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Create AccountThe New York Teacher Certification Examinations (NYSTCE) are a suite of exams that are required of all aspiring educators in New York. Created by a team of educators and experts in the field, the NYSTCE ensures all teaching candidates are held to the same state-approved standard, and that all New York educators possess the necessary pedagogical and content knowledge to successfully serve students. Most prospective teachers will be required to take and pass the Educating All Students (EAS) test and the edTPA exam, as well as the Content Specialty Test (CST) in their area of specialization in order to obtain a teaching certificate. Candidates for the NYSTCE Social Studies 115 test should be sure to confirm that they are taking the correct test in the correct order before finalizing their exam registration.
Easy-to-follow study guides, practice tests and resources.
Create AccountThe NYSTCE Social Studies exam is a computer-based test (CBT) that consists of 90 selected-response questions and 1 constructed-response question. Candidates for the NYSTCE 115 will spend approximately 3.5 hours at their testing appointment. 15 minutes are allotted to a pre-test tutorial for using the CBT and for the candidate to sign a nondisclosure agreement that prohibits them from discussing test content with others. Once they begin testing, candidates have 3 hours and 15 minutes to complete the exam.
The NYSTCE Social Studies 115 exam consists of seven competency areas that evaluate the following content knowledge:
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The passing score for the NYSTCE Social Studies test is 520.
NYSTCE scores are released on a specific schedule that is available to view on the NYSTCE website. Depending on the date of the testing appointment, candidates can expect to receive their scores in roughly 2-6 weeks. Scores for the NYSTCE 115 will be available on the candidate's NYSTCE account. Score reports are typically released at 10PM EST.
On NYSTCE registration for the Social Studies test, candidates also have the option to select email delivery for their exam scores. Individuals who choose this option will receive an email with their score report on the designated score report date. Examinees will also have the option during registration to select an institution(s) to send their scores to. Scores will be sent to the New York State Education Department (NYSED) as well.
Score reports are stored on the test-taker's NYSTCE account for 2 full years. It is important to note that tests that have recently undergone development or changes may have a delay in score reporting.
When candidates receive their score report for the NYSTCE Social Studies exam, it is important to review the information carefully and in full. Candidates will see the total possible score for the exam, which ranges from 400 to 600. Examinees will also see their score on the test, as well as an indication of whether or not they passed the exam. A score of 520 or higher is required to pass the NYSTCE 115 test. It is worth noting when reviewing the score report, that there is no penalty for incorrect answers and that all selected-response questions are weighted the same. Constructed-response questions are graded by at least two trained educators who manually read and score the responses.
Candidates will also notice a large section of the score report is dedicated to a performance evaluation for each competency area covered in the exam. This can be an excellent tool for examinees to determine which areas need more preparation or attention. The level of performance for each section is indicated by one to four plus signs (+). Four plus signs indicate above-average performance, while a single plus sign indicates performance far below the necessary standard.
Before taking the NYSTCE Social Studies 115 exam, candidates should take time to develop a study plan. Thorough, consistent studying is the best way to increase the odds of achieving a passing score.
One of the primary ways for candidates to study is to utilize an NYSTCE Social Studies CST practice test. NYSTCE practice test provides prospective test-takers with a means to assess not only their level of competency with the exam content, but also the types of questions they are likely to encounter on the official test.
In order to study effectively, it is best practice to create a realistic, consistent study schedule that balances studying with breaks to allow information to sink in. The schedule should ideally conclude two to three days prior to the day of the exam appointment in order to avoid last minute cramming.
Another helpful resource for exam applicants are NYSTCE Social Studies CST study guides. Study guides are useful for establishing a baseline understanding of what content will be covered on the exam. Candidates can then focus on each content area when locating other resources to aid in their studying.
For candidates who have not taken a computer-based test (CBT) before, there are resources available on the NYSTCE website for applicants to become more familiar with the format and navigation of the exam to avoid confusion or delays during the actual test. This includes both the on-screen tutorial that is shown at the testing center before the exam begins, and an interactive tutorial that allows test-takers to practice with the exam controls beforehand.
Below are several strategies that candidates for the NYSTCE Social Studies 115 exam can utilize to improve their testing performance, separated by question type:
Selected-Response:
Constructed-Response:
Before an applicant can schedule their NYSTCE Social Studies exam, they must first register online on the NYSTCE website and complete payment for the exam. The test fee is $122 and can be paid with a credit/debit card. Visa and MasterCard are the only accepted forms of credit/debit card.
In order to receive a full refund for the exam fees, candidates must cancel at least 24 hours in advance of their test appointment. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of these fees. Refunds typically process within one week.
On the NYSTCE exam dates, examinees should arrive at the test center at least 15 minutes in advance of their scheduled appointment time. Layers and quiet shoes are advised attire for maintaining a comfortable temperature during the exam and for avoiding distraction. All candidates are required to present a valid ID to the test center staff before being admitted for testing. A valid ID is one that:
Candidates should leave the following items at home, or be prepared to store them in an approved, secure area in the test center, per the instructions of staff:
If a candidate does not achieve a passing score on their first attempt at the NYSTCE 115, they are able to retake the exam as many times as necessary. There is a 30-day waiting period before an examinee can retake the NYSTCE Social Studies, which can be used for additional preparation time.
The NYSTCE Social Studies CST contains two types of questions: selected-response questions and constructed-response questions. There are 90 selected-response questions and 1 constructed-response question. Candidates can find examples of both types of questions in NYSTCE Social Studies CST practice tests.
NYSTCE Social Studies CST study guides are an excellent resource for prospective test-takers to utilize in their preparation. Study guides provide a helpful look into the content that will be covered on the exam and the skills an examinee needs in order to do well. Practice tests for the NYSTCE Social Studies 115 are an additional resource that candidates can use to evaluate their skill level in each competency area and determine which areas they should spend the most time studying.
