Testing Resource Page

Accommodations

The School District of Philadelphia is an equal opportunity employer. If you have special needs and require special accommodations, please complete our Justification for Testing Accommodation form and return it to hrexams@philasd.org within 72 hours of receiving your exam invitation.

Please click here to view more information about our Testing Accommodation Request Process.

Testing Requirements by Position

Below you can find information on the examinations required for each of our positions.

The Highly Qualified Examination was developed as a result of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) and is now a requirement of the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s requirements for paraprofessionals under the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (ESSA). The exam is designed to ensure that our paraprofessionals are equipped to assist students with various aspects of academic work.

There are several positions within the District which require the Highly Qualified Exam: Supportive Service Assistant, Special Education Assistant, Bus Attendant, Climate Support Specialist, and Bright Futures Classroom Assistant.

The Highly Qualified examination consists of 80 questions and topics include the following:

  • Reading comprehension
  • Vocabulary
  • Text analysis
  • Grammar and spelling
  • Basic math (calculators provided)
  • Adding and subtracting fractions
  • Algebra, graph reading, and measurements
  • Logical reasoning

This is the second exam required for the Special Education Classroom Assistant / 1:1 position. It consists of 20 questions and is designed to measure candidates’ knowledge of the policies and practices outlined in the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). More information about IDEA can be found here and will also be provided on test day.

PositionExams RequiredTime LimitNumber of QuestionsExam WeightGeneral Info
Bus Attendant (part 1)Highly Qualified2 hrs40Pass/FailSee description above
Bus Attendant (part 2)Oral Exam30 min31Scored interview with Transportation Supervisor
Food Service AssistantNo exam required--------
Food Service Utility WorkerWritten90 min631Basic math, reading comprehension, food service best practices based on the Serve Safe Sanitation Program, work schedule interpretation, cash register management
Food Service Worker II (part 1)Written2.5 hrs790.5Basic math, measurements, recipe interpretation, reading comprehension, food services best practices based on the Serve Safe Sanitation Program
Food Service Worker II (part 2)Oral15 min30.5Scored interview with Food Services Supervisor
Food Service Worker III (part 1)Written2 hrs720.5Basic math, recipe interpretation, food service best practices based on the Serve Safe Sanitation Program
Food Service Worker III (part 2)Oral15 min60.5Scored interview with Food Services Supervisor
Lead Food Service Worker (part 1)Written90 min870.5Basic math, chart reading, food service best practices based on the Serve Safe Sanitation Program
Lead Food Service Worker (part 2)Oral20 min50.5Scored interview with Food Services Supervisor
General CleanerWritten1 hr361Basic math, chart reading, general cleaning best practices
Supportive Service AssistantHighly Qualified2 hrs80Pass/FailSee description above
Special Education Assistant (part 1)Highly Qualified2 hrs80Pass/FailSee description above
Special Education Assistant (part 2)Special Education Assistant (SPED) Exam30 min201See description above
Special Education Assistant (part 3)Special Education Assistant (SPED) Oral Interview30 min51See description above
School Nurse (part 1)Essay90 min1Pass/FailAnswer the prompt based on a situation at a school as fully and completely as possible
School Nurse (part 2)Oral30 min51Scored interview with School Nurse Supervisor
School Psychologist (part 1)Essay2 hrs0.6Several sections related to Educational Psychology: interpretation analyses, treatment recommendations
School Psychologist (part 2)Evaluations----0.1Candidates must submit for review 2 redacted Psych-Educational Evaluations
School Psychologist (part 3)Oral1 hr60.3Case management planning, treatment recommendations, scenarios
Occupational Therapist (part 1)Essay1 hr10.4Answer the prompt based on a situation with student’s fully and completely as possible
Occupational Therapist (part 2)Oral30 min60.6Scored interview with Occupational Therapist Supervisor
Secretary I (part 1)Multiple Choice1 hr43Pass/FailReading comprehension, basic math, office procedures
Secretary I (part 2)Performance Task1Written composition
School Police (part 1)Written2 hrs820.6Reading comprehension, basic math, situational questions that relate directly to the position
School Police (part 2)Oral15 min30.4Scored interview with School Police supervisor
Mechanical Mechanic ‘B’ (Auto Plant, Carpenter, Electrical, HVAC, Ironworker, Machinist, Steamfitter) (part 1)Written90 minVaries0.3Reading comprehension, math, situational questions that relate directly to the position
Mechanical Mechanic ‘B’ (Auto Plant, Carpenter, Electrical, HVAC, Ironworker, Machinist, Steamfitter) (part 2)PracticalVariesVaries0.7Candidates must complete practical tasks that relate directly to the position
Building Engineer TraineeWritten2 hrs90100%Reading comprehension, basic math and measurements, situational questions that relate directly to the position
Central OfficePosition specific exam requirementsVariesVariesVariesExample assessments: Basic math, Excel skills, policy comprehension, memo drafting, etc.
Student Climate StaffOral 5Pass/FailAnswer prompts based on situations you will encounter in role to assess readiness for position