High School Biology Study Guide for the STAAR test

Scientific Process Skills

Since about 40% of your study time in Biology I is designed to involve lab-type work, indoors or out, you should be familiar with the various scientific processes. There will not be any questions on the STAAR Biology I test specifically about these processes, but about 40% of the questions will require you to be familiar with them to choose the correct answer.

Be sure that you understand the meaning of each of these concepts and know how to apply them to answer test questions. If you are not familiar and comfortable with any of these, seek additional help from your biology teacher or other science professional.

Lab and field experiences should involve:

• Safe practices
• Conservation
• Proper disposal and recycling

You should be familiar with:

• The definition of science and its limitations
• The nature of hypotheses, including these related concepts: tentative, testable, supportable, evidence, durable explanatory power, and how hypotheses become theories
• The nature of theories, including their relationship with natural and physical phenomena, their use by independent researchers, the difference between theory and hypothesis, and how theories may change over time
• The components of a scientific investigation, including description, comparison, experimental procedures, questioning, formulating testable hypotheses, and choosing appropriate equipment and technology
• Historical events and important people in the field of biology

You should be able to:

• Gather both qualitative and quantitative data.
• Analyze and evaluate data.
• Infer and predict using data.
• Use data to support conclusions.
• Make accurate and precise measurements.
• Use all standard high school science laboratory tools.
• Use a variety of sources of information.
• Communicate data and results in a variety of ways, such as lab reports, drawings, and technology-based reports.
• Explain the significance of lab findings.

You should be adept at these practices:

• Critical thinking
• Scientific reasoning
• Problem-solving