NES Technology/Engineering (819) Practice Tests

Competencies 01–03 make up about 20% of the test. They ask you to apply knowledge of connections between engineering, technology, mathematics, and natural sciences; apply knowledge of engineering design in developing technological solutions to problems within given specifications; apply knowledge of technology and engineering in social contexts.

• Competency 0001: Apply knowledge of connections between engineering, technology, mathematics, and natural sciences. Skills tested: Apply knowledge of mathematical principles and concepts (e.g., ratio and proportion, graphing, linear equations) to solve and represent technology and engineering problems; Apply knowledge of mathematics and data analysis to manipulate and analyze data sets related to a real-world design application; Apply measurement concepts (e.g., accuracy, precision, significant figures, scientific notation, unit conversion); Apply geometry concepts to solve problems in technology and engineering; Demonstrate knowledge of physical and life sciences as applied to technological problems; Apply knowledge of the use of computers and computer simulations in technology (e.g., collecting and analyzing data, modeling the impact of a proposed solution to a real-world problem).
• Competency 0002: Apply knowledge of engineering design in developing technological solutions to problems within given specifications. Skills tested: Apply knowledge of breaking a complex real-world problem into smaller, more manageable problems; Demonstrate knowledge of the engineering design process (e.g., generating ideas, prototype development) and its characteristics (e.g., purposeful, iterative, creative); Identify characteristics of specifications, requirements, criteria, constraints, and trade-offs; Demonstrate knowledge of procedures for ensuring quality control and meeting design criteria and constraints in a manufacturing system; Demonstrate knowledge of the role and importance of models (including computer models) and prototypes in the development and optimization of design solutions; Apply knowledge of orthographic and isometric drawings and the use of appropriate scales and proportions; Apply knowledge of how to present solutions that include specifications, performance results, successes, and remaining issues and limitations; Apply science and engineering practices in exploring and understanding content and design solutions related to the engineering design of technological solutions.
• Competency 0003: Apply knowledge of technology and engineering in social contexts. Skills tested: Analyze real-world problems to determine necessary qualitative and quantitative criteria and constraints as they apply to today's society; Apply knowledge of how design principles can be applied to solve a variety of global and societal problems; Demonstrate knowledge of positive and negative effects of technology and engineering (e.g., nuclear energy; pesticides; fossil fuels; use of transportation, communication, construction, and medical technologies); Evaluate solutions to a complex real-world problem in today's society using a variety of criteria, including unintended consequences and trade-offs (e.g., cost, safety, reliability, maintenance, cultural and environmental impacts); Describe methods of evaluating competing solutions to a problem (e.g., types of testing, data analysis, computer simulations, focus groups); Apply knowledge of how societal requirements (e.g., risk mitigation, aesthetics, ethical considerations) influence the design process; Apply science and engineering practices in exploring and understanding content and design solutions related to the social context of engineering designs.

Competencies 04–05 make up about 16% of the test. They ask you to apply knowledge of the selection and safe use of appropriate materials, tools, equipment, and machines in technology and engineering; apply knowledge of manufacturing processes used to create products that meet stated requirements.

• Competency 0004: Apply knowledge of the selection and safe use of appropriate materials, tools, equipment, and machines in technology and engineering. Skills tested: Demonstrate knowledge of guidelines related to the safe use of tools (e.g., hand tools, power tools) and machines (e.g., drill press, band saw); Demonstrate knowledge of instructional approaches, including content and delivery, for teaching students the attitudes and behaviors associated with safety in the technology and engineering laboratory and workplace; Apply skills needed to select and use appropriate measuring tools (e.g., rigid rule, micrometer, caliper, square) for solving real-world design problems; Apply skills needed to select and use appropriate hand and power tools for a given process (e.g., shaping, cutting, boring, gripping, joining, fastening); Apply knowledge of characteristics and uses of a variety of computer-based manufacturing tools (e.g., 3-D printer, laser cutter, CNC machine); Demonstrate knowledge of resources and practices for maintaining a safe learning environment for students (e.g., emergency procedures, safety data sheets for materials).
• Competency 0005: Apply knowledge of manufacturing processes used to create products that meet stated requirements. Skills tested: Identify characteristics of processes (e.g., mechanical, thermal, chemical, electrochemical) used to extract raw materials and to prepare these materials for manufacturing; Apply knowledge of physical and chemical properties of materials (e.g., wood, plastic, metal, ceramics) used to manufacture products; Apply knowledge of forming processes (e.g., molding, casting, shaping, rolling, forging, stamping) for various applications; Apply knowledge of machining and milling processes for various applications; Select the most appropriate manufacturing process to create parts that meet stated requirements (e.g., related to shape, size, or finish); Compare and contrast custom and mass-production manufacturing systems and their uses; Apply knowledge of the role of automation and robotics in manufacturing to a real-world design application; Apply knowledge of stages of the manufacturing process (e.g., design, testing, production, quality control); Explain how computers and robots can be used at different stages of a manufacturing system; Apply science and engineering practices in exploring and understanding content and design solutions related to manufacturing processes.

Competencies 06–09 make up about 22% of the test. They ask you to apply knowledge of processes used to communicate data and information; apply knowledge of design factors, material selection, and constraints in building structures; analyze the effects of forces in construction technology, and more.

• Competency 0006: Apply knowledge of processes used to communicate data and information. Skills tested: Analyze communication systems and their components (e.g., source, encoder, transmitter, receiver, decoder, storage, retrieval, destination); Analyze communication systems in terms of goals, inputs, processes, outputs, and feedback; Apply knowledge of characteristics of digital signals (e.g., binary, discrete) and analog signals (e.g., continuous, frequency, amplitude) to communication systems; Demonstrate knowledge of how information travels through different media (e.g., electrical wire, optical fiber, air, space); Compare and contrast the benefits and drawbacks of various communication systems (e.g., radio, television, print, Internet); Apply science and engineering practices in exploring and understanding content and design solutions related to communication technology.
• Competency 0007: Apply knowledge of design factors, material selection, and constraints in building structures. Skills tested: Demonstrate knowledge of the functions of components that make up engineered buildings (e.g., foundation, flooring, decking, walls, roofing systems); Demonstrate knowledge of types of bridges (e.g., arch, beam, suspension, truss) and factors affecting their appropriate uses (e.g., site, span, resources, loads); Demonstrate knowledge of the considerations and constraints affecting selection of materials in construction technology (e.g., elasticity, thermal conductivity, density, cost, associated hazards); Apply science and engineering practices in exploring and understanding content and design solutions related to design factors, material selection, and constraints in building structures.
• Competency 0008: Analyze the effects of forces in construction technology. Skills tested: Apply knowledge of the vector nature of forces to find force components and resultants; Demonstrate knowledge of how forces affect various construction materials (e.g., wood, steel, concrete); Analyze how the forces of tension, compression, torsion, and shear affect the performance of structures; Demonstrate knowledge of how various loads (e.g., live, dead, combined, wind, snow) affect the design of structures; Apply science and engineering practices in exploring and understanding content and design solutions related to construction technology.
• Competency 0009: Apply knowledge of the principles and characteristics of transportation technology. Skills tested: Identify types of transportation systems (e.g., land, water, air, space, intermodal) and their characteristics (e.g., cost, size, limitations); Identify types and characteristics of power sources used in transportation systems (e.g., gasoline, diesel, solar, wind, electrical); Analyze the effects of lift, drag, friction, thrust, and weight on transportation vehicles and systems; Demonstrate knowledge of subsystems of transportation systems (e.g., structural, propulsion, guidance, suspension, control, support) and their functions; Apply science and engineering practices in exploring and understanding content and design solutions related to transportation technology.

Competencies 10–13 make up about 22% of the test. They ask you to apply knowledge of fluid systems and their role in technological systems; apply knowledge of thermal systems and their role in technological systems; apply knowledge of electrical principles and components and their roles in technological systems, and more.

• Competency 0010: Apply knowledge of fluid systems and their role in technological systems. Skills tested: Identify types of fluid systems (e.g., open, closed, hydraulic, pneumatic) and their characteristics and uses; Identify characteristics of open and closed systems (e.g., humidity control systems, heating systems, cooling systems) and their uses; Identify the components of fluid systems (e.g., fluid, valves, metering devices, controlling devices, pumps); Demonstrate knowledge of principles of fluid mechanics (e.g., Pascal's, Archimedes's, Bernoulli's) in technology and engineering applications (e.g., force amplification, airfoil design, building design); Apply science and engineering practices in exploring and understanding content and design solutions related to fluid systems.
• Competency 0011: Apply knowledge of thermal systems and their role in technological systems. Skills tested: Apply knowledge of the conservation of energy; Describe processes by which heat is transferred (i.e., radiation, convection, and conduction) and the role of these processes in technological systems; Apply knowledge of feedback loops in thermal systems (e.g., thermostats, temperature sensors, heat pumps) and their role in thermal systems; Solve problems associated with the heating and cooling of spaces, including conservation of energy, efficiency, and insulation R-value; Analyze alternatives to nonrenewable thermal energy sources (e.g., biofuels, geothermal, solar thermal) in real-world applications; Apply science and engineering practices in exploring and understanding content and design solutions related to thermal systems.
• Competency 0012: Apply knowledge of electrical principles and components and their roles in technological systems. Skills tested: Demonstrate knowledge of the nature of electricity and electromagnetic forces; Demonstrate knowledge of the role of AC and DC current in technological systems; Identify types, functions, and schematic representations of components of electrical systems (e.g., source, conductor, load, resistor, switch); Demonstrate knowledge of how to measure and calculate voltage, resistance, current, and power in electric circuits (i.e., Ohm's law); Compare properties of series and parallel circuits; Demonstrate knowledge of alternative technologies for producing electrical energy (e.g., fuel cells, wind turbines, solar photovoltaic cells, hydropower); Apply science and engineering practices in exploring and understanding content and design solutions related to electrical systems.
• Competency 0013: Apply knowledge of basic principles of energy, work, and power and their relationship to mechanical systems. Skills tested: Demonstrate knowledge of the concepts of energy, work, power, and efficiency and their interrelationships; Solve problems involving force, mechanical advantage for simple machines (e.g., gear ratios, hydraulic systems, levers), and tools (e.g., pliers, screws); Demonstrate knowledge of devices and processes used to facilitate a task in mechanical systems (e.g., gears, pulleys, transmissions, differentials); Apply science and engineering practices in exploring and understanding content and design solutions related to mechanical systems.

Competencies 14, 15 make up about 20% of the test. They ask you to prepare an organized, developed analysis on a topic related to instruction in engineering design and manufacturing using materials and tools; prepare an organized, developed analysis on a topic related to instruction about a given technological system or an energy and power technology. Engineering Design 10%; Technological Systems and Energy and Power Systems 10%.

• Competency 0014: Prepare an organized, developed analysis on a topic related to instruction in engineering design and manufacturing using materials and tools. Skills tested: Given a real-world problem, describe an instructional approach for guiding students in designing a prototype solution in the technology and engineering classroom; Identify a specific science and engineering practice and describe how it could be used to help students design solutions to this problem; Describe and discuss materials, tools, and processes, including safety considerations, that students could use to build a working prototype; Define a process that students could use to test and evaluate the prototype.
• Competency 0015: Prepare an organized, developed analysis on a topic related to instruction about a given technological system or an energy and power technology. Skills tested: Analyze a given technological system in terms of its components; Describe characteristics of the components related to this system and their function in the system; Discuss the processes used to convert input to output and describe how the system uses power and/or energy; Identify a specific science and engineering practice and describe how it could be used to help students make sense of the system and how it functions.