCAS grade 10 ELA and/or Mathematics tests. Science was not part of the EPP requirement.

Each EPP included, at a minimum:

  • a review of the student's strengths and weaknesses, based on MCAS and other assessment results, coursework, grades, and teacher input
  • the courses the student was required to take and successfully complete in grades 11 and 12
  • a description of the assessments the school administered on a regular basis to determine whether the student is moving toward proficiency

Last Updated: August 7, 2025

Top