Study Guide
Purpose of This Preparation Guide
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This preparation guide is designed to provide information about the content and format of a test for the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations trademark ( N Y S T C E registered trademark ) program. Education faculty and administrators at teacher preparation institutions may also find the information in this guide useful as they discuss the test with candidates. This preparation guide illustrates some of the potential types of questions that appear on a test; however, the set of sample questions provided in this preparation guide does not necessarily define the content or difficulty of the actual test. All test components (including, but not limited to, directions, question content and formats) may differ from those presented here. Furthermore, review of this preparation guide, in whole or in part, does not guarantee an increased likelihood of success on any of the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations. The N Y S T C E program is subject to change at the sole discretion of the New York State Education Department, and any changes will fully supersede the information presented in this document. As a reminder, candidates are responsible for contacting their certification officer(s) regarding any changes to the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations.
Test Design and Framework
For a complete overview of the assessment design and framework, review the
American Sign Language Test Design and Framework
.
This test consists of four sections:
- Section One: Expressive Production (Competency 0004): You will respond to two assignments in American Sign Language.
- Section Two: Receptive Comprehension (Competency 0001): You will view presentations or conversations signed in ASL and answer selected-response (multiple-choice) questions presented in English on the screen.
- Section Three: American Sign Language Structures and Comparisons and Deaf Culture (combined) (Competencies 0002 and 0003): You will answer selected-response questions presented in English on the screen.
- Section Four: Pedagogical Content Knowledge (Competency 0005): You will write a response in English to an assignment presented on the screen.
Section One: Expressive Production is administered first. These assignments require responses in A S L that will be video recorded. Examinees should wear clothing to the test center that provides a good background against which to demonstrate sign communication ability, i.e., solid-colored attire that contrasts with the examinee's skin tone. Avoid clothing with prints or stripes or shirts with graphics.
You may complete the remaining sections of the test in any order and you can go back and review your responses to questions in these sections as needed throughout the remainder of the test duration. Please note, however, that you will start uppercase NOT end end uppercase be able to replay the videos in the Receptive Comprehension section.
Sections Two and Three contain selected-response questions, each question includes four response choices. Read each question and response choice carefully and choose the start uppercase ONE end uppercase correct response. You should answer all questions. Even if you are unsure of a response, it is better to guess than not to answer a question at all.
At the test center, you will be provided with a felt pen and an erasable notebooklet on which you may take notes.