BIOLOGY EOC Testing Specifications

Revised February 2017

Here is the link to the .PDF where this information originated.

http://www.ncpublicschools.org/docs/accountability/testing/technotes/scispcs17.pdf

Table 1: Weight Distributions for Biology

UNIFYING CONCEPT BIOLOGY
Structure and Function of Living Organisms 18-22%
Ecosystems 18-22%
Evolution and Genetics 43-53%
Molecular Biology 15-19%
Total 100%

NOTE: Members of the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI)/Test Development Section invited North
Carolina educators to collaborate and develop recommendations for a prioritization of the standards indicating the relative
importance of each standard, the anticipated instructional time, and the appropriateness of the standard for different item
formats. Subsequently, curriculum and test development staff from the NCDPI met to review the results from the teacher panels
and to develop weight distributions across the domains for each grade level.

Table 2: Number of Items by Clarifying Objective – BIOLOGY

UNIFYING
BIOLOGY Objective Biology Objective Description Number of Items per Objective*
CONCEPT:
1.1.1 Cell organelles 2
1.1.2 Prokaryotes vs. Eukaryotes 1-2
Specialized Cells, Differentiation,
Structure and 1.1.3 3
Stem Cells, Cell Signaling
Functions of
Cell Membrane, Homeostasis, Passive
Living Organisms 1.2.1 2
vs. Active Transport
1.2.2 Mitosis 3
1.2.3 Protists 1
Carbon Cycle, Nitrogen Cycle, Energy
2.1.1 1
Pyramids
Animal Behavior, Reproductive
2.1.2 1-2
Adaptations
Symbiosis, Communication
Ecosystems 2.1.3 (pheromones, etc.), Predator-Prey 1-3
Relationships
2.1.4 Population Graphs 1-2
2.2.1 Environmental Impacts 2-3
Environmental Impacts, Conservation
2.2.2 3-4
& Stewardship
3.1.1 Structure of DNA, Gene Expression 2-3
3.1.2 Protein Synthesis 2-3
3.1.3 Mutations 1
3.2.1 Meiosis 1-2
Punnett Squares, Karyotypes,
3.2.2 1
Evolution and Pedigrees
Genetics Environmental Factors and Gene
3.2.3 3-4
Expression
Gel Electrophoresis & DNA
3.3.1 3
Fingerprinting
GMOs & Transgenic Bacteria
3.3.2 2
(Recombinant DNA)
 Human Genome Project, Gene
3.3.3 --
Therapy, Biotechnology Ethics
Early Atmosphere, Evidence of
3.4.1 2
Evolution
Natural Selection, Geographic
3.4.2 2-3
Isolation
3.4.3 Immunity, Resistance 1-2
3.5.1 Classification (Historic vs. Modern) 2
3.5.2 Phylogenetic Trees & Dicot Keys 2
Biomolecules (Carbs, Proteins, Lipids,
4.1.1 2
Nucleic Acids)
Molecular 4.1.2 DNA & Proteins 2
Biology 4.1.3 Enzymes 1
4.2.1 Photosynthesis & Cellular Respiration 2
4.2.2 Homeostasis 2
* Some objectives not designated with tested items (i.e., “–”) may be a prerequisite standard, may be tested within the context
of another standard, or may be included as an embedded field test item.