High school students in Alabama learn in accordance with the state's 4x4 curriculum – four years of every required course of study in four subjects: Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and English.

The 24 credit minimum of course work required in order to graduate breaks down as follows:
 4 credits of English
 4 credits of Mathematics (together with both Algebra I and Geometry)
 4 credits of Science (with both Biology and one Physical Science)
 4 credits of Social Studies
 1 credit of Physical Education
 .5 credit of Health
 .5 credit of Arts
 .5 credit of Technology
 5.5 credit of electives (the local board of Education may necessitate extra electives)

AHSGE (Alabama High School Graduation Exam) is a multiple choice exam written on the eleventh grade level. It tests a student's grasp of high school core course work, emphasizing logic and problem solving. It has 5 sections:

1. Reading
A student must earn a score of 563 or higher in order to pass. This test estimates whether a student can read and understand reading material.

2. Language
A student must earn a score of 560 or higher in order pass. The test estimates student knowledge of language mechanics and expression.

3. Math
A student must get a score as a minimum of 477 in order to pass. The test assesses the student's knowledge of Algebra I and Geometry.

4. Science
A student must attain a score no less than 491 in order pass. The test estimates the student's knowledge of biology and physical science.

5. Social Studies
To pass, a student must get a score as a minimum of 509. This test evaluates a student's knowledge of United States history.

Every session of the test is administered over a one week period. Students are tested in one subject area every day. The tests are not timed, but every daily test session lasts about three hours.

The test is administered six times in the course of a student's high school career:
 In the spring of 10th grade
 In the spring of 11th grade
 In the summer between 11th and 12th grades
 In the fall of 12th grade
 At mid-year in 12th grade
 In the spring of 12th grade

Students may take the different subject areas of the exam at different times as they effectively complete the required courses.

Alabama's High School Graduation Exam is supposed to be a compound standardized test as the results have a straight impact on the educational experience of an individual student.