State of Illinois Examination Requirements

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) requires all teacher certification candidates to pass the (1) Basic Skills, (2) Content Area, and (3) Assessment of Professional Teaching exams. The exams, which are administered at specific times over the year, must be registered for in advance. Visit the ICTS website, for test dates, study guides, and registration.

Please note that as of January 2010, the state of Illinois will not permit candidates to take any one exam more than five times in order to pass it.

New Basic Skills Test Design

A new test design and score reporting model will be implemented for the Basic Skills test beginning with the September 11, 2010, paper-based test. Each subarea of the test will be scored independently and a passing score must be achieved in each area to complete the requirement.  Students taking the Basic Skills test will have the opportunity to take all four subtests each time they test. However, examinees will not be required to complete the subtest they have already passed.

Exam Requirements by Major

Elementary	Basic Skills (300) Content Test (110) APT Grades K-9 (102)	Prior to formal admission to TEP. Prior to student teaching (by June) After student teaching, and before recommendation for certification.
Major Programs	Basic Skills (300) Content Test    Biology (105)    Chemistry (106)    English (111)    History (114)    Math (115)    Physics (116) APT: Grades 6-12 (103)	Prior to formal admission to TEP. Prior to student teaching (by June). After student teaching, and before recommendation for certification.
Foreign Language	Basic Skills (300) Content Test    French (127)    Spanish (135) APT: Grades K-12 (104)	Prior to formal admission to TEP. Prior to student teaching (by June). After student teaching, and before recommendation for certification.
Music Education	Basic Skills (300) Content Test (143) APT: Grades K-12 (104)	Prior to formal admission to TEP. Prior to student teaching (by June or December). After student teaching, and before recommendation for certification.