Assessment Design and
Framework

Field 005: Agriscience

The assessment design below describes general assessment information. The framework that follows is a detailed outline that explains the knowledge and skills that this assessment measures.

Assessment Design

Format Computer-based test (CBT)
Number of Questions 100 multiple-choice questions
Time* 2 hours
Passing Score 220

*Does not include 15-minute CBT tutorial

Framework

Pie chart of approximate test weighting outlined in the table below.

Domain Range of Competencies Approximate Percentage of Assessment Score
I Agriscience Education 0001–0002 22%
II Agricultural Business 0003–0005 25%
III Plant and Soil Science 0006–0008 20%
IV Animal Science 0009–0010 17%
V Natural Resources and Agricultural Mechanics 0011–0012 16%
Domain I–Agriscience Education

0001 Understand the role of communication and leadership in agriscience education.

Includes:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of the history, rationale, and methods of agriscience education.
  2. Demonstrate knowledge of the total agricultural program model (e.g., instructional, experiential, student organizations).
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of student organizations, including the role of faculty advisors.
  4. Apply knowledge of types and characteristics of Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs).
  5. Apply strategies for working with local advisory committees and promoting agricultural literacy and agriscience education.
  6. Demonstrate knowledge of contemporary issues in agriculture.
  7. Demonstrate knowledge of safety practices in agriscience education.

0002 Understand careers and career development in agriculture.

Includes:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of the importance and scope of the agriculture industry.
  2. Identify career opportunities in the agriculture industry.
  3. Apply knowledge of sources of information about agriculture careers.
  4. Apply knowledge of strategies for self-assessment, self-improvement, career exploration, and college and career readiness.
  5. Apply knowledge of skills related to career planning, job search, and job acquisition.
Domain II–Agricultural Business

0003 Understand core business concepts in agriculture.

Includes:

  1. Apply knowledge of economic principles and concepts (e.g., supply and demand) and their application to agribusiness.
  2. Apply knowledge of principles of finance, banking, and risk analysis in agribusiness.
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of procedures and practices for accounting and recordkeeping in agribusiness.
  4. Apply knowledge of the use of new and emerging technologies in agricultural production, processing, and distribution.

0004 Understand business management in agriculture.

Includes:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of characteristics and purposes of different types of business organizations (e.g., partnership, cooperative).
  2. Apply knowledge of entrepreneurship and strategies for starting and managing an agribusiness.
  3. Apply knowledge of information technology and applications in agribusiness management.
  4. Demonstrate knowledge of global issues affecting agriculture.
  5. Integrate business concepts and agricultural knowledge in a variety of situations related to agriculture (e.g., food science and crop production).

0005 Understand agricultural marketing.

Includes:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of the diversity of agricultural products and services.
  2. Apply marketing strategies (e.g., market segmentation) and steps (e.g., developing a marketing plan, identifying target markets, developing test markets) in marketing agricultural products.
  3. Apply knowledge of the development of agricultural products, value-added principles, and the distribution of agricultural products and services.
  4. Apply basic principles of product pricing and promotion to agricultural products and services.
  5. Demonstrate knowledge of consumer behavior and the selling process.
Domain III–Plant and Soil Science

0006 Understand the biology of plants.

Includes:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of plant classification and characteristics and uses of various species of plants.
  2. Demonstrate knowledge of structure and function of cells, tissues, and plant processes.
  3. Analyze physiological processes in plants, including photosynthesis, respiration, transpiration, and transport.
  4. Demonstrate knowledge of processes of plant growth and factors that affect growth.
  5. Apply knowledge of plant genetics and reproduction.
  6. Apply knowledge of how plants use nutrients and how to recognize, prevent, and treat nutrient deficiencies in plants used in agriculture.

0007 Understand soils and crop production.

Includes:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of the formation of soil, the classification and characteristics of soil, and how soil structure and fertility relate to plant growth.
  2. Demonstrate knowledge of soil management practices and methods for soil conservation and erosion control.
  3. Apply knowledge of characteristics and uses of different types of fertilizers and other components of crop growth systems.
  4. Demonstrate knowledge of types of weeds, diseases, and insect pests affecting crops and methods for their control.
  5. Identify types and characteristics of crop production practices.
  6. Apply knowledge of food safety issues and practices in crop production.

0008 Understand principles of horticulture.

Includes:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of characteristics and uses of various horticultural plants.
  2. Demonstrate knowledge of procedures (e.g., seedbed preparation, transplanting) for cultivating horticultural plants.
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of types of weeds, diseases, and insect pests affecting horticultural plants and methods for their control.
  4. Demonstrate knowledge of methods for handling, harvesting, and processing horticultural plants and products (e.g., fruits, nuts, vegetables).
  5. Demonstrate knowledge of greenhouse and nursery management.
Domain IV–Animal Science

0009 Understand the biology of animals.

Includes:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of characteristics and uses of various species of animals (e.g., horses, cattle, swine, dogs, rabbits, poultry).
  2. Demonstrate knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of animals.
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of underlying growth processes and stages of growth in animals.
  4. Apply knowledge of principles of animal genetics and animal reproduction and their applications in agriculture.
  5. Demonstrate knowledge of livestock evaluation principles.

0010 Understand animal production.

Includes:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of standard and alternative methods for animal production and management (e.g., large animals, specialty animals).
  2. Apply knowledge of animal nutrition and feeding practices.
  3. Apply knowledge of types and causes of common animal diseases and parasites and prevention, treatment, and control measures.
  4. Apply knowledge of principles and practices in caring for, safely handling, housing, and maintaining animals.
  5. Demonstrate knowledge of the effects of animal production systems on the environment and strategies and practices for minimizing environmental damage and sustaining the environment.
Domain V–Natural Resources and Agricultural Mechanics

0011 Understand natural resource management.

Includes:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of basic ecological principles (e.g., niche, ecosystem, water and nutrient cycles) and their application to agriculture.
  2. Analyze the effects of agriculture on the environment and the advantages and disadvantages of different production systems (e.g., conventional, organic, and sustainable agriculture).
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of proper management of agricultural waste products and of practices used to protect soil, air, and water quality.
  4. Demonstrate knowledge of types, characteristics, and uses of renewable and nonrenewable natural resources, and principles and methods for their conservation and sustainable management.
  5. Demonstrate knowledge of types and characteristics of forests in Ohio and their uses (e.g., recreation, timber).
  6. Demonstrate knowledge of principles and methods for forest management.

0012 Understand mechanical systems in agriculture.

Includes:

  1. Apply knowledge of a variety of systems (e.g., internal combustion, hydraulic systems, electrical systems) and machines used in agriculture.
  2. Demonstrate knowledge of principles, tools, and methods for servicing, maintaining, and repairing mechanical equipment.
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of the safe and proper use of agricultural equipment.
  4. Demonstrate knowledge of characteristics of structures, including greenhouses and confinement animal facilities, used in agriculture.
  5. Apply knowledge of tools, materials, and skills used in planning, constructing, and maintaining agricultural structures.
  6. Demonstrate knowledge of irrigation and drainage systems common in agricultural production.
  7. Demonstrate knowledge of alternative energy systems in agriculture.