Teacher certification exams are an important part of the education system. These exams are designed to ensure that teachers have the knowledge and skills needed to effectively teach students. In this article, we will discuss what teacher certification exams are, what to expect when taking them, their importance, and some of the challenges and controversies surrounding these exams.
What to Expect the Teacher Certification Exams The content and structure of teacher certification exams vary depending on the type of exam and the state. However, most exams cover topics such as subject matter knowledge, pedagogy, and classroom management. The exams may include multiple-choice questions, essays, or other types of questions.
Overview of each of these exams and their unique features.
There are several different types of teacher certification exams, and the names of these exams can vary depending on the state and the organization that administers them. Some common types of teacher certification exams include:
- Praxis Exams Praxis exams are a series of exams that are administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). These exams are used by many states as part of their teacher certification requirements. The Praxis exams assess a wide range of knowledge and skills, including subject matter knowledge, pedagogy, and classroom management. There are different Praxis exams for different subject areas and grade levels. The exams are typically computer-based, and they include multiple-choice questions, essays, and other types of questions.
- TExES Exams The Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES) is a series of exams that are used in the state of Texas to assess the knowledge and skills of individuals who want to become teachers. The TExES exams cover a wide range of subject areas and grade levels, including bilingual education, special education, and English as a second language. Like the Praxis exams, the TExES exams are computer-based and include multiple-choice questions, essays, and other types of questions.
- edTPA The edTPA is a performance-based assessment that is used in some states as part of their teacher certification requirements. The edTPA requires prospective teachers to submit a portfolio that includes lesson plans, video recordings of their teaching, and other materials that demonstrate their ability to effectively teach students. The edTPA is designed to assess a teacher’s ability to plan and deliver effective lessons, assess student learning, and provide feedback to students.
- MTLE The Minnesota Teacher Licensure Examinations (MTLE) is a series of exams that is used in the state of Minnesota to assess the knowledge and skills of individuals who want to become teachers. The MTLE exams cover a wide range of subject areas and grade levels, including early childhood education, elementary education, and special education. The MTLE exams are computer-based and include multiple-choice questions, essays, and other types of questions.
- NES The National Evaluation Series (NES) is a series of exams that is used in the state of Arizona to assess the knowledge and skills of individuals who want to become teachers. The NES exams cover a wide range of subject areas and grade levels, including mathematics, science, and social studies. The exams are computer-based and include multiple-choice questions, essays, and other types of questions.
These exams are an important part of the education system in the United States. These exams are designed to ensure that teachers have the knowledge and skills needed to teach students effectively. Praxis exams, TExES exams, edTPA, MTLE, and NES are just a few examples of the different types of teacher certification exams that are used in the United States.
Each exam is designed to assess the knowledge and skills needed to be an effective teacher in a particular subject area or grade level. By preparing for these exams and meeting the certification requirements, individuals can increase their job prospects, earn higher salaries, and make a positive impact in the lives of their students.
| State | Certification Exam(s) |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Alabama Educator Certification Testing Program (AECTP), Praxis Series |
| Alaska | Praxis Series, Alaska Teacher Certification Exams |
| Arizona | Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments (AEPA) |
| Arkansas | Praxis Series |
| California | California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST), California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET), RICA, edTPA |
| Colorado | Praxis Series |
| Connecticut | Connecticut Foundations of Reading, Praxis Series |
| Delaware | Praxis Series |
| Florida | Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) |
| Georgia | Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) |
| Hawaii | Praxis Series |
| Idaho | Praxis Series |
| Illinois | Illinois Licensure Testing System (ILTS) |
| Indiana | Indiana CORE Assessments for Educator Licensure |
| Iowa | Praxis Series |
| Kansas | Praxis Series |
| Kentucky | Praxis Series |
| Louisiana | Praxis Series |
| Maine | Praxis Series |
| Maryland | Praxis Series |
| Massachusetts | Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) |
| Michigan | Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) |
| Minnesota | Minnesota Teacher Licensure Examinations (MTLE) |
| Mississippi | Praxis Series |
| Missouri | Missouri Educator Gateway Assessments (MEGA) |
| Montana | Praxis Series |
| Nebraska | Praxis Series |
| Nevada | Praxis Series, Nevada Educator Performance Assessments |
| New Hampshire | Praxis Series |
| New Jersey | Praxis Series |
| New Mexico | New Mexico Teacher Assessments (NMTA) |
| New York | New York State Teacher Certification Examinations (NYSTCE) |
| North Carolina | Praxis Series, North Carolina Foundations of Reading |
| North Dakota | Praxis Series |
| Ohio | Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) |
| Oklahoma | Oklahoma Professional Teaching Examination (OPTE), Oklahoma Subject Area Tests (OSAT) |
| Oregon | Oregon Educator Licensure Assessments (ORELA), Praxis Series |
| Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania Educator Certification Tests (PECT), Praxis Series |
| Rhode Island | Praxis Series |
| South Carolina | Praxis Series |
| South Dakota | Praxis Series |
| Tennessee | Praxis Series |
| Texas | Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES), Texas Assessment of Sign Communication (TASC) |
| Utah | Praxis Series |
| Vermont | Praxis Series |
| Virginia | Praxis Series, Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) |
| Washington | Washington Educator Skills Tests (WEST) |
| West Virginia | Praxis Series |
| Wisconsin | Praxis Series, Wisconsin Foundations of Reading |
| Wyoming | Praxis Series |
Q&A
Q: Which certification is best for teachers? A: The best certification for teachers depends on the individual’s career goals and the requirements in their state or district. Generally, a certification that demonstrates subject matter knowledge, pedagogical skills, and classroom management is valuable for teachers. Examples of such certifications include the Praxis and TExES exams.
Q: What are the NYS teacher certification exams? A: The New York State (NYS) teacher certification exams are a series of tests designed to assess the knowledge and skills of individuals who want to become teachers in New York State. The exams include the Educating All Students Test (EAS), Content Specialty Tests (CSTs), and the edTPA.
Q: How much is the CST exam NYC? A: The cost of the CST exam in New York City (NYC) varies depending on the subject area. As of 2024, the cost for each CST exam is $134.
Q: What type of teacher is most in demand? A: The demand for teachers varies depending on the location and subject area. In general, teachers in high-need areas, such as science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), special education, and English as a second language (ESL), are in high demand.
Q: What are the requirements for CST? A: The requirements for the Content Specialty Tests (CSTs) vary depending on the subject area. Generally, individuals who want to take the CSTs must have a bachelor’s degree or higher and complete a teacher preparation program.
Q: Which teachers get paid the most? A: Teachers who have advanced degrees and many years of experience typically earn higher salaries. In addition, teachers who work in high-demand subject areas, such as math and science, may also earn higher salaries.
Q: Is the CST exam hard? A: The difficulty level of the Content Specialty Tests (CSTs) varies depending on the subject area and the individual’s knowledge and skills. Generally, individuals who are well-prepared and have a strong understanding of the subject matter should be able to pass the exam.
Q: Can you teach in NY without certification? A: In some cases, individuals may be able to teach in New York without certification, such as substitute teachers or teachers who are working in private schools. However, most teachers in public schools are required to have a teaching certification from New York State.
Q: How many teaching exams are there? A: The number of teaching exams varies depending on the state and the type of certification. However, in general, individuals who want to become teachers must pass one or more exams that assess their subject matter knowledge, pedagogical skills, and classroom management.
Q: How long should you study for CST? A: The amount of time needed to study for the Content Specialty Tests (CSTs) varies depending on the individual’s knowledge and skills. Generally, individuals should plan to spend several weeks or months studying and preparing for the exam.
Q: How many times can you take the CST? A: The number of times an individual can take the Content Specialty Tests (CSTs) varies depending on the state and the testing program. In general, individuals may be allowed to retake the exam multiple times, but there may be limitations on the number of times they can take the exam within a specific time period.
It’s important to note that the specific exams and requirements for teacher certification can vary significantly from state to state. Prospective teachers should check with their state’s department of education or teacher certification board to find the most accurate and up-to-date information about the exams and certification process in their state.
Additionally, some states may have additional requirements beyond passing the exams, such as completing a teacher preparation program, a student teaching internship, or fulfilling specific coursework or professional development requirements. Being well-prepared and knowledgeable about the certification process is crucial for aspiring teachers to become certified educators in the United States.
