GAINESVILLE — Graduation tests are under way this week in the Gainesville and Hall County school systems.

Students in 11th grade are taking the exams for the first time in all the content areas: English/language arts, mathematics, science and social studies.

They must pass the tests in all content areas, as well as the Georgia High School Writing Assessment, to earn a diploma.

Gainesville High School had 207 juniors as of the state’s latest enrollment report in October and Hall County had 1,208.

Also, the state uses the English/language arts and math tests to measure whether a high school is making “adequate yearly progress” as part of the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

Students who don’t pass all the tests but have met other graduation requirements can receive a certificate of performance or a special education diploma.

Also, they can retake the exam as often as needed, even after leaving school, to earn a high school diploma.

For more information about the exam, visit this Department of Education Web site.