ILTS Principal as Instructional Leader
(195 & 196) Practice Test

The ILTS Principal as Instructional Leader exam is administered by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) to assess the requisite skills and knowledge of prospective certified principals in Illinois public schools.

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Exam Outline

The Principal as Instructional Leader exam is split into two subtests. Each subtest contains 56 multiple-choice questions and two constructed-response questions for a total of 116 questions. The time limit for the exam is 3 hours and 45 minutes, whether you take both subtests at once or one at a time.

Each subtest is split into two subareas, and each subarea has a range of objectives.

Subtest 1 (195)

The questions in this subtest assess your knowledge and skills in the areas of planning, change, accountability, and instructional improvement.

I. Planning, Change, and Accountability (40%)

• Leading change
• Engaging in collaborative, data-driven planning and decision-making
• Understanding the use of assessment and accountability systems to monitor progress

II. Instructional Improvement (60%)

• Establishing and sustaining a culture and learning environment conducive to student learning
• Providing instructional leadership focused on effective teaching and learning
• Using instructional practices that promote academic success
• Understanding professional development that improves learning for everyone

Subtest 2 (196)

The questions in this subtest assess your knowledge and skills in the areas of planning, change, accountability, and instructional improvement.

I. Visionary Leadership, Collaboration, and Contexts of Education (60%)

• Understanding the collaborative development and implementation of a shared vision to promote continuous and sustainable improvement in students’ achievement and growth
• Communicating and collaborating with students, staff, community members, and families
• Responding to diverse community interests and needs
• Mobilizing community resources to strengthen school programs
• Understanding the political, economic, legal, cultural, and social contexts of education
• Responding to and influencing the various contexts of education

II. School Management and Legal/Ethical Guidelines (40%)

• Understanding operational and organizational management that supports school improvement
• Understanding fiscal and human resource management that supports school improvement
• Understanding ethical and legal guidelines related to schools and education

Exam Registration

To register for the exam, you must first create an ILTS/ISBE account. Once your account has been created, log in and select the Principal as Instructional Leader exam. From there, you can register for the exam and schedule your testing appointment. You may choose to take each subtest during a different testing appointment, or you may take both subtests in one appointment. Regardless of how you schedule the appointment(s), you will need to pay a fee of $162 for each subtest.

Test Day

On the day of the exam, you should arrive at the testing center about 30 minutes earlier than your scheduled appointment. You will be asked to sign in once you arrive, and you will need to provide two valid forms of government-issued ID.

Before the exam begins, you will be asked to place all personal items (cell phone, wallet, keys, bags, watch, etc.) in a locker outside the testing room, or you may be asked to leave them in your car.

Once the test begins, you will be allowed to take breaks. However, the timer will not be stopped during your break, so use your break time carefully.

How the Exam is Scored

Your ILTS score is determined by taking your raw score (the number of questions you answered correctly) and converting it to a scaled score from 100 to 300. To pass, you will need to get a minimum scaled score of 240 on each subtest, and you must pass each subtest to pass the overall exam.

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