As students prepare to sharpen their minds and No. 2 pencils for the WESTEST 2, they will find themselves fighting harder to achieveﾠ scores that are mastery or above.

Cut scores determine whether a child made novice, partial mastery, mastery, above mastery or distinguished in the four sections of the WESTEST 2. The students are tested on reading/language arts, math, science and social studies.

According to the West Virginia State Board of Education, the 2008-2009 mastery level cut scores compare to the lower levels of basic on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) and at the D+ level on the Trend In Math and Science Standards (TIMSS).

This revelation led the board to conclude that the WESTEST 2 is not as rigorous as national and international levels.

The state has upped the ante and has raised the cut scores to place West Virginia's mastery level cut score to the upper levels of basic on NAEP and at the C+ level on TIMSS.

The new cut scores will require students to earn an estimated 20 points higher to make mastery or above than they did in previous years.