Biology II Advanced Survey · Scientific and Engineering Practices
Virginia SOL BIOII.1
Virginia SOL BIOII.1 is part of the Scientific and Engineering Practices strand in Biology II Advanced Survey (Science). Under this Standards of Learning objective, students demonstrate understanding of scientific and engineering practices through inquiry, investigation, data analysis, modeling, and communication. Below is what BIOII.1 covers in plain language, the specific skills it is assessed on, the key concepts to review, and how to practice BIOII.1 for the Virginia SOL test.
What SOL BIOII.1 means
Demonstrate understanding of scientific and engineering practices through inquiry, investigation, data analysis, modeling, and communication.
Skills you’ll practice for BIOII.1
- Ask questions that arise from careful observation of phenomena, models, theories, or to seek additional information.
- Determine which questions can be investigated within the scope of the school laboratory or field.
- Make hypotheses that specify what happens to a dependent variable when an independent variable is manipulated.
- Generate hypotheses based on research and scientific principles.
- Plan and conduct observational and experimental investigations; identify variables, constants, and controls.
- Plan and conduct investigations in a safe and ethical manner, considering environmental, social, and personal effects.
- Determine appropriate sample size and techniques for investigations.
- Select and use appropriate tools and technology to collect and record data.
- Construct and interpret data tables showing independent and dependent variables, repeated trials, and means.
- Construct, analyze, and interpret graphical displays of data; consider limitations of data analysis.
- Use data to build and revise models or to support an explanation for phenomena.
- Apply mathematical concepts and processes in scientific contexts.
- Analyze data using tools, technologies, and/or models to make valid and reliable scientific claims.
- Construct and revise explanations based on valid and reliable evidence from multiple sources.
- Make quantitative and/or qualitative claims based on data.
- Apply scientific ideas, principles, and/or evidence to provide an explanation of phenomena.
- Compare and evaluate competing arguments in light of currently accepted explanations and new scientific evidence.
- Make and support a claim using empirical evidence and scientific reasoning.
- Evaluate a claim by applying scientific reasoning, theory, and/or models to link evidence to assess the extent to which the reasoning and data support the explanation or conclusion.
- Evaluate the merits and limitations of models.
- Develop, revise, and/or use models based on evidence to illustrate or predict relationships, support explanations, predict phenomena, analyze systems, and/or solve problems.
- Apply mathematical and statistical concepts and processes in building and revising models, and supporting explanations of phenomena.
- Compare, integrate, and evaluate sources of information presented in different media or formats to address a scientific question or solve a problem.
- Gather, read, and evaluate scientific and/or technical information from multiple authoritative sources, assessing the evidence and credibility of each source.
- Communicate scientific and/or technical information about phenomena in multiple formats.
Key concepts covered by BIOII.1
- scientific questioning
- phenomena observation
- model analysis
- theory examination
- investigable questions
- laboratory scope
- field investigation
- hypothesis formation
- dependent variable
- independent variable
- variable manipulation
- hypothesis generation
- scientific principles
- research-based hypotheses
- investigation planning
- variables identification
- constants
- controls
- safe investigation
- ethical conduct
- environmental considerations
- social impact
- sample size determination
- sampling techniques
- investigation design
- data collection tools
- technology selection
- data recording
- data tables
- independent variables
- dependent variables
- repeated trials
- means calculation
- graphical data display
- data analysis
- data interpretation
- limitations assessment
- data modeling
- model revision
- phenomena explanation
- evidence-based reasoning
- mathematical application
- scientific data analysis
- quantitative reasoning
- scientific claims
- validity assessment
- reliability evaluation
- explanation construction
- evidence evaluation
- peer review
- model-based reasoning
- quantitative claims
- qualitative claims
- scientific explanation
- phenomena interpretation
- principle application
- argument comparison
- scientific evidence
- explanation evaluation
- claim formulation
- empirical evidence
- scientific reasoning
- claim support
- claim evaluation
- theory application
- model-based assessment
- model evaluation
- model limitations
- model merits
- scientific modeling
- model development
- evidence-based modeling
- system analysis
- mathematical modeling
- statistical analysis
- source comparison
- information integration
- media evaluation
- scientific problem-solving
- source evaluation
- scientific literature
- credibility assessment
- evidence analysis
- scientific communication
- technical reporting
- multi-format presentation
How to study and practice SOL BIOII.1
Start with a quick diagnostic to see whether BIOII.1 is already solid, then work each skill above with guided notes, flashcards, and SOL-style practice questions. For official released items, see our Virginia SOL practice tests guide and how to study for the SOL test.
Frequently asked questions about SOL BIOII.1
What is Virginia SOL BIOII.1?
SOL BIOII.1 is a Biology II Advanced Survey Standard of Learning in the Scientific and Engineering Practices strand. It expects students to demonstrate understanding of scientific and engineering practices through inquiry, investigation, data analysis, modeling, and communication.
What skills does SOL BIOII.1 cover?
SOL BIOII.1 is assessed on 25 skills: ask questions that arise from careful observation of phenomena, models, theories, or to seek additional information; determine which questions can be investigated within the scope of the school laboratory or field; make hypotheses that specify what happens to a dependent variable when an independent variable is manipulated; generate hypotheses based on research and scientific principles; plan and conduct observational and experimental investigations; identify variables, constants, and controls; plan and conduct investigations in a safe and ethical manner, considering environmental, social, and personal effects; determine appropriate sample size and techniques for investigations; select and use appropriate tools and technology to collect and record data; construct and interpret data tables showing independent and dependent variables, repeated trials, and means; construct, analyze, and interpret graphical displays of data; consider limitations of data analysis; use data to build and revise models or to support an explanation for phenomena; apply mathematical concepts and processes in scientific contexts; analyze data using tools, technologies, and/or models to make valid and reliable scientific claims; construct and revise explanations based on valid and reliable evidence from multiple sources; make quantitative and/or qualitative claims based on data; apply scientific ideas, principles, and/or evidence to provide an explanation of phenomena; compare and evaluate competing arguments in light of currently accepted explanations and new scientific evidence; make and support a claim using empirical evidence and scientific reasoning; evaluate a claim by applying scientific reasoning, theory, and/or models to link evidence to assess the extent to which the reasoning and data support the explanation or conclusion; evaluate the merits and limitations of models; develop, revise, and/or use models based on evidence to illustrate or predict relationships, support explanations, predict phenomena, analyze systems, and/or solve problems; apply mathematical and statistical concepts and processes in building and revising models, and supporting explanations of phenomena; compare, integrate, and evaluate sources of information presented in different media or formats to address a scientific question or solve a problem; gather, read, and evaluate scientific and/or technical information from multiple authoritative sources, assessing the evidence and credibility of each source; communicate scientific and/or technical information about phenomena in multiple formats.
What strand of Biology II Advanced Survey is SOL BIOII.1 in?
SOL BIOII.1 belongs to the Scientific and Engineering Practices reporting strand of the Biology II Advanced Survey Virginia Standards of Learning.
How do I study and practice for SOL BIOII.1?
Start with a diagnostic to see whether BIOII.1 is already solid, then work the 25 skills above with guided notes, flashcards, and SOL-style practice questions. For official released items, see the Virginia SOL practice tests guide.