Preparing for Certification Exams

The NY Teacher Certification Examinations

NY State Teacher Certification Examinations are routinely offered throughout the year. Details about the certification exams including test dates and registration information can be found at www.nystce.nesinc.com. Fingerprinting is now a requirement for all examinees and will be conducted onsite. 

Preparing for the Examinations

The NY Teacher Certification Examinations

Below is a collection of resources to help you prepare for the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations. The examinations required of all teacher candidates include:

(1) edTPA Portfolio Assessment in the specific discipline area,
(2) Educating All Students (EAS), and
(3) Content Specialty Test (CST) in the specific area of certification.

The edTPA, the teacher performance assessment portfolio, which is generally completed during student teaching. In addition, students pursuing some certification types are required to take additional tests [for example Bilingual students are required to take the Bilingual Education Assessment (BEA). For specific requirements see www.nysed.gov].

The resources below will help students prepare for the EAS test. Additional resources for the CSTs will be added later. The resources include: (a) web-links and other online materials, (b) downloadable handouts and power-points, and (c) workshops offered by the School of Education.

CCNY WORKSHOPS FOR THE EAS AND CST: MULTI-SUBJECT TESTS

The Learning & Technology Resource Center conducts workshops to prepare candidates for the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations. The workshops are conducted each semester for specific exams. See the schedule below for current workshops offered. Note: Currently enrolled CCNY students (including CWE students and CCNY alumni) are eligible to take these free workshops (see below) at the City College of New York.

Participants should review the 'Test Design Framework' and 'Test Examplars' for their particular test:

Click on the links below to access the Test Frameworks:     

1. EAS Test Frameworks
2. CST: MS – Birth – Grade 2
3. CST: MS – Grade 1 – Grade 6
4. CST: MS – Grade 5 to Grade 9
5. CST: MS – Grade 7 to Grade 12  

Click on the links below to access the Test Examplars:

1. EAS Test Examplars
2. CST: MS – Birth to Grade 2
3. CST: MS – Grade 1 to Grade 6
4. CST: MS – Grade 5 to Grade 9
5. CST: MS – Grade 7 to Grade 12

CCNY Test Preparation Schedule
[EAS and CST REVIEW]

Current Schedule with Online Registration: Click here

Currently enrolled CCNY students (including CWE students), and recent CCNY graduates, are eligible to register for one or more session. Participants should select the session(s) that best suit their needs.

DCCNY Test Preparation Schedule
[EAS and CST REVIEW]

Current Schedule with Online Registration: Click here

DCCNY participants currently enrolled in CCNY and other CUNY and non-CUNY campuses, or recent graduates, are eligible to register for intense summer sessions. Participants should select to attend all or most of the sessions offered in a series at a location.

WEBLINKS TO LEARN ABOUT THE EAS TEST

Exam Preparation Resources from CUNY portal
NYSTCE Certification Examination Website	www.nystce.nesinc.com
NYSTCE Computer-Based Testing Tutorial
NYSTCE Computer-Based Practice Tests [each practice test has a fee of $29.95]

 DOWNLOADABLE HANDOUTS TO PREPARE FOR

THE EAS (EDUCATING ALL STUDENTS) TEST

Education All Students (EAS)Test DOWNLOADABLE HANDOUTS
Title/ [Link to Download]	Published/ Prepared By	Description
Test Design and Frameworks	Source: New York State Teacher Certification Examination Inc.	Review the test frameworks carefully to know what are the performance indicators expected on this test.
NYSTCE Educating All Students Study Guide	Source: Teaching Fellows Office, New York City	A collection of helpful links and recommended resources for each component of the EAS test.
EAS Test Taking Strategies	Source: CUNY Teacher Ed Office	Powerpoint presentation on the EAS test.
EAS Study Guide Template	Source: CUNY Teacher Ed Office	Preparation material for the EAS test.
EAS Writing Rubric	Source: New York State Teacher Certification Examination Inc.	Review rubric criteria for writing expectations on the constructed response item.

 

Downloadable PDF to Prepare for the CST: Multisubject - Part II Mathematics
Title/ [Link to Download]	Published/ Prepared By	Description
CST:

 

NY State Teacher Certification Exams Support for CUNY Teacher Education Candidates

Blackboard Organization Name:  NY State Teacher Certification Exams Support

Organization Description: This organization is designed to support teacher candidates in their preparation for the New York State Teacher Certification Exams (NYSTCE). This organization contains publicly available materials from the NY State, as well as preparation materials designed by Hunter College School of Education Faculty. As of Spring 2014, materials are available for the Educating All Students (EAS) exam. Additional support will be provided as the NYSTCE are updated.

Enrollment: Open to all CUNY students, with enrollment code.

How to Enroll:

1. Log in to Blackboard. (If you have never used Blackboard before, you will need to set up an account)
2. From the home page, the first page that appears after login, look for “Organization Search” on the left.
3. Enter ‘CUNY Teacher Education’ in the search box. Click GO.
4. Scroll down to see the organization.
5. Click the gray down arrow under the organization ID in blue. Click ENROLL.
6. This will bring you to the Self Enrollment page. In the box for Access Code, enter TEACHERED.
7. Click Submit.
8. On the next Self Enrollment screen, click OK.
9. Prep materials are organized by exam in the green box on the left.