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

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%

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%

Welding Technologies

ODE Subject Code: 176009
Outcome #Outcome Name% Items Approved by SMEs
Strand 1. Business Operations/21st Century Skills
1.1Employability Skills3.13%
1.2Leadership and Communication3.13%
1.3Business Ethics and Law3.13%
Strand 4. Materials Joining
4.1Physics of Welding12.50%
4.2Metallurgy of Welding5.21%
4.3Arc Welding Processes8.33%
4.4Non-Arc Material Joining Processes7.29%
4.5Testing and Inspection7.29%
4.6Cutting Processes7.29%
Strand 6. Precision and Advanced Machining
6.1Measurement and Interpretation7.29%
6.2Layout and Planning4.17%
6.3Cutting8.33%
6.8Maintenance5.21%
Strand 7. Industrial Maintenance and Safety
7.1Site Safety8.33%
7.2Personal Safety9.38%

Industrial Maintainance

ODE Subject Code: 176020
Outcome #Outcome Name% Items Approved by SMEs
Strand 1. Business Operations/21st Century Skills
1.1Employability Skills1.05%
1.2Leadership and Communication3.16%
1.3Business Ethics and Law1.05%
1.4Knowledge Management and Information Technology1.05%
1.5Global Environment1.05%
Strand 2. Electrical/Electronics
2.1Electrical and Electronic Theory5.26%
2.3Codes and Regulations4.21%
2.7Cabling and Wiring6.32%
2.8Power Supplies2.11%
2.9Motors and Power4.21%
Strand 3. Computer Integrated Manufacturing
3.1Robotic Fundamentals6.32%
3.4Power Technologies8.42%
3.5Pumping Systems4.21%
3.6Mechanical Drives Systems5.26%
3.7Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)4.21%
Strand 6. Precision and Advanced Machining
6.1Measurement and Interpretation5.26%
6.11Quality3.16%
Strand 7. Industrial Maintenance and Safety
7.1Site Safety14.74%
7.2Personal Safety7.37%
7.3Industrial Maintenance Safety: Plan6.32%
7.4Industrial Maintenance Installation and Repair5.26%

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%

Plumbing and Pipefitting Systems

ODE Subject Code: 178010
Outcome #Outcome Name% Items Approved by SMEs
Strand 1. Business Operations/21st Century Skills
1.1Employability Skills5.62%
1.2Leadership and Communication1.12%
1.3Business Ethics and Law1.12%
1.4Knowledge Management and Information Technology3.37%
1.5Global Environment4.49%
1.12Cyber Hygiene2.25%
Strand 2. Safety, Tools, and Equipment
2.1Site Safety10.11%
2.2Personal Safety8.99%
2.4Equipment and Machinery Preventative Maintenance5.62%
Strand 5. Environmental Systems and Plumbing
5.7Drainage17.98%
5.8Water Systems16.85%
5.9Fuel Piping Systems5.62%
Strand 6. Construction Management and Jobsite Maintenance
6.1Construction Math7.87%
6.2Construction Drawings8.99%

Alternative Power Generation Systems

ODE Subject Code: 178016
Outcome #Outcome Name% Items Approved by SMEs
Strand 1. Business Operations/21st Century Skills
1.1Employability Skills3.53%
1.2Leadership and Communication5.88%
1.3Business Ethics and Law2.35%
1.4Knowledge Management and Information Technology2.35%
1.12Cyber Hygiene2.35%
Strand 2. Safety, Tools, and Equipment
2.1Site Safety7.06%
2.2Personal Safety10.59%
Strand 3. Structural Construction
3.6Wall Framing1.18%
Strand 4. Electrical
4.3Codes and Regulations9.41%
4.4Electrical Wiring12.94%
4.6Alternative Power and Renewable Energy Systems11.76%
Strand 5. Environmental Systems and Plumbing
5.4Energy Assessment9.41%
Strand 6. Construction Management and Jobsite Maintenance
6.1Construction Math9.41%
6.2Construction Drawings11.76%

Construction Safety and Crew Leadership

ODE Subject Code: 178018
Outcome #Outcome Name% Items Approved by SMEs
Strand 1. Business Operations/21st Century Skills
1.1Employability Skills8.33%
1.2Leadership and Communication10.42%
1.3Business Ethics and Law3.13%
1.4Knowledge Management and Information Technology3.13%
1.5Global Environment3.13%
1.11Principles of Business Economics2.08%
1.12Cyber Hygiene1.04%
Strand 2. Safety, Tools, and Equipment
2.1Site Safety17.71%
2.2Personal Safety18.75%
2.3Equipment Operation6.25%
2.4Equipment and Machinery Preventative Maintenance6.25%
Strand 3. Structural Construction
3.3Excavation6.25%
3.11Remodeling2.08%
Strand 4. Electrical
4.3Codes and Regulations6.25%
Strand 5. Environmental Systems and Plumbing
5.8Water Systems2.08%
5.9Fuel Piping Systems1.04%
Strand 6. Construction Management and Jobsite Maintenance
6.6Building Maintenance2.08%

Construction Management

ODE Subject Code: 178022
Outcome #Outcome Name% Items Approved by SMEs
Strand 1. Business Operations/21st Century Skills
1.1Employability Skills7.37%
1.2Leadership and Communication12.63%
1.3Business Ethics and Law5.26%
1.4Knowledge Management and Information Technology3.16%
1.5Global Environment3.16%
1.6Business Literacy2.11%
1.8Operations Management2.11%
1.10Sales and Marketing1.05%
Strand 2. Safety, Tools, and Equipment
2.1Site Safety10.53%
2.2Personal Safety10.53%
Strand 3. Structural Construction
3.2Site Management8.42%
Strand 6. Construction Management and Jobsite Maintenance
6.1Construction Math6.32%
6.2Construction Drawings6.32%
6.3Construction Estimating3.16%
6.4Construction Scheduling8.42%
6.5Field Organization8.42%
Strand 7. Planning and Design
7.1Proposals1.05%

Heavy Equipment Operations

ODE Subject Code: 178026
Outcome #Outcome Name% Items Approved by SMEs
Strand 1. Business Operations/21st Century Skills
1.1Employability Skills2.08%
1.2Leadership and Communication2.08%
1.3Business Ethics and Law2.08%
1.4Knowledge Management and Information Technology2.08%
1.8Operations Management2.08%
1.12Cyber Hygiene2.08%
Strand 2. Safety, Tools, and Equipment
2.1Site Safety16.67%
2.2Personal Safety16.67%
2.3Equipment Operation18.75%
2.4Equipment and Machinery Preventative Maintenance16.67%
Strand 3. Structural Construction
3.3Excavation17.71%
Strand 6. Construction Management and Jobsite Maintenance
6.6Building Maintenance1.04%

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