This paper provides information about Maryland's High School Assessment, an end-of-course exam tied to content standards. The purpose of the exam is to: (1) Determine prospective high school graduates' knowledge and skill levels relative to those needed for entry-level employment; (2) Determine prospective high school graduates' knowledge and skill levels relative to those needed for postsecondary education; (3) Determine prospective high school graduates' mastery of the state curriculum; (4) Encourage districts and schools to identify and serve students at risk of academic failure; (5) Provide data to state policymakers on student attainment of state education goals to inform education policy decisions; (6) Increase alignment of local curriculum and programs of instruction with state education standards; (7) Promote equity of opportunity across all student groups; and (8) Meet a state mandate. [For the main report, "State High School Tests: Exit Exams and Other Assessments", see ED514155.]