Guiding Candidate Test Preparation

Use the following checklists to assist candidates in preparing to take or retake the NYSTCE:

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Guiding Preparation for First-Time Test Takers

An academic advisor might take the following steps to guide a candidate who is taking a NYSTCE test for the first time:

• Have the candidate complete the Test Preparation Worksheet by filling in information regarding his or her academic background, certification requirements, and testing history and completing a checklist of preparation steps for testing.
• Meet with the candidate to review the completed worksheet and test preparation steps taken to date and to provide assistance in evaluating his or her readiness to test.

When meeting with a candidate to review the completed Test Preparation Worksheet, an academic advisor may wish to take the following steps:

• Review page 1 of the completed Test Preparation Worksheet to learn the candidate's academic background, certification requirements, and testing history.
• Review the courses the candidate has taken to determine if he or she has completed sufficient coursework to take the test. If the candidate has not completed sufficient coursework, the advisor may wish to recommend that the candidate take additional courses before testing.
• Review page 2 of the completed Test Preparation Worksheet to guide the candidate in gathering and using NYSTCE test preparation materials and, if needed, learning or reviewing test content.

Guiding Preparation for Candidates Retaking a NYSTCE Test

An academic advisor might take the following steps to guide a candidate preparing to retake the NYSTCE:

• Have the candidate gather a copy of his or her last score report for the test the candidate has taken and complete or update the Test Preparation Worksheet .
• Meet with the candidate to review the completed worksheet and test preparation steps taken to date and to provide assistance in developing a preparation plan before retaking the test.

When meeting with a candidate preparing to retake the NYSTCE, an academic advisor may wish to take the following steps:

• Review the completed Test Preparation Worksheet to learn the candidate's academic background, certification requirements, and testing history. If the candidate has answered "no" to any of the test preparation questions, the advisor may wish to suggest that the candidate follow the test preparation recommendations suggested on page 2 of this worksheet.
• Review the courses the candidate has taken to learn the coursework that he or she has completed to date.
• Review the candidate's score report to determine the candidate's testing performance by content area for multiple-choice questions and written assignments. If the candidate needs help understanding his or her test results, review with the candidate the information in the applicable version of Understanding Candidate Score Reports (for NYSTCE original tests , revised NYSTCE CSTs , or EAS and SBL tests ). If the candidate performed less than adequately in some content areas, the advisor may wish to direct the candidate to study particular content covered in those areas and assist the candidate by:
  • identifying one or more additional courses for learning the identified content
  • guiding the candidate in gathering the appropriate test preparation materials, such as textbooks and other references, the NYSTCE test framework, and the preparation/study guide and/or practice test (if available) for the test
  • helping the candidate understand test content by developing a study plan, which may include reviewing textbooks and notes from courses already taken
  • offering special workshops for candidates or tutoring the candidate in specific content areas

  If the candidate did not perform well on a particular type of question, the advisor might suggest that he or she review the sample questions in the preparation/study guide for the test. For example, if the candidate received a score below the passing score for the written assignment, the advisor might suggest that the candidate complete the sample assignment in the preparation/study guide and review the sample strong response, his or her response, and the scoring criteria for the sample assignment. In addition, the advisor might offer to review the candidate's response to the sample assignment to provide direct feedback to the candidate on his or her performance.

• Assist the candidate in completing page 2 of the Test Preparation Worksheet by listing additional test preparation activities.