These item specifications were developed as a part of the Arkansas "Minimum Performance Testing Program" (MPT). There is one item specification for each instructional objective included in the MPT. The purpose of an item specification is to provide an overview of the general content and format of test items used to measure an instructional objective. Specifically, each item contains: (1) an objective identification number; (2) grade level; (3) subject area; (4) goal identification; (5) skill description; (6) stimulus attributes; (7) response attributes; and (8) sample items. It is suggested that teachers may use these specifications in a variety of ways. Teachers may use them as a guide in the development of evaluation instruments to check student performance, inform parents about what their child will face on the MPT, and familiarize their students with the MPT. Covered in this guide are items which test: living and nonliving matter; heredity and change; human body; development of plants and animals; plant and animal behavior; plants; vertebrates and invertebrates; food chains; environment; rocks, minerals and fossils; changes in the earth's crust; weather; universe; natural resources; pollution; water cycle; matter; elements, mixtures and compounds; air; sources of energy; heat; electric circuits; electromagnetism; electrical insulators and conductors; convex and concave lenses; reflection and refraction of light; and machines. (CW)