Study Guide
Test Design and Test Objectives
Field 100: Adult Education: English Language Arts
Test Overview
| Format | Computer-based test (CBT) |
|---|---|
| Number of Questions | 60 selected-response questions |
| Time | 1 hour and 30 minutes (does not include 15-minute CBT tutorial) |
| Passing Score | 240 |
Pie chart of approximate test weighting outlined in the table below.
Test Objectives
| Subareas | Range of Objectives | Approximate Test Proportions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | Listening and Reading | 1–2 | 50% |
| II | Speaking and Writing | 3–4 | 50% |
Subarea I–Listening and Reading
Objective 0001: Demonstrate comprehension of a variety of informational texts.
For example:- Demonstrate knowledge of key features and organizational structures of various types of informational texts.
- Determine themes and central ideas and their development in an informational text and analyze how two or more texts address similar themes.
- Recognize an objective and accurate summary of key concepts and supporting details presented in an informational text.
- Determine the meaning of words or phrases, including technical, domain-specific, connotative, and figurative meanings, by analyzing context.
- Determine how specific word choices shape meaning or tone in an informational text (e.g., evoke nostalgia or sympathy, undermine opposing opinions).
- Draw conclusions or make logical inferences (e.g., predict an outcome, infer tone or mood, determine point of view or purpose, identify an assumption or audience) and identify relevant evidence that supports conclusions and inferences.
- Analyze how point of view or purpose shapes content and style.
- Analyze the structure of an informational text, including how specific parts of the text (e.g., sentence, paragraph) or larger sections (e.g., chapter) interrelate to achieve a particular effect or function.
- Delineate an argument or a claim and assess the validity of reasoning and the sufficiency and relevance of evidence presented in support of the argument or claim (e.g., facts, examples, graphic presentations of data, digital media).
Objective 0002: Demonstrate comprehension of a variety of literary texts.
For example:- Demonstrate knowledge of major literary genres (e.g., fiction, nonfiction, essay, drama, poetry) and their characteristic elements and structures (e.g., plot, character, setting, theme, point of view).
- Determine themes and central ideas and their development in a literary text and analyze how two or more literary texts address similar themes.
- Determine the meaning of words or phrases as they are used in literary texts, including connotative and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape the meaning or tone of literary texts.
- Analyze the use of literary and rhetorical devices and techniques to determine their function or effectiveness in a literary text.
- Draw conclusions or make logical inferences (e.g., predict an outcome, infer tone or mood, determine point of view) and identify relevant evidence that supports conclusions and inferences.
- Analyze how and why individuals, characters, events, and ideas develop and interrelate in a literary text.
- Analyze the structure of a literary text, including how specific parts of the text (e.g., sentence, paragraph) or larger sections (e.g., chapter, scene, stanza) interrelate to achieve a particular effect or function.
Subarea II–Speaking and Writing
Objective 0003: Demonstrate knowledge of effective speaking and writing skills for a variety of purposes in a variety of contexts.
- Analyze task, purpose, context, and audience to determine appropriate style and conventions.
- Apply knowledge of strategies for introducing and developing topics and ideas clearly, coherently, and logically.
- Apply knowledge of strategies for introducing and supporting claims, opinions, and reflections with sound reasoning, relevant evidence, and well-chosen details.
- Apply effective techniques for composing narratives of real or imagined experiences or events using well-chosen details and well-structured event sequences.
- Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage (e.g., select narrative time frames, sentence structures, comparatives, superlatives, cohesive devices, general academic and domain-specific vocabulary, idiomatic and figurative language appropriate for the situation and context).
- Demonstrate command of English mechanics (e.g., capitalization, punctuation) and spelling when writing.
- Apply knowledge of editing strategies to strengthen writing (e.g., eliminate wordiness, redundancy, and distracting or superfluous information; correct grammatical errors; introduce, organize, and conclude more effectively).
- Demonstrate knowledge of strategies for effectively preparing for and participating in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse partners.
Objective 0004: Demonstrate knowledge of effective research and presentation skills.
For example:- Demonstrate knowledge of methods for formulating specific research questions and developing central ideas.
- Demonstrate knowledge of effective and ethical methods of gathering and documenting relevant and reliable information from a variety of sources, such as online searches, databases, and library collections, while avoiding plagiarism.
- Apply effective techniques for synthesizing and writing up findings from multiple sources on a chosen subject or topic of research (e.g., integrate information into the text selectively, use well-chosen details, maintain the flow of ideas).
- Demonstrate knowledge of effective strategies for using digital media and visual displays to enhance audience understanding of a presentation.
- Demonstrate knowledge of effective strategies for using appropriate technology to produce and present research findings and to interact and collaborate with others.