NYSTCE Arts & Sciences Practice Test & Study Guide

What is the NYSTCE Multi-Subject Part Three Arts and Sciences Exam?

This exam is the third test in the three-part Multi-Subject: Teachers of Childhood (Grade 1-Grade 6) assessment. The assessment is a teacher certification exam for elementary school educators in New York. Test-takers must pass all three separate subject tests contained within it, including the Arts & Sciences (245).

Here is a closer look at each exam on the NYSTCE Multi-Subject: Teachers of Childhood (Grade 1-Grade 6):

In this article, we'll be looking at the Arts & Sciences (245) subject test.

Practice tests give you a better idea of the topics you have mastered and those you should keep studying.

NYSTCE Multi-Subject Part Three Arts and Sciences Exam Format

Like the two subject exams that come before it, the NYSTCE Arts & Sciences test is a computer-based test (CBT), meaning it is delivered entirely by computer. Candidates must take the exam at an approved testing center. Test sites are located around the state of New York and across the United States. The time allotted for the Arts & Sciences exam by itself is one hour. However, if all three subject tests are taken in a single sitting, the total testing time is five hours and 30 minutes.

The questions on this exam are all selected-response format. Selected-response questions require candidates to read the question and then select the correct answer from a list of possible choices. Sometimes, there may be more than one correct answer. Other types of questions (essays, short answers, free responses, etc.) are not included on the NYSTCE Arts & Sciences test.

Topics Covered in the NYSTCE Multi-Subject Part Three Arts and Sciences Exam

Content on the Arts & Sciences (245) exam is divided into three competencies. They are:

1. Science and Technology (40% of test content, approximately 16 selected-choice questions)
2. Social Studies (40% of test content, approximately 16 selected-choice questions)
3. Fine Arts, Health and Fitness, Family and Consumer Science, and Career Development (20% of test content, approximately 8 selected-choice questions)

Each competency is further broken up into sub-competencies. All sub-competencies have "performance indicators," which consist of specific knowledge and skills that test-takers are expected to possess. Each competency and sub-competency is highly important to one's success as an elementary school teacher.

Science and Technology (40%)

As the name suggests, Science and Technology focuses on general science and technology. The science knowledge required is cross-disciplinary. Candidates must be well-versed in Earth Science, Life Science, Chemistry, and Physics. They also must have a thorough knowledge of the principles of the scientific process. Examples of specific skills tested include analyzing the effects of forces on objects and understanding the impact of environmental conditions on organisms.

Candidates will also need to understand technology, including the basic principles of how technology is designed. Finally, this competency tests one's understanding of how technology and science impact other aspects of human society.

Social Studies (40%)

The Social Studies competency deals with a mixture of geography, history, and social science knowledge. Major emphases are placed upon sociopolitical concepts (e.g. Feudalism and Nationalism), events that changed the course of human history, effects of geography on civilization, and economic and political systems. Much of this content will be focused upon the United States and the state of New York. Additionally, candidates should have a strong understanding of the rights and duties of U.S. citizens.

Fine Arts, Health and Fitness, Family and Consumer Science, and Career Development (20%)

The third and final competency on the Arts & Science test is a hodge-podge of content deemed essential for a well-rounded elementary education. Candidates will need to be knowledgeable in:

• Visual arts
• Art techniques
• Music and music theory
• Theater and dance
• Decision-making and interpersonal skills
• Physical education concepts
• Personal living skills
• Physical fitness and exercise
• Child development and care
• Consumer economics and personal finance
• Principles of career development

Although this is a rather extensive list, most of these topics are explored only in broad detail in the exam.

NYSTCE Multi-Subject Part Three Arts and Sciences Test Results

Immediately after finishing the NYSTCE Arts & Sciences test, candidates will see their preliminary results. While these are helpful, they are not official scores. The official scores are sent out between 2 and 4 weeks following the exam date. Results will be available online and can be accessed via the test-taker's NYSTCE account starting at 10:00 PM on the score report date.

Candidates will receive their results in the format of a Candidate Score Report. This form will contain the test-taker's score, their pass/fail status, and a breakdown of their performance by competency.

NYSTCE Multi-Subject Part Three Arts and Sciences Passing Scores

The NYSTCE Part Three Arts & Sciences exam results are reported as a "scaled score." Scaled scores range from 400 to 600, with 400 being the lowest and 600 being the highest. The passing score for the exam is 520. A "performance index" is provided in the Candidate Score Report for individual competencies. Here's how the performance index works:

It is essential to note that candidates taking the NYSTCE Multi-Subject: Teachers of Childhood (Grade 1 -- Grade 6) exam must pass all three subject tests (each with a 520 or higher) to achieve a passing score on the assessment.

How to Prepare for the NYSTCE Multi-Subject CST Part 3 Arts & Sciences Exam

Good quality test prep is not accomplished by accident. There are many tips and tricks that candidates can use to buckle down, study for the exam, and walk out with a passing score. Here are a few of them:

• Understand exactly what the exam contains. The first step in effective test prep is to figure out what's on the exam. This can be done by reviewing the competencies described earlier on in this article. Additionally, a more in-depth look at the exam content can be viewed on the NYSTCE official website.
• Identify strengths and weaknesses. After getting a good grasp on the exam material, candidates should then identify their strengths and weaknesses with regards to that content.
• Build a time-sensitive study guide. The next test preparation step is to put together a detailed study guide. This study guide should be built with the test-taker's strengths and weaknesses in mind. It should also contain a schedule with time-sensitive benchmarks.
• Take practice exams. Finally, be sure to take plenty of practice tests. These play an invaluable role in building confidence and shoring up one's knowledge and skills.

We will take a closer look at two of these test prep strategies - study guides and practice tests - in the next couple of sections.

NYSTCE 245 Practice Test

As we've briefly touched on already, practice exams are integral in the test prep process. Practice tests help candidates to:

• Learn the material. As candidates directly engage with the content, they are strengthening their knowledge and skills.
• Keep tabs on progress. Is the study guide working? Is it helping shore up weaknesses? Practice tests provide a concrete way to measure progress.
• Practice effective test-taking strategies. Since the NYSTCE Arts & Sciences exam is entirely selected-response, candidates can practice strategies such as the process of elimination and pacing.

To get the most from the practice exams, candidates should seek to make them as close to the format of the NYSTCE Arts & Sciences exam as possible. Try to include 40 questions, ensure they're all selected-response, and set the time limit to one hour.

NYSTCE 245 Study Guide

A strong NYSTCE Arts & Sciences study guide will provide structure to test prep efforts, which is incredibly important. Studying for this exam is an enormous undertaking, and many are likely to get 'lost in the woods' if they do not follow a coordinated and regimented study guide. Remember to include specific and time-sensitive benchmarks in the study guide, as these help ensure that all of the exam content is covered. It can be tempting to skip the tricky stuff, but a good study guide is designed to keep test-takers on track.

For best results, the material in the study guide, including all built-in practice tests and exercises, should directly reflect the exam's content.

How to Register for the Multi-Subject Part Three Arts and Sciences Exam

To register for the exam, candidates can visit the "Multi-Subject: Teachers of Childhood (Grade 1 -- Grade 6)" page on the NYSTCE website. From there,

1. Click the black button on the bottom of the page labeled "Register Now."
2. Sign in or create an account.
3. Follow the instructions provided to select the exam, the preferred test center location, and preferred test date.
4. Enter payment information and pay the associated fee ($43 for Part Three Arts & Sciences alone, $161 for all three subject exams taken together).

During the registration process, users will also need to agree to abide by the test center rules and policies. These include (among other things) bringing proper I.D., storing personal items outside the testing room, and agreeing to confidentiality with regards to the test questions.

Exam Dates

Test appointments are available at approved testing sites year-round, by appointment. A few testing centers include:

• AVNA Learning Center - NYC
• Pearson Professional Centers - Williamsville, NY
• Pearson Professional Centers - Albany, NY

Although not every testing center will carry the Arts & Sciences (245) exam for all available dates, many test sites do offer it every day of the week, except for holidays. Test-takers should have no shortage of options to choose from when selecting a testing center and test date. Remember to opt for a test time that allows for plenty of room to study, practice, and solidify the understanding of the material.

Take a NYSTCE Multi-Subject Arts & Sciences Practice Test Online

Exam Instructions:

Complete the practice test below to test your knowledge of NYSTCE Multi-Subject Arts & Sciences.
Choose your answers below. Complete the 15 questions then click "See Results."

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1. Ms. Jones is a third-grade teacher. She has a multicultural classroom. She wants to make sure that each student's culture is respected and given importance. How can she help celebrate the diversity of the students?

   • making them be aware of the different holidays celebrated by different cultures

     Correct Answer
   • making them read stories about traditional American families

   • introducing them to local foods

   • showing them different artworks by American artists

2. What did the ancient Mayan use of painting and writing to record information and the traditional Japanese depiction of Noh theatre have in common?

   • They are both examples of art being used for religion.

   • They are both examples of art forms that were exceptionally short-lived.

   • They are both examples of art that would only be consumed by the upper class.

   • They are both examples of art being used for storytelling.

     Correct Answer

3. To show rhythm and fluidity of an adventure story she has written, a teacher is using anaphora. Which of the following exemplifies this?

   • The teacher emphasizes words with double vowels.

   • The teacher rhythmically accentuates any compound words or phrases.

   • The teacher over-accentuates words beginning with strong sounding consonants.

   • The teacher groups words similar in structure in a repetitive fashion.

     Correct Answer

4. What are the five C's of creditworthiness?

   • Capacity, capital, collateral, conditions, credit

   • Consumerism, capital, collateral, conditions, character

   • Capacity, capital, collateral, conditions, character

     Correct Answer
   • Capacity, capital, cash, conditions, character

5. Which of the following sampling methods would produce a data set that would allow for the most accurate inferences about the waist sizes of American adult men?

   • Offer surveys to passing joggers.

   • Offer surveys to all the men in your college gaming and e-sports club.

   • Offer surveys to all the men in your family.

   • Offer surveys to men encountered in a local shopping mall.

     Correct Answer

6. Which of the following would NOT be considered research materials?

   • desks

     Correct Answer
   • magazines

   • newspapers

   • books

7. During which period was the stage introduced as a space for performance art, including a raised platform, backstage, and side wing areas?

   • The Middle Ages

   • 18th-19th Centuries

   • The Renaissance

     Correct Answer
   • 20th Century

8. The mnemonic 'Gracias Llamas Love Autumn Apples, Mostly After A Vivacious Picking Party' could be used to help remember the order of what musical markings?

   • Time

   • Expression

   • Tempi

     Correct Answer
   • Dynamics

9. Students are given the information that it takes 3 hours to travel 180 miles. They must determine how far they will travel in five hours. Which of the following identifies how the teacher will best guide the students?

   • Providing them with a chart showing miles per hour.

   • Allowing students to use an abacus.

   • Having them construct proportions.

     Correct Answer
   • Tasking students with determining the speed of the initial trip.

10. During the Industrial Revolution, _____ were often exploited and life-expectancy was _____.

    • companies; low

    • workers; low

      Correct Answer
    • companies; high

    • workers; high

11. Which of the following scenarios identifies a student who is experiencing an emergent literacy phase?

    • Shawna has been reading short chapter books, although she does not always understand the abstract concepts therein.

    • Quinn and his father read a children's book together each night. Quinn struggles a bit when reading the book on his own.

    • Ingrid cannot read nor write, but she likes to flip through the pages of books, often pointing at the pictures.

      Correct Answer
    • Kevin has been writing different letters each day and can now spell out his name on paper.

12. The physicist who explained that the planets orbit the Sun in ellipses, was _____.

    • Galileo

    • Copernicus

    • Kepler

      Correct Answer
    • Napier

13. You were recently hired by a local newspaper to write a column covering important social events happening in the area. What mode of writing will prove most useful?

    • Persuasion

    • Expository

      Correct Answer
    • Description

    • Narration

14. Joy asks her students to write an essay. She tells her students to put a title for their essay. One of her students, Jessica, puts ''How my Friends and i Spent Summer''. How can she correct the capitalization of Jessica's essay title?

    • She should tell Jessica to capitalize i because all starting letters of words in a title are capitalized.

    • She should tell Jessica to capitalize i because this pronoun is always capitalized.

      Correct Answer
    • She should tell Jessica that the capitalization of her essay title is correct.

    • She should tell Jessica to capitalize my because all starting letters of words in a title are capitalized.

15. A second-grade teacher who wants to increase students' abilities to use syntactic cues to understand the meanings of words in context should emphasize which of the following?

    • Guiding students to recognize specific letters and sounds of a word.

    • Encouraging students to decode words they do not understand by sight.

    • Helping students gain awareness of the roles of words within sentences.

      Correct Answer
    • Requiring students to identify the subject of every sentence they read.