Study Guide

Field 084: Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Test Design and Framework

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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

Test overview, including duration of test, number of questions, and passing score.
Format Computer-based test ( C B T )
Number of Questions 80 selected-response questions and 1 constructed-response assignment
Time* 4 hours
Passing Score 240

*Does not include 15-minute  C B T  tutorial

Test Framework

pie chart of subarea weighting, as described in the table below
Test weighting by number of questions per subarea.
Subareas Range of Competencies Approximate Percentage 
of Test
Selected-Response
 roman numeral 1  Students with Communication Disorders 0001–0004 30 percent 
 roman numeral 2  Intervention and Instruction 0005–0008 38 percent 
 roman numeral 3  Legal, Ethical, and Professional Responsibilities 0009–0010 17 percent 
Total weighting of Selected-Response Questions 85 percent 
Constructed-Response
 roman numeral 4  Analysis and Application 0011 15 percent 

Subarea roman numeral 1–Students with Communication Disorders

Competency 0001–Understand typical speech production (articulation, phonology, voice, and fluency), language (semantics, syntax, morphology, pragmatics) and feeding/swallowing development, and the effects of various disabilities on speech and language development.

The following topics are examples of content that may be covered under this competency.

Competency 0002–Understand communication disorders involving speech (articulation, phonology, voice, and fluency) and feeding/swallowing.

The following topics are examples of content that may be covered under this competency.

Competency 0003–Understand communication disorders involving receptive and expressive language (i.e., listening, reading, speaking, writing, and manual modalities) and social communication.

The following topics are examples of content that may be covered under this competency.

Competency 0004–Understand communication disorders involving hearing loss.

The following topics are examples of content that may be covered under this competency.

Subarea roman numeral 2–Intervention and Instruction

Competency 0005–Understand ways to improve students' speech production (articulation, phonology, voice, and fluency) and feeding/swallowing.

The following topics are examples of content that may be covered under this competency.

Competency 0006–Understand ways to improve students' receptive and expressive language.

The following topics are examples of content that may be covered under this competency.

Competency 0007–Understand ways to improve students' pragmatic skills and social communication.

The following topics are examples of content that may be covered under this competency.

Competency 0008–Understand ways to improve the communication skills of students with hearing loss.

The following topics are examples of content that may be covered under this competency.

Subarea roman numeral 3–Legal, Ethical, and Professional Responsibilities

Competency 0009–Understand collaborative practice and the professional responsibilities of a speech-language pathology assistant in the school setting.

The following topics are examples of content that may be covered under this competency.

Competency 0010–Understand legal and ethical issues in speech language pathology within the school setting.

The following topics are examples of content that may be covered under this competency.

Subarea roman numeral 4–Analysis and Application

Competency 0011–Understand the needs of students with communication disorders and apply knowledge of evidence-based practices to design an activity that effectively addresses individual students' needs.

The following topics are examples of content that may be covered under this competency.