There are four levels of difficulty. Level 3 is the least complex, and Level 6 is the most complex. The levels build on each other, each incorporating the skills assessed at the previous levels. For example, Level 5 includes the skills used at Levels 3, 4, and 5. Individual problems may involve only one area of technology, but each skill level requires individuals to know the basic principles of all four areas at that skill level.
| Level |
Characteristics of Items |
Skills |
3
View sample item |
- Straightforward
- One simple system that generally has two to five components
- Situation exhibits clear physical symptoms
- Situation usually has only one variable
- All needed information is present
- Only elementary technical terms are used
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- Identify how basic tools work
- Identify how simple machine parts work
- Apply basic principles to solve problems involving a simple system
- Solve basic problems
- Identify the clear physical symptom that points to the potential source of a problem
- Identify the best solution after eliminating clearly unsuitable possibilities
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| Level |
Characteristics of Items |
Skills |
4
View sample item |
- Moderately complex because they can involve two or more simple systems that work together or one moderately complex system
- Systems may have up to ten components
- Situation can have one or two variables
- All needed information is present
- Extraneous information may be included
- Less common technical terms are defined
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- Understand the operation of moderately complex tools and diagnostic equipment
- Understand the operation of moderately complex machines and systems
- Apply less obvious basic principles to solve problems within physical systems
- Solve moderate problems
- Eliminate physical symptoms that do not point to the source of a problem, disregarding extraneous information
- Identify the best solution after eliminating other unsuitable possibilities
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| Level |
Characteristics of Items |
Skills |
5
View sample item |
- Moderately complex or advanced, involving two or more simple tools or systems that affect each other or a complex system that includes several components
- Systems perform somewhat complex operations and generally have more than ten components
- May involve two or three variables and may require use of technical knowledge
- Extraneous information is often included
- Technical terms may be explicitly defined or their meaning can be implicit in context and illustrations
|
- Understand the operation of moderately complex tools and diagnostic equipment, choosing the best tool for the task
- Understand the operation of complex machines and systems
- Apply two or more principles of technology as they interact in moderately complex systems
- Solve moderate and advanced problems
- Eliminate physical symptoms that do not lead to the source of a problem by disregarding extraneous information; use clues to find the source of a problem
- Identify the best solution after eliminating other unsuitable possibilities
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| Level |
Characteristics of Items |
Skills |
6
View sample item |
- Advanced, involving complex tools or systems with more than ten components
- Include large amounts of information and present a variety of possible problem sources that are subtle and difficult to diagnose
- Require the use of technical knowledge
- Contain considerable extraneous information
- Technical terms may be explicitly defined or their meaning may be implicit in complex context and illustrations
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- Understand the operation of complex tools and diagnostic equipment, choosing the best tool for the task
- Understand the operation of complex machines and their components
- Apply two or more principles of technology as they interact in complex systems
- Solve advanced problems where a variety of mechanical, electrical, thermal, or fluid faults could be the reason for the problem
- Eliminate physical symptoms that do not lead to the source of a problem by disregarding extraneous information; use less obvious clues to find the source of a problem
- Test possible hypotheses to ensure the problem is diagnosed correctly and the best solution is found
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