NYSTCE Earth Science (162) study guide
NYSTCE Earth Science (162) · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Earth Science Content Specialty Test (code 162) is a New York State Teacher Certification Examinations (NYSTCE) assessment used in the certification pathway for teachers of Earth Science. It is a computer-based test built from 90 selected-response items and 1 constructed-response item, with 3 hours and 15 minutes of testing time inside a 3 hours and 30 minutes total appointment (the first 15 minutes cover the CBT tutorial and nondisclosure agreement). The NYSTCE Earth Science (162) study guide has 4 sections and about 1,645 words.
01Foundations of Scientific Inquiry
The Foundations of Scientific Inquiry domain tests experimental design, measurement and error, data display, and the use and limits of models. Expect items that ask you to identify variables and controls, select units, read the Earth Science Reference Tables (ESRT), and compute density, gradient, or rate of change.
399 words, about 2 min02Space Systems
The Space Systems domain examines Earth's motions and their observable consequences, the Sun-Earth-Moon system, the solar system, and the origin and evolution of stars and the universe. Items emphasize geometry, reference-table data, and distinguishing real motions from apparent ones.
434 words, about 2 min03Earth Systems
The Earth Systems domain tests how the geosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, and biosphere exchange energy and matter. Expect questions on insolation and climate, plate tectonics and the rock cycle, weathering and erosion, groundwater, streams, and coasts-often asking you to predict the effect of a change in one system.
405 words, about 2 min04Earth's History
The Earth's History domain covers relative and absolute dating, fossils and correlation, the geologic time scale, and major events in the history of life and of New York State. Questions ask you to order events from a cross-section, calculate ages from half-lives, and recognize which dating method fits a sample.
407 words, about 2 min