About the Tests

About Test Blueprints

Test blueprints are created to provide guidance to Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) during the item writing phase of test development. In addition, we believe that they can assist those instructors who did not participate in item writing (and administrators) to understand the broad content of the item bank. Items are formally allocated across a course outline in a three-step process*:

  1. CETE psychometricians send a survey starting in the summer prior to item writing and until the item bank is written. The survey asks teachers to identify competencies they deem to be most important within the course as well as the difficulty level of writing items to each competency. Survey data is used to create a suggested blueprint for review by the Ohio Department of Education program specialists and SMEs.
  2. SMEs review the blueprint as a large group before item writing for a specific EOC test. There and in small groups, SMEs review the course outline and have the ability to make changes to the blueprint with a documented rationale based on their experience and expertise.
  3. Any revisions during small group work must be approved by the larger panel of SMEs attending an item writing workshop, as well as the program specialist from the Ohio Department of Education, which is the last step and produces the final blueprint which is summarized in this document.

Test blueprints can provide high-level guidance to instructors on preparing students for testing. It is important to keep in mind that the blueprint is a tool that is used when developing the test item bank during initial item writing and test creation. As with all tests, the End-of-Course test forms are a sample of the item bank.

Interpreting the Blueprints

Test blueprints display the total number of test items SMEs planned to write to a particular outcome (as designated in the course outline created by the Ohio Department of Education Office of Career-Technical Education or by a vendor). The blueprint describes structure of the item bank which is the total pool of test items created. Final test forms of 40-items are created from the item bank.

* This newer process for producing test blueprints was implemented October 1, 2015. Item banks created prior to this date were completed under a different blueprint process and therefore we are looking backward to provide the structure of the item bank. As revisions are completed for those career fields, for example Information Technology (2017-18), the blueprint process used will be the newer model. Learn more at cete.osu.edu/expertise/assessment

Test Blueprints

Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

ODE Subject Code: 010105
Outcome #Outcome Name% Items Approved by SMEs
Strand 1. Business Operations/21st Century Skills
1.1Employability Skills3.26%
1.2Leadership and Communication5.43%
1.4Knowledge Management and Information Technology3.26%
1.6Business Literacy3.26%
1.7Entrepreneurship/ Entrepreneurs3.26%
1.8Operations Management3.26%
1.9Financial Management3.26%
1.12Site and Personal Safety Procedures6.52%
Strand 2. Animal Science
2.3Care and Management6.52%
Strand 3. Biotechnology
3.1Research and Experiments5.43%
3.3Specimen, equipment and chemical handling3.26%
3.6Molecular-Genetics Technology2.17%
Strand 4. Power Systems
4.1Tool, Stationary and Mobile Maintenance4.35%
4.3Engines3.26%
Strand 5. Elements of Production
5.3Design and Estimate1.09%
5.6Construction1.09%
5.9Physics and Metallurgy of Welding1.09%
5.10Joining and cutting ferrous and non-ferrous materials with heat1.09%
5.12Precision Agriculture4.35%
5.15Animal Behavior2.17%
Strand 6. Environmental Science
6.1Soils4.35%
6.2Water Quality3.26%
6.11Habitat Management and Restoration4.35%
Strand 7. Food Science
7.2Quality Assurance5.43%
7.5Food Product Development3.26%
Strand 8. Plant Science
8.1Plant Nutrition4.35%
8.4Growth and Management5.43%
Strand 9. Energy
9.1Energy Sources2.17%

Business Management for Agricultural and Environmental Systems

ODE Subject Code: 010115
Outcome #Outcome Name% Items Approved by SMEs
Strand 1. Business Operations/21st Century Skills
1.1Employability Skills6.67%
1.2Leadership and Communication10.00%
1.3Business Ethics and Law6.67%
1.4Knowledge Management and Information Technology6.67%
1.5Global Environment2.22%
1.6Business Literacy13.33%
1.7Entrepreneurship/ Entrepreneurs8.89%
1.8Operations Management15.56%
1.9Financial Management10.00%
1.10Sales and Marketing8.89%
1.11Principles of Business Economics3.33%
Strand 5. Elements of Production
5.16Biosecurity7.78%

Electronic and Electrical Systems

ODE Subject Code: 010215
Outcome #Outcome Name% Items Approved by SMEs
Strand 1. Business Operations/21st Century Skills
1.1Employability Skills6.74%
1.2Leadership and Communication4.49%
1.3Business Ethics and Law3.37%
1.4Knowledge Management and Information Technology4.49%
1.6Business Literacy3.37%
1.10Sales and Marketing1.12%
1.12Site and Personal Safety Procedures12.36%
Strand 4. Power Systems
4.1Tool, Stationary and Mobile Maintenance10.11%
4.3Engines8.99%
4.6Ignition System7.87%
4.8Starting and Charging Systems10.11%
Strand 5. Elements of Production
5.1Electrical Theory13.48%
5.13Electronic Systems13.48%

Hydraulics and Pneumatics

ODE Subject Code: 010225
Outcome #Outcome Name% Items Approved by SMEs
Strand 1. Business Operations/21st Century Skills
1.1Employability Skills3.53%
1.2Leadership and Communication11.76%
1.3Business Ethics and Law3.53%
1.4Knowledge Management and Information Technology2.35%
1.8Operations Management3.53%
1.10Sales and Marketing2.35%
1.12Site and Personal Safety Procedures14.12%
Strand 4. Power Systems
4.1Tool, Stationary and Mobile Maintenance9.41%
4.2Equipment Operations8.24%
4.7Transmission of Power9.41%
4.11Hydraulic Systems15.29%
4.12Brakes7.06%
4.14Pneumatic Systems9.41%

Natural Resources

ODE Subject Code: 010710
Outcome #Outcome Name% Items Approved by SMEs
Strand 1. Business Operations/21st Century Skills
1.1Employability Skills3.09%
1.2Leadership and Communication3.09%
1.3Business Ethics and Law1.03%
1.11Principles of Business Economics2.06%
1.12Site and Personal Safety Procedures4.12%
Strand 2. Animal Science
2.3Care and Management3.09%
2.4Recognizing Diseases and Disorders2.06%
Strand 5. Elements of Production
5.5Geographic Information Systems (GIS)1.03%
Strand 6. Environmental Science
6.1Soils6.19%
6.2Water Quality5.15%
6.3Air Quality6.19%
6.4Water Use and Management3.09%
6.5Potable Water Treatment2.06%
6.7Solid Waste and Renewable Resource Management1.03%
6.8Contaminants and Pollution Control3.09%
6.10Ecosystems9.28%
6.11Habitat Management and Restoration8.25%
Strand 8. Plant Science
8.1Plant Nutrition5.15%
8.2Plant Reproduction7.22%
8.3Pest Management4.12%
8.4Growth and Management16.49%
Strand 9. Energy
9.1Energy Sources3.09%

Energy Systems Management

ODE Subject Code: 010715
Outcome #Outcome Name% Items Approved by SMEs
Strand 1. Business Operations/21st Century Skills
1.1Employability Skills3.41%
1.2Leadership and Communication2.27%
1.3Business Ethics and Law2.27%
1.4Knowledge Management and Information Technology2.27%
1.6Business Literacy2.27%
1.10Sales and Marketing1.14%
1.11Principles of Business Economics3.41%
1.12Site and Personal Safety Procedures6.82%
Strand 3. Biotechnology
3.1Research and Experiments4.55%
Strand 4. Power Systems
4.1Tool, Stationary and Mobile Maintenance5.68%
4.2Equipment Operations4.55%
Strand 5. Elements of Production
5.1Electrical Theory6.82%
5.2Structural Electrical Circuits4.55%
5.3Design and Estimate4.55%
5.4Surveying and Mapping3.41%
5.8Water Distribution Systems2.27%
Strand 6. Environmental Science
6.10Ecosystems4.55%
Strand 9. Energy
9.1Energy Sources7.95%
9.2Crude Oil and Natural Gas2.27%
9.3Biomass9.09%
9.4Solar Energy6.82%
9.5Wind Energy9.09%

Bio Energy

ODE Subject Code: 010716
Outcome #Outcome Name% Items Approved by SMEs
Strand 1. Business Operations/21st Century Skills
1.1Employability Skills2.35%
1.3Business Ethics and Law3.53%
1.4Knowledge Management and Information Technology2.35%
1.6Business Literacy2.35%
1.10Sales and Marketing2.35%
1.11Principles of Business Economics3.53%
1.12Site and Personal Safety Procedures5.88%
Strand 3. Biotechnology
3.1Research and Experiments10.59%
3.3Specimen, equipment and chemical handling7.06%
3.4Applying Chemistry to Laboratory Practices11.76%
Strand 6. Environmental Science
6.8Contaminants and Pollution Control7.06%
6.9Hazardous Materials and Waste Management9.41%
Strand 8. Plant Science
8.5Harvesting3.53%
8.6Handling and Storage7.06%
Strand 9. Energy
9.1Energy Sources9.41%
9.3Biomass11.76%

Solar and Wind Energy

ODE Subject Code: 010717
Outcome #Outcome Name% Items Approved by SMEs
Strand 1. Business Operations/21st Century Skills
1.1Employability Skills3.45%
1.2Leadership and Communication1.15%
1.3Business Ethics and Law3.45%
1.6Business Literacy2.30%
1.10Sales and Marketing2.30%
1.11Principles of Business Economics2.30%
1.12Site and Personal Safety Procedures9.20%
Strand 4. Power Systems
4.1Tool, Stationary and Mobile Maintenance5.75%
4.2Equipment Operations3.45%
Strand 5. Elements of Production
5.1Electrical Theory10.34%
5.2Structural Electrical Circuits3.45%
5.3Design and Estimate2.30%
5.4Surveying and Mapping2.30%
5.12Precision Agriculture1.15%
5.13Electronic Systems4.60%
5.14Motors and Programmable Logic Controllers1.15%
Strand 6. Environmental Science
6.1Soils1.15%
6.8Contaminants and Pollution Control1.15%
Strand 9. Energy
9.1Energy Sources6.90%
9.4Solar Energy14.94%
9.5Wind Energy17.24%

Oil and Gas Operations

ODE Subject Code: 010718
Outcome #Outcome Name% Items Approved by SMEs
Strand 1. Business Operations/21st Century Skills
1.1Employability Skills5.95%
1.2Leadership and Communication3.57%
1.3Business Ethics and Law2.38%
1.6Business Literacy3.57%
1.10Sales and Marketing2.38%
1.12Site and Personal Safety Procedures4.76%
Strand 4. Power Systems
4.1Tool, Stationary and Mobile Maintenance8.33%
4.2Equipment Operations7.14%
Strand 5. Elements of Production
5.4Surveying and Mapping7.14%
5.8Water Distribution Systems8.33%
Strand 6. Environmental Science
6.1Soils5.95%
6.8Contaminants and Pollution Control9.52%
6.9Hazardous Materials and Waste Management7.14%
Strand 9. Energy
9.1Energy Sources9.52%
9.2Crude Oil and Natural Gas14.29%

Environmental Science for Agriculture and Natural Resources

ODE Subject Code: 010720
Outcome #Outcome Name% Items Approved by SMEs
Strand 1. Business Operations/21st Century Skills
1.1Employability Skills2.20%
1.2Leadership and Communication3.30%
1.3Business Ethics and Law3.30%
1.11Principles of Business Economics3.30%
1.12Site and Personal Safety Procedures3.30%
Strand 2. Animal Science
2.4Recognizing Diseases and Disorders3.30%
Strand 3. Biotechnology
3.1Research and Experiments9.89%
Strand 6. Environmental Science
6.1Soils8.79%
6.2Water Quality6.59%
6.3Air Quality5.49%
6.4Water Use and Management4.40%
6.5Potable Water Treatment3.30%
6.6Wastewater Operations3.30%
6.7Solid Waste and Renewable Resource Management6.59%
6.8Contaminants and Pollution Control6.59%
6.9Hazardous Materials and Waste Management3.30%
6.10Ecosystems7.69%
6.11Habitat Management and Restoration8.79%
Strand 9. Energy
9.1Energy Sources6.59%

Environmental Systems Management

ODE Subject Code: 010725
Outcome #Outcome Name% Items Approved by SMEs
Strand 1. Business Operations/21st Century Skills
1.1Employability Skills1.12%
1.2Leadership and Communication1.12%
1.3Business Ethics and Law1.12%
1.4Knowledge Management and Information Technology1.12%
1.12Site and Personal Safety Procedures2.25%
Strand 3. Biotechnology
3.1Research and Experiments2.25%
Strand 4. Power Systems
4.2Equipment Operations3.37%
Strand 5. Elements of Production
5.4Surveying and Mapping2.25%
5.5Geographic Information Systems (GIS)3.37%
Strand 6. Environmental Science
6.1Soils3.37%
6.2Water Quality8.99%
6.3Air Quality8.99%
6.4Water Use and Management8.99%
6.5Potable Water Treatment8.99%
6.6Wastewater Operations10.11%
6.7Solid Waste and Renewable Resource Management11.24%
6.8Contaminants and Pollution Control12.36%
6.9Hazardous Materials and Waste Management4.49%
6.10Ecosystems4.49%

Forestry and Woodland Ecosystems

ODE Subject Code: 010730
Outcome #Outcome Name% Items Approved by SMEs
Strand 1. Business Operations/21st Century Skills
1.1Employability Skills3.57%
1.2Leadership and Communication2.38%
1.3Business Ethics and Law3.57%
1.4Knowledge Management and Information Technology3.57%
1.6Business Literacy4.76%
1.10Sales and Marketing2.38%
1.12Site and Personal Safety Procedures5.95%
Strand 4. Power Systems
4.1Tool, Stationary and Mobile Maintenance15.48%
4.2Equipment Operations7.14%
Strand 5. Elements of Production
5.4Surveying and Mapping3.57%
5.5Geographic Information Systems (GIS)4.76%
Strand 6. Environmental Science
6.1Soils8.33%
6.8Contaminants and Pollution Control4.76%
6.10Ecosystems7.14%
Strand 8. Plant Science
8.1Plant Nutrition4.76%
8.2Plant Reproduction1.19%
8.3Pest Management4.76%
8.4Growth and Management4.76%
8.5Harvesting4.76%
8.6Handling and Storage2.38%

Park and Recreational Management

ODE Subject Code: 010735
Outcome #Outcome Name% Items Approved by SMEs
Strand 1. Business Operations/21st Century Skills
1.1Employability Skills5.75%
1.2Leadership and Communication11.49%
1.3Business Ethics and Law3.45%
1.4Knowledge Management and Information Technology2.30%
1.6Business Literacy3.45%
1.8Operations Management4.60%
1.10Sales and Marketing4.60%
1.12Site and Personal Safety Procedures6.90%
Strand 4. Power Systems
4.1Tool, Stationary and Mobile Maintenance8.05%
4.2Equipment Operations9.20%
Strand 5. Elements of Production
5.4Surveying and Mapping5.75%
Strand 6. Environmental Science
6.1Soils8.05%
6.10Ecosystems8.05%
6.11Habitat Management and Restoration8.05%
6.12Parks and Recreational Management10.34%

Urban Forestry

ODE Subject Code: 010740
Outcome #Outcome Name% Items Approved by SMEs
Strand 1. Business Operations/21st Century Skills
1.1Employability Skills4.71%
1.2Leadership and Communication4.71%
1.3Business Ethics and Law1.18%
1.4Knowledge Management and Information Technology4.71%
1.6Business Literacy3.53%
1.8Operations Management2.35%
1.9Financial Management1.18%
1.10Sales and Marketing3.53%
1.12Site and Personal Safety Procedures4.71%
Strand 4. Power Systems
4.1Tool, Stationary and Mobile Maintenance12.94%
4.2Equipment Operations9.41%
Strand 6. Environmental Science
6.1Soils9.41%
6.10Ecosystems4.71%
Strand 8. Plant Science
8.1Plant Nutrition7.06%
8.3Pest Management7.06%
8.4Growth and Management18.82%

Wildlife and Fisheries

ODE Subject Code: 010745
Outcome #Outcome Name% Items Approved by SMEs
Strand 1. Business Operations/21st Century Skills
1.1Employability Skills1.11%
1.2Leadership and Communication4.44%
1.3Business Ethics and Law2.22%
1.4Knowledge Management and Information Technology1.11%
1.11Principles of Business Economics3.33%
1.12Site and Personal Safety Procedures1.11%
Strand 2. Animal Science
2.1Nutrition5.56%
2.2Body Systems18.89%
2.3Care and Management4.44%
2.4Recognizing Diseases and Disorders7.78%
2.5Animal Health4.44%
2.6Population Management4.44%
Strand 3. Biotechnology
3.1Research and Experiments4.44%
Strand 5. Elements of Production
5.4Surveying and Mapping2.22%
5.5Geographic Information Systems (GIS)2.22%
5.15Animal Behavior7.78%
5.16Biosecurity3.33%
Strand 6. Environmental Science
6.2Water Quality6.67%
6.10Ecosystems6.67%
6.11Habitat Management and Restoration7.78%

Equine Selection, Nutrition, and Management

ODE Subject Code: 010935
Outcome #Outcome Name% Items Approved by SMEs
Strand 1. Business Operations/21st Century Skills
1.1Employability Skills1.05%
1.2Leadership and Communication2.11%
1.3Business Ethics and Law2.11%
1.6Business Literacy1.05%
1.8Operations Management2.11%
1.10Sales and Marketing2.11%
1.11Principles of Business Economics2.11%
1.12Site and Personal Safety Procedures3.16%
Strand 2. Animal Science
2.1Nutrition8.42%
2.2Body Systems9.47%
2.3Care and Management13.68%
2.4Recognizing Diseases and Disorders7.37%
2.5Animal Health8.42%
2.6Population Management10.53%
Strand 3. Biotechnology
3.6Molecular-Genetics Technology3.16%
Strand 4. Power Systems
4.1Tool, Stationary and Mobile Maintenance3.16%
Strand 5. Elements of Production
5.15Animal Behavior8.42%
5.16Biosecurity3.16%
Strand 6. Environmental Science
6.7Solid Waste and Renewable Resource Management5.26%
Strand 8. Plant Science
8.1Plant Nutrition2.11%
Strand 9. Energy
9.1Energy Sources1.05%

Foundations of Sustainable and Innovative Agriculture

ODE Subject Code: 012030
Outcome #Outcome Name% Items Approved by SMEs
Strand 1. Business Operations/21st Century Skills
1.1Employability Skills1.18%
1.2Leadership and Communication1.18%
1.3Business Ethics and Law1.18%
1.4Knowledge Management and Information Technology2.35%
1.6Business Literacy2.35%
1.9Financial Management3.53%
1.11Principles of Business Economics2.35%
Strand 2. Animal Science
2.1Nutrition4.71%
2.3Care and Management5.88%
Strand 3. Biotechnology
3.1Research and Experiments2.35%
3.2Laboratory Standard Operational Procedures1.18%
3.3Specimen, equipment and chemical handling1.18%
Strand 5. Elements of Production
5.5Geographic Information Systems (GIS)3.53%
5.12Precision Agriculture3.53%
5.15Animal Behavior2.35%
5.16Biosecurity4.71%
Strand 6. Environmental Science
6.1Soils3.53%
6.2Water Quality2.35%
6.3Air Quality2.35%
6.4Water Use and Management1.18%
6.7Solid Waste and Renewable Resource Management3.53%
6.8Contaminants and Pollution Control1.18%
6.10Ecosystems3.53%
6.11Habitat Management and Restoration3.53%
Strand 8. Plant Science
8.1Plant Nutrition5.88%
8.2Plant Reproduction2.35%
8.3Pest Management7.06%
8.4Growth and Management10.59%
8.5Harvesting3.53%
Strand 9. Energy
9.1Energy Sources1.18%
9.3Biomass1.18%
9.4Solar Energy2.35%
9.5Wind Energy1.18%

Precision Applications in Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

ODE Subject Code: 012035
Outcome #Outcome Name% Items Approved by SMEs
Strand 1. Business Operations/21st Century Skills
1.1Employability Skills1.11%
1.2Leadership and Communication5.56%
1.3Business Ethics and Law3.33%
1.8Operations Management3.33%
1.12Site and Personal Safety Procedures6.67%
Strand 4. Power Systems
4.2Equipment Operations7.78%
Strand 5. Elements of Production
5.1Electrical Theory6.67%
5.4Surveying and Mapping6.67%
5.5Geographic Information Systems (GIS)7.78%
5.12Precision Agriculture12.22%
5.13Electronic Systems4.44%
5.14Motors and Programmable Logic Controllers12.22%
Strand 6. Environmental Science
6.1Soils4.44%
Strand 8. Plant Science
8.1Plant Nutrition6.67%
8.5Harvesting6.67%
8.6Handling and Storage4.44%

Unmanned Aircraft Systems

ODE Subject Code: 177024
Outcome #Outcome Name% Items Approved by SMEs
Strand 1. Business Operations/21st Century Skills
1.1Employability Skills2.08%
1.2Leadership and Communications1.04%
1.3Business Ethics and Law1.04%
1.4Knowledge Management and Information Technology1.04%
1.6Business Literacy1.04%
1.7Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurs1.04%
1.8Operations Management1.04%
1.10Sales and Marketing1.04%
Strand 2. Safety, Tools and Maintenance
2.1Facility Safety5.21%
2.2Personal Safety2.08%
Strand 7. Aviation and Aeronautics
7.1Aviation: Describe the airspace system and aviation industry.3.13%
7.4Aerodynamics9.38%
7.5Airport Environments5.21%
7.6Meteorology6.25%
7.7Air Traffic Control and Communication3.13%
7.8Human Factors5.21%
7.9Small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems8.33%
7.10Geographic Information Systems (GIS)7.29%
7.11Preflight Preparation14.58%
7.12Takeoff and Landing4.17%
7.13Flight Environment10.42%
7.14Emergency Operations6.25%

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