Biology
End‐of‐Course (EOC)
Exam
Students are required to pass the
biology EOC for high school
graduation.
Washington State OSPI-
 All
students taking Integrated Inquiry
Science -Level II will be taking the Biology
End-Of-Course Exam (EOC) for Biology.
 Students in Washington State must pass
the Biology (EOC) to graduate from high
school.- Source: OSPI
 The Biology EOC will be administered this
year on May 26 2015 (The Tuesday after
Memorial Day weekend). Note: This date
was recently changed.
Item Types on the Biology
End‐of‐Course (EOC) Exam
Performance Level Descriptors


Performance Level Descriptors (PLDs) give teachers,
parents/guardians and students more information about
the typical skills and knowledge a student demonstrates
on state assessments in each performance level.
PLDs are broken down by the score levels students can
earn:





Basic (Level 2)
Proficient (Level 3)
Advanced (Level 4)
A level 3 or 4 is required for passing
Students with a 504 plan can pass
with a level 2 or greater.
What content will I need to know?
Big Idea 1: Structures and Functions of Living
Organisms (LS1)
Core Content:
 Processes Within Cells
Big Idea 2: Ecosystems (LS2)
Core Content:

Maintenance and Stability of Populations
Big Idea 3: Biological Evolution (LS3)
Core Content:

Mechanisms of Evolution
EALR 4: Life Science.
Big Idea: Structures and Functions of Living
Organisms
Core Content: Processes Within Cells
In 9th grade you learned that cells have complex
molecules and structures that enable them to carry
out life functions such as photosynthesis and
respiration.
This year you learned how organisms pass on their
characteristics to future generations and learn how information
for producing proteins and reproduction is coded in DNA and
organized into genes in chromosomes.
 This elegant yet complex set of processes explains how life
forms replicate themselves with slight changes that make
adaptations to changing conditions possible over long periods
of time. These processes that occur within living cells help you
understand the commonalities among the diverse living forms
that populate Earth today.
EALR 4: Life Science.
Big Idea: Ecosystems
Core Content: Maintenance and Stability of
Populations
This year you will learn about the factors that foster or limit
growth of populations within ecosystems and that help to
maintain the health of the ecosystem overall.
Organisms participate in the cycles of matter and flow of energy
to survive and reproduce. Given abundant resources,
populations can increase at rapid rates. But living and
nonliving factors limit growth, resulting in ecosystems that can
remain stable for long periods of time. Understanding the
factors that affect populations is important for many societal
issues, from decisions about protecting endangered species to
questions about how to meet the resource needs of civilization
while maintaining the health and sustainability of Earth's
ecosystems.
EALR 4: Life Science.
Big Idea: Biological Evolution
 Core
Content: Mechanisms of Evolution
This year you learned about the factors that underlie
biological evolution: variability of offspring,
population growth, a finite supply of resources, and
natural selection.
Both the fossil record and analyses of DNA have
made it possible to better understand the causes of
variability and to determine how the many species
alive today are related. Evolution is the major
framework that explains the amazing diversity of life
on our planet and guides the work of the life
sciences.
What percent of last year’s students
who took the EOC passed?
 89.1%
:2013
 90.4% :2014
What are some things you can
do to prepare for the EOC??
Review review materials on this site. Specifically Be familiar with the vocabulary used- see vocab list on
Weebly EOC site.
 Read over each of the test item specifications for the three
big ideas in biology. Be able to demonstrate that you
understand each of the elements you may be asked to do
on this assessment. Use the following guide to reflect on your
current understanding of important content knowledge and
science practices. Use this assessment as a diagnostic tool
to focus on needed areas.
 Link to reflection/diagnostic- posted 5/4
 Seek understanding for the items you did not check off..ask
your friends or teacher or Google your bff.
 Attend a drop in review session (after or before school).