Illinois Certification Testing
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Basic Skills/Content Area Tests
Click here to review materials provided by the College of Education and Professional Studies for upcoming workshops, resources, and preparation guidelines.
Resources for Test Preparation - Basic Skills, Content, and Assessment of Professional Teaching
Click Here...to visit the College of Education and Professional Studies for information on upcoming workshops.
(The following information is to serve as a guide and is current as of June 2010. All information is subject to change based upon decisions of the Illinois State Board of Education. Only the Illinois State Board of Education can set policy regarding the granting of teaching certificates.)
Registration:
Registration information and materials for all Illinois Teacher Certification Tests are available online at http://www.icts.nesinc.com The test can be taken either in paper/pencil format or in a computer based testing format (at selected sites, on selected dates). Please watch test registration and score report deadlines carefully. When registering for all tests please be sure to report EIU as a score recipient.
Preparation:
Test Framework
- The Basic Skills Test Framework provides information on the content covered on the basic skills test in the areas of Reading Comprehension, Language Arts, Mathematics, and Writing. The framework is a great starting point to preparing for the test. The framework can be found athttp://www.icts.nesinc.com/PDFs/IL_fld096R_FW.pdf A Study Guide is also provided athttp://www.icts.nesinc.com/IL_studyguide_opener.asp
Basic Skills Diagnostic Practice Test
- The Basic Skills Diagnostic Practice Test is an interactive computer program that contains a full-length practice test form for the Basic Skills test, including questions for the Reading Comprehension, Language Arts, and Mathematics subareas of the test. In addition, a constructed-response writing assignment, and sample responses to the practice test writing assignment is provided to assist in the preparation for the Writing subarea. The program also includes a tutorial providing instructions on how to use and navigate through the practice test, and scoring of and correct answer explanations for the multiple-choice questions. The test is available at http://www.icts.nesinc.com/IL_practest_opener.asp
Basic Skills Preparation Program
(developed by Illinois Community College Board) - The Basic Skills Test Preparation program is a web-based tutorial that works through all areas covered on the Basic Skills Test. To utilize the site you will need to register. The website is www.basicskillsprep.org At the website click Register Student and then enter our passcode which is 2UGH1RCCGM. You will then need to complete the information on the screen and then will be granted access to the preparation materials.
Reading Center
- The Reading Center in Room 1320 Buzzard Hall (http://www.eiu.edu/readctr/) offers an array of services for students preparing for the Basic Skills Test, providing workshops and individualized programs. Excellent skill building programs are available to assist students with reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, and writing. The programs take students through practice test assessments with prescriptive exercises to build those skills essential to passing the Basic Skills Test.
Student Success Center
- The Student Success Center located in 9th Street Hall provides a wonderful website (http://www.eiu.edu/~success/), workshops, and personal assistance to help with test taking strategies as you prepare for the Basic Skills Test.
Commercial Guides
(Illinois Basic Skills Test and ACT Study Guides) - Many commercial test preparation publishers have developed study guides for the Illinois Basic Skills Test Preparation books, many students have found ACT Study Guides a help in preparing for the test.
High School Texts
(especially Math) available in Booth Library - The Ballenger Teacher Center (http://www.library.eiu.edu/btc/) in Booth Library has numerous high school textbooks in Mathematics and English that might assist you in reviewing the concepts covered on the Basic Skills Test.
Tutors
(Private or commercial) - Consider seeking assistance from a former teacher, friend or acquaintance with exceptionally strong skills in the given area in which you need help. Some test preparation companies also provide tutoring that may be of assistance in preparing for the Basic Skills Test.
Content Area Tests:
All students must pass the appropriate content area test(s) prior to beginning student teaching. Documentation of passing this test must be on file with the CEPS Dean's Office by the end of the semester immediately preceding Student Teaching. For this reason it is important that students pay special attention to the date that test results are reported. Consult your advisor about the proper time to take these tests. Candidates wishing to add additional endorsements will be required to not only meet the hour requirements for that endorsement but also pass the appropriate content area test in that field. Candidates are strongly encourage to take these tests so that the results are available prior to the completion of student teaching. In preparation for the content area test(2), frameworks are available at http://www.icts.nesinc.com/IL_frameworks_opener.asp and a study guide at http://www.icts.nesinc.com/IL_studyguide_opener.asp
Assessment of Professional Teaching (APT):
All candidates for a teaching certificate in the State of Illinois must pass the Assessment of Professional Teaching (in addition to the Basic Skills and Content Area Test) in order to be awarded a certificate. Most students plan on taking the APT early in their student teaching semester (if student teaching in the Fall you may wish to take it the summer before student teaching). The version a candidate takes is based on the certificate they are seeking (consult with your advisor if you have questions) A study guide is also available at http://www.icts.nesinc.com/IL_studyguide_opener.asp:
Early Childhood Education: APT-Early Childhood
Elementary Education (General or Middle School Option) - APT-Elementary
