TASC Student Directed Inquiry study guide
TASC Student Directed Inquiry · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The TASC Student Directed Inquiry (SDI) is a constructed-response component of the Test Assessing Secondary Completion in which you design, carry out, and present your own investigation rather than answer selected-response items. It suits candidates completing a high school equivalency pathway who can work independently over an extended period: you choose a question worth pursuing, gather and evaluate sources, plan a method, collect and analyze data, build an evidence-based argument, and communicate findings in writing and, typically, a short presentation. The TASC Student Directed Inquiry study guide has 6 sections and about 1,772 words.
01Inquiry Question Development
A Student Directed Inquiry (SDI) begins with a question the student genuinely owns. A workable question is focused (narrow enough to investigate within the available time and resources), researchable (answerable with evidence the student can realistically gather), significant (connected to a real concept or problem, not trivia), and open (invites analysis rather than a yes/no lookup).
316 words, about 2 min02Research and Source Evaluation
Effective inquiry depends on source literacy . Learn to classify sources as primary (original data, eyewitness accounts, raw documents, experiments you run) versus secondary (summaries, textbooks, review articles) versus tertiary (encyclopedias, indexes).
304 words, about 2 min03Investigation Design and Methodology
A sound methodology lets someone else repeat your work. Specify variables (independent, dependent, controlled), your procedure step by step, your materials , your sample and sampling method , and your analysis plan before collecting data.
306 words, about 2 min04Data Collection and Analysis
Good analysis starts with disciplined collection. Decide in advance whether data are quantitative (counts, measurements, scores) or qualitative (interviews, observations, open responses), and design instruments - checklists, rubrics, surveys, logs - that produce consistent records.
302 words, about 2 min05Evidence-Based Reasoning and Argumentation
An evidence-based argument links a claim to evidence through explicit reasoning , and acknowledges limitations . Strong arguments separate observation from interpretation, quantify uncertainty, and consider alternative explanations .
266 words, about 1 min06Communication and Presentation of Findings
Communication translates your investigation for an audience. Structure reports with question, background, methods, results, discussion, and conclusion , and tailor language and depth to the audience (peers, teachers, community).
278 words, about 1 min