"Complex Plan" in the Tasks of the Unified State Exam in Social Science: Structure and Typology

Abstract

Aim. To create a classification of topics for complex plans based on their structural features, which will allow, in accordance with the criteria of Unified State Exam on the school subject Social Studies, to identify the types of complex plans that have a single or similar structure of components, which will simplify for students the task of choosing the optimal structure of a complex plan and its essential (“mandatory") components.

Methods. Content analysis of the materials of the Unified State Exam of the Federal Institute of Pedagogical Measurements (FIPI) in social studies.

Results. Based on the analysis of the complex topics contained in the Open Bank of Unified State Exam Assignments in Social Studies, and in the collections of examination options issued by the developers of the FIPI control and measuring materials, a typology of the topics of complex plans was drawn up, based on the structural features of the topic and the nature of the cause-and-effect disclosed in it functional or hierarchical relationships. Samples of topics of a complex plan of the corresponding type are given.

Conclusions. There is ambiguity in the terms of a complex topic plan assignment associated with the requirement to include items that “cover the topic in essence”. The presence of such a criterion suggests that for the successful completion of the task, the examinee must be able to determine the structural features of the topic and highlight its significant components. In this regard, the classification of types of plans, depending on the formulation of the topic, its structural and content characteristics, which is presented by us, is of great importance.