Test Design and 
Test Framework

Field 243: Science: Physics

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The test design below describes general test information. The framework that follows is a detailed outline that explains the knowledge and skills that this test measures.

Test Design

Format Computer-based test (CBT)
Number of Questions 100 multiple-choice questions
Time* 3 hours, 15 minutes
Passing Score 240

*Does not include 15-minute CBT tutorial

Test Framework

Pie chart of approximate test weighting outlined in the table below.



Test Subarea Number of Test Objectives Number of Scorable Items Number of Non-Scorable Items subarea weight as percent of total test score
Subarea 1—Science Process Skills 3 18 5 23 percent
Subarea 2—Disciplinary Core Ideas 5 30 7 37 percent
Subarea 3—Physics Skills, Motion, Forces, and Waves 4 16 4 20 percent
Subarea 4—Thermodynamics, Electromagnetism, and Modern Physics 4 16 4 20 percent
Totals 16 80 20 100 percent

Subarea 1—Science Process Skills

0001—Understand practices of science and engineering.

For example:

0002—Understand crosscutting concepts and their applications across science and engineering disciplines.

For example:

0003—Understand the process of reading, and apply knowledge of strategies for promoting students' reading development in the science classroom.

For example:

Subarea 2—Disciplinary Core Ideas

0004—Understand the disciplinary core ideas of chemistry.

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0005—Understand the disciplinary core ideas of physics.

For example:

0006—Understand the disciplinary core ideas of biology.

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0007—Understand the disciplinary core ideas of Earth and space science.

For example:

0008—Understand the disciplinary core ideas of environmental science.

For example:

Subarea 3—Physics Skills, Motion, Forces, and Waves

0009—Understand skills required to practice physics.

For example:

0010—Understand kinematics and mechanics.

For example:

0011—Understand momentum, work, and energy.

For example:

0012—Understand properties of mechanical and electromagnetic waves.

For example:

Subarea 4—Thermodynamics, Electromagnetism, and Modern Physics

0013—Understand the principles of thermodynamics.

For example:

0014—Understand static and moving electric charges.

For example:

0015—Understand magnetism and electromagnetic radiation.

For example:

0016—Understand basic concepts of modern physics.

For example: