Study Guide
Art
Test Design and Framework
The test design below describes general assessment information. The framework that follows is a detailed outline that explains the knowledge and skills that this test measures.
Test Design
| Format | Computer-based test (CBT) and online-proctored test |
|---|---|
| Number of Questions | 100 multiple-choice questions |
| Time* | 2 hours |
| Passing Score | 220 |
*Does not include 15-minute tutorial
Test Framework
| Content Domain | Range of Competencies | Approximate Percentage of Test Score | |
|---|---|---|---|
| I. | Media, Techniques, and Processes | 0001–0005 | 34% |
| II. | Elements and Principles | 0006–0007 | 14% |
| III. | Aesthetics, Art Criticism, and Interdisciplinary Connections | 0008–0010 | 18% |
| IV. | Historical and Cultural Contexts | 0011–0015 | 34% |
Domain I–Media, Techniques, and Processes
Competency 0001–Understand media, tools, techniques, and processes used in drawing.
For example:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the characteristics and uses of various media and tools in drawing.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the characteristics and uses of various techniques and processes in drawing.
- Demonstrate knowledge of how the selection of particular media, tools, techniques, and processes affects meaning or expression in drawing.
- Demonstrate knowledge of safety and the use and care of media, tools, techniques, and processes in drawing.
Competency 0002–Understand media, tools, techniques, and processes used in painting.
For example:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the characteristics and uses of various media and tools in painting.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the characteristics and uses of various techniques and processes in painting.
- Demonstrate knowledge of how the selection of particular media, tools, techniques, and processes affects meaning or expression in painting.
- Demonstrate knowledge of safety and the use and care of media, tools, techniques, and processes in painting.
Competency 0003–Understand media, tools, techniques, and processes used in media arts.
For example:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the characteristics and uses of various media and tools in media arts.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the characteristics and uses of various techniques and processes in media arts.
- Demonstrate knowledge of how the selection of particular media, tools, techniques, and processes affects meaning or expression in media arts.
- Demonstrate knowledge of safety and the use and care of media, tools, techniques, and processes in media arts.
Competency 0004–Understand media, tools, techniques, and processes used in printmaking, fiber arts, and jewelry.
For example:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the characteristics and uses of various media and tools in printmaking, fiber arts, and jewelry.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the characteristics and uses of various techniques and processes in printmaking, fiber arts, and jewelry.
- Demonstrate knowledge of how the selection of particular media, tools, techniques, and processes affects meaning or expression in printmaking, fiber arts, and jewelry.
- Demonstrate knowledge of safety and the use and care of media, tools, techniques, and processes in printmaking, fiber arts, and jewelry.
Competency 0005–Understand media, tools, techniques, and processes used in sculpture and ceramics.
For example:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the characteristics and uses of various media and tools in sculpture and ceramics.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the characteristics and uses of various techniques and processes in sculpture and ceramics.
- Demonstrate knowledge of how the selection of particular media, tools, techniques, and processes affects meaning or expression in sculpture and ceramics.
- Demonstrate knowledge of safety and the use and care of media, tools, techniques, and processes in sculpture and ceramics.
Domain II–Elements and Principles
Competency 0006–Understand the elements of art.
For example:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the elements of art (i.e., line, shape, form, texture, color, value, and space).
- Analyze how the elements of art have been used to achieve specific effects or communicate ideas in given works of art.
- Compare and contrast ways in which the elements of art are used in two different artworks.
Competency 0007–Understand the principles of design.
For example:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of design (i.e., balance, emphasis, contrast, rhythm/repetition, unity, and proportion).
- Analyze how the principles of design have been used to achieve specific effects or communicate ideas in given works of art.
- Compare and contrast ways in which the principles of design are used in two different artworks.
Domain III–Aesthetics, Art Criticism, and Interdisciplinary Connections
Competency 0008–Understand aesthetics.
For example:
- Demonstrate knowledge of aesthetic intent in works of art.
- Demonstrate knowledge of aesthetic concepts, processes, theories, and aesthetic questions.
Competency 0009–Understand art criticism.
For example:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the components of art criticism (i.e., describe, analyze, interpret, and evaluate) and vocabulary used in art criticism.
- Apply critical processes to describe, analyze, interpret, and evaluate works of art.
Competency 0010–Understand connections between visual arts and connections between visual arts and other academic disciplines.
For example:
- Demonstrate knowledge of how ideas, themes, and concepts in the visual arts are expressed in other arts disciplines (i.e., dance, music, and theater).
- Analyze ways in which concepts and themes in other academic disciplines (e.g., language arts, math, science, social studies) have been explored through the visual arts.
Domain IV–Historical and Cultural Contexts
Competency 0011–Understand works of art from various cultures of Africa and the Middle East from ancient times to the present.
For example:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the purposes and functions of art in various cultures of Africa and the Middle East from ancient times to the present.
- Demonstrate knowledge of how art from various cultures of Africa and the Middle East from ancient times to the present relate to their historical context.
- Demonstrate knowledge of how art from various cultures of Africa and the Middle East from ancient times to the present influenced and was influenced by art from other cultures and historical periods.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the distinguishing characteristics of art from various cultures of Africa and the Middle East from ancient times to the present.
Competency 0012–Understand works of art from various cultures of Asia and Oceania from ancient times to the present.
For example:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the purposes and functions of art in various cultures of Asia and Oceania from ancient times to the present.
- Demonstrate knowledge of how art from various cultures of Asia and Oceania from ancient times to the present relate to their historical context.
- Demonstrate knowledge of how art from various cultures of Asia and Oceania from ancient times to the present influenced and was influenced by art from other cultures and historical periods.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the distinguishing characteristics of art from various cultures of Asia and Oceania from ancient times to the present.
Competency 0013–Understand works of art from various cultures of Central and South America from ancient times to the present.
For example:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the purposes and functions of art in various cultures of Central and South America from ancient times to the present.
- Demonstrate knowledge of how art from various cultures of Central and South America from ancient times to the present relate to their historical context.
- Demonstrate knowledge of how art from various cultures of Central and South America from ancient times to the present influenced and was influenced by art from other cultures and historical periods.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the distinguishing characteristics of art from various cultures of Central and South America from ancient times to the present.
Competency 0014–Understand works of art from various cultures of Europe from ancient times to the present.
For example:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the purposes and functions of art in various cultures of Europe from ancient times to the present.
- Demonstrate knowledge of how art from various cultures of Europe from ancient times to the present relate to their historical context.
- Demonstrate knowledge of how art from various cultures of Europe from ancient times to the present influenced and was influenced by art from other cultures and historical periods.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the distinguishing characteristics of art from various cultures of Europe from ancient times to the present.
Competency 0015–Understand works of art from various cultures of North America from ancient times to the present.
For example:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the purposes and functions of art in various cultures of North America from ancient times to the present.
- Demonstrate knowledge of how art from various cultures of North America from ancient times to the present relate to their historical context.
- Demonstrate knowledge of how art from various cultures of North America from ancient times to the present influenced and was influenced by art from other cultures and historical periods.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the distinguishing characteristics of art from various cultures of North America from ancient times to the present.