FAQ

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About CertED's courses

Q.1 Is a coaching course for the NYSTCE necessary for me?

Unfortunately, yes. Standardized tests are considered a "necessary evil" in all the professions, e.g., medicine, law, accounting, and teaching. These tests are needed because they assure baseline levels of knowledge and competence. In the non-teaching professions, virtually all candidates take at least one professional test preparation course. Why? It is universally understood among even the most knowledgable doctors, attorneys, and CPA's that standardized tests present their own unique pitfalls, such as the inevitable awkwardness of the questions, the timing issues, the matter of nerves. It is not enough that candidates master the knowledge base - they must know how to take the test. Otherwise, studying for and taking the exam can be an anxiety-filled experience. Candidates must have a sense of the scope of the material that is likely to be tested; how the pacing works; how to avoid common mistakes. It is frankly unrealistic and unfair to expect candidates to somehow absorb this on their own, plus study for the exam. Yet, factors such as these often account for the all-important difference between passing and failing for many competent candidates.

Professionals therefore take prep courses to be sure that their true abilities will shine and not be overshadowed by avoidable, technical snafus on the test. These courses tend to be professionally run. They must be current and to-the-point. Professional test preparation courses take apart, or "crack," the exam, and then create a preparation sequence that allows the candidate to efficiently study and perform at his or her highest level. Usually, they are run by experienced members of the profession, for-a-profit, with a single-minded devotion to getting their colleagues, coming up the ranks, to pass. These courses generally are not run by well-meaning but understaffed associations or by academic institutions, whose main functions lie elsewhere.

Until now, teachers have not had the benefit of a professional test preparation course that seriously prepares them for the New York teacher certification exam. As a result, more than half the candidates fail, even though many of them are successfully teaching and are sorely needed by their schools and students. This is a tragedy.

Certed.com, which is sponsored by the Center for Professional Performance Enhancement LLC, has created a professional preparation course that fills the void. Our purpose is to see that every uncertertified teacher sitting for the NYSTCE has the opportunity to rise to his or her true potential on the exam, and in the classroom beyond. Perhaps in a more perfect world, standardized exams might not be necessary for the major professionals. But today they are. We, therefore, have one, and only one goal. To get you to pass the NYSTCE. We aim to do this as efficiently, conveniently, affordably and effectively as possible.

Q.2 What is the purpose of this site?

The purpose of this Web site is simply to provide the candidate with information which may be helpful in developing a personalized time plan and study strategy for the NYSTCE. These exams are two essential parts of the New York State mandated teacher certification testing program.

Q.3 How do I sign-up for a course?

Go to the Sign Up page to register and pay for your course. We will then send you your CertED user-name and password that will allow you access to you own, personalized course homepage. You can reach it simply by clicking My Prep Course on the bar above. Your course will be waiting for you, with everything you need to embark on your successful NYSTCE preparation. Because the registration process requires some communication and the setting up of our homepage, it may take up to a day or two to complete the registration. We will try to get you into the course as quickly as possible. Thanks for your patience.
About the NYSTCE exams

Q.1 How is the NYSTCE structured and administered?

The National Evaluation System (NES) Inc. works with the State Education Department in constructing and administering these tests. Consultants and writers work toward producing a test which is both valid and reliable. The writing task force begins with a compiled list of knowledge, skills and understandings that teachers are expected to possess. Each test item is reviewed for clarity, appropriateness and relevance. The questions are “field tested” to ensure that, as a group, they are neither too easy nor too difficult. Questions are not designed to elicit memorized facts and figures. The questions which are deemed to be best are those which test the candidate’s ability to read accurately, think inferentially and to call upon general material in the Liberal Arts and educational practice.

Q.2 What is the key to answering NYSTCE multiple choice questions correctly?

The key skill lies in the ability to read a passage and to get the central idea and supporting facts and then to draw upon the meaning, implications and intent of the author. Happily, the habits of careful reading, deliberation and notation can be incrementally developed through focussed preparation.

Q.3 What is the length of the NYSTCE, how many questions are there? Should I take both the ATS and LAST in one day?

Each part of the exam takes 4 hours. We recommend against taking boths part on one day, unless you must. Many of our students do take both parts on one day (and pass). We teach accordingly.

Q.4 What are the tests like? (LAST: Liberal Arts and Sciences Test)

This is a 4-hour test which consists of 80 multiple-choice questions and a written assignment. All questions are based on reading passages of various lengths.
Generally speaking, the candidate chooses to spend approximately 3 hours on the short-answers and 45-60 minutes on the written assignment. The reading passages and the multiple-choice questions that follow them are derived from the following broad areas: Scientific and Mathematical Processes Historical and Social Scientific Awareness Artistic Expression and the Humanities Communication Skills That does not mean that you will be required to “cough up” obscure facts from your college courses. In most cases the answers can be derived from a careful reading of the passage and the application of some general understanding of the content area. The Written Assignment is marked holistically, which means that the scorer does not look for a specific number of points to be made. The written response will be evaluated based on a demonstrated ability to express and support opinions in correct American English, not on the nature or content of the opinions expressed. The examiners look for legible, organized, topical coverage of the assigned question. You are expected to write 300 - 600 words in about 5 or 6 paragraphs. You should be prepared to compose an outline for yourself, and to use proper grammar, puncuation and spelling in continuous discourse.

Q.5 What are the tests like? (ATS-W:Assessment of Teaching Skills - Written)

This test also takes 4 hours. It too has 80 multiple-choice items and a written assignment. The candidate generally spends 3 hours on the short answers and about one hour on the written assignment. Its fundamental purpose is to assess your pedagogical knowledge in the following four areas:
Knowledge of the Learner
Instructional Planning and Assessment
Instructional Delivery
The Professional Environment

Here again, as in the LAST, one must read the passage and the question with care. You are usually asked to select the “best” answer, based on your understanding of current teaching practice and educational policy. All the choices may “seem to make sense” but only one is in consonance with what is now considered to be “best practice.” Reference to one’s personal classroom experience is, of course, of value.

But the choice of the MOST appropriate response can be aided by a targeted review of preferred pedagogic “mind-sets”.
The Written Assignment for this test is marked holistically with a major emphasis on content and information. The key to success lies in careful reading of the parts of the question, in outlining your answer and in calling upon your professional knowledge of appropriate instructional strategies. References to specific examples and procedures are useful in demonstrating competence as a prospective teacher.

Q.6 What are the minimum passing scores?

It has been estimated that a total of approximately 50 - 55 correct answers (out of 80) is sufficient to achieve a passing score on the multiple-choice portions of each test. This has clear implications for study strategies, apportionment of time and overall test-taking techniques. Satisfactory fulfillment of the written assignment is also a factor in the total scaled score.
An overall score of 220 (of a maximum of 300) is required to pass each of the examinations. One can take the LAST and the ATS-W together on one day, for a total of eight hours, or one can take them separately on two different administration dates. If one examination is passed, and one is failed, only the failed test need be repeated.