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The New York State Teacher Certification Examinations (NYSTCE) are designed to test the knowledge and skills required for educators by New York Education Law and Commissioner's Regulation. These criterion-referenced, objective-based tests measure the candidate's knowledge against established standards. The tests are required for certification for New York State teaching assistants, teachers, and school leadership personnel.
The tests required for various positions in the school system are listed below:
Most applicants seeking a first initial teaching certificate need to pass the NYSTCE EAS, edTPA, and the required Content Specialty Tests (CST) in the area that they intend to teach. Other required NYSTCE certification exams depend on the type of educator certification being sought. Candidates intending to teach at the elementary level will also need to pass the Elementary Assessment of Teaching Skills-Written (ATS), while those intending to teach at the middle school or high school level will need to pass the Secondary Assessment of Teaching Skills-Written (ATS-W). All candidates also must pass the CQST.
Candidates seeking certification in Childhood Education (Grades 1-6) must pass the NYSTCE Multi-Subject or Multi-Subject: Teachers of Childhood (Grade 1-Grade 6) CST. The appropriate CST for those wishing to teach in Early Childhood Education (Birth-Grade 2) is the Multi-Subject or Multi-Subject: Teachers of Early Childhood (Birth-Grade 2). Educators seeking a Generalist in Middle Childhood Education (Grades 5-9) need to pass the Multi-Subject or Multi-Subject: Teachers of Middle Childhood (Grade 5-Grade 9) CST.
Educators at the middle and high school level seeking certification in a specialty area must take the CST for that specialty. There are approximately a dozen areas of specialization from which to choose. There are also separate exams for educators wishing to work with disabled students, in vocational specialties or as media specialists.
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Create AccountGuides are available for NYSTCE test preparation designed for each of the NYSTCE tests. There are also practice tests, videos and tutorials to help the applicant to adequately prepare for each NYSTCE test. The study guides will equip the applicant with test-taking strategies as well as outline the content covered and the percentage of the test addressing each content area. The individual objectives that are being tested will be listed with a brief explanation to help the applicants direct their study efforts to the content areas being covered. Sample questions are presented to acquaint the candidate with the type and format of questions.
Full-length NYSTCE practice test is an important part of test preparation. They will help the candidate to identify areas of strength and weakness in order to focus study time where it is most needed. Toward the end of the candidate's preparations, practice tests help to raise the confidence level and reinforce the concepts that have been studied.
The exams are given at Pearson Testing Centers. An online photo tour is available to familiarize candidates with the physical layout and environment of the testing center. Since all exams are Computer Based Tests (CBT), online tutorials are available to prepare the candidate to navigate through the test. Some exams allow for the use of on-screen calculators and reference materials. Interactive CBT tutorials, also available online, allow the candidate to practice the use of these features.
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Create AccountThe use of NYSTCE Study Guides is important in steering the candidate's study efforts for those preparing to take either the general tests or the appropriate CST. The guides will begin with a test design describing the format, length, and allotted time for the test. The topics will be listed along with the likely number of questions and the percentage of the score for that topic. For each of the topics or competencies covered, the study guide will break down specific performance indicators to be tested.
After using the NYSTCE study guide for either one of the general tests or the appropriate CST to guide the candidate's review and study, the sample questions should be tried. Study guides will include some questions on each competency, allowing the candidate the opportunity to test their knowledge and preparation and to become very familiar with the types of questions that will be seen on the exam. Each question gives the correct answer with an explanation of why that answer is correct and why the wrong choices should be eliminated.
Each NYSTCE CST exam includes at least one constructed response item. The study guides for those exams include a couple of examples of constructed response questions with samples of strong answers for that question. There is also a brief discussion of the characteristics that will be expected for a constructed response along with a rubric showing how answers to these types of questions will be scored.
Study Guides for the NYSTCE tests are available on the NYSTCE website.
The format of the NYSCTEs vary by exam. All candidates need to pass the EAS, which consists of 40 selected-response items and three constructed-response items. The allotted time for the test is two and a half hours, including 15 minutes for a tutorial on how to take the test and for administrative tasks. The two Assessment of Teaching Skills-Written exams each consist of 80 selected-response items and one constructed-response item. Testing time is four hours and 15 minutes, including 15 minutes for a tutorial and administrative tasks.
The Content Specialty Tests also follow similar patterns. For example, the Chemistry CST consists of 90 selected-response items and one constructed-response item which must be completed in three hours and 30 minutes, including the time for a tutorial and administrative tasks.
All the exams are CBTs (computer based tests) taken at Pearson testing centers. Examinees must bring one item of current, government-issued original identification bearing a photograph and signature, written in English. The name on the identification must match exactly the name used for exam registration. Anyone arriving more than 15 minutes late for the appointment may not be admitted and will need to register and pay again to take the exam.
Personal items will have to be stored outside of the testing room. No visitors are allowed and any materials needed for the exam will be provided. Optional breaks are allowed.
Registration for the NYSTCE exams is accomplished on the NYSTCE website. The date must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance. NYSTCE exam schedule can also be changed, if necessary, on that website by cancelling the original test registration and then registering again for the new desired date and location. Cancellations will qualify for partial refunds if the test was scheduled before August 31, 2021 or a full refund if scheduled after that date. Absentees will not be eligible for any refund.
Test fees vary according to the exams. The EAS fee is $80, the ATS-W fee is $119, and the CQST fee is $95. The fee for most CSTs is $122. The multi-subject tests cost $161. Current costs can be found on the NYSTCE website. Payment must be made using a VISA or MasterCard debit or credit card. The NYSTCE registration remains valid for one year after payment is made.
Score report dates for the NYSTCEs can be found on the NYSTCE website for each test date. Most scores will be returned in approximately three weeks after the test date. Those NYSTCE scores will be provided to the candidate and to the institutions indicated at the time of registration. They are also reported directly to the NYSED (New York State Education Department) using the social security number as entered with the registration. The range of scores for the EAS and the CSTs are 400-600, with a minimum passing score of 520. The ATS-W and CQST exams have scores ranging from 100-300, with a minimum passing score of 220.
The score report shows the total score and status of Pass or Did Not Pass. It will also show each competency on the exam with a performance index for that competency. Candidates may retake any test not passed as often as needed.
NYSTCE stands for the New York State Teacher Certification Exams. These are the exams that are required for licensure to serve in New York State schools.
The range of test scores vary. The more basic exams score between 100 and 300 and have a passing score of 220. The specialty area exam scores range from 400-600, with a passing score of 520.
Most exam scores will be returned within approximately three weeks. The exact date for score reports matched to each test date can be found on the NYSTCE website.
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