The New York State Teacher Certification Examinations (NYSTCE
®) are a series of tests designed to measure a candidate's
knowledge and skills in the liberal arts and sciences, teaching
theory and practice, and the subject of the candidate's field of
certification. Individuals must receive passing scores in three
NYSTCE exams in order to receive a New York State teaching
certificate—the Liberal Arts and Science Test
(LAST), the elementary or the secondary version of the
Assessment of Teaching Skills-Written (ATS-W),
and a Content Specialty Test (CST) in the
content area of the certification. Candidates interested in
teaching bilingual education must also take and pass the
Bilingual Education Assessments (BEAs).
The Liberal Arts and Sciences Test (LAST)
consists of approximately 80 multiple-choice test questions and
one written performance essay. Individuals are tested on
analytical skills, critical-thinking, communication skills, and
multicultural awareness. The LAST assesses introductory liberal
arts knowledge, and the information you need to respond correctly
is generally contained in the question. The multiple-choice
section of the LAST covers four sub-areas: scientific and
mathematical processes, historical and social scientific
awareness, artistic expression and the humanities, and
communication skills. The fifth sub-area, written analysis and
expression, is assessed in the written assignment in which you
are asked to defend one side of a specified issue.
There are two versions of the Assessment of Teaching
Skills�Written (ATS�W). Candidates seeking a Pre K-6
teaching certificate should take the Elementary ATS�W. Candidates
seeking certification for a secondary academic subject should
take the Secondary ATS�W. The elementary and secondary versions
of the ATS�W consist of approximately 80 multiple-choice test
questions and a written assignment. These exams cover student
development and learning, instructional planning and assessment,
instructional delivery, and the professional environment.
There are 38 Content Specialty Tests (CSTs)
covering everything from English and mathematics to foreign
languages and health education. The CSTs (except those for
languages other than English) consist of multiple-choice test
questions and a written assignment. The CSTs for languages other
than English and the Music (75) test also include taped listening
and/or speaking components and a writing component.
