Create your account, risk-free
What best describes you?
Access thousands of practice questions so that there are no surprises on the exam
The correct answers are highlighted with green below. Create an account to keep studying for the NYSTCE Mathematics.
Easy-to-follow study guides, practice tests and resources.
Create Account
All New York state teachers applying for an initial teaching certificate are required to take New York State Teacher Examinations (NYSTCE). Generally, there are two mandatory NYSTCE's:
For middle-level and high school math teachers in New York, the NYSTCE Math CST Exam is the required subject area assessment for certification. With passing NYSTCE scores on the exam, individuals demonstrate their mastery of foundational mathematics and their capacity to be effective teachers in New York state schools.
Easy-to-follow study guides, practice tests and resources.
Create AccountThe total time allotted for the test is 3 hours and 45 minutes including a 15 minute tutorial and consent to a nondisclosure agreement ensuring the security and integrity of the exam's content. Once these tasks are finished, examinees have the remaining 3 and a half hours to finish the test.
The content of the NYSTCE Math CST Exam is divided among seven different competencies fundamental to mathematics education. Six are related to particular mathematical fields or discipline—from algebra, to calculus, to statistics—and one pertains to teaching practice and the communication of math concepts to students.
The first six mathematical knowledge components are made up of multiple-choice questions, the seventh consists of one constructed-response question. The following sections of this article will take a closer look at each component, but the table below offers an overview.
| Component | Estimated number of questions |
Estimated percentage of test score |
Question type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number and Quantity | 9 | 8% | Multiple-choice |
| Algebra | 23 | 20% | Multiple-choice |
| Functions | 19 | 17% | Multiple-choice |
| Calculus | 11 | 10% | Multiple-choice |
| Geometry and Measurement | 17 | 15% | Multiple-choice |
| Statistics and Probability | 11 | 10% | Multiple-choice |
| Pedagogical Content Knowledge |
1 | 20% | Constructed-response |
Master concepts quickly with clips from expert instructors. You get both video lessons and test transcripts.
Save time by quickly reviewing video transcripts for essential lesson information.
Create Account
This component will assess the examinee's understanding of everything from arithmetic operations to complex numbers and abstract algebraic concepts. Individuals will demonstrate their knowledge of:
This section is composed of about nine multiple-choice questions making up around 8% of the exam.
The algebra competency tests an individual's ability to simplify and interpret algebraic expressions, their awareness of conventional notation, and their ability to apply algebra to problem-solve. Test-takers can expect to:
This competency consists of around 23 multiple-choice questions, or about 20% percent of the exam.
This component focuses on interpreting functions and using them to describe real-world situations and models. Individuals will be required to demonstrate:
This section consists of approximately 19 multiple-choice questions making up 17% of the exam score.
This component will require an understanding of the foundational principles of calculus and its practical applications. Test-takers should be familiar with:
There are about 11 multiple-choice questions associated with this component comprising roughly 10% of the exam.
The geometry and measurement component covers a broad range of concepts from theorems about the essential properties of shapes, to trigonometry and non-Euclidean geometry. Questions may require individuals to
The approximately 17 multiple-choice questions of this component will make up roughly 15% of the exam.
This component demonstrates the prospective teacher's understanding of the nature of statistical data, its uses and limitations, as well as an individual's command of various statistical tools and probabilistic principles. Test-takers may expect to:
This section consists of an estimated 11 multiple-choice questions or 10% of the test.
This component will require the test-taker to prove their understanding of basic pedagogical principles and apply them to a mathematics classroom setting. Individuals are expected to demonstrate their ability to:
This section consists of a single constructed-response question, which is a long-form question that may present a classroom scenario and ask for a lesson plan that demonstrates practical teaching skills and a comprehension of pedagogical concepts. This component's single question accounts for around 20% of the exam score.
The first step in preparing for the NYSTCE math test is to become familiar with all of the content the exam covers. A NYSTCE mathematics CST study guide will provide this information. Review each of the seven exam competencies and be aware of all the particular skills associated with each of them. With an understanding of the content, individuals can look for any gaps in their knowledge.
Next, it is important to gather appropriate study NYSTCE resources. These may include textbooks and notes from college coursework, exam prep books from retail stores or libraries, online NYSTCE practice test, and preparation courses devoted to NYSTCE CST math review.
Candidates should then formulate a study plan. Organize study time appropriately to avoid having to cram the week of the test date. Set a schedule that devotes suitable study time to each component in the NYSTCE CST Mathematics study guide and book the test day far enough in the future to allow for a thorough review of all material.
The practice test is one of the most effective tools in a test-taker's arsenal. A good NYSTCE math practice test can provide a comprehensive review of all the essential subject matter while simulating the format of the test questions themselves. Practice tests work by:
Registration for the NYSTCE Math CST Exam is processed through the NYSTCE website. After creating an account, individual's can start the registration process. This will involve paying the $122 test fee, selecting NYSTCE exam dates and location via an online scheduling tool, and agreeing to registration and testing policies. NYSTCE registration policies include the following:
During registration, individuals will also agree to testing policies that set the ground rules for conduct during the exam. Here are a few things to be aware of:
Test scores are reported to individual test-takers and to the New York State Department of Education. Additionally, during registration test-takers can stipulate other institutions (e.g., colleges or universities) that they would like to receive the scores. All tests, even incomplete ones, are scored, and once an individual is admitted to a testing center, their test scores can not be canceled. Scores may be voided, however, if a test-taker is found to have violated certain testing policies, so it is important to read and understand all policies before taking the exam.
There are 91 total questions on the NYTCE Math CST test. 90 of the questions are selected-response (or multiple-choice), and one is a longer constructed-response question.
The total time allotted for the NYSTCE Math CST exam is 3 hours and 45 minutes. This includes 15 minutes (before the start of the test) to take a tutorial and consent to a nondisclosure agreement, and 3 hours 30 minutes to complete the exam itself.
Test-takers are allowed to bring their own graphing calculators to the exam. A full list of approved graphing calculators can be found on the NYSTCE website.
