NYSTCE EAS (State Teacher Licensure Exams)
Educating All Students (EAS) (201)
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ExploreAbout this exam
Educating All Students (EAS) (201) is one of the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations (NYSTCE), a computer-based test administered by Evaluation Systems, Pearson, on behalf of the New York State Education Department. Candidates preparing for New York State educator certification take it to demonstrate that they can work effectively with the full range of students found in today's classrooms - students from diverse cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds, English language learners, and students with disabilities and other special learning needs - and that they understand the professional, legal, and family-engagement responsibilities that come with a teaching license.
The test is delivered as 40 selected-response items and 3 constructed-response items, with 2 hours and 15 minutes of testing time inside a 2-hour-and-30-minute appointment that includes a tutorial and nondisclosure agreement. The passing score is 520 and the test fee is $80. Appointments are available year-round, Monday through Saturday, at sites in New York State and nationwide.
Because the three written responses carry substantial weight, preparation should pair content review of diversity, language-acquisition, disability, and school-home topics with timed practice in writing clear, evidence-based responses. Note that the test page states this test was scheduled to be replaced by Educating All Students-II (203); confirm with NYSTCE which test you must take before registering. This guide is independent study material and is not affiliated with NYSTCE or Pearson.
What you'll study
About NYSTCE EAS preparation
What is the format of the EAS (201) test?
It is a computer-based test (CBT) made up of 40 selected-response items and 3 constructed-response items. The selected-response questions are scored automatically, while the three written responses are scored by trained evaluators against rubrics. Plan to budget your time so you can finish both sections within the testing period.
How much time do I get, and does the appointment include breaks?
Total appointment time is 2 hours and 30 minutes. Of that, 15 minutes is set aside for the CBT tutorial and nondisclosure agreement, leaving 2 hours and 15 minutes of actual testing time. Arrive early, since the appointment clock starts before you reach the first question.
What score do I need to pass?
The passing score is 520. Scores are scaled rather than reported as a raw percentage, so the number of points you earn depends on which items you answer correctly and how your constructed responses are rated. Check your official score report for the breakdown.
How much does the test cost?
The test fee is $80. Review the complete fee and payment policy information on the NYSTCE website before registering, since fees, refund rules, and payment options are set by the program and can change. Fees for other tests you register for are separate.
When and where can I take the test?
Appointments are offered year-round, Monday through Saturday, excluding some holidays. Test sites are located in New York State and nationwide, so you can search for the center nearest you and check appointment availability when you register.
Is the EAS (201) still the test I should take?
The official test page states that the Educating All Students (EAS) (201) test and its preparation materials were scheduled to be replaced in Fall 2018 by a redeveloped test called Educating All Students-II (EAS–II) (203). Before you register or buy materials, confirm with NYSTCE and your certification office which test applies to you.
Can I retake the test if I do not pass?
The test information page does not publish retake rules, waiting periods, or fees for additional attempts. Consult the NYSTCE registration and score reporting policies, and check with your certifying office about any limits, rather than relying on secondhand advice about how soon you may re-register.
Are there questions on the test that do not count toward my score?
Yes. NYSTCE notes that tests may include test questions that are being evaluated for future administrations and that do not affect a candidate's score. Answer every item as if it counts; you cannot identify which ones are unscored, and leaving blanks only costs you.
How should I plan my study time?
Start with the constructed-response section, because writing under time pressure is where most candidates lose points. Practice drafting responses with a clear claim, specific evidence, and a concrete instructional action. Then rotate through the selected-response content areas, and finish with two or three full-length timed practice runs.
What are the most common ways candidates lose points?
The typical mistakes are vague constructed responses that describe a general philosophy instead of naming a specific strategy, ignoring the family's or student's perspective, and running out of time on the written section because the multiple-choice items were over-checked. Practicing timed writing and reading each prompt for its exact task reduces all three.