The New York State Teacher Certification Exams program (NYSTCE) was designed for teachers in New York State to ensure proficiency in specific educational areas. The NYSTCE Literacy exam is designed for prospective literacy specialists in the state of New York.
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NYSTCE Literacy Exam Outline
The NYSTCE Literacy exam contains 90 selected-response questions and one constructed-response question, and you will be given a time limit of 3 hours and 15 minutes.
The exam is split into eight competencies:
1. Foundations of Language and Literacy Development (10 questions)
The questions in this competency are designed to assess your knowledge and skills pertaining to the following:
- Foundations of language and literacy development
- Factors affecting language and literacy development
- Theoretical and research foundations
2. Foundations of Literacy Instruction and Assessment (17 questions)
The questions in this competency are designed to assess your knowledge and skills pertaining to the following:
- Foundations of effective literacy instruction
- Foundations of effective literacy assessment
- Assessment of students’ literacy development
3. Role of the Literacy Professional (8 questions)
The questions in this competency are designed to assess your knowledge and skills pertaining to the following:
- Literate environment
- Leadership and professional development in literacy
4. Reading and Writing: Foundational Skills (15 questions)
The questions in this competency are designed to assess your knowledge and skills pertaining to the following:
- Emergent literacy development
- Phonics and word recognition
- Fluency
- Spelling and writing conventions
5. Text Complexity and Text Comprehension (16 questions)
The questions in this competency are designed to assess your knowledge and skills pertaining to the following:
- Development of text comprehension
- Role of oral language and writing in text comprehension
- Measurement of text complexity
- Text selection
6. Reading and Writing: Different Types of Text (11 questions)
The questions in this competency are designed to assess your knowledge and skills pertaining to the following:
- Reading literature and informational text
- Writing for different purposes and audiences
- Development of disciplinary literacy
7. Language and Vocabulary Development (13 questions)
The questions in this competency are designed to assess your knowledge and skills pertaining to the following:
- Oral communication skills and command of English grammar and usage
- Vocabulary acquisition and use
8. Analysis, Synthesis, and Application (1 question)
This competency contains the only constructed-response question on the exam. You will be asked to write a short analysis of information that has been presented in a professional forum. In your analysis, you will be expected to synthesize knowledge about a literacy-related topic.
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NYSTCE Literacy Exam Registration
To register for the NYSTCE Literacy exam, you will need to create an NYSTCE account online and complete the registration process there. It is recommended that you complete the registration process at least 30 days before you take the exam.
During this process, you will be asked some questions about your educational history, as well as your current education level, first language, matriculation status, and the education code for the NYC Department of Education program type you are associated with.
The examination fee is $122.
Test Day
On testing day, you should arrive at the testing center 15-30 minutes earlier than the scheduled exam time to allow time for the check-in process. Once you arrive, you will be asked to sign in and provide a valid form of government-issued photo ID.
Before the exam begins, you will be asked to place all personal items (cell phone, keys, wallet, accessories, 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 NYSTCE Literacy Exam is Scored
Your total NYSTCE Literacy score is based on the number of questions you answered correctly, which is then reported as a numerical figure in the range of 400-600. To pass the exam, you must achieve a scaled score of 520.
You should receive your test results roughly 2-4 weeks after taking the exam. When you receive your score report, you will see your total score, your pass/fail status, and your scores for each subarea of the test.
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FAQs
Q
How many questions are on the NYSTCE Literacy exam?
A
There are 91 questions on this exam.
Q
How long is the NYSTCE Literacy exam?
A
The time limit for this exam is 3 hours and 15 minutes.
Q
What is the passing score for the NYSTCE Literacy exam?
A
To pass the exam, you must achieve a minimum scaled score of 520.
Q
How much does the NYSTCE Literacy exam cost?
A
The examination fee is $122.
