Welcome to:
Illinois Social Sciences Certification Test Prep
Created by the EIU History Department to assist students of Eastern Illinois University in meeting the Illinois state standards for specialization in the social sciences.
The state of Illinois requires all social science teachers in training to receive certification prior to full-time employment in the public school system. Certification entails completing required coursework at an accredited college or university for either middle-school or high-school endorsement and passing the state's certification examination in one's specialty, among other things. This website provides a starting point in your preparation for the History, Political Science, Geography, Economics, Sociology/Anthropology or Psychology Content Exam. It should refresh your memory about the large amount of information of which you are expected to have a firm grasp and be able to actively use to pass the appropriate standardized test.

Twenty-nine standards in "Social Science" form the basis for 60% of the Illinois test for any social sciences specialty endorsement. The remaining 40% of the test is based on standards for your specialty. For instance, if you're securing an endorsement to teach history, then 40% of your test will be based on the eight standards below. To download a printable list of the standards for each specialty, as provided by the Illinois State Board of Education, click its title to download standards below.

To learn about the information addressed through each standard by utilizing our web-site, click the standard below. You will find an introductory essay to the key components and trends; a practice quiz composed of questions similar to the ones that you may find on the actual test, and links to web-based resources that will help you learn more about each standard.

Social Science Standards
(comprise 60% of each test)
Quiz tests for entire set of standards Take Quiz

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29

History Standards
(comprise 40% of each test if your sought endorsement is history)
Quiz tests for entire set of standards Take Quiz (PDF)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8                                          

Geography Standards
(comprise 40% of each test if your sought endorsement is geography)
Quiz tests for entire set of standards Take Quiz (PDF)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16                          

Political Science Standards
(comprise 40% of each test if your sought endorsement is political science)
Quiz tests for entire set of standards Take Quiz (PDF)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8                                          

Economics Standards
comprise 40% of each test if your sought endorsement is economics)
Quiz tests for entire set of standards Take Quiz (PDF)

1 2 3 4                                                  

Psychology Standards
(comprise 40% of each test if your sought endorsement is psychology)
Quiz tests for entire set of standards Take Quiz (PDF)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7                                            

Sociology/Anthropology Standards
(comprise 40% of each test if your sought endorsement is sociology/anthropology)
Quiz tests for entire set of standards Take Quiz (PDF)

1 2 3 4 5 6                                              

Other news & Information:

Frequently Asked Questions - 2005-2006 Testing Schedule - What to Expect on the Day of the Test

Comments about this web-site should be submitted to: Dr. Charles Titus, Project Coordinator

 

Eastern Illinois University

Last Updated: October 12, 2005