DENVER -- Students across the state are sharpening their pencils this week in preparation for the Colorado Student Assessment Program tests, but for sophomores at Douglas County high schools, there's a little bit more at stake.

For the first year, 10th-graders in the Douglas County School District have to pass the reading portion of the CSAP before they can graduate.

If students are not proficient, they will enter a "remediation cycle" and will need to attain proficiency on an equivalent test before graduating in 2005, 7NEWS reported.

"The worst that can happen is that they wouldn't be able to graduate," said Edna Doherty, principal of Douglas County High School.

She said there are alternative methods for students to meet the standards and still graduate.

"Teacher judgment can be used, abody of evidence that is collected by the teacher," said Doherty.

Despite the higher stakes, students should not be nervous about these tests, said assessment director Nance Sprigg.

"Our students are well-prepared for taking these tests and they should know it. Coming to this test with a confident attitude does make a difference," Sprigg said.

Here are some testing-taking tips offered by the Huntington Learning Center.

Quickly survey the entire test before beginning, answer easy questions first and make sure to save time for review, if possible.