Practice problems or questions are self-assessments, which allow the student to assess his understanding of the subject. Practice exercises help to identify areas where the student needs more practice, reinforcing learning and increasing retention of acquired knowledge.
Proficiency in math and science is the ability to do each type of problem or answer each type of question in depth, demonstrating understanding of the concepts and contingencies. Pretests help the teacher identify which areas the student needs to improve in to get a better grade or pass an objective proficiency test.
If your goal is to take the SAT, PRAXIS or the GRE standardized objective assessments, the Educational Testing Service "Test at a Glance" describes the assessment and the number of each type of question on the examination with practice problems. If your studies are aligned with the standardized assessment you will take, and you learn each type of problem or variation of a concept, you will pass the SAT or the GRE assessment. SAT and GRE scores represent the number of questions you answered correctly, while Praxis tests measure proficiency and require a minimum passing score.
Understanding of terms and research procedures are necessary to design and write experiment reports or create projects, which are sound because they are based on (grounded in) theory. The reports are assessed and graded, or ranked, based on the quality of the experiment, the quality of the written report and its contribution to math and science specializations. Projects, or science fair displays, are graded or judged based on the quality of the information presented, and the student's assessed understanding of the information presented.
In post-secondary education, math and science projects receive funds depending on a peer review of scholars in the math or science field. Peer reviewers assess each section of the research proposal ranking it for its review of available literature, its contribution to the science or math field and the accuracy of its methodology. The highest ranking research proposals or studies receive funds from private foundations or state and federal sources and are published in research journals.