Golden Horseshoe Test Information

Upcoming Dates

Preparing for the Essay and Multiple Choice Online Test

Exam preparation resources are available for students courtesy of the West Virginia Culture Center. Additionally, students have access to a Golden Horseshoe practice test (PDF) and its answer key (PDF). 

Access to Golden Horseshoe Online Practice and Actual Tests for Your County

All eighth-grade students must take the Golden Horseshoe Test. While this test is a competition, it meets the social studies testing requirement per W.Va. State Code §18-2-9. It is not a summative exam. We use WebTop to administer the Golden Horseshoe Online Multiple Choice Test. We request all students test their usernames and passwords by January 31, 2025. 

Both home and private school students are eligible to take the test. All students must register using the Golden Horseshoe Registration form by February 1, 2025. If the form is incorrect, it will be returned and the student(s) will not be registered.

Public School Students

Public school students do not need to register. Principals or county technology specialists can provide a login for students who do not have one. Your county technology specialist can provide a new or simplified login as well.

Homeschool Students

Only teachers, school counselors, or school/county administrators may complete the registration form. Please contact the school your student would attend if enrolled in public school. We will send login information once student registration is processed.

NOTE: Homeschool students must take the exam at a local public school.

Private School Students

Private school students may only register using the Golden Horseshoe Non-Public and Homeschool registration form (PDF) with a school code (PDF).

NOTE: Private school students must take the essay and online multiple choice tests the same day as the rest of the county.

Practice Test Information

Each practice test can only be taken once and scores are not released. These tests familiarize students with the testing portal. Students access the practice tests in similar fashion to the actual tests. Public school students use WebTop and private/homeschool students use the Non-Public School Student Login.

• Practice Test 1: January 20 - 31, 2025
• Practice Test 2: February 3 - 14, 2025

Essay Test – February 25, 2025

Students are not required to take the essay test. It helps to break a tie between scores for the online test. The essay test is on February 25, 2025. One week before the test, we will e-mail the essay question to the Golden Horseshoe County Contact.

We only accept scanned submissions of Golden Horseshoe essays by the county contact. All essays from schools should be scanned into individual PDF files by SCHOOL NAME. We no longer accept mailed copies of the essays.

• The West Virginia studies teacher can administer the essay test during a 40-45 class period. This teacher must complete a confidentiality agreement and an absentee roster. The roster should only include absent students and students opting out of the essay test.
  • Absentee Roster (PDF)
  • Essay Test Confidentiality Agreement (PDF)

Online Test – March 11-25, 2025

Please reference the schedule below for testing dates by county. 

2025 Golden Horseshoe Online Testing Calendar

Public school students access the testing platform via their WebTop. Home and private school students will have a link to access the Golden Horseshoe online test. The online test is a 50 multiple choice question test that can be completed in 40-45 minutes.

Essay Test Forms

• Absentee Roster (PDF)
• Essay Test Confidentiality Agreement (PDF)

The online test is a 50 multiple choice question test that can be completed in 40-45 minutes.

2025 Golden Horseshoe Test Proctor/Moderator

Below are guidelines for proctoring and moderating the online test.

• The test proctor/moderator/administrator MUST NOT be the regular classroom teacher for the online Golden Horseshoe Test.
• The test is available from 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. each day, and should take 40-45 minutes to complete
• If a student has an individualized education plan for classroom accommodations, please provide them. For example, if a student requires extra time or the exam be read to them.

We require an online confidentiality agreement (PDF) stating that the test administrator is NOT the regular West Virginia studies teacher, and all information regarding the Golden Horseshoe test remain confidential. Please email this agreement to Dustin Lambert.

Internet Usage Tips on Test Day

We suggest any other computer users to not download content or use the broadband during the testing window. If there is an internet slow down, please allow the students enough time to make the test fair. If a student gets disconnected from the internet, have them log back in. As long as the student has not submitted the test, he/she can re-enter the test.

Test Rosters

Essay test administrators maintain an absentee roster in each testing room. During the online test, the test administrator must use the online test roster to record every student who took the test in the room. These rosters must be emailed to Dustin Lambert.

Online Test Forms

Please email your roster and confidentiality agreements to Dustin Lambert.

Winners

The number of winners is determined by population, but every county is given a minimum of two winners. The larger the population, the larger the number of winners. The Golden Horseshoe test is a competition within a county NOT within the state. We do not have average scores for the state or counties.

Nominating Honorees

Each year, selected educators or individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to West Virginia, West Virginia studies and/or the Golden Horseshoe program are designated as Honorary Knights of the Golden Horseshoe. The county superintendent nominates this individual, but only one person per year. Only 10 people per year may receive the award. If more than 10 nominations are received, a committee will review all nominations and select the ten most deserving nominees. To nominate an individual, please complete the Golden Horseshoe Online Honorary Nomination Form.

Forms

• Online Test Roster (PDF)
• Essay Exam Absentee Roster (PDF)
• Confidentiality Agreement Essay Test (Word)
• Confidentiality Agreement Online Test (PDF)
• Essay Lines (PDF)
• Homeschool and Nonpublic School Registration Form (Excel)
• Confidentiality Agreement for Online Test - Multiple Signatures (PDF)
• Practice Essays (PDF)
• Test Day Tips (PDF)