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Exam Overview
The Multi-Subject: Secondary Teachers test is part of the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations (NYSTCE®) program, administered by Pearson for the New York State Education Department (NYSED). Passing it is one of the requirements for certain secondary-level certificates, most notably Students with Disabilities Grades 7–12 Generalist; confirm the exams your certificate title requires with NYSED's Search Certification Requirements tool. The test is computer-based and offered by appointment year-round, Monday through Saturday (excluding some holidays), at Pearson test centers.
| Part | Items | Testing time | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part One: Literacy and English Language Arts (241) | 40 selected-response + 1 constructed-response | 2 hours | $59 |
| Part Two: Mathematics (244) | 40 selected-response + 1 constructed-response | 2 hours, 15 minutes | $59 |
| Part Three: Arts and Sciences (245) | 40 selected-response | 1 hour | $43 |
| All three parts in one appointment | 120 selected-response + 2 constructed-response | 5 hours, 30 minutes (includes a 15-minute break between Parts One and Two) | $161 |
Scoring
NYSTCE results are reported on a scale of 400 to 600, and the passing score is 520 on each part. Each part is scored on its own; a high score on one part cannot make up for a low score on another. In Parts One and Two, the selected-response items and the constructed-response assignment are combined into one scaled score according to the weights below. Part Three has no constructed-response assignment.
| Part | Selected-response share | Constructed-response share |
|---|---|---|
| Part One (241) | About 70% (40 items) | About 30% (1 assignment) |
| Part Two (244) | About 80% (40 items) | About 20% (1 assignment) |
| Part Three (245) | 100% (40 items) | None |
Part One: Literacy and English Language Arts (241)
| Competency | Approx. items | Approx. share of score |
|---|---|---|
| 0001 Knowledge of Literacy and Language Arts | 17 SR | 30% |
| 0002 Instruction in Foundational Literacy Skills (vocabulary, language, text comprehension) | 17 SR | 30% |
| 0003 Instruction in English Language Arts | 6 SR | 10% |
| 0004 Analysis, Synthesis, and Application | 1 CR | 30% |
Part Two: Mathematics (244)
| Competency | Approx. items | Approx. share of score |
|---|---|---|
| 0001 Number and Quantity | 5 SR | 10% |
| 0002 Algebra and Functions | 20 SR | 40% |
| 0003 Geometry and Statistics | 15 SR | 30% |
| 0004 Analysis, Synthesis, and Application | 1 CR | 20% |
An on-screen scientific calculator is available during Part Two, and a formula sheet is provided. Practice with a basic scientific calculator so the square-root, exponent, and trigonometry keys feel familiar. Each competency also includes indicators about analyzing assessment data and student work to plan instruction, so expect some selected-response items built around a student's solution or a class's results.
Part Three: Arts and Sciences (245)
| Competency | Approx. items | Approx. share of score |
|---|---|---|
| 0001 Science and Technology | 16 SR | 40% |
| 0002 Social Studies | 16 SR | 40% |
| 0003 Fine Arts, Health and Fitness, Family and Consumer Science, and Career Development | 8 SR | 20% |
Part Three is the same 245 test used for every Multi-Subject certificate (early childhood, childhood, middle childhood, and secondary), so its content is broad rather than secondary-specific. With only one hour for 40 items, pacing matters: aim for about 1 minute 15 seconds per item and flag anything that needs a second look.
Testing Policies
| Topic | What to know |
|---|---|
| Delivery | Computer-based test (CBT) by appointment at Pearson test centers; bring the identification required by NYSTCE policy |
| Score reports | Preliminary results appear at the end of your appointment; official results follow on the published score-report dates (several weeks for Parts One and Two, about two weeks for Part Three) |
| Retakes | You must wait 30 days after taking a part before retaking that same part |
| Calculator | Part Two only: an on-screen scientific calculator is provided; personal calculators are not allowed |
| Accommodations | Alternative testing arrangements can be requested in advance through the NYSTCE website |
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