This study attempted to design tests for the purpose of measuring the acquisition of the science skills of observation and comparison, to determine if these skills, as measured by these tests, could be differentially improved using differing amounts of training, and to determine the effects of race and cultural status on performance with the tests. Science Observation and Comparison Skill Test - Twig Form was evaluated as being both valid and reliable. Both two and four weeks of training in the skills resulted in significantly higher scores than no training over a comparable period of time. Considering cultural status, disadvantaged Negroes and whites showed noticeable improvement on the comparison portion of the test with four weeks of training when compared to two weeks of training. The study found a moderate relationship existing between race and cultural status, accounting for six percent of the variance on the test. The findings also indicated that the variables race and cultural status are distinct variables and can be studied as such and that training in the skills of observation and comparison accounts for the majority of variance in test performance. (EB)