Cognitive Skill Descriptions for Grades 5 Science and Technology/Engineering MCAS
The lists below are general examples, but they are not a complete list. Depending upon how the item is written, these
descriptions may not always apply.
Cognitive Skill
Remembering
Understanding
Applying
Analyzing
Creating
Description
 Identify or define a basic concept or term with little or no context
 Recall facts with little or no context
Does the item require recalling or remembering facts or definitions?
 Describe, explain, or identify typical classroom examples for a science or tech/eng
concept
 Recognize and differentiate representations and descriptions of familiar models (e.g., water
cycle, life cycle, simple circuit diagram )
 Classify familiar organisms when given familiar characteristics
 Recognize and describe basic structures and their functions in plants and animals
 Recognize and describe basic forms of energy in familiar situations
 Recognize and describe how magnets will behave in familiar set ups
 Identify common tools and how to safely use them
 Recognize describe appropriate use of science and tech/eng techniques in a familiar
situation
Does the item require the recognition or a description of a familiar concept?
 Describe, explain, or identify a given concept presented in a novel situation
 Draw conclusions by comparing and contrasting information in novel situations
 Draw conclusions by interpreting information/data (including simple graphs and tables) or
make predictions based on data (does not include “critical examination” of data, as is
done for analyzing)
 Classify unfamiliar organisms given unfamiliar or less familiar characteristics
The following apply to open-response items:
 Describe appropriate use of science and technology/engineering techniques in a given
situation
 Use familiar models (e.g. circuit diagrams) to describe or explain a scientific or
technology/engineering concept in a novel situation
 Describe or explain appropriate use of tools and safety precautions
Does the item require drawing conclusions based on novel information or solving complex
problems?
 Critically examine and interpret data (e.g., multiple graphs, tables with multiple
variables), diagrams (e.g., complex circuits), or maps to draw conclusions based on given
information (Note: An item with a graph/diagram/table/map is not necessarily
analyzing—it depends on how the information needs to be interpreted.)
Does the item require critical examination of information to make conclusions?
 Generate an explanation or conclusion by combining two or more science or tech/eng
concepts in a novel situation
 Construct models, graphs, charts, drawings, or diagrams (e.g., circuit diagrams, food
chains) and generate explanations or conclusions based on given information
 Construct food chains illustrating ecological relationships and generate predictions or
conclusions based on the food chain
 Propose solutions to scientific or engineering problems based on given criteria/constraints
Does the item require the synthesis of different concepts or skills to generate a solution?
Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education | Cognitive Skills for STE MCAS
| Working Draft May 2013