Section 3: Overview and Exam Framework
TX PACT: Computer Science: Grades 8–12 (741)
Exam Overview
| Exam Name | TX PACT: Computer Science: Grades 8–12 |
|---|---|
| Exam Code | 741 |
| Time | 2 hours and 30 minutes total appointment time
|
| Number of Questions | 100 selected-response questions |
| Format | Computer-administered test (CAT) |
The TX PACT: Computer Science: Grades 8–12 (741) exam is designed to assess whether a test taker has demonstrated the requisite knowledge and skills for admission to an educator preparation program. The 100 selected-response questions are based on the Computer Science: Grades 8–12 exam framework. Questions on this exam range from grades 8–12. Your final scaled score will be based only on scored questions.
Domains and Competencies
| Domain | Domain Title | Approx. Percentage of Exam |
|---|---|---|
| I | Computational Thinking and Data Analysis | 29% |
| II | Programming Concepts | 42% |
| III | Computing Systems, Networks, and the Internet | 19% |
| IV | Impacts of Computing | 10% |
Pie chart of approximate test weighting outlined in the table above.
The content covered by this exam is organized into broad areas of content called domains. Each domain covers one or more of the standards for this field. Within each domain, the content is further defined by a set of competencies. Each competency is composed of two major parts:
- The competency statement, which broadly defines what an individual should know and be able to do in order to perform effectively in a Texas-approved educator preparation program.
- The descriptive statements, which describe in greater detail the knowledge and skills eligible for testing.
Domain I—Computational Thinking and Data Analysis
Competency 001—Understand problem solving and algorithm development.
For example:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the iterative problem-solving process.
- Apply knowledge of decomposing a problem into simpler parts.
- Apply characteristics of algorithmic thinking, including the use of flowcharts and pseudocode.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the use of sequence, selection, iteration, and recursive thinking in algorithm design.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the concept of abstraction for managing program complexity.
- Demonstrate knowledge of how program components fit together to complete the problem-solving process.
Competency 002—Understand characteristics of algorithms.
For example:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the practical application of algorithms.
- Interpret flow of control in an algorithm.
- Predict output of a given algorithm (e.g., program tracing).
- Select an algorithm to solve a given problem.
- Evaluate an algorithm in terms of correctness.
- Evaluate algorithms in terms of complexity and efficiency, including a basic interpretation of big-O notation.
- Apply knowledge of the characteristics and uses of searching (i.e., linear and binary) and sorting algorithms (e.g., bubble, selection).
Competency 003—Understand data analysis, modeling, and simulation.
For example:
- Demonstrate knowledge of tools and techniques for locating, collecting, and storing small-scale and large-scale data sets from a variety of sources (e.g., files, database).
- Identify data and use a variety of tools (e.g., database, spreadsheet, algorithms) and techniques (e.g., search, filter, transform, visualize) to analyze data and identify patterns.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the use of models and representations to describe and evaluate processes and phenomena.
- Apply knowledge of computer models and data analysis techniques for analyzing and simulating real-world problems.
Domain II—Programming Concepts
Competency 004—Understand programming concepts and program design and development.
For example:
- Apply knowledge of characteristics of programming languages (e.g., functional, compiled, object oriented), including block-based languages.
- Apply knowledge of the software development process (e.g., design, testing, maintenance) and methodologies (e.g., waterfall, iterative, agile).
- Apply knowledge of programming style and good programming practices (e.g., indenting, spacing, comments, naming conventions, camelCase) and program documentation.
- Apply knowledge of tools related to the development of computer artifacts (e.g., IDEs, APIs, libraries, mobile device simulators).
- Apply knowledge of common programming errors and procedures for debugging computer programs.
- Demonstrate knowledge of a variety of concepts related to programming (e.g., event driven, heuristic algorithms, parallel processing, artificial intelligence).
Competency 005—Understand characteristics and uses of data types.
For example:
- Demonstrate knowledge of language-defined data types (e.g., integer, float, Boolean).
- Apply properties of strings and string methods (e.g., length, substring, concatenation).
- Apply knowledge of constants, variables, and classes in various contexts.
- Apply a basic knowledge of data structures (e.g., one-dimensional arrays).
Competency 006—Understand operators and control structures.
For example:
- Apply arithmetical operators as defined by the language (e.g., addition, subtraction, multiplication, integer division, modular arithmetic).
- Apply relational operators in various contexts (e.g., greater than, less than, equal to).
- Interpret logical operators in various contexts (e.g., AND, OR, NOT).
- Apply knowledge of conditional selection structures (e.g., if, if-else), including nesting.
- Apply knowledge of iterative control structures (e.g., while, for), including nesting.
Competency 007—Understand concepts of object-oriented design and programming.
For example:
- Demonstrate knowledge of principles of modularization and characteristics of program modules (e.g., functions/methods, objects, classes).
- Analyze the characteristics and uses of inheritance and classes in object-oriented programming.
- Demonstrate knowledge of concepts and principles related to object-oriented design and programming (e.g., abstraction, information hiding, encapsulation, constructors).
- Apply knowledge of function calls, parameters, and parameter-passing techniques.
Domain III—Computing Systems, Networks, and the Internet
Competency 008—Understand terminology and concepts related to computing systems.
For example:
- Demonstrate knowledge of how information (e.g., text, image, sound) can be represented digitally by binary data.
- Demonstrate knowledge of characteristics of binary, decimal, and hexadecimal number systems.
- Demonstrate knowledge of basic computer architecture and peripherals (e.g., processors, memory, storage, sensors).
- Demonstrate knowledge of the characteristics and functions of operating systems.
- Apply knowledge of strategies for troubleshooting basic hardware and software problems.
Competency 009—Understand networks and the Internet.
For example:
- Demonstrate knowledge of terminology and concepts related to computer networks (e.g., client, server, bandwidth, protocol).
- Identify the basic structure and features of the Internet.
- Demonstrate knowledge of concepts related to data transfer on the Internet (e.g., routing, packet switching, https).
- Demonstrate knowledge of terminology and concepts related to mobile technologies (e.g., apps, wireless connectivity, security) and the interaction between mobile devices and networks.
- Demonstrate knowledge of cybersecurity issues related to networks and the Internet (e.g., firewalls, data encryption, malware).
Domain IV—Impacts of Computing
Competency 010—Understand social and global issues related to computer technology.
For example:
- Demonstrate knowledge of significant events (e.g., vacuum tube, transistors, integrated circuit, Turing test) and influential contributors (e.g., Charles Babbage, Ada Lovelace, Grace Hopper) in the history of computer science.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the responsible use of technology, social media, and digital citizenship, including appropriate etiquette, cyberbullying, and consequences of misuse.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the impact of technology on society (e.g., environment, economy, financial markets, medicine, education) and the influence of society on technology.
- Demonstrate knowledge of issues related to the ethical and legal use of computers and information (e.g., privacy, confidentiality, information sharing, intellectual property rights, hacking).
- Demonstrate knowledge of issues related to the equitable use of technology (e.g., language, disabilities, access to technology, culture, socioeconomic status).
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