How many items are in a Physical Science: Chemistry question cluster?

Released Physical Science: Chemistry clusters run 4 to 5 items, most often 5. About 54% of items are multiple choice.

How does a Physical Science: Chemistry cluster refer to its figures?

Physical Science: Chemistry numbers its artwork and cites it by number — labelled "Figure", "Equation", "Table" — for example "Using the data in Figure 2, ...".

How long is the stimulus in a Physical Science: Chemistry cluster?

Measured across released Physical Science: Chemistry exams, the stimulus runs 70 to 172 words, with a median of 111.

New York State P-12 Science Learning Standards

Physical Science: Chemistry

The 21 performance expectations on the NYSED Physical Science: Chemistry course map, including 4 unique to New York State. Each links to the official statement, its clarification statement and assessment boundary, and the three dimensions it assesses.

Cluster format on the Physical Science: Chemistry exam

Measured from released Physical Science: Chemistry examinations — these conventions differ by course, and three of them are not what a chemistry-trained eye would guess.

Items per cluster: 4–5 (typically 5)
Multiple choice: 54% of items
Stimulus length: 70–172 words (median 111)
Figure references: Numbered — "Figure", "Equation", "Table"

Framing line, verbatim

Base your answers to questions 1 through 5 on the information below and on your knowledge of chemistry. Some questions may require the use of the 2025 Edition Reference Tables for Physical Science: Chemistry.

Performance expectations by topic

Structure and Properties of Matter

Chemical Reactions

Energy

Waves and Electromagnetic Radiation

HS-PS4-4Electromagnetic RadiationEvaluate the validity and reliability of claims in published materials of the effects that different frequencies of electromagnetic radiation have when absorbed by matter.

Matter and Energy in Organisms and Ecosystems

HS-LS1-5Photosynthesis Matter and EnergyUse a model to illustrate how photosynthesis transforms light energy into stored chemical energy.

Engineering Design

Common questions

How many items are in a Physical Science: Chemistry question cluster?: Released Physical Science: Chemistry clusters run 4 to 5 items, most often 5. About 54% of items are multiple choice.
How does a Physical Science: Chemistry cluster refer to its figures?: Physical Science: Chemistry numbers its artwork and cites it by number — labelled "Figure", "Equation", "Table" — for example "Using the data in Figure 2, ...".
How long is the stimulus in a Physical Science: Chemistry cluster?: Measured across released Physical Science: Chemistry exams, the stimulus runs 70 to 172 words, with a median of 111.