Many states require potential teachers to complete specific licensure tests to ensure they have the knowledge and skills needed for success as an educator. These standards and tests vary greatly depending on the state, from well-known exams like the Praxis and edTPA to state-specific requirements like the California Basic Educational Skills Test or the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations.
If you plan to become a licensed teacher after college, you’ll likely need to pass one of these exams before you can be hired. Let’s take a closer look at these tests by examining requirements for the states of Colorado, California, New York, and Michigan, along with some tips to help you prepare for any teacher licensure exam.
Colorado’s state teacher licensure requirements
The state of Colorado uses the Praxis tests as part of its teacher and educator certification requirements. Ranging in price from $90–$210, the Praxis includes both selected-response questions and constructed-response questions. Selected-response questions are scored electronically, and constructed-response questions are scored by two or more specially trained people.
There are four main categories of Praxis exams: Core Academic Skills for Educators; Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects; Elementary Education: Content Knowledge for Teaching (CKT) Assessment; and Subject Tests. Let’s focus on the two Praxis exams that Colorado accepts.
Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators
The Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators exam includes math, reading, and writing tests. For the math section, the best tip to follow is to memorize the required formulas, as very few references are offered. Preparing for the reading portion, on the other hand, is all about extracting information from a provided text. Being able to read between the lines is essential. Then, practicing grammar, syntax, and word choice is vital for the writing portion because it will benefit your overall writing test performance.
Praxis Elementary Education: Content Knowledge for Teaching (CKT) Assessments
If you're looking for a generalist elementary school license in Colorado, you’ll take the Praxis CKT Assessment. Reviewing reading and language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies topics up to an 8th-grade level is critical to preparing for this exam. Quizlet has many user-created flashcard sets designed to help prepare Praxis test-takers, especially at the elementary level. Cram.com also has flashcards that cover many key terms and concepts you should be comfortable with before test day.
Related: How to Choose the Grade and Subject You Want to Teach
California’s state educator credential examinations
There are two major tests required to become a teacher in California: the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) and the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET).
There are many ways to prepare for the CBEST and CSET exams. But the first step is to create a study plan—you should be spending time reviewing the material for at least a few months prior to the exam. There are also many resources to help you prepare, including study guides, test prep books, and practice tests to review basic math, reading comprehension, and writing skills. Flashcards, as always, are very helpful when it comes to memorizing formulas and shortcuts.
It also helps to take practice tests to build confidence, familiarize yourself with the format of the exam, and identify areas for improvement. Here’s a list of extra pointers for all sections of the CBEST and CSET exams that will help you successfully prepare:
- Work with a study partner.
- Use spelling and grammar check tools.
- Review basic arithmetic, algebra, and geometry for the math section.
- Practice showing your work for the math section.
- Practice reading various texts and focus on identifying the main ideas, supporting details, and the author’s tone.
- Be precise, careful, and accurate with word choice when preparing for the writing section.
- Use language and style that’s appropriate for the audience and purpose.
- Make sure your writing responses fully address the topics, and read sentences aloud to ensure each sentence has one idea.
New York’s state teacher licensure requirements
New York teachers must pass the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations (NYSTCE). The various versions of the exam cover everything from teaching assistant skills to communication and qualitative skills to school leadership.
Mometrix Online Courses can be helpful to those preparing for the NYSTCE test. The course that prepares teachers the most is the NYSTCE EAS Prep Course. It includes 300+ practice questions, 50+ review videos, 90 study lessons, and 550+ flashcards.
Related: 3 Primary Steps to Pursue a Career as a Teacher
Michigan’s state educator requirements
To become a teacher in Michigan, you must pass the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC). There are three parts to this test. The subject area tests cover the endorsement area that you seek, whether it be elementary education, middle school, high school, or a specific subject. Potential teachers must also pass the Professional Knowledge and Skills (PK&S test) for each grade band endorsement and the Basic Skills test.
Study.com is a good website that offers several tools to prepare for the MTTC. It includes 1,260 practice questions, 210 videos, 254 lessons, and 81 flashcards.
Tips and tricks for any teacher licensure exam
You must take different tests depending on the state in which you intend to teach. We only covered four here, but a lot of tips and advice can apply to any exam you may take. No matter your state or test, here are some general guidelines to help you prepare:
- Know what’s on the test. Make sure you’re familiar with everything the test could cover and the format in which it’s presented—some teacher certification tests are multiple-choice, while others include essays.
- Create a study plan. Ensure you have a detailed plan to ensure you’re not cramming in the days leading up to your exam.
- Take practice tests. Practice tests will help you decide where to focus your study efforts based on what you’re comfortable with and what you need to improve on.
- Practice constructed-response questions. Practice addressing questions that are asked, giving detailed responses, and re-reading your work.
- Familiarize yourself with how each state scores its tests. You’ll want to know if there are questions that are worth more points that should be answered first.
- Time yourself. After studying for a few weeks, retake a practice test and time yourself to ensure you can complete the exam within the allotted time.
- Study when you have time. Try fitting in some quick study sessions during breaks at work or in the evening. Every little bit will help!
- Tell people you’re studying. Let your friends and family help you by reviewing your essays or helping you score your practice tests.
- Be prepared for test day. Ensure you know the test's start time and where you are going. Be sure to arrive early and have the correct identification on hand.
Related: A Look at Where Teachers Are Needed Most in the US
The more you prepare and practice for whatever teacher licensure exam your state requires, the more confident you will be during it, and the more successful you’ll be once you’re a licensed educator. Don’t take your exam lightly and give it the study time and dedication it deserves. It will prepare you for a fulfilling career as a teacher. Good luck!
