Test Information Guide
Field 33: Technology/Engineering
Sample Open-Response Item
The following materials contain:
- Sample test directions for the open-response item
- A sample open-response item
- An example of a strong response to the open-response item
- The scoring rubric
Sample Test Directions for Open-Response Items
This section of the test consists of two open-response item assignments. You will be asked to prepare a written response of approximately 150–300 words, or 1–2 pages, for each assignment.
Read the assignments carefully before you begin your responses. Think about how you will organize your responses. You may use the erasable sheet(s) to make notes, write an outline, or otherwise prepare your responses. However, your final response to each assignment must be either:
- typed into the on-screen response box,
- written on a response sheet and scanned using the scanner provided at your workstation, or
- provided using both the on-screen response box (for typed text) and a response sheet (for calculations or drawings) that you will scan using the scanner provided at your workstation.
Instructions for scanning your response sheet(s) are available by clicking the "Scanning Help" button at the top of the screen.
As a whole, your response to each assignment must demonstrate an understanding of the knowledge of the field. In your response to each assignment, you are expected to demonstrate the depth of your understanding of the subject area by applying your knowledge rather than by merely reciting factual information.
Your responses to the assignments will be evaluated based on the following criteria.
- PURPOSE: the extent to which the response achieves the purpose of the assignment
- SUBJECT KNOWLEDGE: appropriateness and accuracy in the application of subject knowledge
- SUPPORT: quality and relevance of supporting evidence
- RATIONALE: soundness of argument and degree of understanding of the subject area
The open-response item assignments are intended to assess subject knowledge. Your responses must be communicated clearly enough to permit valid judgment of the evaluation criteria by scorers. Your responses should be written for an audience of educators in this field. The final version of each response should conform to the conventions of edited American English. Your responses should be your original work, written in your own words, and not copied or paraphrased from some other work.
Be sure to write about the assigned topics. Remember to review your work and make any changes you think will improve your responses.
Any time spent responding to an assignment, including scanning the response sheet(s), is part of your testing time. Monitor your time carefully. When your testing time expires, a pop-up message will appear on-screen indicating the conclusion of your test session. Only response sheets that are scanned before you end your test or before time has expired will be scored. Any response sheet that is not scanned before testing ends will NOT be scored.
Sample Open-Response Item
Objective 0019
Prepare an organized, developed analysis on a topic related to one or more of the following: the design process and its relationship to models and technical drawings and technical processes in the areas of energy and power, construction, manufacturing, communication, or transportation.
Use the information below to complete the assignment that follows.
Right trapezoid prism with a few cutouts. The right trapezoid is twenty inches tall on the tallest side and six inches tall on the short side the base is twenty two inches long. It has a width of eighteen inches. On the long side of the base, nine inches into the length there is a rectangular prism cut out of the right trapeziod that is six inches tall and four inches wide. The rectangular cutout goes the length of the prism of eighteen inches. On the short side, nine inches into the width there is a cylinder of four inch diameter cut out through the right trapezoid. the cylinder is centered on the side of the right trapezoid. The top view shows a rectangle that is taller than it is wide. There are dashed lines showing the rectangular and cylinder cutouts through the middles of each side that form a cross. There is also a dashed line that has a different pattern of long dash, long dash, short dash, long dash and long dash through the center of the longest side which has the rectangular prism cutout. The front view which is the short side of the trapezoid with the cylinder cut out is a rectangle that is taller than it is wide. It shows the smaller rectangle of the short side of the right trapezoid with the centered cutout of the cylinder which is a circle. The circle cutout has a cross hair marking the center with lines going out.
The diagram above represents an isometric view of a workpiece, and top and front views of the same workpiece. All dimensions are in inches. The right side view of the orthographic projection is missing from the diagram. In your response:
- sketch the two given views and the missing right side view of the object in the diagram; and
- add labels and dimensions to your drawings according to ANSI standards.
Sample Strong Response to the Open-Response Item
The sample response below reflects a strong knowledge and understanding of the subject matter.
Grid with three sketches. The top view sketch shows a rectangle that is taller than it is wide. there are dashed lines showing the rectangular and cylinder cutouts through the middles of each side that form a cross. there is also a dashed line that has a different pattern of long dash, long dash, short dash, long dash and long dash through the center of the longest side which has the rectangular prism cutout. The front view sketch which is the short side of the trapezoid with the cylinder cutout is a rectangle that is taller than it is wide. The rectangle sketch is twenty inches tall by eighteen inches wide. It shows the smaller rectangle of the short side of the right trapezoid with the centered cutout of the cylinder which is a circle. This rectangle is marked six inches tall. The circle cutout has a cross hair marking the center with lines going out. There is a marker indicating the four inch diameter. The center of the circle is also shown to be three inches high on the rectangle and nine inches in on the side. The side view sketch is a right trapezoid with a rectangular cutout. The base of the right trapezoid is marked twenty two total inches. the rectangular cutout is nine inches in from each side. The short side of the right trapezoid is marked six inches tall.
Scoring Rubric
Performance Characteristics
The following characteristics guide the scoring of responses to the open-response item(s).
Purpose | The extent to which the response achieves the purpose of the assignment. |
---|---|
Subject Matter Knowledge | Accuracy and appropriateness in the application of subject matter knowledge. |
Support | Quality and relevance of supporting details. |
Rationale | Soundness of argument and degree of understanding of the subject matter. |
Scoring Scale
The scoring scale below, which is related to the performance characteristics for the tests, is used by scorers in assigning scores to responses to the open-response item(s).
Score Point | Score Point Description |
---|---|
4 |
The "4" response reflects a thorough knowledge and understanding of the subject matter.
|
3 | The "3" response reflects an adequate knowledge and understanding of the subject matter.
|
2 | The "2" response reflects a limited knowledge and understanding of the subject matter.
|
1 | The "1" response reflects a weak knowledge and understanding of the subject matter.
|
U | The response is unrelated to the assigned topic, illegible, primarily in a language other than English, not of sufficient length to score, or merely a repetition of the assignment. |
B | There is no response to the assignment. |