240's NES Physics Study Guide Is 85% Test-Aligned
240's NES Physics study guide is built around the official exam framework so you can study what is actually tested. This page shows exactly how the guide maps to the real exam — SMR by SMR and competency by competency — so you can see where coverage is strongest, where some depth gaps remain, and how each part of the guide supports your prep.
Why Test Alignment Matters for Your NES Physics Study Guide
Certification test standards are broad, but the exam questions are very specific. Our team of curriculum experts uses the 240 Study Guide Creation Process to ensure the most aligned, specific content for your NES Physics (308) test — so you are not wasting time on broad subject review that may not show up on exam day.
- Built around the official exam framework
- Organized by the competencies actually used on the exam
- Shows exactly what is covered and where depth is partial
- Includes aligned questions, flashcards, study materials, and videos
- Helps candidates study what is actually tested instead of broad generic content
How to Read This Alignment Review
| Official Competency | Matching 240 Topics | Alignment | Qs | Mats | Cards | Vids | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A. Demonstrate knowledge of principles and procedures for designing and carrying out scientific investigations (e.g., generating and testing hypotheses). | S.Repeatability; S.Scientific Method; S.Background Research; S.Experimental Investigations; S.Non-Experimental Investigations - Field Studies; S.Scientific Lab Techniques | Covered | 70 | 6 | 29 | 2 | Covered by 6 topics (70 questions, 6 materials, 29 cards, 2 videos). |
| B. Recognize methods and criteria for collecting, measuring, organizing, analyzing, and presenting scientific data. | S.Best Chart for the Data; S.Read Scientific Publication; S.Proper Data Analysis; S.Trend Analysis of Scatterplots | Covered | 28 | 4 | 15 | 0 | Covered by 4 topics (28 questions, 4 materials, 15 cards, 0 videos). |
| C. Justify conclusions based on data analysis. | S.Proper Data Analysis; S.Trend Analysis of Scatterplots; S.Limits of Science; S.Trend Analysis in Data - Natural Systems; S.Data Analysis of Slopes | Covered | 19 | 4 | 14 | 0 | Covered by 5 topics (19 questions, 4 materials, 14 cards, 0 videos). |
| D. Demonstrate knowledge of safety procedures and hazards associated with physics investigations and the equipment and technology used in physics. | S.Safety Rules; S.Emergency Procedures; S.Safety Icons; S.Maintaining Equipment; S.Proper Tool Use; S.Various Tools; S.Choose Appropriate Equipment - Advanced | Covered | 56 | 7 | 52 | 0 | Covered by 7 topics (56 questions, 7 materials, 52 cards, 0 videos). |
| E. Apply appropriate mathematical procedures, including estimation, order of magnitude, statistics, and data analysis to solving problems in physics. | S.Precision vs Accuracy; S.Error In Measurements; S.Trend Analysis of Scatterplots; S.Trend Analysis in Data - Natural Systems; S.Measures of Center and Range; M.Exponential and Scientific Notation; S.Significant Figures | Covered | 52 | 7 | 22 | 2 | Covered by 7 topics (52 questions, 7 materials, 22 cards, 2 videos). |
| Official Competency | Matching 240 Topics | Alignment | Qs | Mats | Cards | Vids | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A. Demonstrate knowledge of the historical development of major scientific ideas, the contributions of eminent scientists, and the uses and limitations of models. | S.Key History of Science; S.Famous Experiments | Covered | 23 | 2 | 60 | 0 | Covered by 2 topics (23 questions, 2 materials, 60 cards, 0 videos). |
| B. Demonstrate knowledge of current major theories, models, and concepts in chemistry, biology, and Earth and space science. | S.Key History of Science | Covered | 18 | 1 | 60 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (18 questions, 1 materials, 60 cards, 0 videos). |
| C. Identify unifying themes, principles, and relationships that connect physics with the different branches of the sciences. | S.Evidence, Models, and Explanation; S.Models; S.Properties of Systems; S.Change In Systems; S.Form and Function; S.Change, Constancy, and Measurements; S.Variety of Methods Across Science | Covered | 78 | 7 | 18 | 0 | Covered by 7 topics (78 questions, 7 materials, 18 cards, 0 videos). |
| D. Analyze the interrelationships between physics, technology, engineering, and society and how science and technology affect each other. | None | Coverage gap identified | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | No matching topic found in the study guide. |
| E. Demonstrate scientific literacy by critiquing the coverage of science in the media. | S.Ethics and Publishing; S.Decision Making | Covered | 10 | 2 | 2 | 0 | Covered by 2 topics (10 questions, 2 materials, 2 cards, 0 videos). |
| F. Analyze social, ethical, and economic issues associated with technological and scientific developments. | S.Interdisciplinary Connections; S.Decision Making; S.Careers in Science; S.Ethics; S.Ethics and Regulation; S.Healthy and Unhealthy Lifestyles; S.Human Populations Impact the Earth; S.Renewable vs Nonrenewable; S.Types of Power Sources | Covered | 103 | 9 | 14 | 1 | Covered by 9 topics (103 questions, 9 materials, 14 cards, 1 videos). |
| Official Competency | Matching 240 Topics | Alignment | Qs | Mats | Cards | Vids | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A. Use multiple representations (e.g., pictures, graphs, motion maps) to analyze the one-dimensional motion of a particle or an object. | S.Motion Terms; S.Motion Graphs | Covered | 38 | 2 | 11 | 2 | Covered by 2 topics (38 questions, 2 materials, 11 cards, 2 videos). |
| B. Solve problems involving constant acceleration. | S.Linear Motion Calculations | Partially covered | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Partial coverage by 1 topic (6 questions, 1 materials, 0 cards, 0 videos); limited supporting content. |
| C. Apply properties of vectors to describe and analyze motion in two dimensions, including uniform circular motion and projectile motion. | M.Vectors and Scalars; S.Projectile Motion; S.Circular and Rotary Motion | Covered | 17 | 3 | 9 | 0 | Covered by 3 topics (17 questions, 3 materials, 9 cards, 0 videos). |
| D. Solve problems involving motion in two dimensions, including uniform circular motion and projectile motion. | S.Projectile Motion; S.Circular and Rotary Motion; S.Centripetal Force | Covered | 19 | 3 | 5 | 0 | Covered by 3 topics (19 questions, 3 materials, 5 cards, 0 videos). |
| Official Competency | Matching 240 Topics | Alignment | Qs | Mats | Cards | Vids | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A. Identify characteristics of Newton's laws in a variety of situations. | S.Force and Newton's Laws; S.Newton's First Law; S.Newton's Second Law; S.Newton's Third Law | Covered | 43 | 4 | 13 | 1 | Covered by 4 topics (43 questions, 4 materials, 13 cards, 1 videos). |
| B. Analyze free body diagrams. | S.Force Vectors and Diagrams | Covered | 10 | 1 | 3 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (10 questions, 1 materials, 3 cards, 0 videos). |
| C. Use Newton's laws to solve problems involving force and motion, including problems involving gravitational, frictional, and elastic forces. | S.Gravity Advanced; S.Newton's Second Law; S.Newton's Third Law; S.Gravity; S.Newton's Laws Applied - Friction | Covered | 38 | 5 | 7 | 0 | Covered by 5 topics (38 questions, 5 materials, 7 cards, 0 videos). |
| D. Solve problems involving uniform circular motion, including satellite and planetary motion. | S.Circular and Rotary Motion; S.Gravity Applied | Covered | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Covered by 2 topics (8 questions, 2 materials, 0 cards, 0 videos). |
| E. Apply Newton's laws to solve problems involving systems of particles and the statics and dynamics of fluids. | S.Fluids - Motion Laws; S.Center of Mass | Partially covered | 3 | 2 | 6 | 0 | Partial coverage by 2 topics (3 questions, 2 materials, 6 cards, 0 videos); limited supporting content. |
| Official Competency | Matching 240 Topics | Alignment | Qs | Mats | Cards | Vids | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A. Apply principles of work, potential energy, kinetic energy, and power to solve problems. | S.Conservation of Energy Calculations; S.Applications of Conservation of Energy; S.Work, Energy, Power - Calculations | Covered | 24 | 3 | 16 | 0 | Covered by 3 topics (24 questions, 3 materials, 16 cards, 0 videos). |
| B. Apply the work-energy theorem to conservative and nonconservative systems. | S.Work-energy Theorem | Partially covered | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Partial coverage by 1 topic (0 questions, 0 materials, 0 cards, 0 videos); limited supporting content. |
| C. Analyze the relationships among force, impulse, and momentum. | S.Momentum | Covered | 14 | 1 | 5 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (14 questions, 1 materials, 5 cards, 0 videos). |
| D. Solve problems involving elastic and inelastic collisions in one and two dimensions. | S.Applications of Conservation of Energy | Covered | 8 | 1 | 12 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (8 questions, 1 materials, 12 cards, 0 videos). |
| Official Competency | Matching 240 Topics | Alignment | Qs | Mats | Cards | Vids | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A. Use graphs and trigonometric functions to analyze characteristics of simple harmonic motion, such as amplitude, restoring force, frequency, and period. | S.Periodic Motion | Covered | 3 | 1 | 10 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (3 questions, 1 materials, 10 cards, 0 videos). |
| B. Analyze the characteristics of kinetic and potential energy for an object undergoing simple harmonic motion. | S.Newton's Laws Applied - Pendulums; S.Newton's Laws Applied - Springs | Covered | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Covered by 2 topics (8 questions, 2 materials, 0 cards, 0 videos). |
| C. Solve problems in rotational kinematics. | S.Circular and Rotary Motion | Partially covered | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Partial coverage by 1 topic (4 questions, 1 materials, 0 cards, 0 videos); limited supporting content. |
| D. Solve static and dynamic problems involving torques and forces. | S.Torque | Partially covered | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Partial coverage by 1 topic (1 questions, 1 materials, 1 cards, 0 videos); limited supporting content. |
| E. Analyze systems involving rotational energy and angular momentum. | S.Momentum | Covered | 14 | 1 | 5 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (14 questions, 1 materials, 5 cards, 0 videos). |
| Official Competency | Matching 240 Topics | Alignment | Qs | Mats | Cards | Vids | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A. Analyze phenomena related to static electricity, such as the behavior of electroscopes, induced molecular polarization, and charging by induction. | S.Electricity and Magnetism; S.Electrical Charges; S.Electrostatic Examples | Covered | 26 | 3 | 15 | 0 | Covered by 3 topics (26 questions, 3 materials, 15 cards, 0 videos). |
| B. Describe electric forces and electric fields for various simple charge distributions. | S.Electromagnetic Forces; S.Electrostatic Forces; S.Electrostatic Fields & Potentials | Covered | 17 | 3 | 3 | 0 | Covered by 3 topics (17 questions, 3 materials, 3 cards, 0 videos). |
| C. Describe the motion of a charged particle in a constant electric field. | S.Electrostatic Fields & Potentials | Partially covered | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Partial coverage by 1 topic (3 questions, 1 materials, 0 cards, 0 videos); limited supporting content. |
| D. Demonstrate knowledge of electric potential energy and potential difference. | None | Coverage gap identified | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | No matching topic found in the study guide. |
| Official Competency | Matching 240 Topics | Alignment | Qs | Mats | Cards | Vids | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A. Demonstrate knowledge of the properties of magnets. | S.Electromagnets; S.Magnetic Materials; S.Magnetic Forces and Fields | Covered | 24 | 3 | 11 | 0 | Covered by 3 topics (24 questions, 3 materials, 11 cards, 0 videos). |
| B. Analyze the magnetic force on a moving charge in a magnetic field. | S.Calculating Magnetic Force on Charges | Partially covered | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Partial coverage by 1 topic (2 questions, 1 materials, 0 cards, 0 videos); limited supporting content. |
| C. Analyze the magnetic field for a current-carrying wire loop or solenoid. | S.Electromagnets; S.Calculating Magnetic Field from Current | Covered | 10 | 2 | 6 | 0 | Covered by 2 topics (10 questions, 2 materials, 6 cards, 0 videos). |
| D. Apply Faraday's and Lenz's laws of induction to find the direction of an induced emf or current in a conducting loop. | S.Electromagnetic Induction | Partially covered | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Partial coverage by 1 topic (7 questions, 1 materials, 1 cards, 0 videos); limited supporting content. |
| E. Describe the operation of devices such as electric motors, generators, and transformers | S.Types of Voltage Sources; S.Transformers | Covered | 9 | 2 | 10 | 0 | Covered by 2 topics (9 questions, 2 materials, 10 cards, 0 videos). |
| Official Competency | Matching 240 Topics | Alignment | Qs | Mats | Cards | Vids | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A. Demonstrate knowledge of electromotive force, electric current, resistance, and Ohm's law. | S.Types of Voltage Sources; S.Resistance and Resistivity; S.Currents - DC vs AC; S.EMF; S.Ohms law; S.Current and Coulombs | Covered | 27 | 6 | 15 | 0 | Covered by 6 topics (27 questions, 6 materials, 15 cards, 0 videos). |
| B. Describe characteristics of parallel and series circuits. | S.Circuits; S.Series and Parallel | Covered | 26 | 2 | 11 | 0 | Covered by 2 topics (26 questions, 2 materials, 11 cards, 0 videos). |
| C. Solve problems using Kirchhoff's laws for circuits. | None | Coverage gap identified | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | No matching topic found in the study guide. |
| D. Analyze an electric circuit or component in terms of energy or power. | S.Power | Partially covered | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Partial coverage by 1 topic (5 questions, 1 materials, 1 cards, 0 videos); limited supporting content. |
| Official Competency | Matching 240 Topics | Alignment | Qs | Mats | Cards | Vids | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A. Demonstrate knowledge of the characteristics and types of waves. | S.Properties of Waves; S.Sound; S.Light | Covered | 57 | 3 | 26 | 0 | Covered by 3 topics (57 questions, 3 materials, 26 cards, 0 videos). |
| B. Demonstrate knowledge of wave propagation and how waves transfer energy and momentum. | S.Properties of Waves | Covered | 18 | 1 | 13 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (18 questions, 1 materials, 13 cards, 0 videos). |
| C. Describe factors that affect the speed of a wave in different media. | None | Coverage gap identified | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | No matching topic found in the study guide. |
| D. Solve problems involving wave speed, frequency, and wavelength. | S.Properties of Waves | Covered | 18 | 1 | 13 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (18 questions, 1 materials, 13 cards, 0 videos). |
| E. Analyze the reflection, refraction, and polarization of waves. | S.Reflection and Refraction; S.Refraction Indexes; S.Fiber Optics; S.Interference, scattering, and polarization | Covered | 30 | 4 | 18 | 0 | Covered by 4 topics (30 questions, 4 materials, 18 cards, 0 videos). |
| F. Apply the superposition principle to analyze wave phenomena. | S.Interference, scattering, and polarization; S.Light Interference Patterns | Covered | 9 | 2 | 18 | 0 | Covered by 2 topics (9 questions, 2 materials, 18 cards, 0 videos). |
| G. Demonstrate knowledge of the Doppler effect. | S.Doppler Effect | Covered | 11 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (11 questions, 1 materials, 1 cards, 0 videos). |
| H. Demonstrate knowledge of the relationships between a sound wave and the human perception of sound. | S.Sound | Covered | 32 | 1 | 9 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (32 questions, 1 materials, 9 cards, 0 videos). |
| I. Solve problems involving standing waves, resonance, and sounds produced by waves on a string or in a pipe, given various boundary conditions. | S.Resonance; S.Applications of Waves - Harmonics; S.Applications of Waves - Harmonics Calculations | Covered | 18 | 3 | 11 | 0 | Covered by 3 topics (18 questions, 3 materials, 11 cards, 0 videos). |
| J. Solve problems involving the intensity of sound and the decibel scale. | M.Logarithmic Phenomena | Partially covered | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | Partial coverage by 1 topic (4 questions, 1 materials, 2 cards, 0 videos); limited supporting content. |
| Official Competency | Matching 240 Topics | Alignment | Qs | Mats | Cards | Vids | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A. Demonstrate knowledge of the electromagnetic spectrum and the production and transmission of electromagnetic waves. | S.Electromagnetic Spectrum; S.Electromagnetic Waves | Covered | 11 | 2 | 2 | 0 | Covered by 2 topics (11 questions, 2 materials, 2 cards, 0 videos). |
| B. Apply the ray model of light and the thin lens equation to analyze characteristics of lenses and mirrors. | S.Mirrors; S.Lenses | Covered | 11 | 2 | 11 | 0 | Covered by 2 topics (11 questions, 2 materials, 11 cards, 0 videos). |
| C. Solve problems using Snell's law in various situations. | S.Refraction Indexes - Snells Law Calculations | Partially covered | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | Partial coverage by 1 topic (0 questions, 1 materials, 2 cards, 0 videos); limited supporting content. |
| D. Apply the wave model of light to describe phenomena such as interference, dispersion, diffraction, and polarization. | S.Interference, scattering, and polarization; S.Diffraction and Dispersion | Covered | 10 | 2 | 14 | 0 | Covered by 2 topics (10 questions, 2 materials, 14 cards, 0 videos). |
| E. Apply properties of light to describe the operation of optical devices such as filters, magnifying devices, and diffraction gratings. | S.Light Interference Patterns; S.Absorption and Transmission; S.Applications of Waves - Optical Technologies | Covered | 13 | 3 | 16 | 0 | Covered by 3 topics (13 questions, 3 materials, 16 cards, 0 videos). |
| F. Describe various phenomena (e.g., electron transitions, atomic spectra, operation of a laser) using the photon model of light. | S.Dual Nature of Light; S.Light Spectra | Covered | 11 | 2 | 12 | 0 | Covered by 2 topics (11 questions, 2 materials, 12 cards, 0 videos). |
| Official Competency | Matching 240 Topics | Alignment | Qs | Mats | Cards | Vids | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A. Demonstrate knowledge of the concepts of thermal energy and temperature. | S.Heat vs Temperature | Covered | 11 | 1 | 3 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (11 questions, 1 materials, 3 cards, 0 videos). |
| B. Solve problems involving thermal expansion, specific heat, phase changes, and the first law of thermodynamics. | S.Laws of Thermodynamics; S.Thermal Expansion; S.States of Matter; S.Phase Changes; S.Phase Diagrams; S.Enthalpy | Covered | 58 | 6 | 33 | 2 | Covered by 6 topics (58 questions, 6 materials, 33 cards, 2 videos). |
| C. Demonstrate knowledge of the kinetic theory of matter. | S.Kinetic Molecular Theory of Matter | Partially covered | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | Partial coverage by 1 topic (5 questions, 1 materials, 2 cards, 0 videos); limited supporting content. |
| D. Demonstrate knowledge of energy conversions, efficiency, heat transfer, and heat engines. | S.Types of Energy; S.Types of Energy Transfers By Humans; S.Types of Energy Transfers in Ecology; S.Types of Energy Transfers in Space; S.Efficiency | Covered | 50 | 5 | 26 | 1 | Covered by 5 topics (50 questions, 5 materials, 26 cards, 1 videos). |
| E. Demonstrate knowledge of the second law of thermodynamics, including entropy. | S.Laws of Thermodynamics; S.Entropy | Covered | 14 | 2 | 9 | 0 | Covered by 2 topics (14 questions, 2 materials, 9 cards, 0 videos). |
| Official Competency | Matching 240 Topics | Alignment | Qs | Mats | Cards | Vids | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A. Demonstrate knowledge of the significance of the work of scientists such as Curie, Rutherford, and Planck in the development of modern physics. | S.Key History of Science; S.Famous Experiments; S.Diversity in Science History; S.Periodic Table - History of Development | Covered | 32 | 4 | 60 | 0 | Covered by 4 topics (32 questions, 4 materials, 60 cards, 0 videos). |
| B. Analyze the Bohr model of the atom. | S.Atomic Models; S.Atoms and Molecules | Covered | 13 | 2 | 9 | 0 | Covered by 2 topics (13 questions, 2 materials, 9 cards, 0 videos). |
| C. Demonstrate knowledge of the basic principles of quantum mechanics, such as wave-particle duality and the uncertainty principle. | S.Dual Nature of Light; S.Quantum Applications; S.Uncertainty Principle | Covered | 11 | 3 | 12 | 0 | Covered by 3 topics (11 questions, 3 materials, 12 cards, 0 videos). |
| D. Demonstrate knowledge of the basic principles of special relativity. | S.Special Relativity | Partially covered | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Partial coverage by 1 topic (3 questions, 1 materials, 0 cards, 0 videos); limited supporting content. |
| Official Competency | Matching 240 Topics | Alignment | Qs | Mats | Cards | Vids | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A. Demonstrate knowledge of the structure of the nucleus, including the forces that hold it together. | S.Parts of an Atom; S.Stable/Unstable Isotopes | Covered | 15 | 2 | 10 | 1 | Covered by 2 topics (15 questions, 2 materials, 10 cards, 1 videos). |
| B. Apply knowledge of radioactive decay processes and the concept of the half-life to analyze and solve problems. | S.Radioactivity; S.Half-life Calculations; S.Applications of Radioactivity | Covered | 29 | 3 | 8 | 0 | Covered by 3 topics (29 questions, 3 materials, 8 cards, 0 videos). |
| C. Demonstrate knowledge of the processes of nuclear fission and nuclear fusion. | S.Fission; S.Fusion | Partially covered | 6 | 2 | 2 | 0 | Partial coverage by 2 topics (6 questions, 2 materials, 2 cards, 0 videos); limited supporting content. |
| D. Apply the principles of conservation of charge and mass-energy to analyze nuclear reactions. | S.Balancing Nuclear Equations | Covered | 8 | 1 | 4 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (8 questions, 1 materials, 4 cards, 0 videos). |
How 240 Creates The NES Physics (308) Study Guide
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