NYSTCE Multi-Subject: Childhood
NYSTCE Multi-Subject: Teachers of Childhood (Grade 1–Grade 6)
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ExploreAbout this exam
The NYSTCE Multi-Subject: Teachers of Childhood (Grade 1–Grade 6), test numbers 221/222/245, is the content-knowledge examination that New York State uses in the certification process for teachers preparing to work with elementary-aged children in grades 1 through 6. It is actually three separate tests taken under one title: Part One covers Literacy and English Language Arts (221), Part Two covers Mathematics (222), and Part Three covers Arts and Sciences (245). Each part is scored independently and each requires a passing score of 520, so all three must be passed to qualify for certification in this field. The exam is computer based. Parts One and Two each contain 40 selected-response items plus one constructed-response item, while Part Three is entirely selected-response. A standard four-function calculator appears on screen during Part Two only. Because the parts are registered for separately, candidates can sit for one part at a time or take all three at a single administration, where they run 5 hours and 30 minutes including a 15-minute break between Parts One and Two. Effective preparation means working domain by domain, practising timed selected-response sets, and rehearsing a written response for Parts One and Two. This page is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by NYSTCE or Pearson.
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About NYSTCE Multi-Subject: Childhood preparation
How many questions are on each part of the test?
Part One: Literacy and English Language Arts has 40 selected-response items plus 1 constructed-response item. Part Two: Mathematics has 40 selected-response items plus 1 constructed-response item. Part Three: Arts and Sciences has 40 selected-response items and no constructed-response item.
Do I have to take all three parts on the same day?
No. You register for one or more parts, so you can spread them across appointments. If you take all three together, the published block is 5 hours and 30 minutes, which includes a 15-minute break between Parts One and Two. A 15-minute CBT tutorial and nondisclosure agreement come before testing.
How long is each part?
Part One allows 2 hours of testing time, Part Two allows 2 hours and 15 minutes, and Part Three allows 1 hour. Those figures are testing time only; the tutorial and nondisclosure agreement at the start of the appointment are listed separately as 15 minutes.
What score do I need to pass?
The passing score is 520 for each part, and you must take and pass all three parts to qualify for certification in this field. Because each part is scored separately, a strong performance on one does not compensate for a weak one on another.
What does it cost?
Part One is $59, Part Two is $59, and Part Three is $43. If all three parts are taken together at one administration, the total is $161. Registering part by part means paying each part's individual fee at the time you schedule it.
Can I use a calculator?
Yes, but only during Part Two: Mathematics, where a standard four-function calculator is provided on screen. Plan to practise with an on-screen four-function calculator rather than a scientific or graphing model, and read the official on-screen calculator instructions before test day.
How hard is the exam, and what trips candidates up?
The selected-response items are only half the challenge on Parts One and Two: each also ends with one constructed-response item, and many candidates under-prepare for writing a clear, organized response under time pressure. Practise untimed first, then build to full-length timed sets so pacing becomes automatic.
I already passed Part Three for another Multi-Subject certificate. Do I need it again?
No. Part Three: Arts and Sciences (245) is shared by all four Multi-Subject tests, so if you are seeking more than one Multi-Subject certificate you need to pass Part Three only once. Check your score history before registering for it a second time.
What if I miss the passing score by a small margin?
Candidates who score within 0.5 standard error of measurement (SEM) of the passing score on a required NYSTCE test may apply for a waiver. This is an application process, not an automatic pass, so confirm the current procedure and deadlines with the official NYSTCE program before relying on it.
Do I get my results right away?
You receive preliminary test results at the conclusion of your appointment, but the official program states that preliminary results from the test center are not acceptable substitutes for a score report. Watch the published score report dates for Parts One, Two, and Three.