What is the Biology Keystone Exam?
The Biology Keystone Exam is an end-of-course exam, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. It is designed to asses academic achievement in biology. The test is divided into two modules - Cells and Cell Processes & Continuity and Unity of Life - and is given in both paper and computer-based forms.
What are the new requirements for the Keystone Exams?
Under the bill now before the state Legislature, starting with the class of 2019, students will be required to pass all three Keystone exams — algebra I, biology and literature — in order to graduate. The goal is to make sure Pennsylvania is producing students who are prepared to enter college and the workforce. 4.
What is the Pennsylvania Keystone biology item and scoring sampler score?
Pennsylvania Keystone Biology Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2021 70 Biolog yM 2 ODUL E2 STUDENT RESPONSE Response Score: 1 point 14. In the 1800s Gregor Mendel published a scientific paper based on pea plant experiments . In the paper he made the following conclusion:
What is the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Keystone biology?
Pennsylvania Keystone Biology Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2019 1 INFORMATION ABOUT BIOLOGY INTRODUCTION The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) provides districts and schools with tools to assist in delivering focused instructional programs aligned to the Pennsylvania Core Standards.
Is the keystone test hard?
The Keystone tests are based on Pennsylvania Core Standards, which are closely related to national Common Core standards that have been adopted by 42 states. All these standards are said to be more rigorous and difficult than most state standards were before their adoption.
What happens if you fail biology Keystone?
If I fail the Keystone Exam, can I graduate? No. You will need to participate in a program of remediation and retake the Keystone Exam and can continue to do so up to your junior year in high school. After your junior year, if you have still not passed the Keystone Exam you will need to do a Keystone Project.
What score do you need to pass biology keystones?
Keystone Exam Scale Score RangesContent AreaBelow BasicProficientAlgebra I1200-14381500-1545Biology1200-14591500-1548Literature1200-14431500-1583
How long do biology keystones take?
There are two modules on each test, and each module (or Test Session) of the Keystone Exam should take one to 1.5 hours to complete.
What happens if you fail the keystones twice?
Under current law, once it takes effect, students who fail to score "proficient" on a Keystone exam twice, or once during 12th grade, could graduate by completing a substitute known as a project-based assessment.
Do Keystone Exams affect your grade?
Keystone Exams are attached to a particular course, not a student's grade level. These tests are designed to be administered like final exams at the completion of the related course. For example, Algebra 1 is taken by both middle school and high school students.
What happens if you fail the keystones in 8th grade?
Q: What happens if a student is not proficient? Students who do not pass the Keystone Exam score must receive remedial instruction and must retake the Keystone Exam until a passing final course grade is achieved.
What is a perfect Keystone score?
A composite score is the sum of the scale scores for the three Keystone Exams. A student must achieve at least a scale score of 1500 on any one exam in order to score proficient, with 4500 as the sum of three proficient scores.
Is basic passing for keystones?
Student performance on the Keystone Exams falls into one of four performance levels: Below Basic, Basic, Proficient, and Advanced. This section indicates the student's performance within each module.
What happens if you opt out of keystones?
If a student opts out of the Keystone exams, the student is still required to complete one of the statewide graduation pathways in order to fulfill all graduation requirements. Can a student receive accommodations on the Keystone exams?
How do you prepare for keystones?
These tips can help for PSSA and Keystone exam prep....Here are some additional tips to help you ace your exams:Eat a good breakfast. Start on a good note the day of the test by eating breakfast.Relax, don't stress. Try to calm any worries you have about the tests. ... When you're filling out your answers, be careful.
What is on the Biology Keystone?
The Biology Keystone Exam consists of questions grouped into two modules: Module 1—Cells and Cell Processes and Module 2—Continuity and Unity of Life. Each module corresponds to specific content, aligned to statements and specifications included in the course-specific Assessment Anchor documents.
What should I study for biology Keystone?
The Biology Keystone Exam consists of questions grouped into two modules: Module 1—Cells and Cell Processes and Module 2—Continuity and Unity of Life. Each module corresponds to specific content, aligned to statements and specifications included in the course-specific Assessment Anchor documents.
What is on the Algebra 1 Keystone?
The Algebra I Keystone Exam consists of exam questions grouped into two modules: Module 1—Operations and Linear Equations & Inequalities, and Module 2—Linear Functions and Data Organizations .
Which statement explains why the vestigial structures are most likely present in whales?
Whales have vestigial femurs and pelvic bones. Which statement explains why the vestigial structures are most likely present in whales? Whales evolved over time from ancestors that lived on land.
Which statement describes how a mutation would most likely affect a population?
Q. Which statement describes how a mutation would most likely affect a population? Genotypic variation will increase in the population.
What are the topics covered in the Keystone Biology exam?
What you'll study: This course includes chapters with lessons on all the biology topics covered by the Keystone Biology exam including types of cells, organic molecules, and enzymes. Lessons in bioenergetics include photosynthesis and cellular respiration, and there are lessons in homeostasis and transport as well like phospholipid bilayers, passive transport, and membrane-bound organelles. Cell growth and reproduction and genetics are covered as well with such topics as Mendel's laws, protein synthesis, and the genetic code. The final chapters in the course cover DNA technology, evolution, and ecology.
How many points are needed for the Pennsylvania Biology Keystone exam?
Scoring the Pennsylvania Biology Keystone Exam. The final exam score is expressed in a range from 1200 to 1800 points. Each score falls into one of four levels of proficiency.
What is the keystone exam?
About the Exam. The Biology Keystone Exam is an end-of-course exam, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education . It is designed to asses academic achievement in biology. The test is divided into two modules - Cells and Cell Processes & Continuity and Unity of Life - and is given in both paper and computer-based forms.
Why do we do lesson quizzes?
Lesson quizzes and practice exams help ensure your retention of lesson material and expose you to the type of questions you are likely to face on the real test. As this is an end-of-course exam and individual registration is not necessary.
What are the keystone questions in biology?
The Biology Keystone Exam consists of questions grouped into two modules: Module 1—Cells and Cell Processes and Module 2—Continuity and Unity of Life. Each module corresponds to specific content, aligned to statements and specifications included in the course-specific Assessment Anchor documents. The Biology content included in the Keystone Biology multiple-choice questions will align with the Assessment Anchors as defined by the Eligible Content statements. The process skills, directives, and action statements will also specifically align with the Assessment Anchors as defined by the Eligible Content statements.
What is the Keystone exam?
The Keystone Exams are end-of-course assessments currently designed to assess proficiencies in Algebra I, Biology, and Literature. For detailed information about how the Keystone Exams are being integrated into the Pennsylvania graduation requirements, please contact the Pennsylvania Department of Education or visit the
How are Keystone exams delivered?
The Keystone Exams are delivered in a paper-and-pencil format as well as in a computer-based online format. The multiple-choice questions require students to select the best answer from four possible answer options and record their answers in the spaces provided. The correct answer for each multiple-choice question is worth one point. The constructed-response items require students to develop and write (or construct) their responses. Constructed-response items in Biology are scored using item-specific scoring guidelines based on a 0–3-point scale. Each multiple-choice question is designed to take about one minute to one-and-a-half minutes to complete. Each constructed-response item is designed to take about eight minutes to complete. The estimated time to respond to a test question is the same for both test formats. During an actual exam administration, students are given additional time as necessary to complete the exam.
What is a scenario in biology?
describing a biological concept, an experiment, or other scientific research. You can use the information contained in a scenario to answer certain exam questions. Before responding to any scenario questions, be sure to study the entire scenario and follow the directions for the scenario. You may refer back to the scenario at any time when answering the scenario questions.
Which structure has a porous lining that allows substances to move into or out of the structure?
Lungs and capillaries both have porous linings that allow certain substances to move into or out of the structures. Which function do these porous linings
Is the pea aphid carotenoid gene similar to the genes in a fungus?
The pea aphid carotenoid gene is more similar to the genes in a fungus than to the genes in the plants they consume. Scientists think that at some point millions of years ago HGT occurred between the fungi and the pea aphids. Pennsylvania Keystone Biology Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2019 63. Biolog yM.
