Test Design and 
Test Framework

Field 246: Social Science: History

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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—Social Science Foundational Skills 3 16 4 20 percent
Subarea 2—Social Science Foundational Knowledge 6 32 8 40 percent
Subarea 3—Historical Concepts and World History 4 14 3 17 percent
Subarea 4—U.S. and Illinois History 5 18 5 23 percent
Totals 18 80 20 100 percent

Subarea 1—Social Science Foundational Skills

Objective 0001—Understand basic sources, tools, and methods of social science inquiry and interdisciplinary connections among the social sciences.

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Objective 0002—Understand the use of analysis, interpretation, and evaluation in social science inquiry and basic historical concepts.

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

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Subarea 2—Social Science Foundational Knowledge

Objective 0004—Understand political concepts, systems, features, and processes in the United States and other world areas.

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Objective 0005—Understand economic concepts and systems, the operation of the U.S. and world economies, and personal finance.

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Objective 0006—Understand major developments and patterns of continuity and change in world history.

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Objective 0007—Understand major developments and patterns of continuity and change in U.S. and Illinois history.

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Objective 0008—Understand tools, concepts, and processes of human and physical geography.

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Objective 0009—Understand concepts, terms, and theories related to human behavior and development, the study of cultures, the structure and organization of human societies, and the processes of social interaction.

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Subarea 3—Historical Concepts and World History

Objective 0010—Understand historical concepts, perspectives, and interpretations.

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Objective 0011—Understand the prehistory of human civilization and the development of world civilizations from 1000 BCE to 1500 CE, including patterns of continuity and change.

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Objective 0012—Understand major social, intellectual, economic, and geopolitical developments and patterns of continuity and change in world history from 1450 to 1850, including the First Global Age, the Age of Revolution, and the Industrial Revolution.

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Objective 0013—Understand major political, geopolitical, social, cultural, and economic developments and patterns of continuity and change in world history since 1850.

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Subarea 4—U.S. and Illinois History

Objective 0014—Understand the development of colonial settlements in North America, the Revolutionary War, and the creation of the U.S. government, including patterns of continuity and change.

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Objective 0015—Understand major developments of the early national and Jacksonian periods, westward expansion, the Civil War, and Reconstruction, including patterns of continuity and change.

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Objective 0016—Understand major political, social, economic, diplomatic, and military developments and patterns of continuity and change in the United States from the end of Reconstruction until 1914.

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Objective 0017—Understand political and diplomatic developments, economic trends, social movements, and patterns of continuity and change in the United States from World War I to the present.

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Objective 0018—Understand major developments and patterns of continuity and change in Illinois history.

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