Test Design and 
Test Framework

Field 235: School Counselor

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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—Human Development and Learning 4 20 5 25 percent
Subarea 2—Assessment, Instruction, and Services 6 30 7 37 percent
Subarea 3—The School Counseling Program 3 15 4 19 percent
Subarea 4—The Professional School Counselor 3 15 4 19 percent
Totals 16 80 20 100 percent

Subarea 1—Human Development and Learning

Objective 0001—Understand theories, principles, and processes of human growth and development.

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Objective 0002—Understand learning theories, processes, and needs related to academic development in the school-age population.

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Objective 0003—Understand theories, processes, and needs related to the personal/social development of the school-age population.

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Objective 0004—Understand career theories, college and career readiness, the world of work, and related life processes.

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Subarea 2—Assessment, Instruction, and Services

Objective 0005—Understand assessment principles, practices, and tools relevant to the school counseling program.

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Objective 0006—Understand instructional planning and delivery and the developmental school counseling curriculum.

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Objective 0007—Understand principles, processes, and strategies for individual counseling and individual educational planning.

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Objective 0008—Understand principles, processes, and strategies for group counseling in the educational setting.

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Objective 0009—Understand crisis prevention and intervention for students, families, and communities.

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Objective 0010—Understand consultation and collaboration within the school and community.

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Subarea 3—The School Counseling Program

Objective 0011—Understand issues related to diversity and change, including the implications of individual and cultural differences for the school counseling program.

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Objective 0012—Understand the development, management, and organization of the school counseling program, including the application of data-based decision making.

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Objective 0013—Understand research methods and program evaluation related to the school counseling program.

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Subarea 4—The Professional School Counselor

Objective 0014—Understand history, philosophy, issues, and trends in school counseling.

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Objective 0015—Understand educational systems and organizations and techniques for providing systems support.

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Objective 0016—Understand the professional orientation and identity of the school counselor, including legal and ethical standards and best practices in school counseling.

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