How to Map the Test Objectives to the Curriculum

Mapping the test objectives to the curriculum is an activity that helps faculty analyze the alignment of their curricula with the AEPA tests. As a faculty member, you may wish to complete the following steps to aid in your analysis. A sample completed worksheet is provided below.

1. Obtain a copy of the test objectives for the appropriate Arizona custom test. Test objectives are available on this website. Select "Prepare," click on "Test Framework," and then select the field from the dropdown menu.
2. Obtain a copy of the Objective-to-Course Matching Worksheet. This worksheet is available on this website. Click on "Tests," select the appropriate Arizona custom test, and then click on "Preparation Materials."
3. Fill out the worksheet with the appropriate course names, and enter the subarea numbers in the appropriate rows. For some AEPA tests, you will find the approximate test weighting per subarea in the study guide. You will find the number of performance assignments (if applicable) on the overview page for the test to which you are mapping your curriculum. (Click on "Tests," and then select the name of the applicable test.)
4. Review the curriculum of each course that provides instruction to candidates who are preparing to take the test you are reviewing. Enter each relevant course in the left column on the worksheet.
5. Review each test objective to determine whether the course or courses you are analyzing cover the knowledge and skills identified by each test objective. You may wish to refer back to the test objectives and use the associated standards for each objective to guide this activity. If the knowledge and skills tested by an objective are covered by the course, indicate so in the appropriate box. Leave boxes blank to indicate content not covered. See below for an illustration of how to complete the worksheet.
6. When the worksheet is complete, review how well your curriculum covers the knowledge and skills assessed on the selected test to determine if any changes in the curriculum may be needed to better prepare candidates for testing.

There is an image of a completed test objectives worksheet with annotated instructions on how to fill it out correctly. Users are instructed to enter the code and name of the test, their name, and the current date in the appropriate fields at the top of the worksheet. In the subarea number row, users will input the roman numeral of the subarea that corresponds to the objective number listed directly below it. In the course name column on the left, users will enter courses relevant to the test. In the row for each course, users are instructed to input an x to indicate if an objective was covered in that course. If an objective was not covered in a particular course, leave the box for that objective blank.