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Exam Overview
American Board is a nonprofit organization that offers a self-paced, online route to teacher certification for candidates who already hold a bachelor's degree. The program is recognized by a number of states, and each state sets its own additional requirements, so confirm the rules for your state before you enroll. To earn the American Board certificate, a candidate passes the PTK exam and one subject area exam.
Exam Structure
| Part | Format | Time allowed | Passing standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple choice | 100 questions, each with four answer choices | 150 minutes | Scaled score of 270 on a 0–500 scale |
| Writing component | One prompt made up of several tasks; a letter or memo to parents, colleagues or administrators | 60 minutes | Score of 4 on a 0–6 holistic rubric |
Content Domains
American Board publishes the content standards for the PTK and the share of the multiple-choice questions drawn from each of the four weighted domains.
The current standards also contain a fifth domain, Professional Learning and Leadership, along with standards on collaboration, advocacy, legal compliance, culturally relevant instruction, English language learners and instructional technology. The published weights cover the four domains in the chart, so treat the fifth domain as testable content and prepare it with Section 5.
Scoring
On the multiple-choice section, the number of questions answered correctly is converted to a scaled score from 0 to 500, and 270 is the proficient (passing) score. There is no penalty for a wrong answer, so answer every question. The writing component is scored holistically against a rubric from 0 to 6, and 4 is the passing score. A response must address every task in the prompt to reach a 4.
Because the writing component is scored by trained readers, PTK results are not immediate. American Board advises candidates to allow four to six weeks for results, and it recommends taking the PTK first and the subject area exam on a separate day.
Registration and Test Day
The exams are delivered by Pearson VUE. Enrolled candidates schedule an appointment through a Pearson VUE account that matches the name on the American Board profile. Appointments are available year-round, so the test date is the candidate's decision. An appointment can be rescheduled or cancelled without charge up to 48 hours before it begins.
Retakes and Program Timeline
Each American Board exam may be retaken up to three times, and a retake fee applies (currently $195). A candidate who does not pass the PTK within the allowed attempts must pursue another route to certification, which makes careful preparation before the first attempt worthwhile. Candidates have one year from enrollment to complete the program; most finish in seven to ten months, and an extension can be purchased.
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