Section 3: Overview and Exam Framework
TX PACT: Chemistry: Grades 7–12 (740)

Exam Overview

Table outlining the test format, number of questions, time, and passing score.
Exam Name TX PACT: Chemistry: Grades 7–12
Exam Code 740
Time 4 hours total appointment time
  • 15 minutes for CAT tutorial and compliance agreement
  • 3 hours and 45 minutes testing time
Number of Questions 125 selected-response questions
Format Computer-administered test (CAT)

The TX PACT: Chemistry: Grades 7–12 (740) exam is designed to assess whether a test taker has demonstrated the requisite knowledge and skills for admission to an educator preparation program. The 125 selected-response questions are based on the Chemistry: Grades 7–12 exam framework. Questions on this exam range from grades 7–12. Your final scaled score will be based only on scored questions.

Domains and Competencies

Table outlining test content and subject weighting by sub area and objective.
Domain Domain Title Approx. Percentage of Exam
I Nature of Science 18%
II Matter and Atomic Structure 18%
III Energy and Chemical Bonding 23%
IV Chemical Reactions 23%
V Stoichiometry and Solutions 18%
Pie chart of approximate test weighting, detailed 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:

Domain I—Nature of Science

Competency 001—Understand principles and procedures of scientific inquiry.

For example:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of the principles and procedures for designing and carrying out scientific investigations.
  2. Recognize methods and criteria for collecting, organizing, analyzing, and numerically and graphically presenting scientific data.
  3. Recognize the evidential basis of scientific claims.
  4. Demonstrate knowledge of the safety procedures and hazards associated with chemical investigations and the materials, equipment, and measurement standards used in chemistry.
  5. Apply basic mathematical procedures and concepts of uncertainty in reporting data and solving problems in chemistry.
Competency 002—Understand the history and nature of science.

For example:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of the historical development of major scientific ideas.
  2. Demonstrate knowledge of major contemporary theories, laws, models, and concepts in physics, biology, and Earth and space science.
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of unifying themes, principles, and relationships that connect the different branches of the sciences and the uses and limitations of models.
  4. Demonstrate knowledge of the nature of science and its characteristics as a system of inquiry.
Competency 003—Understand the relationships among science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and society.

For example:

  1. Analyze the interrelationships among chemistry, technology, engineering, mathematics, and society.
  2. Evaluate scientific research and the coverage of science in the media.
  3. Analyze social, economic, and ethical issues associated with technological and scientific developments.

 

Domain II—Matter and Atomic Structure

Competency 004—Understand the properties of matter.

For example:

  1. Analyze the characteristics of elements, compounds, and mixtures.
  2. Apply methods used to determine the chemical and physical properties of unknown substances.
  3. Analyze physical, chemical, and nuclear changes in matter.
  4. Demonstrate knowledge of the characteristics of radioactive materials.
Competency 005—Understand atomic theory and the periodic table.

For example:

  1. Analyze various historical and contemporary models of atomic structure and the supporting evidence for these models.
  2. Demonstrate knowledge of the properties of and interactions between electrons, protons, and neutrons; and the relationships among energy levels, photons, and atomic spectra.
  3. Demonstrate the ability to analyze electron configurations, orbital notations (or diagrams), and Lewis (or electron) dot symbols.
  4. Demonstrate knowledge of the organization of the periodic table and its usefulness in predicting the physical and chemical properties and relative reactivity of given elements.
Competency 006—Understand the kinetic molecular theory, the nature of phase changes, and the gas laws.

For example:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of the basic principles of the kinetic molecular theory and the distinguishing characteristics of the four states of matter.
  2. Analyze heating and cooling curves and phase diagrams.
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of the relationships among volume, temperature, and pressure in gases.
  4. Solve problems involving the gas laws.

 

Domain III—Energy and Chemical Bonding

Competency 007—Understand the principles of thermodynamics and calorimetry.

For example:

  1. Analyze the three laws of thermodynamics and their applications to chemical and biochemical systems.
  2. Predict the spontaneity of given chemical reactions.
  3. Differentiate among forms of energy and between heat and temperature.
  4. Analyze the results of calorimetry experiments.
Competency 008—Understand energy relationships in chemical bonding, chemical reactions, and physical processes.

For example:

  1. Analyze energy changes due to the formation or breaking of chemical bonds.
  2. Analyze energy changes during chemical reactions, including the analysis of enthalpy diagrams.
  3. Analyze energy changes involved in phase transitions, dissolving solutes in solvents, and diluting solutions.
Competency 009—Understand the nomenclature and structure of inorganic and organic compounds.

For example:

  1. Apply the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) rules of nomenclature.
  2. Analyze the characteristics of inorganic structures, including ionic solids, network solids, and metallic solids.
  3. Predict the geometry of molecules and polyatomic ions.
  4. Analyze the chemical composition and basic structure of organic compounds.
  5. Recognize the characteristics of structural, geometric, and optical isomers.
Competency 010—Understand chemical bonding and intermolecular forces and their effect on the properties of substances.

For example:

  1. Compare the characteristics of types of chemical bonds.
  2. Analyze chemical bonding in terms of electron behavior and the factors that affect bond strength.
  3. Analyze the characteristics of various types of intermolecular forces and the forces between molecules of a given structure.
  4. Relate the properties of substances to their atomic bonds and intermolecular forces.

 

Domain IV—Chemical Reactions

Competency 011—Understand the nature of chemical reactions.

For example:

  1. Analyze different types of chemical reactions.
  2. Predict the outcomes of chemical reactions.
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of collision theory and factors that influence reaction rates.
  4. Analyze rate problems and experimental rate data.
Competency 012—Understand the principles of chemical equilibrium.

For example:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of the concept of chemical equilibrium and the factors that influence chemical equilibrium.
  2. Apply Le Châtelier's principle to chemical systems.
  3. Solve problems involving equilibrium constants.
Competency 013—Understand acid-base chemistry.

For example:

  1. Analyze acids and bases according to how they behave and how they are defined.
  2. Determine the hydronium ion concentration, hydroxide ion concentration, pH, and pOH for acid, base, and salt solutions.
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of the relationship between molecular structure and acid strength and the relative strengths of acids and bases.
  4. Analyze buffer solutions qualitatively and quantitatively.
  5. Demonstrate knowledge of the principles and applications of acid-base titrations.
Competency 014—Understand oxidation-reduction reactions and electrochemistry.

For example:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of oxidation, reduction, oxidation numbers, and the balancing of oxidation-reduction equations.
  2. Analyze the components and operating principles of electrochemical cells and electrolytic cells.
  3. Solve problems involving electrochemical cells.
  4. Demonstrate knowledge of the applications of electrochemistry.

 

Domain V—Stoichiometry and Solutions

Competency 015—Understand the mole concept.

For example:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of the mole concept and its use in chemical calculations.
  2. Solve problems involving molar mass, percent-composition, and empirical and molecular formulas.
Competency 016—Understand stoichiometry.

For example:

  1. Demonstrate the ability to interpret chemical notation, balance chemical equations, and recognize net ionic equations.
  2. Solve stoichiometric problems involving moles, mass, volume, and energy, including limiting reactant and percent yield.
Competency 017—Understand the properties of solutions and colloidal suspensions.

For example:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of different types of solutions, colloids, and suspensions.
  2. Solve problems involving concentrations of solutions.
  3. Analyze factors that affect solubility and solubility curves.
  4. Analyze the colligative properties of solutions.
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