Starting with the ninth grade, Hawaiian students are given the opportunity to take the Hawaii State Test of Essential Competencies (HSTEC) to demonstrate mastery of 14 Essential Competencies. These competencies are grouped into those covering the Basic Skills area and those covering the Other Life Skills area (e.g., distinguishing fact from fiction). Scores are reported by each Skill area and each Essential Competency. A student must correctly answer 28 of the Basic Skills questions and 33 of the Other Life Skills questions to demonstrate mastery of the 14 Essential Competencies. If mastery is not demonstrated on any one Skill area, the entire test must be retaken. Individual Competency scores are reported to assist the teacher in evaluating areas of weakness that must be attended to for the individual student. Administering the HSTEC to ninth grade students provides an additional year in which to utilize instructional strategies designed to assist students who might be most in need of the additonal time. It also provides an additional opportunity for the student to demonstrate mastery. A sample HSTEC individual report is presented and an interpretation is briefly discussed. (PN)