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Easy-to-follow study guides, practice tests and resources.
Create AccountCandidates wishing to teach early childhood students in Illinois must demonstrate their understanding of childhood developmental stages, curriculum creation, and fundamental academic subjects by passing the Illinois Licensure Testing System (ILTS) Early Childhood Education 206 exam.
The ILTS 206 is a computer-based exam consisting of 100 multiple-choice questions. Test takers have 3 hours and 15 minutes to complete the exam. A review of a tutorial and the testing center's policies requires another 15 minutes. Upon passing the exam, candidates receive the Early Childhood endorsement to their Professional Educator License (PEL) allowing them to teach students from birth to Grade 2 or birth to Grade 3.
Easy-to-follow study guides, practice tests and resources.
Create AccountFour subareas covering a total of 16 test objectives feature 100 multiple-choice questions found on the ILTS Early Childhood Education 206 exam. The ILTS 206 exam comprises the following key areas:
| Test Subarea | No. of Test Objectives | No. of Scored Questions | No. of Unscored Questions | Percentage of Total Exam |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Childhood Development, Learning, and Assessment | 4 | 20 | 5 | 25% |
| Language and Literacy Development | 5 | 25 | 6 | 31% |
| Learning Across the Curriculum | 5 | 25 | 6 | 31% |
| Professional Relationships and Responsibilities | 2 | 10 | 3 | 13% |
In the first subarea of the ILTS Early Childhood Education exam, candidates must display a thorough understanding of childhood development theories from birth to Grade 2, characteristics of early childhood curricula, and the types and uses of assessments to measure learning progress and design and modify learning approaches. Subarea 1 contains a total of 20 scorable questions and accounts for 25% of the exam.
Specific topics test takers can expect to find addressed in this subarea of the ILTS 206 are as follows:
The second subarea of the ILTS Early Childhood Education exam, which contains 25 scorable questions and accounts for 31% of the exam, covers topics in language and literacy development. It addresses the way in which children aged birth to Grade 2 develop skills in communication, reading, reading comprehension, vocabulary, and writing.
Test takers of the ILTS 206 will be expected to answer thematic questions about the given topics:
Fundamental concepts in instructional strategies for math, science, social science, and fine arts for children aged birth to Grade 2 are the basis for Subarea 3 of the ILTS Early Childhood Education exam. This subarea has 25 scorable questions and accounts for 31% of the exam.
The following are the topics addressed in this subarea of the ILTS 206:
Containing 10 scorable questions and accounting for 13% of the ILTS 206, the fourth subarea of the ILTS Early Childhood Education exam focuses on the role of early childhood teachers and the way in which they form relationships with families, communities, and other professionals.
In this subarea, test takers are likely to encounter a variety of questions:
It is highly recommended that candidates intending to take the ILTS Early Childhood Education exam use every opportunity in the weeks leading up to their testing date to review material likely to be found on the actual exam.
Fortunately, there are several ILTS 206 study materials and resources candidates can refer to for their preparation. Study guides and practice tests are two of the main resources that candidates are urged to use to ensure they are fully ready to complete this exam.
A study guide is a great source for covering all of the subareas and test objectives candidates will encounter on the ILTS 206. A guide will reveal all of the topics one should be familiar with to do well on the exam.
An ILTS 206 practice test is an effective way for a candidate to measure what material they are familiar with and identify which topics they need to pay more attention to as they are preparing. Practice tests also explain what qualifies as the correct answer to further help candidates understand the material.
A detailed study plan is a good idea for those preparing for the ILTS Early Childhood Education exam. A study plan helps candidates use their time most effectively, organize study materials, and allow for appropriate time to spend on each subarea.
It could help to set goals when creating a study plan for the ILTS 206 exam. Candidates might, for example, set a goal to learn one topic they are unfamiliar with by the end of each study session. Alternatively, they might set a goal of completing a practice test covering material for at least one subarea each day.
It can be helpful for candidates to use study methods that were successful for them in the past such as in high school or college. They might find that study hours later at night work best, or, perhaps, an early morning schedule is most effective.
An appropriate study plan helps candidate manage their time. The latter is vital since the actual exam is timed. Answering questions during study time is also important, as this serves as optimal practice for taking the test.
Finally, candidates might establish a study group if this method has proven to be useful in the past.
One of the best tools candidates can use when preparing for the ILTS 206 exam is taking an ILTS 206 practice test.
There are several reasons why a practice test (or tests) is essential when preparing for the ILTS Early Childhood Education exam:
To best prepare for a practice test, candidates might spend time taking notes, employing active reading techniques, and even creating flashcards to help them with those topics with which they are most unfamiliar.
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Prospective test takers complete the registration for the ILTS Early Childhood Education 206 exam online on the ILTS website. Candidates must first create an account. Then, they can begin the registration process and enter all required information.
During the process, registrants pay a $122 exam fee using only a VISA or MasterCard debit or credit card.
Once candidates enter all the required information, including payment details, they can schedule the time, date, and location of the testing center for their exam. The ILTS exam can be scheduled for Monday through Saturday throughout the year.
Once the exam is scheduled, candidates receive a confirmation email from Pearson VUE, which administers ILTS exams. The email confirms the exam's date, time, and testing site.
Candidates can choose to take the ILTS Early Childhood Education 206 exam on a weekday or Saturday throughout the year. The test may not be available for taking on some holidays.
For Illinois residents, there are testing sites across the state. These include Pearson testing sites, college and university campuses, and regional education offices in such cities as Chicago, Peoria, Springfield, Champaign, Joliet, and Normal.
It is important to schedule the ILTS 206 at least three weeks ahead to account for preparation time. Candidates should choose a testing site as close to their home as possible to avoid any traffic issues or the added stress of traveling a longer distance to take the test.
It is likely that a test taker would be unable to enter the testing room once an exam has begun. Thus, being late could force one to reschedule their exam and complete the entire registration process again.
Candidates receive ILTS 206 scores 2-3 weeks from the date they completed the exam by email for those candidates who chose to have scores emailed during the registration process. Otherwise, scores are available in a candidate's account at 10:00 p.m. on their score report date.
ILTS exams are scored on a scale of 100 to 300. A passing score for the ILTS Early Childhood Education exam is 240. This is a total test score; test takers do not have to pass each subarea of the exam in order to achieve a passing score.
If a candidate does not attain a passing score, they can retake the exam after 14 days. Retaking the exam requires re-registering and repayment of any fees, if applicable.
Scores are voided if candidates violate test site rules, such as bringing a prohibited item into the testing room.
On the day of the ILTS Early Childhood Education exam, candidates should arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the exam to complete the check-in process. They must bring a valid ID, such as a driver's license or passport.
Candidates should leave any prohibited items not allowed inside the testing center at home or in their car. These include any tobacco product and weapons of any kind. Visitors such as children are not allowed to accompany test takers into the testing center.
Items not allowed in the testing room also include watches, electronic recording devices, cell phones, purses or wallets, calculators, jewelry, as well as any food, beverages, or gum. If any prohibited item is brought into the testing center, it must be secured in a locker outside of the testing room.
It is important that candidates get a good night's sleep before exam day to be as refreshed as possible and in a good mental state to take the test. It is also important that those taking the ILTS 206 use the weeks leading up to the exam to thoroughly review all study materials and practice tests to ensure they are ready to answer questions in all subareas.
The ILTS Early Childhood Education exam is an assessment tool used by the state of Illinois to determine whether a teaching candidate for students aged birth to 2nd or 3rd grade possesses the knowledge and skills needed to perform in this role. The test measures a candidate's knowledge of pedagogical content, child development stages, pre-K curriculum development, and roles and responsibilities of pre-K educators.
In order to be a preschool teacher in the state of Illinois, candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree in early childhood education or a related subject. They must also pass the ILTS Early Childhood Education exam with a score of at least 240.
