The Science Test examines test-takers’ ability to comprehend basic scientific principles and apply them to practical and personal experiences.

Cognitive Levels and Content Areas

The test contains 50 multiple-choice items based on short reading passages, graphs, charts, and diagrams. Cognitive skill levels are not specifically tested; however, 50 percent of the items deal with conceptual understanding (comprehension) and 50 percent deal with problem solving (application).

Content on the Science Test is organized according to the Science Content Standards from the National Science Education Standards. Each item is categorized according to one of the following subject standards and concepts:

• Structure of Atoms
• Structure and Properties of Matter
• Chemical Reactions
• Motions and Forces
• Conservation of Energy and the Increase in Disorder
• Interactions of Energy and Matter

• The Cell
• The Molecular Basis of Heredity
• Biological Evolution
• The Interdependence of Organisms
• Matter, Energy, and Organization in Living Systems
• The Behavior of Organisms

• Energy in the Earth System
• Geochemical Cycles
• The Origin and Evolution of the Earth System
• The Origin and Evolution of the Universe

Source: National Science Education Standards, 1996

In addition, 40 percent of the items can be cross-referenced by one of the following interdisciplinary content standards:

• Systems, Order, and Organization
• Evidence, Models, and Explanation
• Constancy, Change, and Measurement
• Evolution and Equilibrium
• Form and Function

• Abilities Necessary to Do Scientific Inquiry
• Understandings about Scientific Inquiry

• Abilities of Technological Design
• Understandings about Science and Technology

• Personal and Community Health
• Population Growth
• Natural Resources
• Environmental Quality
• Natural and Human-Induced Hazards
• Science and Technology in Local, National, and Global Challenges

• Science as a Human Endeavor
• Nature of Scientific Knowledge
• Historical Perspectives

Source: National Science Education Standards, 1996

Context and Format

As mentioned previously, 60 percent of the test items cover the fundamental understandings presented in each subject standard, and 40 percent cover the interdisciplinary standards. Approximately 50 percent of the items are based on graphics. Items either appear in sets of 2–4 questions (25%) or as single questions (75%).

Below is an example of a typical science item:

The law of conservation of matter states that matter is neither created nor destroyed during a chemical reaction. Instead, matter is changed from one form to another.

Which of the following is not an example of matter changing from one form to another?

The correct answer to this item is option (4). When a guitar string vibrates, the string itself does not undergo any physical or chemical change. In each of the other choices, matter changes from one form to another.