One three-hour test of 45 to 55 one-credit questions, grouped into 9 to 11 clusters that each follow a phenomenon. Seven topics, each with a set share of the test.
26 weeks, 104 hours in all
Start with Topic 3
Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems: 20 of your hours. It is 5 of the 24 questions on our timed checks, 21%.
| Topic | Your hours | Share of the checks |
|---|---|---|
| Topic 3: Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems | 20 | 21% |
| Topic 4: Inheritance and Variation of Traits | 20 | 21% |
| Topic 5: Natural Selection and Evolution | 20 | 21% |
| Topic 1: Structure and Function | 12 | 13% |
| Topic 2: Matter and Energy in Organisms and Ecosystems | 12 | 13% |
| Topic 7: Engineering, Technology, and the Applications of Science | 8 | 8% |
| Topic 6: Earth's Systems | 4 | 4% |
| The test | One written test, three hours |
|---|---|
| Questions | 45 to 55, in 9 to 11 clusters |
| Question types | About 60% multiple choice, 40% constructed response, 1 credit each |
| Calculator | Four-function or scientific, not graphing |
Every question sits in a cluster built around one phenomenon. A cluster opens with an introduction that says how many questions it has, then gives several stimuli: reading passages, data tables, graphs, diagrams or photos. Its questions mix multiple choice and constructed response, and each answer adds to an explanation, a model or a design.
Students complete the required Investigations during the course, and completing them is required for admission to the exam. About 15% of the questions measure content related to the performance expectations the Investigations cover, though not the Investigation tasks themselves.
| Seed mass (grams) | Plot A seeds (watered) | Plot B seeds (not watered) |
|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 4 | 15 |
| 0.4 | 18 | 38 |
| 0.5 | 40 | 32 |
| 0.6 | 26 | 12 |
| 0.7 | 12 | 3 |
One. Multiple-choice and constructed-response questions are each worth 1 credit.
Yes: every student must have a four-function or scientific calculator. Graphing calculators are not allowed.
The New York State P-12 Science Learning Standards. Every question draws on science and engineering practices, core ideas and crosscutting concepts together.