New York State Certification Examinations
If you are seeking a New York State certificate for teaching, you must achieve qualifying scores on a set of assessments called the NYS Teacher Certification Examinations (NYSTCE) as part of the requirements for certification.
For those seeking certification in Early Childhood or Childhood, these tests are:
Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAST)
Assessment of Teaching Skills-Written (ATS-W)
Content Specialty Test (CST)
Registration bulletins for the tests are available in the Elementary Education Department Office (SCB 154) or in the Educational Advisement Office (SCB 112).
Some general guidelines for when to take these tests are:
| - LAST | You may take this any time as it is based on your liberal arts background/degree. |
| - ATS-W | This test is based upon your background in elementary education. It should be taken toward the end of the final semester of your course of study. |
| - CST | Schedule this test sometime after you have settled into your second student teaching assignment. |
A review book for these tests is on reserve in the library or you may purchase one at the college bookstore. These are only general suggestions. Use your own discretion after reviewing the book.
