Here are some questions raised by a close look at last spring’s 10th grade WASL scores:

Do sophomores and their families need to fear the WASL?

This year’s 10th graders are the first who must pass the reading, writing and math tests to obtain a diploma – a mandate that 43 percent of their counterparts last year would have failed.

Daunting as it may seem, a close look at last year’s test scores shows the tests are well within reach for a majority of students. On last year’s math test, students needed 40 out of 65 points to pass – the equivalent of a “D” on traditional classroom tests.

How far away are teens from passing the tests?

Nearly half of the students who failed the reading test were within 10 points of the passing mark. In writing, where fewer points are possible, half of those who failed were within four points.

Math scores were far lower. Even there, 40 percent of students who failed the test were within 10 points.

In all, more than 2,500 students statewide missed the WASL graduation mandate by one point on one test.

What don’t we know?

The “x” factor is motivation. So far, the tests haven’t counted towards a diploma. This year’s sophomores will be the first graduating class to have to pass the three tests to earn a diploma. Testing starts Monday.

State educators predict passing rates on all three tests will jump 15 percent based largely on motivation.

What will it take to get there?

Practice: Nearly $40 million in extra state dollars will help provide it through summer school and other remedial courses.

Patience: It’s something many students who fell short of last year’s tests might have lacked, by simply not taking the time to complete multi-step questions.

Perseverance: The first time doesn’t need to be the charm, with safety nets available through retake opportunities and alternatives to the WASL.