Admission Requirements

To Apply, You Must:

Submit a Composite ACT Plus Writing score of 22 or higher with a minimum score of 19 on the Combined English / Writing OR a Composite SAT score of 1030 or higher on Critical Reading plus Mathematics, with a minimum score of 450 on Writing if taken before March 5, 2016, OR a Composite SAT score of 1110 (Evidence-based Reading and Writing plus Mathematics) or higher, and a minimum score of 26 on the Writing and Language Test for the Redesigned SAT taken on or after March 5, 2016.

  1. If you choose to submit an SAT score, you must have also taken the writing subtest.
  2. You must follow the next steps in order to successfully have your scores confirmed with the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).
  3. Create an account in ELIS.
  4. Confirm that your score report meets the composit score requirements.
  5. Request that your scores be sent to ISBE directly from ACT or SAT. The score report must arrive in a sealed envelope addressed to ISBE from ACT or SAT.
  6. If requesting an ACT Plus Writing score report, use ACT code 3001 when ordering. There is no ISBE code for SAT. Request that your SAT score be sent to the Illinois State Board of Education, Division of Educator Licensure, 100 North First Street, S-306, Springfield, IL 62777.
  7. Check your ELIS account to verify that your ACT / SAT score report has been accepted in lieu of the TAP. Please allow 60 days for this information to be added to your ELIS account.

OR

Pass the Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP 400) offered by the ICTS / ILTS.

  • Students who currently reside outside of the state of Illinois or the United States may take computer-based exams at one of over 225 sites nationwide and 30 international Pearson Professional Centers.
  • In preparation for the exam, test takers are strongly encouraged to make use of the ICTS/ILTS online resources including an overview of the testing program.
  • The GRE exam is NOT required for admission. Subsequent ICTS / ILTS exams will occur during the residency year of the program.

Additionally, UChicago UTEP students have found the following helpful:

  • ICTS / ILTS Science-Biology 105 Teacher Certification Test Prep Study Guide
  • The Best Teachers' Test Preparation for ICTS / ILTS
  • Junior Skill Builders Algebra in 15 Minutes a Day
  • Chicago State University's MATH 0910 course, which is geared toward helping students pass the mathematics section of the exam and MATH 0920 course designed to help students navigate the secondary math content exam.

All applicants without an ACT Plus Writing score of at least 22, with a minimum score of 19 on the Combined English / Writing (16 if the exam is taken September 1, 2015 or later) OR SAT score of 1030 or higher on Critical Reading plus Mathematics (with a minimum score of 450 on Writing), must take the Test of Academic Proficiency even if:

  • You are certified in another state
  • You have taken a comparable exam in another state
  • You are currently located outside of the state of Illinois
  • You are currently located outside of the United States

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