Test Design and 
Test Framework

Field 241: Science: Earth and Space Science

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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—Astronomy 2 11 3 14 percent
Subarea 4—Earth Systems 4 21 5 26 percent
Totals 14 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.

For example:

0005—Understand the disciplinary core ideas of physics.

For example:

0006—Understand the disciplinary core ideas of biology.

For example:

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—Astronomy

0009—Understand the characteristics and formation of the universe and the objects within it.

For example:

0010—Understand the solar system and the characteristics and interactions of the objects within it.

For example:

Subarea 4—Earth Systems

0011—Understand features, characteristics, and interactions of Earth's geologic systems.

For example:

0012—Understand features, characteristics, and interactions of the hydrosphere.

For example:

0013—Understand features, characteristics, and interactions of the atmosphere, weather, and climate.

For example:

0014—Understand the dynamic interactions between the atmosphere, biosphere, geosphere, and hydrosphere.

For example: