ACT Useful Links

ACT Math Resource Links
ACT, Math Test Tips:

https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-preparation/math-practice-test-
questions.html?page=0&chapter=0
Kaplan, 10 Must-Know ACT Math Tips: https://www.kaptest.com/study/act/10-must-know-act-math-tips/
Princeton Review, 6 Question Types You Will Face on the ACT Math Test:
https://www.princetonreview.com/college-advice/act-math-practice
Brightstorm, ACT Math: https://www.brightstorm.com/test-prep/act/act-math/
Magoosh, 15 Key Concepts to Review for ACT Math:

https://magoosh.com/hs/act/act-math/2016/15-key-concepts-act-math-review/
Ivywise, Test Prep 101 – Common ACT Math Mistakes:

https://blog.ivywise.com/blog-0/test-prep-101-common-act-math-mistakes
Sophia, ACT Math Test Preparation:

https://www.sophia.org/preparing-for-college/act-test-preparation/mathematics
SparkNotes, ACT Math Review: http://www.sparknotes.com/testprep/books/act/chapter10.rhtml
GreenTest Prep, How to Amplify Your ACT Math Performance:

https://greentestprep.com/resources/act-prep/act-crash-course/act-math/
Udemy, ACT Math Test Prep Exam Review Made Easy:

https://www.udemy.com/act-math-test-prep-course-exam-review-made-easy/
CrackACT.com, ACT Math Practice Tests and Explanations: http://www.crackact.com/act/math/
Reason Prep, ACT Math Gauntlet: https://reasonprep.com/act-math-gauntlet-practice-test/
PrepScholar, Free ACT Math Practice Questions:

https://blog.prepscholar.com/complete-list-of-free-act-math-practice-questions
High School Test Prep, ACT Math Practice: http://www.highschooltestprep.com/act/math/
Free Tests Online, ACT Math Practice: http://www.free-test-online.com/act-test
Dummies, Practice Mathematics Test for the ACT:

http://www.dummies.com/test-prep/act/practice-mathematics-test-1-for-the-act-60-questions/
YouTube, ACT Math Prep Review, Practice Problems, Tips & Strategies:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01tp_yW7c60
Mometrix Video, Best Free ACT Math Practice Problems:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8QZbVy6N90
Union Test Prep, ACT Practice Tests, Flash Cards, and Study Guides: https://uniontestprep.com/act
PowerScore, Free ACT & SAT Practice Tests:

https://www.powerscore.com/sat/help/content_practice_tests.cfm
Mometrix, Free ACT Practice Tests: https://www.mometrix.com/academy/act-test/
Test-Guide, Free ACT Practice Tests: https://www.test-guide.com/free-act-practice-tests.html

ACT English/Language Arts Resource Links
Comprehensive ACTResources
ACT, 2018/2019 Preparing for the ACT (Free Booklet):
https://www.act.org/content/dam/act/unsecured/documents/Preparing-for-the-ACT.pdf
McGraw Hill’s 10 ACT Practice Tests: http://www.fulton-
ind.k12.ky.us/userfiles/62/10_ACT_Practice_Tests.pdf
PrepScholar, Printable Authentic ACT Practice Test PDFs: https://blog.prepscholar.com/printable-act-
practice-tests-5-free
English/Language Arts Resources

Amazon, ACT English, Reading & Writing Prep: https://www.amazon.com/ACT-English-Reading-Writing-
Prep/dp/1506214428
Amazon, The Complete Guide to ACT English: https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Guide-ACT-English-
3rd/dp/0997517883
Kaplan, A Better ACT English Score in 10 Minutes: https://www.kaptest.com/study/act/5-must-know-act-
english-tips/
Prep Scholar, How to Get a Perfect 36 on ACT English: https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-36-on-act-
english-9-strategies-from-a-perfect-scorer
Princeton Review, ACT English Tips for Any Passage: https://www.princetonreview.com/college-advice/act-
english-tips
ACT, English Test Tips: http://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-
preparation/english-practice-test-questions.html?page=0&chapter=0
Crack ACT.com, 100+ ACT English Practice Tests and Explanations: http://www.crackact.com/act/english/
Varsity Tutors, Free ACT English Practice Tests: https://www.varsitytutors.com/act_english-practice-tests
Language Arts Resource Center, ACT Test Prep:
https://sites.google.com/a/staff.ankenyschools.org/larc/artifact-5
ThoughtCo., ACT English Questions, Reporting Categories, and Content: https://www.thoughtco.com/act-
english-questions-and-content-3211570
Kaplan, Top 10 Grammar Rules to Beat ACT English: https://www.kaptest.com/study/act/top-10-grammar-
rules-beat-act/
High School Test Prep, ACT English Practice: https://www.highschooltestprep.com/act/english/
Test Prep Toolkit, ACT English Practice tests: https://www.testpreptoolkit.com/practice-test/act-english-
practice-tests/
Testprepreview, ACT English Practice Test: https://www.testprepreview.com/act/act-english-practice-
test.htm
Mometrix, Free ACT English Practice Test: https://www.mometrix.com/academy/act-english-practice-test/
Prep Scholar, The Complete Guide to ACT Grammar Rules: https://blog.prepscholar.com/the-complete-
guide-to-act-grammar-rules
Supertutortv, Free Video Explanations for the Official ACT English Practice test:
https://supertutortv.com/act/free-video-explanations-for-the-official-act-english-practice-test-2015-2016
4Tests.com, ACT Exam (free practice tests + resources): https://www.4tests.com/act
August 2, 2018
ACT Reading Resource Links
Kaplan, 10 Must-Know ACT Reading Tips:

https://www.kaptest.com/study/act/10-must-know-act-reading-tips/
The Princeton Review, ACT Reading Strategies to Boost Your Score:

https://www.princetonreview.com/college-advice/act-reading-strategies
Best ACT Prep, Best ACT Reading Prep Strategies – Tips and Tricks [YouTube]:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sf5GbCgjnnM
brightstorm, ACT Reading Strategies Videos:

https://www.brightstorm.com/test-prep/act/act-reading/act-reading-strategies/
Magoosh, Ten Tips to quickly Improve Your ACT Reading Score:

https://magoosh.com/hs/act/act-strategies/2014/ten-tips-to-quickly-improve-your-act-reading-score/
Prep Scholar, How to Improve Your ACT Reading Score:

https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-improve-your-act-reading-score-tips
PrepExpert, 10 ACT Reading Tips You Need to Know:

https://prepexpert.com/7-act-reading-tips-need-know/
BenchPrep, ACT Reading Section Strategies:

https://benchprep.com/ACT/test/act-reading-section
Kaplan, ACT Reading Passage-by-Passage:

https://www.kaptest.com/study/act/the-act-reading-passage-by-passage/
ThoughtCo., Top 5 ACT Reading Strategies:

https://www.thoughtco.com/top-act-reading-strategies-3211572
shmoop, ACT Reading Strategies:

https://www.shmoop.com/act/about-act/act-reading/act-reading-strategies.html
Albert, The 7 Best ACT Reading Tips:

https://www.albert.io/blog/7-best-act-reading-strategies/
VeritasPrep, ACT Reading Test Strategies and Practice Test:

https://www.veritasprep.com/act/act-reading-practice-act-reading-test-strategies/
ACT, Reading Test Tips and Sample Questions:

http://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-preparation/reading-practice-test-
Varsity Tutors, Free ACT Reading Practice Tests:

https://www.varsitytutors.com/act_reading-practice-tests
CrackACT.com, ACT Reading Practice Tests and Explanations:

http://www.crackact.com/act/reading/
Prep Scholar, How to Get a Perfect 36 on ACT Reading:

https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-36-on-act-reading-11-strategies-from-a-perfect-scorer
ACT TEST PREPARATION RESOURCES
ACT: Preparing Yourself for Success
 ACT, Preparing for the ACT Test – Free 2018/2019 Guide Book:
 Khan Academy, https://www.khanacademy.org/college-admissions/making-high-school-
count/standardized-tests/a/preparing-yourself-for-success-on-the-tests
 NetCollegePrep: http://netcollegeprep.com/satact-prep.html
ACT Resource Links
 You Tube videos with ACT practice tests questions and test-taking tips:
https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=ACT+Yiou+Tube+videos
 Information About the ACT Test Construct:

 Khan Academy: https://www.khanacademy.org/college-admissions/making-high-school-
count/standardized-tests/v/overview-of-act
 Online ACT Test Preparation Materials, Guides & Tips

 ACT: Interactive ACT Test Preparation Materials: https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-
and-services/the-act.html
 ACT, ACT Test Prep Resources: https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-
services/the-act/test-preparation.html
 ISBE, ACT Resources, Presentations and Webinars: https://www.isbe.net/Pages/ACT.aspx
 PrepScholar, How to Prepare for the ACT Ultimate 10-Step Guide:
https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-prepare-for-the-act
 Kaplan ACT Test Prep: https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-
preparation.html
 PrepScholar, 18 ACT Tips & Tricks to Improve Your test Score:
https://blog.prepscholar.com/15-act-tips-and-tricks-to-improve-your-act-score
 SparkNotes, ACT Content Review: http://www.sparknotes.com/testprep/books/act/
 Sophia, ACT Test Preparation: https://www.sophia.org/preparing-for-college/act-test-
preparation
 Mometrix, ACT Content Review, Study Guide & Practice Test:
https://www.mometrix.com/academy/act-practice-test/
 Peterson’s, ACT Need-to-Know Tips and Strategies:
https://www.petersons.com/articles/act/act-scores-tips-strategies
 McGraw-Hill, Prep Center for the ACT: http://www.mhpracticeplus.com/act.php [ACT problem-
solving videos]
 PrepScholar, The Best ACT Prep Websites You Should be Using:
https://blog.prepscholar.com/the-best-act-prep-websites-you-should-be-using
 College Raptor, 7 Free Resources for ACT/SAT Test Prep:
https://www.collegeraptor.com/getting-in/articles/act-sat/7-free-resources-for-act-sat-test-prep/
 Reviews.com: The Best ACT/SAT Test Prep Courses: https://www.reviews.com/act-sat-test-
prep-courses/
1
 ACT Books
 Best Reviews, Best ACT Test Prep Books: https://bestreviews.com/best-act-prep-books
 Amazon, Official ACT Prep Guide, 2018: https://www.amazon.com/Official-ACT-Prep-Guide-
2018/dp/1119386896
 Amazon. ACT Prep Book 2018-2019: https://www.amazon.com/ACT-Prep-Book-2018-2019-
Questions/dp/1635302323
 ACT Practice Materials

 Test Prep Toolkit, Free ACT Practice Tests 2018 – Full Length Practice Questions with
Explanation: https://www.testpreptoolkit.com/act-practice-tests/
 The Princeton Review, Free Online and Chicago Area In-Person ACT Practice tests:
https://www.princetonreview.com/college/free-act-practice-test
 Kaplan, Free ACT Practice Questions: https://www.kaptest.com/act/free/act-20-minute-
workout
 4Tests, ACT Practice Tests: https://www.4tests.com/act-practice-test
 Magoosh, Free Online ACT Practice Test PDF: https://magoosh.com/hs/act/2017/act-practice-
test-free-online-pdf/
 PrepScholar: ACT Practice Tests & Test Tips: http://blog.prepscholar.com/complete-
official-act-practice-tests-free-links
 PrepScholar, 5 Free Printable ACT Official Practice Tests:
https://blog.prepscholar.com/printable-act-practice-tests-5-free
 Petersons, ACT Practice Tests https://www.petersons.com/college-search/free-act-practice-
test.aspx
 Ivy Global Prep, Official ACT Practice Tests: https://prep.ivyglobal.com/act/practice_tests.asp
 PowerScore, Free Official SAT & ACT Practice Tests:
 Test Guide, Free Practice Tests for the ACT: https://www.test-guide.com/free-act-practice-
tests.html
 Union Test Prep, Free Practice Tests for the Act: https://uniontestprep.com/act/practice-test
 Union Test Prep, Free ACT Practice Tests, Flash Cards & Study Guides:
https://uniontestprep.com/act
 Varsity Tutors, ACT Practice Tests: https://www.varsitytutors.com/act-practice-tests
 Study.com, ACT Courses: https://study.com/academy/goal/test-prep/act-and-sat-
prep/act.html?src=ppc_adwords_nonbrand&rcntxt=aws&crt=216930026390&kwd=act%20prac
tice%20test%202018&kwid=aud-410252204879:kwd-
397213309896&agid=25888612868&mt=e&device=c&network=g
2018-2019 Act Test Dates

 Princeton Review: https://www.princetonreview.com/college/act-test-dates
August 1, 2018
2
Revised July 7, 2017
ACT Plus Writing or SAT Score
in Lieu of the Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP)
-Effective May 6, 2014-
STEP 1 IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY DONE SO, CREATE AN ACCOUNT ON THE EDUCATOR
LICENSURE INFORMATION SYSTEM (ELIS) AT https://www.isbe.net/Pages/Educator-
Licensure-Information-System.aspx
STEP 2 CONFIRM YOUR SCORE REPORT MEETS THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS:

 ACT:
o Prior to 9/1/15 - Composite score of 22 or higher and a minimum score
of 19 on the Combined English/Writing portion
o 9/1/15 to 9/9/16 - Composite score of 22 or higher and a minimum
score of 16 on the Writing portion
o 9/10/16 and later – Composite score of 22 or higher and a minimum
 SAT:
o Prior to 3/5/16 - Composite score of 1030 (critical reading +
mathematics = 1030 or higher) and a minimum score of 450 on writing
o 3/5/16 and later - Composite score of 1110 (evidence-based reading
and writing + mathematics = 1110 or higher) and a minimum score of
26 on writing and language
STEP 3 REQUEST 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.
 If requesting an ACT Plus Writing score report: use ACT code 3001 when
ordering
 If requesting an SAT score: use SAT code 6773 when ordering
STEP 4 CHECK YOUR ELIS ACCOUNT TO VERIFY 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.
NOTES  Superscoring is now available on ACT/SAT. If you do not have an overall passing
composite score, we will add the highest subject scores from each test and divide by
the total number of tests to for a composite score. Please email Licensure@isbe.net if
you would like your tests superscored.
 Score reports that are received prior to the establishment of an ELIS account will be
held for 30 days. After 30 days, the report may not be credited to your account.
 Official score reports that reflect a score less than listed above or lack a writing
component cannot be used for issuance of an Illinois license or endorsement.
1 Educator Licensure February 2017


 ACT:
 SAT:
ACT or SAT.
ordering

ACT Math Resource Links
ACT, Math Test Tips:

https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-preparation/math-practice-test-
Kaplan, 10 Must-Know ACT Math Tips: https://www.kaptest.com/study/act/10-must-know-act-math-tips/
Princeton Review, 6 Question Types You Will Face on the ACT Math Test:
https://www.princetonreview.com/college-advice/act-math-practice
Brightstorm, ACT Math: https://www.brightstorm.com/test-prep/act/act-math/
Magoosh, 15 Key Concepts to Review for ACT Math:

https://magoosh.com/hs/act/act-math/2016/15-key-concepts-act-math-review/
Ivywise, Test Prep 101 – Common ACT Math Mistakes:

https://blog.ivywise.com/blog-0/test-prep-101-common-act-math-mistakes
Sophia, ACT Math Test Preparation:

https://www.sophia.org/preparing-for-college/act-test-preparation/mathematics
SparkNotes, ACT Math Review: http://www.sparknotes.com/testprep/books/act/chapter10.rhtml
GreenTest Prep, How to Amplify Your ACT Math Performance:

https://greentestprep.com/resources/act-prep/act-crash-course/act-math/
Udemy, ACT Math Test Prep Exam Review Made Easy:

https://www.udemy.com/act-math-test-prep-course-exam-review-made-easy/
CrackACT.com, ACT Math Practice Tests and Explanations: http://www.crackact.com/act/math/
Reason Prep, ACT Math Gauntlet: https://reasonprep.com/act-math-gauntlet-practice-test/
PrepScholar, Free ACT Math Practice Questions:

https://blog.prepscholar.com/complete-list-of-free-act-math-practice-questions
High School Test Prep, ACT Math Practice: http://www.highschooltestprep.com/act/math/
Free Tests Online, ACT Math Practice: http://www.free-test-online.com/act-test
Dummies, Practice Mathematics Test for the ACT:

http://www.dummies.com/test-prep/act/practice-mathematics-test-1-for-the-act-60-questions/
YouTube, ACT Math Prep Review, Practice Problems, Tips & Strategies:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01tp_yW7c60
Mometrix Video, Best Free ACT Math Practice Problems:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8QZbVy6N90
Union Test Prep, ACT Practice Tests, Flash Cards, and Study Guides: https://uniontestprep.com/act
PowerScore, Free ACT & SAT Practice Tests:

Mometrix, Free ACT Practice Tests: https://www.mometrix.com/academy/act-test/

ACT English/Language Arts Resource Links
Comprehensive ACTResources
ACT, 2018/2019 Preparing for the ACT (Free Booklet):
McGraw Hill’s 10 ACT Practice Tests: http://www.fulton-
ind.k12.ky.us/userfiles/62/10_ACT_Practice_Tests.pdf
PrepScholar, Printable Authentic ACT Practice Test PDFs: https://blog.prepscholar.com/printable-act-
practice-tests-5-free
English/Language Arts Resources

Amazon, ACT English, Reading & Writing Prep: https://www.amazon.com/ACT-English-Reading-Writing-
Prep/dp/1506214428
Amazon, The Complete Guide to ACT English: https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Guide-ACT-English-
3rd/dp/0997517883
Kaplan, A Better ACT English Score in 10 Minutes: https://www.kaptest.com/study/act/5-must-know-act-
english-tips/
Prep Scholar, How to Get a Perfect 36 on ACT English: https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-36-on-act-
english-9-strategies-from-a-perfect-scorer
Princeton Review, ACT English Tips for Any Passage: https://www.princetonreview.com/college-advice/act-
english-tips
ACT, English Test Tips: http://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-
preparation/english-practice-test-questions.html?page=0&chapter=0
Crack ACT.com, 100+ ACT English Practice Tests and Explanations: http://www.crackact.com/act/english/
Varsity Tutors, Free ACT English Practice Tests: https://www.varsitytutors.com/act_english-practice-tests
Language Arts Resource Center, ACT Test Prep:
https://sites.google.com/a/staff.ankenyschools.org/larc/artifact-5
ThoughtCo., ACT English Questions, Reporting Categories, and Content: https://www.thoughtco.com/act-
english-questions-and-content-3211570
Kaplan, Top 10 Grammar Rules to Beat ACT English: https://www.kaptest.com/study/act/top-10-grammar-
rules-beat-act/
High School Test Prep, ACT English Practice: https://www.highschooltestprep.com/act/english/
Test Prep Toolkit, ACT English Practice tests: https://www.testpreptoolkit.com/practice-test/act-english-
practice-tests/
Testprepreview, ACT English Practice Test: https://www.testprepreview.com/act/act-english-practice-
test.htm
Mometrix, Free ACT English Practice Test: https://www.mometrix.com/academy/act-english-practice-test/
Prep Scholar, The Complete Guide to ACT Grammar Rules: https://blog.prepscholar.com/the-complete-
guide-to-act-grammar-rules
Supertutortv, Free Video Explanations for the Official ACT English Practice test:
https://supertutortv.com/act/free-video-explanations-for-the-official-act-english-practice-test-2015-2016
4Tests.com, ACT Exam (free practice tests + resources): https://www.4tests.com/act
August 2, 2018
ACT Reading Resource Links
Kaplan, 10 Must-Know ACT Reading Tips:

https://www.kaptest.com/study/act/10-must-know-act-reading-tips/
The Princeton Review, ACT Reading Strategies to Boost Your Score:

https://www.princetonreview.com/college-advice/act-reading-strategies
Best ACT Prep, Best ACT Reading Prep Strategies – Tips and Tricks [YouTube]:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sf5GbCgjnnM
brightstorm, ACT Reading Strategies Videos:

https://www.brightstorm.com/test-prep/act/act-reading/act-reading-strategies/
Magoosh, Ten Tips to quickly Improve Your ACT Reading Score:

https://magoosh.com/hs/act/act-strategies/2014/ten-tips-to-quickly-improve-your-act-reading-score/
Prep Scholar, How to Improve Your ACT Reading Score:

https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-improve-your-act-reading-score-tips
PrepExpert, 10 ACT Reading Tips You Need to Know:

https://prepexpert.com/7-act-reading-tips-need-know/
BenchPrep, ACT Reading Section Strategies:

https://benchprep.com/ACT/test/act-reading-section
Kaplan, ACT Reading Passage-by-Passage:

https://www.kaptest.com/study/act/the-act-reading-passage-by-passage/
ThoughtCo., Top 5 ACT Reading Strategies:

https://www.thoughtco.com/top-act-reading-strategies-3211572
shmoop, ACT Reading Strategies:

https://www.shmoop.com/act/about-act/act-reading/act-reading-strategies.html
Albert, The 7 Best ACT Reading Tips:

https://www.albert.io/blog/7-best-act-reading-strategies/
VeritasPrep, ACT Reading Test Strategies and Practice Test:

https://www.veritasprep.com/act/act-reading-practice-act-reading-test-strategies/
ACT, Reading Test Tips and Sample Questions:

http://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-preparation/reading-practice-test-
Varsity Tutors, Free ACT Reading Practice Tests:

https://www.varsitytutors.com/act_reading-practice-tests
CrackACT.com, ACT Reading Practice Tests and Explanations:

http://www.crackact.com/act/reading/
Prep Scholar, How to Get a Perfect 36 on ACT Reading:

https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-36-on-act-reading-11-strategies-from-a-perfect-scorer
ACT TEST PREPARATION RESOURCES
ACT: Preparing Yourself for Success
 ACT, Preparing for the ACT Test – Free 2018/2019 Guide Book:
ACT Resource Links


 ACT: Interactive ACT Test Preparation Materials: https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-
and-services/the-act.html
 ACT, ACT Test Prep Resources: https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-
services/the-act/test-preparation.html
 PrepScholar, How to Prepare for the ACT Ultimate 10-Step Guide:
https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-prepare-for-the-act
preparation.html
preparation
https://www.mometrix.com/academy/act-practice-test/
solving videos]
 College Raptor, 7 Free Resources for ACT/SAT Test Prep:
https://www.collegeraptor.com/getting-in/articles/act-sat/7-free-resources-for-act-sat-test-prep/
 Reviews.com: The Best ACT/SAT Test Prep Courses: https://www.reviews.com/act-sat-test-
prep-courses/
1
 ACT Books
 Best Reviews, Best ACT Test Prep Books: https://bestreviews.com/best-act-prep-books
 Amazon, Official ACT Prep Guide, 2018: https://www.amazon.com/Official-ACT-Prep-Guide-
2018/dp/1119386896
 Amazon. ACT Prep Book 2018-2019: https://www.amazon.com/ACT-Prep-Book-2018-2019-
Questions/dp/1635302323

 Test Prep Toolkit, Free ACT Practice Tests 2018 – Full Length Practice Questions with
Explanation: https://www.testpreptoolkit.com/act-practice-tests/
 Kaplan, Free ACT Practice Questions: https://www.kaptest.com/act/free/act-20-minute-
workout
 4Tests, ACT Practice Tests: https://www.4tests.com/act-practice-test
 PrepScholar: ACT Practice Tests & Test Tips: http://blog.prepscholar.com/complete-
official-act-practice-tests-free-links
 PrepScholar, 5 Free Printable ACT Official Practice Tests:
https://blog.prepscholar.com/printable-act-practice-tests-5-free
test.aspx
 Ivy Global Prep, Official ACT Practice Tests: https://prep.ivyglobal.com/act/practice_tests.asp
 PowerScore, Free Official SAT & ACT Practice Tests:
 Test Guide, Free Practice Tests for the ACT: https://www.test-guide.com/free-act-practice-
tests.html
 Study.com, ACT Courses: https://study.com/academy/goal/test-prep/act-and-sat-
prep/act.html?src=ppc_adwords_nonbrand&rcntxt=aws&crt=216930026390&kwd=act%20prac
tice%20test%202018&kwid=aud-410252204879:kwd-
397213309896&agid=25888612868&mt=e&device=c&network=g
2018-2019 Act Test Dates

 Princeton Review: https://www.princetonreview.com/college/act-test-dates
August 1, 2018
2

 ACT:
 SAT:
ACT or SAT.
ordering


 ACT:
 SAT:
ACT or SAT.
ordering

ILTS Math Test 208 Preparation Resource Links
[Previously ILTS Mathematics Test 115]
ILTS Secondary Education Mathematics Test 208 Resources
 ILTS, Mathematics Test 208 Test Preparation Materials:

https://www.il.nesinc.com/TestView.aspx?f=HTML_FRAG/IL208_PrepMaterials.html
 Exam Edge, ILTS Mathematics Test 115 Prep, http://www.iltstestprep.com/HighSchoolMath/
 240 Tutoring, ILTS Mathematics (208) Study Guide:
https://www.240tutoring.com/ilts/mathematics-208/
 Study.com, ILTS Mathematics Test Practice & Study Guide:
https://study.com/academy/course/ilts-mathematics-test-practice-and-study-guide.html
 Longsdale. ILTS Math Practice Tests:
http://www.longsdalepub.com/courses/ilts_demo/math_tests/index.html
 Mometrix, ILTS Mathematics 115 Practice Questions: https://www.mometrix.com/blog/ilts-
mathematics-115-practice-questions/
 Mometrix, ILTS Mathematics (115) Exam Secrets Study Guide: https://www.amazon.com/ILTS-
Mathematics-Secrets-Study-Guide/dp/1627330798
 Western Illinois University, Illinois Secondary Mathematics Secondary Content Exam Preparation:
http://faculty.wiu.edu/JR-Olsen/wiu/tea/certification/contentexam.htm
 YouTube, ILTS Mathematics 115 Practice Questions:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLdlIfe4STs
 YouTube, ILTS Mathematics 115 Practice Test 1:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsiUOsLNcvk
 YouTube, Download Book ILTS Mathematics 115 Practice Test 1:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K18mOXaoYx8
General Math Resources
 Longsdale Publishing, ILTS Mathematics Practice Tests:

 Khan Academy, Math (Content Area Skills, Tutorials & Practice):
https://www.khanacademy.org/math
 MathHelp, ILTS Math Test Prep: http://www.mathhelp.com/ilts-math-test-prep/
 Mometrix, ILTS Mathematics Practice Test: https://www.testprepreview.com/ilts/mathematics.htm
 Math.com, Math Test Preparation, http://www.math.com/students/testprep.html
July 20, 2018

ISBE Testing Requirement Prior to Admission
To an Illinois Educator Preparation Program
Prior to admission to an Illinois Educator Preparation Program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-
Champaign, prospective candidates must take and pass an Illinois approved test of basic skills. Approved tests
consist of the Illinois Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP), ACT, or SAT with approved scores. Previously passed
Illinois Test of Basic Skills (096, 300, or 400) may be used to meet this requirement.
Test of Academic Proficiency:

Registration, a study guide, and test framework for the TAP can be found at www.il.nesinc.com. Test scores
should be sent to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, code 052.
To use an ACT score, the following must be met:

1) ACT composite score must be at least 22; and
2) ACT combined English/Writing score must be at least 19 for tests prior to September 2015; or
3) ACT writing score must be at least 16 for tests taken September 2015 to September 8, 2016; or
4) ACT writing score must be at least 6 for tests taken September 10, 2016 or after.
To use an SAT score, the following must be met:

1) SAT combined score (critical reading and math) of at least 1030 and SAT writing score of at least 450 for
tests taken prior to March 5, 2016.
2) SAT combined score (evidence-based reading and writing plus mathematics) of at least 1110 and a
minimum score of 26 on writing and language test for tests taken on or after March 5, 2016.
You may use a composite score from one test and a writing score from another if you do not have the
appropriate scores on one test. If using more than one test it must be from same company ACT/ACT or
SAT/SAT.
How to Submit ACT/SAT Scores to ISBE

Prospective candidates who wish to use their ACT/SAT scores must complete the following steps in the order
presented below:
1) Log onto (or create an ELIS (Educator Licensure Information System) account if you don’t already have
one). To create an account go to https://sec3.isbe.net/IWASNET/login.aspx and click on the ‘Sign Up
Now’ link on the left side menu.
2) Request ACT/SAT send an official score report to the Illinois State Board of Education, Division of
Teacher and Leader Effectiveness, 100 North First Street, S-306, Springfield, IL 62777. If sending ACT
scores, you must use college code 3001 to have the reports sent directly to ISBE. If sending SAT use
code 6773.*
*IMPORTANT: ISBE will only hold your scores for 30 days; therefore, it is imperative that you create an
ELIS account prior to requesting your scores from ACT/SAT. Before you can be fully admitted to a
licensure program the Council on Teacher Education must be able to verify, in the ELIS system, that you
have either passed the Test of Academic Proficiency or that the ISBE has accepted your ACT/SAT scores.
Out of State applicants who have taken and passed a basic skills test leading to licensure in another state
should complete one of the two following forms. Please choose the form that best fits your circumstances.
ISBE Form 80-03 https://www.isbe.net/Documents/80-03-oos-basic-skills-verification-isbe.pdf

ISBE Form 80-02 https://www.isbe.net/Documents/80-02-standards-verification.pdf
Updated July 2017 For UIUC candidates only

How To “Super Score” Using ACT or SAT to Meet ISBE Basic Skills Requirement
ACT
ACT super score rules- Add together the highest English, Math, Reading and Science score, across multiple test reports,
to develop a new averaged super score. The averaged super score must be 22 or higher (averages of 21.5 will round up
to 22). Students must still achieve a passing writing score (according to the writing cut score on said test) and send all
tests used to compile super score to ISBE
Example: Ryan received a 21 composite score on ACT test A and ACT test B.
Test A Test B
English 19 English 21
Science 18 Science 22
Math 18 Math 20
Reading 26 Reading 20
When combining his highest scores, highlighted above, Ryan’s composite average would equal 22 and meet the super
score requirement. (Writing score would still need to be met)
ACT total of English, Math, Reading and Science scores, from multiple tests, must total 86 points (86 divided by 4 =
21.5) to meet the minimum super score composite average of 22, along with a passing score on a writing test, to meet
the test of basic skills minimum.
SAT
SAT super score rules- Add together the highest Evidence-based reading and writing score and math score, from multiple
tests. The total composite must be higher than 1110 and a minimum score of 26 on writing and language test. (Based on
the current SAT test format) For tests prior to March 5, 2016 the combined scores for critical reading and math must
be at least 1030.
Example: Megan received a 1090 on SAT test A and a 1080 on ACT test B.
Test A Test B
EB Reading and Writing 590 EB Reading and Writing 550
Math 500 Math 540
When combining her highest scores, highlighted above, Megan’s composite average would equal 1130 and meet the
super score requirement. (Writing score would still need to be met and sent)
SAT total of Evidence-based reading and writing score and Math score, from multiple tests must total 1110 to meet the
minimum along with passing writing portion to meet the test of basic skills.

ISBE Basic Skills Requirement- ACT and SAT Super Scoring Explained
Students must meet the Illinois State Board of Education’s basic skills requirement by passing the TAP test or meeting a minimum
ACT or SAT score.
Effective July 2017, a minimum composite score for either the ACT or SAT may be achieved by combining multiple sub-scores from
multiple previous test dates. Students must still meet the minimum writing portion.
ACT
ACT rules- Combine the highest English, Math, Reading and Science score, across multiple test reports, to develop a new averaged
super score. The averaged super score must be 22 or higher (averages of 21.5 will round up to 22). Students must still achieve a
passing writing score and also send it to ISBE.
Test A Test B
Math 18 Math 20
When combining his highest scores, highlighted above, Ryan’s composite average would equal 22 and meet the
requirement. (Writing score would still need to be met)
ACT total of English, Math, Reading and Science scores, from multiple tests, must total 86 points to meet the minimum super score
composite average of 22, along with a passing score on a writing test, to meet the test of basic skills minimum.
SAT
SAT rules- Add together the highest Evidence-based reading and writing score and math score, from multiple tests. The total
composite must be higher than 1110 and a minimum score of 26 on writing and language test. (Based on the current SAT test
format)
Test A Test B
Math 500 Math 540
requirement. (Writing score would still need to be met and sent)
SAT total of Evidence-based reading and writing score and Math score, from multiple tests must total 1110 to meet the minimum
along with passing writing portion to meet the test of basic skills.
Sending Scores to meet requirements (Must meet ISBE and ISU requirement)
 Students must create an ISBE ELIS account (completed during PBA orientation) and then send officials score reports
needed to meet the super score. These score reports are to be sent directly to ISBE, for uploading to the students ELIS
account. Students must then e-mail licensure@isbe.net to notify ISBE that they would like their scores super scored.
o Meeting the test of basic skills requirement is an ISBE requirement for licensure and must be completed, by the
student, before student teaching. Confirmation of received scores is visible within a student’s ELIS account
under the educator/testing section.
 Students will also need to meet ISU requirements to complete the basic skills milestone in Gateway 1. To meet this
requirement, ISU must have proof of all scores, receipt of scores sent to ISBE and request form to use ACT or SAT scores.
 Please note: ISBE is the final determiner on if super scored tests meet the basic skills legal requirements.
SAT & ACT TEST PREPARATION RESOURCES
SAT & ACT: Preparing Yourself for Success

SAT Resource Links
 You Tube videos with SAT practice tests questions and test-taking tips:
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=SAT+test
 Information about the SAT test construct::

count/standardized-tests/v/overview-of-sat
 Peterson’s: https://www.petersons.com/college-search/sat-scores-test-about.aspx
 CollegeBoard: https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/inside-the-test
 PrepScholar: http://blog.prepscholar.com/what-is-the-sat-a-complete-explanation-of-the-test
 MajorTests: http://www.majortests.com/sat/sat-information.php
 Online SAT Test Preparation Materials

 Khan Academy: https://www.khanacademy.org/sat and https://www.khanacademy.org/test-
prep/sat
 CollegeBoard: https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/practice
 Union Test Prep: https://uniontestprep.com/sat?gclid=CPfZzcKqjM0CFQUFaQod9fUK7Q
 MajorTests: http://www.majortests.com/s.0at/
 ISBE SAT Practice Materials

 General SAT Practice Information
 SAT Practice on Khan Academy
 Downloadable SAT Practice Tests
 Downloadable SAT Practice Tests for Assistive Technology
 Downloadable MP3 SAT Practice Tests
ACT Resource Links

1
 ACT, Inc: Interactive ACT Test Preparation Materials:
https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act.html
 ACT Test Prep: http://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-
preparation.html
preparation.html
preparation
http://www.mometrix.com/academy/act-test/
 Prep Scholar: ACT Practice Tests & Test Tips: http://blog.prepscholar.com/complete-official-
act-practice-tests-free-links
solving videos]

 4Tests, ACT Practice Exams: https://www.4tests.com/act
test.aspx
 PowerScore, Free Official SAT & ACT Practice Tests:
 Test Guide, Free ACT Practice Tests: https://www.test-guide.com/free-act-practice-tests.html
August 1, 2018
2
School of Education Student Teacher Candidate Support
for the edTPA Licensure Exam
The edTPA
The edTPA is a performance-based, content specific assessment used to
help determine whether pre-service teachers are ready to enter the
teaching profession with the skills necessary to help all of their students
acquire essential knowledge and skills. It requires that teacher candidates
demonstrate that they have the classroom abilities necessary to ensure
student learning within five key areas of competence: planning, assessment, instruction, reflection,
and academic language. The edTPA process used to assess teacher candidates is similar to the
process used for National Board teacher certification. It is also comparable to entry-level licensing
exams that demand applications of skills in other professions, such as the medical licensing exams,
the architecture exam, and the bar exam in law. Additional information on the edTPA can be found at
https://www.isbe.net/Documents/edTPA-Guide.pdf#search=edTPA%20information.
.
The edTPA is completed during the first 8-10 weeks of the student teaching experience. It is an ISBE
requirement that all teacher candidates pass the edTPA, before an Illinois educator license will be
granted. Candidates who subsequently fail to pass the edTPA prior to their BU graduation will have
“Graduated without Licensure” indicated on their BU transcript. Additional information on Illinois
educator licensure requirements can be found at http://www.isbe.net/licensure/.
edTPA Teacher Candidate Support Provided by the School of Education (SOE)
edTPA Training
 A SOE “Introduction to edTPA” Powerpoint Presentation is given at Student Teaching Seminar II,
with a PDF of the PowerPoint sent to candidates,
 Six additional Student Teaching Seminars designed to assist candidates in both developing and
compiling their edTPA portfolios are conducted during the first two months of the student teaching
experience.
 Additional information and training regarding the edTPA is provided individual candidates by their
University Supervisors and the Director of Student Placement, as requested and required.
edTPA Resource Provision
A variety of resources (e.g., books; articles, resource links; webinars; etc.) are made available to
candidates, to assist in their development of a successful edTPA portfolio. A partial listing of SOE
edTPA resource supports follow.
 The Director of Student Placement provides candidates with edTPA content area handbooks,
portfolio templates, lesson plan templates, and other select edTPA resource documents, at least
one month prior to the start of the student teaching experience. She further furnishes them with
new materials sent by edTPA, as they are received.
 Candidates are continually provided with journal articles and online training videos, webinars, and
web links to assist them in preparing their edTPA portfolios. These supports are reviewed and
updated each term, to ensure that all resources and materials referenced are current.
 Candidates are notified of and provided additional edTPA resources and supports via e-mail,
announcements made at Student Teaching Seminars, and postings on the SOE webpage.
 A variety of edTPA resource materials are available to candidates at the BU Library. New and
updated materials are added to the collection annually.
 Informal, individualized study sessions are conducted at candidate request, to review edTPA
content related task requirements and to practice test taking strategies.
Additional edTPA Candidate Supports
 Candidates are provided an edTPA Completion Checklist for Student Teachers, to assist them in
completing edTPA tasks in a timely fashion.
 Candidates are additionally given a comprehensive Getting Ready to Submit Your edTPA
Checklist that provides them with step-by-step guidance for compiling and submitting their edTPA
portfolios for scoring.
 Candidates submit their edTPA portfolios as a group, with submission support provided by the
Director of Student Placement, Student Teaching Supervisors, and program graduates.
 Ongoing guidance and support is afforded candidates by their University Supervisors and
Cooperating Teachers.
Support for Retaking the edTPA
Candidates who fail the edTPA on their first submission are given the opportunity to resubmit their
portfolios a second time. This is the only opportunity that candidates have to retake the edTPA, prior
to BU graduation for the term specified.
 Candidates must meet with the Director of Student Placement to review the feedback
accompanying their “not passed” edTPA components, and then work with the Director to develop
an individualized retake plan.
 The Director additionally reviews the edTPA results profile with the candidate, provides guidance
in the resubmission of the portfolio, and refers the candidate for tutoring and support by faculty
who are content area specialists, as appropriate.
Impact of edTPA Training and Supports
A chart depicting the percent of student teacher candidates who passed the Teacher Performance
Assessment (edTPA) Illinois teacher licensure exam on their first attempt follows. The chart reflects
data compiled from the fall of 2015 (when the edTPA was first mandated by ISBE for Illinois educator
licensure), through the spring of 2018. The overall 2015-2018 student teacher first attempt pass rate
is 97%, with all but two candidates passing the edTPA on their first attempt.
Student Teacher Candidate edTPA Performance
2015-2018
The percent of student teacher candidates who passed the Teacher Performance Assessment
(edTPA) Illinois teacher licensure exam on their first attempt is depicted in the chart below. The chart
reflects data compiled from the fall of 2015 (when the edTPA was first mandated by ISBE for Illinois
educator licensure), through the spring of 2018. The overall 2015-2018 student teacher first attempt
pass rate is 97% (all but two candidates passed on their first attempt). The two candidates who did
not pass the edTPA on their first attempt, passed all but one subtask of their first submission (one was
only a single point from passing). Both subsequently passed the exam on their second attempt.
BU Student Teacher edTPA First Atttempt Pass Rate

100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Fall 2015 S[ring 2016 Fall 2016 Spring 2017 Fall 2017 Spring 2018
% Candidates Passed
TAP Content Area Resources
TAP Reading Resources

 http://www.iltstestprep.com/TapReading/
 http://study.com/academy/topic/taps-reading-comprehension-inference-interpretation.html
 http://study.com/academy/topic/taps-reading-comprehension-find-the-main-idea-supporting-details.html
 http://study.com/academy/exam/topic/taps-reading-comprehension-vocabulary-language.html
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p46_c4xRlMI
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1qOagYWZB8
TAP Language Arts and General Resource Links

 DePaul University, TAP Language Arts Study Guide:
file:///C:/Users/jwriter/TAP%20Lang.%20Arts%20Study%20Guide%20-%20DePaul%20University.html
 Eastern Illinois University, TAP Reading/Language Arts Resource Sites:
http://www.eiu.edu/basicskillstest/readinglahelpful.php
 Wishing Well, TAP Test Language Arts Boot Camp Study Guide: http://wishingwell.mn/library/basic-skills-tap-test-
language-arts-bootcamp-study-guide.pdf
 Pearson, TAP Test Preparation:
 Study.com, TAP Language Arts Writing Mechanics (video links): http://study.com/academy/topic/tap-language-arts-
writing-mechanics.html
 AUSL, TAP Study Guides and Preparation Resources:
http://faqs.auslchicago.org/support/solutions/articles/4000023872-study-guides-preparation-resources-for-the-test-
of-academic-proficiency-tap-
 National Louis University, ILTS (TAP/SAT/ACT/Content Tests) Test Taking Tips:
http://libguides.nl.edu/c.php?g=356438&p=2404882
 Longsdale Publishing, ILTS TAP Online Course and Practice Tests: http://www.longsdalepub.com/ilts-test.html
Math Resource Links
 http://www.longsdalepub.com/courses/ilts_demo/math_tests/index.html
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLdlIfe4STs
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsiUOsLNcvk
 http://www.mathhelp.com/ilts-math-test-prep/
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K18mOXaoYx8
 http://www.iltstestprep.com/HighSchoolMath/
 https://www.testprepreview.com/ilts/mathematics.htm
 https://www.240tutoring.com/ilts/mathematics-115/
 http://www.satexamprep.com/resources/sat-math-test.html
 https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/inside-the-test/math
 https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat-subject-tests/subjects/mathematics/mathematics-2
 http://blog.prepscholar.com/sat-math-prep-guide-strategies-tips-practice
 https://www.princetonreview.com/college-advice/sat-math-practice
 http://www.erikthered.com/tutor/
Illinois Licensure Testing System (ILTS) Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP):
Important Information and Test Preparation Resources
The Test of Academic Proficiency (formerly the Basic Skills Test) is a state-wide requirement for admission to Teacher
Education. It consists of 170 multiple-choice questions in reading comprehension (60), language arts (60) and
mathematics (50), as well as one constructed-response writing assignment.
The TAP is scored as four independent subtests. To pass the TAP, you must achieve a scaled subtest score of 240 or
higher on each of the subtests: Reading Comprehension, Language Arts, Mathematics, and Writing. If any of your
subtest scores do not meet or exceed a scaled score of 240 or higher, you will not pass the TAP until you receive a
passing score on each of the four subtests. Basic Skills test scores received for tests taken prior to September 11, 2010,
cannot be used to fulfill individual subtest passing requirements for the TAP. If you have passed one or more Basic Skills
subtests after September 11, 2010, however, the passing score(s) will count toward the passing of the TAP.
When you register for the Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP), you may register for a single subtest or for the entire test.
If you take the complete TAP (all four subtests) and you do not pass one or more of the subtests or choose not to take
one or more subtests during your test session, the earliest appointment you can schedule for a retake of the non-passed
or untaken subtest(s) will be 30 days after your test date. If you take a single subtest and do not pass, the earliest
appointment you can schedule to retake the same subtest will be 30 days after your test date.
It is strongly recommended that candidates take appropriate measures to prepare for the test, in order to maximize their
potential for success. Given the high stakes nature of this test and other required certification tests, candidates are urged
to be well prepared. Repeatedly retaking a test will also require paying to take the test multiple times, which will be costly.
 Register for the TAP at http://www.il.nesinc.com/. Be sure to have your scores sent to BU.
 Official scores for all sections of the test will be reported within a month to you and the BU School of Education.
ACT/SAT in Lieu of TAP (https://www.isbe.net/Documents/act-sat-testing-in-lieu-of-tap.pdf)
Applicants seeking admission to an approved Illinois educator preparation program can submit official ACT/SAT score
reports in lieu of a passing score on the TAP. Specific requirements follow:
 Composite ACT score of at least 22, with a writing score of at least 6

 Composite SAT score of at least 1110 and a minimum score of 26 on Writing and Language
 Effective July 1, 2015, all tests of basic skills, including applicable ACT plus writing and SAT scores, are valid
indefinitely.
First-Time TAP Takers
 Consult with your academic advisor and School of Education (SOE) faculty about academic skills and how you
should review for the test.
 Become familiar with the TAP by reading the facts and framework for the Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP) at
https://www.il.nesinc.com/TestView.aspx?f=HTML_FRAG/IL400_TestPage.html,
 Review and use the TAP test preparation information and materials on the ILTS web site at
http://www.il.nesinc.com/TestView.aspx?f=HTML_FRAG/IL400_PrepMaterials.html. An optional TAP practice
test and TAP Expanded Study Guide also are available for purchase.
 Read the ILTS TAP Study guide at
http://www.il.nesinc.com/TestView.aspx?f=HTML_FRAG/IL400_PrepMaterials.html, while paying special
attention to the learning standards addressed by the test (pages 2.4-2.8)
 Check out the Pearson Teacher Prep: Mobile app for the TAP available at
http://www.il.nesinc.com/PageView.aspx?f=GEN_PreparationMaterials.html.
1
 Complete the ILTS Online Course and Practice Tests from Longdale Publishers
(http://www.longsdalepub.com/courses/ilts/start/index.html) for test preparation. Plan on spending 3-12 hours for
the complete program, depending on your strengths and weaknesses.
 Check out Southern Illinois University’s TAP test preparation resources at
https://ehs.siu.edu/tep/undergraduate/apply-to-the-teacher-education-program/test_of_academic_proficiency.php.
 Take ExamEdge’s free online ILTS practice tests at http://www.iltstestprep.com/?gclid=CP-
vgKjPzsYCFQYvaQodUY0MIg.
 Check out the TAP test preparation tips from Study.com at: https://study.com/academy/popular/is-the-tap-test-
hard.htm.l
 Review National Lewis University’s test-taking tips and videos at
http://libguides.nl.edu/content.php?pid=372823&sid=3053781.
 Participate in the Khan Academy’s free content area tutorials at https://www.khanacademy.org/.
 Check out DePaul University’s TAP resources and study guides at https://education.depaul.edu/student-
resources/academic-success-center/test-academic-proficiency/Pages/study-guides.aspx.
 Peruse the University of St. Francis’ TAP test preparation resources: https://www.stfrancis.edu/ilpel-basic-skills/.
 Take the TAP practice test from Mometrix at https://www.testprepreview.com/ilts/test-of-academic-
proficiency.htm.
 Take a math basic skill pretest, along with video tutorials to review weak areas, and a basic skills post-test from
Pearson MyMathTest at https://www.pearsonmylabandmastering.com/northamerica/mymathtest/.
 Check out Eastern Illinois University’s TAP math resources and math practice tests at
http://www.eiu.edu/basicskillstest/mathhelpful.php and their reading and language arts sites at
http://www.eiu.edu/basicskillstest/readinglahelpful.php.
ILTS Test Preparation Materials Available for Free and for Purchase Online
 Study.com, ILTS Test of Academic Proficiency: Practice & Study Guide, http://study.com/academy/course/icts-
test-of-academic-proficiency.html
 Amazon, ILTS TAP Exam Secrets Study Guide: https://www.amazon.com/Academic-Proficiency-Secrets-Study-
Guide/dp/1627331077
 Mometrix Test Preparation, ILTS APA Exam Secrets Study Guide e-Boo:,
https://www.mcssl.com/SecureCart/Checkout.aspx?mid=A8BE2BB1-AEE0-42EC-BE91-
C3DFC3FE9479&sctoken=b5d8a93ddbaa429196f5218d88b0ee49&bhim=1&bhqs=1
 PrepForward, ILTS Prep Courses for Illinois Educators,
http://prepforward.com/programs/ilts/?_vsrefdom=adwords&gclid=COKtovbBzsYCFQYoaQodspoOsQ
 Test Prep Review, Free TAP Study Questions: https://www.testprepreview.com/ILTS.htm
 Amazon Student, ILTS Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP) + Online Practice Test,
https://www.amazon.de/Academic-Proficiency-Online-Teacher-Certification/dp/0738611441
 Amazon, ILTS TAP Practice Questions and Exam Review, https://www.amazon.com/ILTS-Academic-Proficiency-
Practice-Questions/dp/1630945420
 240Tutoring, Test of Academic Proficiency Mathematics Study Guide: https://www.240tutoring.com/ilts/test-of-
academic-proficiency-mathematics/.
 Barnes & Nobel, ILTS TAP Mathematics: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ilts-tap-mathematics-preparing-
teachers-in-america/1125444128
 ExamEdge, TAP Language Arts Practice Tests: https://www.examedge.com/ILTS/TapLangArts/.
 Study.com, TAL Language Arts-Grammar Practice Questions: https://study.com/academy/exam/topic/tap-
language-arts-grammar.html
2
If you need a second attempt to pass any or all sections
 You must wait 30 days from the initial test date, before retaking that test on a computer.
 Seek additional help from the School of Education Director of Student Placement, Dr. Jan Writer
(jwriter@vben.edu).
 Purchase the TAP interactive practice tests for the appropriate content-specific review at
https://www.il.nesinc.com/TestView.aspx?f=HTML_FRAG/IL400_PrepMaterials.html.
 Spend additional time on the ILTS Online Course and Practice Tests from Longdale Publishers
[http://www.longsdalepub.com/ilts-test.html]
 Access these online resources:
o Math.com
o Math Power: This site provides information about basic math, algebra, study skills, math anxiety and
learning styles.
o Math Forum @ Drexel: This site provides help in all levels of mathematics in a question and answer
format.
o Grammar Tutorial (WIU)
o Purdue Online Writing Lab: This site contains handouts and online quizzes on a variety of writing
topics such as the writing process, grammar, punctuation, spelling, and essay writing.
o Townsend Press Online Learning Center: Click on Online Learning Center at the bottom of the page
(http://www.townsendpress.net/), register, and then go to Try TRP Exercises.
If you have taken the test at least twice, but have not passed all sections
 You must wait at least 30 days from the most recent test date to make a subsequent attempt.
 You may want to consider taking only one portion of the test during the next sitting to focus your efforts on that
skill/content area.
(jwriter@vben.edu).
 Purchase the Test of Academic Proficiency Diagnostic Practice Test for the appropriate content-specific review.
TAP Resource Books on Loan from the BU Library
If there are any TAP resource books that you would like to access but cannot afford, check them out from the BU Library.
If the BU Library does not have them in its collection, it can get them for you via interlibrary loan.
July 23, 2018
3

indefinitely.
1
hard.htm.l
proficiency.htm.
Guide/dp/1627331077
2
(jwriter@vben.edu).
o Math.com
learning styles.
format.
skill/content area.
(jwriter@vben.edu).
July 23, 2018
3
Basic Skills/ TAP Test
Language Arts BootCamp Study Guide
The Basic Skills/ TAP Test of Language Arts examines skills required to write effectively at the
college level.
Comparison Basic Skills to TAP:

Lang.Arts: BS300 - 42 multiple choice; TAP400- 60 multiple choice online
The information herein was gathered by members of the Associated Colleges of Illinois.
The links provided are in the process of being cited fully in the text.
.
Grammar & Usage
Standard 7 Demonstrate command of standard usage in edited English in the US.
The following are examples of content that may be covered under this standard.
Subject-verb agreement
Singular subjects need singular verbs; plural subjects need plural verbs.
My brother is a nutritionist.
My sisters are mathematicians.
Capital Community College Foundation, Hartford, Connecticut
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/sv_agr.htm
Purdue Online Writing Lab
Quiz on Subject-verb agreement
Capital Community College Foundation, Hartford, Connecticut http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/cgi-
shl/quiz.pl/sv_agr_quiz.htm
Verb tense
See Purdue Online Writing Lab, “Sequence of Tenses.”
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/601/01/
English has three time frames: past, present, and future

Past- Last year I went on vacation to Disney World.
Present- Right now I am on Spring vacation in Mexico.
Future- Tomorrow I will go on vacation to Mexico.
Quiz/Tutorial on verb tense http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/verbtenseintro.html
Consistency of verb tense

http://www.towson.edu/ows/tenseconsistency.htm
Keep tenses consistent within sentences.
Do not change tenses when there is no time change for the action.
• During the movie, Sam stood up and then dropped his popcorn.
Pronouns
http://www.towson.edu/ows/pro_antagree.htm
Generally (but not always) pronouns stand for (pro + noun) or refer to a noun, an individual or
individuals or thing or things (the pronoun's antecedent) whose identity is made clear earlier in
the text. Pronouns are words like I, me (personal pronouns) or my, mine (possessive pronouns)
which take the place of a noun. In the following sentence, instead of repeating President
Lincoln, the pronoun his takes its place.
Pronoun-antecedent agreement
http://depts.dyc.edu/learningcenter/owl/agreement_pa.htm
An antecedent is a word for which a pronoun stands. (ante = "before")
Pronoun antecedent agreement is when the pronoun agrees in number (referring to singular or
plural) and person (referring to first, second, or third person) with its antecedent.
• When an employee does not agree with his boss's decision, the employee should not
support that decision.
Antecedent (Employee) is singular therefore the Pronoun (his) agrees with it in number.
Possessive pronouns
http://englishplus.com/grammar/00000023.htm
Certain pronouns called possessive pronouns show ownership. Some are used alone; some
describe a noun.
• That computer is hers.

• It belongs to me, it’s mine.
More examples: http://a4esl.org/q/h/vc-pronouns-lb.html
Quiz on possessive pronouns http://a4esl.org/q/h/vc-pronouns-lb.html
Relative pronouns
http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/pronouns-relative.htm
A relative pronoun is a pronoun that introduces a relative clause. It is called a "relative"
pronoun because it "relates" to the word that it modifies. Here is an example:
• The person who phoned me last night is my teacher.
In the above example, "who":
• relates to "person,” which it modifies

• introduces the relative clause "who phoned me last night"
Quiz on relative pronouns

http://www.englischhilfen.de/en/exercises/pronouns/relative_pronouns.htm
Demonstrative pronouns
http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/pronouns-demonstrative.htm
A demonstrative pronoun represents a thing or things:
• near in distance or time (this, these)
• far in distance or time (that, those)
Examples:
• This tastes good.
• Have you seen this?
• These are bad times.
• Do you like these?
Demonstrative pronoun quiz

http://www.mcwdn.org/grammar/prodemonquiz/prodemonquiz.html
Adverbs
See Capital Community College Foundation, Hartford, Connecticut
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/adverbs.htm
Adverbs are words that modify
• a verb (He drove slowly. — How did he drive?)

• an adjective (He drove a very fast car. — How fast was his car?)
• another adverb (She moved quite slowly down the aisle. — How slowly did she
move?)
Adverb Quiz http://www.softschools.com/quizzes/grammar/adverb/quiz200.html
Adjectives
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/adjectives.htm
Adjectives are words that describe or modify another person or thing in the sentence. The
Articles — a, an, and the — are adjectives.
Examples:
• a six-year-old child
• the unhappiest, richest man
Adjectives Quiz: http://www.softschools.com/quizzes/grammar/adjective/quiz219.html
Prepositional phrases
http://www.chompchomp.com/terms/prepositionalphrase.htm
A prepositional phrase will function as an adjective or adverb. As an adjective, the prepositional
phrase will answer the question Which one?
Prepositional Phrase Examples:
The book on the bathroom floor is swollen from shower steam.

Which book? The one on the bathroom floor!
Preposition review quizzes http://aliscot.com/bigdog/prep_exercise.htm

http://www.softschools.com/quiz_time/language_arts/preposition/theme156.html
Reviewing frequent grammar mistakes

See John Gingerich, “20 Common Grammar Mistakes That (Almost) Everyone Makes.” Jan 2012.
http://litreactor.com/columns/20-common-grammar-mistakes-that-almost-everyone-gets- wrong
Conventions and Usage
Standard 8
Understand and apply knowledge of mechanical conventions in edited English in the U.S.
Comma splice
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/runons.htm
When two independent clauses are connected by only a comma, they constitute a run-on
sentence that is called a comma-splice.
Example: The sun is high, put on some sunblock.
When you use a comma to connect two independent clauses, it must be accompanied by a little
conjunction (and, but, for, nor, yet, or, so).
You can also turn one of the clauses into a subordinate or dependent clause with a subordinating
conjunction (if, because, although, when, where, etc.)
Quiz on comma splices: See Capital Community College Foundation, Hartford, Connecticut
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/quizzes/nova/nova4.htm
Punctuation Marks
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/marks/marks.htm
Period:
http://www.infoplease.com/cig/grammar-style/period-question-mark-exclamation-mark-end- line.html
(excerpted from Laurie E. Rozakis, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Grammar and Style, NY: Penguin. 2003)
Use a period after a complete sentence.

Example: A hangover is the wrath of grapes.
Use a period after a command.
Example: Please close the door behind you.
Use a period after most abbreviations.
Examples: Dr., Ms., Jr.
Don't use a period after the individual letters in an acronym.
For example, write NATO, not N.A.T.O.
Use a period after an initial.
Example: John F. Kennedy
Use a period after each Roman numeral, letter, or number in an outline.
Example: 1.
Always place a period inside a quotation mark that ends a sentence.
Example: The sign read, “A pest is a friend in need.”
Question Mark:
Use a question mark after a question.

Example: Isn't the Mason-Dixon line what separates y'all from youse guys?
Place the question mark inside of closing quotation marks if it is part of the quotation.
Example: In a dream, I heard someone asking, “Isn't atheism a nonprophet
organization?”
Place the question mark outside of the closing quotation marks if it is not part of the quotation.
Example: Was it your mother who said, “The Lord prefers common-looking people;
that's the reason he made so many of them”? (In such a circumstance, it's okay to drop
the period from the quotation.)
Exclamation Point:
Use an exclamation mark after an exclamatory sentence even though it is far more convincing
to create emphasis by the force of your words rather than the force of your punctuation.
Example: “Apparent” is a large, old bossy person who tortures youth!
Colon:
http://grammar.about.com/od/c/g/colon.htm
Used after a statement that introduces a quotation, an explanation, an example, or a series.
• "The airplane plip-plopped down the runway to a halt before the big sign: WELCOME TO
CYPRUS." (Leon Uris, Exodus, 1958)
• "A liberal arts education creates citizens: people who can think broadly and critically about
themselves and the world."
• (William Deresiewicz, "Faulty Towers." The Nation, May 23, 2011)
• "I have never made but one prayer to God, a very short one: 'O Lord, make my enemies
ridiculous.' And God granted it." (Voltaire)
• "There are three choices in this life: be good, get good, or give up." (Dr. House, House, M.D.)
Semicolon:
2013 Matthew Inman, “How to Use a Semicolon.” http://theoatmeal.com/comics/semicolon
Use a semicolon between two independent clauses
• The sixteen-year-old girl is a full-time student; she is also a full-time waitress.
Also use semicolons in series in which the individual elements in the series have commas:
• The experimental report was split into an abstract; an introduction, which contained a
hypothesis; a methods section; the findings, which reported on the data; and the
discussion/analysis sections.
Hyphen:
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/grammar/punctuation/
A hyphen is used between parts of a compound word or name. It is also used to split a word by
syllables to fit on a line of text.
• The sixteen-year-old girl is a full-time student.
Dash:
The following is from Joseph Devline, How to Speak and Write Correctly, Ed. Theodore
Waters, 2008 edition, Baltimore: Arc Manor Press, downloadable on http://books.google.com .
The Dash is generally confined to cases where there is a sudden break from the general run of
the passage. Of all the punctuation marks it is the most misused.
1. It is employed to denote sudden change in construction or sentiment: "The Heroes of

the Civil War,—how we cherish them." "He was a fine fellow—in his own opinion."
[Note that it is not usual to put a comma before a dash or parenthesis]
2. When a word or expression is repeated for oratorical effect, a dash is used to introduce
the repetition: "Shakespeare was the greatest of all poets—Shakespeare, the
intellectual ocean whose waves washed the continents of all thought."
3. The Dash …indicates a conclusion without expressing it: "He is an excellent man but—"
4. It is used to indicate what is not expected or what is not the natural outcome of what
has gone before: "He delved deep into the bowels of the earth and found instead of the
hidden treasure—a button."
5. It is used to denote the omission of letters or figures: "J—n J—s for John Jones; 1908-9
for 1908 and 1909; Matthew VII:5-8 for Matthew VII:5, 6, 7, and 8.
6. When an ellipsis of the words, namely, that is, to wit, etc., takes place, the dash is used
to supply them: "He excelled in three branches—arithmetic, algebra, and geometry."
7. A dash is used to denote the omission of part of a word when it is undesirable to write
the full word: He is somewhat of a r——l (rascal). This is especially the case in profane
words.
8. Between a citation and the authority for it there is generally a dash: "All the world's a
stage."—Shakespeare.
9. When questions and answers are put in the same paragraph they should be separated
by dashes: "Are you a good boy? Yes, Sir.—Do you love study? I do."
Parentheses:
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/marks/parentheses.htm
USE PARENTHESES [ ( ) ] TO INCLUDE MATERIAL THAT YOU WANT TO DE-EMPHASIZE or that wouldn't normally
fit into the flow of your text but you want to include nonetheless. If the material within
parentheses appears within a sentence, do not use a capital letter or period to punctuate that
material, even if the material is itself a complete sentence. (A question mark or exclamation
mark, however, might be appropriate and necessary.) If the material within your parentheses is
written as a separate sentence (not included within another sentence), punctuate it as if it were
a separate sentence.
• Thirty-five years after his death, Robert Frost (we remember him at Kennedy's
inauguration) remains America's favorite poet.
• Thirty-five years after his death, Robert Frost (do you remember him?) remains
America's favorite poet.
• Thirty-five years after his death, Robert Frost remains America's favorite poet. (We
remember him at Kennedy's inauguration.)
Brackets:
You can use them to include explanatory words or phrases within quoted language:
Example: Lew Perkins, the Director of Athletic Programs, said that Pumita Espinoza, the
new soccer coach [at Notre Dame Academy] is going to be a real winner.
If you are quoting material and you've had to change the capitalization of a word or change a
pronoun to make the material fit into your sentence, enclose that changed letter or word(s)
within brackets:
Example: Espinoza charged her former employer with "falsification of [her] coaching
record."
Ellipsis:
A series of marks that usually indicate an intentional omission of a word, sentence or whole
section from the original text being quoted. An ellipsis can also be used to indicate an
unfinished thought or, at the end of a sentence, a trailing off into silence (aposiopesis). It can
also be used at the end of a sentence to emphasize a statement. When placed at the beginning
or end of a sentence, the ellipsis can also inspire a feeling of melancholy longing.
Example: Let's take the sentence, "The ceremony honored twelve brilliant athletes from the
Caribbean who were visiting the U.S." and leave out "from the Caribbean who were":
The ceremony honored twelve brilliant athletes … visiting the U.S.

Apostrophe:
WE USE AN APOSTROPHE [ ’ ] TO CREATE POSSESSIVE FORMS, CONTRACTIONS, AND SOME PLURALS (SEE BELOW).
The apostrophe shows where a letter or letters have been left out of a contracted verb:
am = I'm you are = you're she is = she's it is = it's

do not = don't she would = she'd he would have = he would've
let us = let's who is = who's she will = she'll they had = they'd
In possessives, the placement of the apostrophe depends on whether the noun that shows
possession is singular or plural
Generally, if the noun is singular, the apostrophe goes before the s.

Example: The witch's broom.
If the noun is plural, the apostrophe goes after the s

Example: The witches' brooms
Quotation marks
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/capitals.htm
USE QUOTATION MARKS [ “ ” ] TO SET OFF MATERIAL THAT REPRESENTS QUOTED OR SPOKEN LANGUAGE.
Quotation marks also set off the titles of things that do not normally stand by themselves: short
stories, poems, and articles.
Usually, a quotation is set off from the rest of the sentence by a comma; however, the
typography of quoted material can become quite complicated.
Examples:
The phrase "lovely, dark and deep" begins to suggest ominous overtones.
My father always said, "Be careful what you wish for."
Comma:
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/commas.htm
Use a comma to separate the elements in a series (three or more things), including the last
two.
Examples: "He hit the ball, dropped the bat, and ran to first base."
Use a comma + a little conjunction (and, but, for, nor, yet, or, so) to connect two independent
clauses.
Example: "He hit the ball well, but he ran toward third base."
Use a comma to set off introductory elements [phrases of 5+ words in MLA it would be used
after conjunctive adverbs, common transitions]
Examples:
Running toward third base, he suddenly realized how stupid he looked.
In conclusion, the three-minute method should be used.
Use a comma to set off parenthetical elements

Example "The Founders Bridge, which spans the Connecticut River, is falling down."
QUIZ ON PUNCTUATION MARKS:

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/quizzes/quotes_quiz.htm
Capitalization
The first words of a sentence

Examples: When he tells a joke, he sometimes forgets the punch line.
The pronoun "I"
Examples: The last time I visited Atlanta was several years ago.
Proper nouns (the names of specific people, places, organizations, and sometimes things)
Examples: Worrill Fabrication Company
Golden Gate Bridge
Supreme Court
Livingston, Missouri
Atlantic Ocean
Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Family relationships (when used as proper names)
Examples: I sent a thank-you note to Aunt Abby, but not to my other aunts.
Here is a present I bought for Mother; did he buy a present for his mother?
The names of God, specific deities, religious figures, and holy books
Example: God the Father
the Virgin Mary, Moses
the Bible, the Old Testament, the Torah
the Greek gods
Shiva
Buddha
Zeus
Titles preceding names, but not titles that follow names
Examples: She worked as the assistant to Mayor Hanolovi.
I was able to interview Miriam Moss, mayor of Littonville.
Directions that are names (North, South, East, and West when used as sections of the
country, but not as compass directions)
Examples: The Patels have moved to the Southwest.
Jim's house is two miles north of Otterbein.
The days of the week, the months of the year, and holidays (but not the seasons used
generally)
Examples: Friday, October, Halloween
but winter, spring, fall, summer
Exception: Seasons are capitalized when used in a title.
Example: The Fall 1999 semester
The names of countries, nationalities, and specific languages
Examples: Costa Rica
Spanish, French, English
The first word in a sentence that is a direct quote
Example: Emerson once said, "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds."
The major words in the titles of books, articles, and songs (but not short prepositions [of 5 or
fewer letters] or the articles "the," "a," or "an," if they are not the first word of the title)
Example: One of Jerry's favorite books is The Catcher in the Rye.
Members of national, political, racial, social, civic, and athletic groups
Examples: Chinese, Democrats, Anti-Semitic
African-Americans, Friends of the Wilderness, Green Bay Packers,
Periods and events (but not century numbers)
Examples: Victorian Era, Great Depression
Constitutional Convention
but sixteenth century
Trademarks
Examples: Pepsi, Honda, IBM, Microsoft Word
Words and abbreviations of specific names (but not names of things that came from specific
things but are now general types)
Examples: Freudian, UN, NBC
but not pasteurize, french fries, italics
Spelling http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/660/01/
www.greyorgray.com/100-most-commonly-misspelled-words.html
http://academic.cuesta.edu/acasupp/as/819.htm
Critical Terms About Writing to Know and Be Able to Apply
Vocabulary for Language Arts
Main idea – The main idea of a paragraph is what all sentences are about. After reading a
paragraph, ask, “What’s your point?” That will help you zero in on the main idea.
Introductory sentence – Introductory sentences are general sentences that open paragraphs
and precede the development sentences. Introductory sentences are not developed
throughout the paragraph.
Cohesion – Concerns that flow of sentences and paragraphs from one to another. It involves
the typing together of old information and new.
Sentence structure – The grammatical arrangement of words in sentences.

http://www.towson.edu/ows/sentencestruct.htm
Writing Styles – Descriptive, Analytical, Reflective
Patterns of Organization
• Time Order
• Comparison and/or Contrast
• Cause and Effect
• Definition and Example
• Classification
• Order of importance
• Problem-Solution
• Process
• Mixed Patterns
Point of View
• Objective Point of View: With the objective point of view, the writer tells what happens
without stating more than can be inferred from the story’s action and dialogue. The
narrator never discloses anything about what the characters think or feel, remaining a
detached observer.
• Third Person Point of View: There the narrator does not participate in the action of the
story as one of the characters, but lets us know exactly how the characters feel. We
learn about the characters through this outside voice.
• First Person Point of View: In the first person point of view, the narrator does
participate in the action of the story. When reading stories in the first person, we need
to realize that what the narrator is recounting might not be the objective truth. We
should question the trustworthiness of the accounting.
• Omniscient and Limited Omniscient Points of View: The narrator who knows everything
about all the characters is all knowing, or omniscient.
• Shift Point of View: A point of view shift is when the narrator of the story changes
positions or becomes non-existent. Consider a shift from first to third person. Instead
of saying “I” the narrator will say “He.” Point of view is often consistent in novels,
however, it is not very difficult or uncommon to change point of views. Sometimes the
author will change the point of view when the character has a flash back. Sometimes
the author will change the point of view… to focus on an event that does not directly
involve the main character(s). It can be a powerful literary tool.
Persuasive writing: The writer presents his or her opinion and tries to convince the reader to
agree. Here you’ll find help for writing a variety of persuasive essays.
Writer’s Purpose: To inform, persuade, or entertain
Tone: Position from which a writer addresses a topic to include beliefs, assumptions, and
biases.
Audience: Three categories of audience are the “lay” audience, the “Managerial” audience,
and the “experts.”
• Lay audience – has no special or expert knowledge. They connect with the
human interest aspect of articles. They usually need background information;
they expect more definition and description and they may want attractive
graphics or visuals.
• Managerial audience – may or may not have more knowledge than the lay
audience about the subject, but they need knowledge so they can make a
decision about the issue. Any background information, fact, statistics needed to
make a decision should be highlighted.
• Expert Audience – may be the most demanding audience in terms of knowledge,
presentation, and graphics or visuals. Experts are often “theorists” or
“practitioners.” For the expert audience, document formats are often elaborate
and technical, style and vocabulary may be specialized or technical, sour
citations are reliable and up-to-date, and documentation is accurate.
Persuasive Techniques: Repetition, reasons why, consistency, social proof, comparisons,

agitate & solve, prognosticate, go tribal, address objections, storytelling
Fallacies: Common errors in reasoning that will undermine the logic of your argument.
Fallacies can be either illegitimate arguments or irrelevant points, and are often identified
because they lack evidence that supports their claim.
Bias: One kind of bias is a strong opinion about something. You can be biased in favor of
something or biased against it. In either case, you may have some facts to support your
position, but a bias is based more on feelings and opinions than on facts. In some cases, bias
results from the person’s past experiences.
Symbolism: the "deeper meaning,” that the author is trying to convey to you. A simple example
would be writing about the Phoenix may be a symbol for reincarnation.
Imagery: Used in literature to refer to descriptive language that evokes sensory experience.
Such images can be created by using figures of speech such as similes, metaphors,
personification, and assonance. Imagery can also involve the use of relatable action words or
onomatopoeias that trigger images in the reader’s mind.
Metaphor: a figure of speech in which a term or phrase is applied to something to which it is

not literally applicable in order to suggest a resemblance, as in “A mighty fortress is our God.”
Type of Writing Author’s Purpose Point of View and Tone
Non-fiction
• News articles To inform, explain, give The author’s point of view
• Textbooks directions, illustrate, or and tone is primarily neutral.
• Biographies present information.
• Documentaries
• Technical Manuals
• Charts, graphs, tables
Persuasive Pieces To persuade by The point of view clearly

expressing an opinion to reflects the author’s attitude
• Editorials convince readers to about a subject. Sometimes
• Advertisements think/feel/act a certain the opinion is directly stated
• Campaign speeches way. and other times it is implied.
• Bumper stickers The author may try to
• Billboards convince readers by using
• Commercials tone to appeal to their
• Some charts and graphs feelings and/or values.
To illustrate a theme, The author may use

Fiction event, or story that characters or narrators to
• Short story conveys a mood. express attitudes in the
• Poetry Usually written to story. The tone might be
• Novels entertain. light and humorous or
• Drama serious and sad.
http://www.algebralab.org/lessons/lesson.aspx?file=Reading_AuthorsPurpose.xml
ILTS Math Test 208 Preparation Resource Links
[Previously ILTS Mathematics Test 115]
ILTS Secondary Education Mathematics Test 208 Resources
 ILTS, Mathematics Test 208 Test Preparation Materials:

 Exam Edge, ILTS Mathematics Test 115 Prep, http://www.iltstestprep.com/HighSchoolMath/
 240 Tutoring, ILTS Mathematics (208) Study Guide:
https://www.240tutoring.com/ilts/mathematics-208/
 Study.com, ILTS Mathematics Test Practice & Study Guide:
https://study.com/academy/course/ilts-mathematics-test-practice-and-study-guide.html
 Longsdale. ILTS Math Practice Tests:
 Mometrix, ILTS Mathematics 115 Practice Questions: https://www.mometrix.com/blog/ilts-
mathematics-115-practice-questions/
 Mometrix, ILTS Mathematics (115) Exam Secrets Study Guide: https://www.amazon.com/ILTS-
Mathematics-Secrets-Study-Guide/dp/1627330798
 Western Illinois University, Illinois Secondary Mathematics Secondary Content Exam Preparation:
http://faculty.wiu.edu/JR-Olsen/wiu/tea/certification/contentexam.htm
 YouTube, ILTS Mathematics 115 Practice Questions:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLdlIfe4STs
 YouTube, ILTS Mathematics 115 Practice Test 1:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsiUOsLNcvk
 YouTube, Download Book ILTS Mathematics 115 Practice Test 1:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K18mOXaoYx8
General Math Resources
 Longsdale Publishing, ILTS Mathematics Practice Tests:

 Khan Academy, Math (Content Area Skills, Tutorials & Practice):
https://www.khanacademy.org/math
 MathHelp, ILTS Math Test Prep: http://www.mathhelp.com/ilts-math-test-prep/
 Mometrix, ILTS Mathematics Practice Test: https://www.testprepreview.com/ilts/mathematics.htm
 Math.com, Math Test Preparation, http://www.math.com/students/testprep.html
July 20, 2018

ISBE Testing Requirement Prior to Admission
To an Illinois Educator Preparation Program
Prior to admission to an Illinois Educator Preparation Program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-
Champaign, prospective candidates must take and pass an Illinois approved test of basic skills. Approved tests
consist of the Illinois Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP), ACT, or SAT with approved scores. Previously passed
Illinois Test of Basic Skills (096, 300, or 400) may be used to meet this requirement.
Test of Academic Proficiency:

Registration, a study guide, and test framework for the TAP can be found at www.il.nesinc.com. Test scores
should be sent to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, code 052.
To use an ACT score, the following must be met:

1) ACT composite score must be at least 22; and
2) ACT combined English/Writing score must be at least 19 for tests prior to September 2015; or
3) ACT writing score must be at least 16 for tests taken September 2015 to September 8, 2016; or
4) ACT writing score must be at least 6 for tests taken September 10, 2016 or after.
To use an SAT score, the following must be met:

1) SAT combined score (critical reading and math) of at least 1030 and SAT writing score of at least 450 for
tests taken prior to March 5, 2016.
2) SAT combined score (evidence-based reading and writing plus mathematics) of at least 1110 and a
minimum score of 26 on writing and language test for tests taken on or after March 5, 2016.
You may use a composite score from one test and a writing score from another if you do not have the
appropriate scores on one test. If using more than one test it must be from same company ACT/ACT or
SAT/SAT.
How to Submit ACT/SAT Scores to ISBE

Prospective candidates who wish to use their ACT/SAT scores must complete the following steps in the order
presented below:
1) Log onto (or create an ELIS (Educator Licensure Information System) account if you don’t already have
one). To create an account go to https://sec3.isbe.net/IWASNET/login.aspx and click on the ‘Sign Up
Now’ link on the left side menu.
2) Request ACT/SAT send an official score report to the Illinois State Board of Education, Division of
Teacher and Leader Effectiveness, 100 North First Street, S-306, Springfield, IL 62777. If sending ACT
scores, you must use college code 3001 to have the reports sent directly to ISBE. If sending SAT use
code 6773.*
*IMPORTANT: ISBE will only hold your scores for 30 days; therefore, it is imperative that you create an
ELIS account prior to requesting your scores from ACT/SAT. Before you can be fully admitted to a
licensure program the Council on Teacher Education must be able to verify, in the ELIS system, that you
have either passed the Test of Academic Proficiency or that the ISBE has accepted your ACT/SAT scores.
Out of State applicants who have taken and passed a basic skills test leading to licensure in another state
should complete one of the two following forms. Please choose the form that best fits your circumstances.
ISBE Form 80-03 https://www.isbe.net/Documents/80-03-oos-basic-skills-verification-isbe.pdf

ISBE Form 80-02 https://www.isbe.net/Documents/80-02-standards-verification.pdf

How To “Super Score” Using ACT or SAT to Meet ISBE Basic Skills Requirement
ACT
ACT super score rules- Add together the highest English, Math, Reading and Science score, across multiple test reports,
to develop a new averaged super score. The averaged super score must be 22 or higher (averages of 21.5 will round up
to 22). Students must still achieve a passing writing score (according to the writing cut score on said test) and send all
tests used to compile super score to ISBE
Test A Test B
Math 18 Math 20
When combining his highest scores, highlighted above, Ryan’s composite average would equal 22 and meet the super
score requirement. (Writing score would still need to be met)
ACT total of English, Math, Reading and Science scores, from multiple tests, must total 86 points (86 divided by 4 =
21.5) to meet the minimum super score composite average of 22, along with a passing score on a writing test, to meet
the test of basic skills minimum.
SAT
SAT super score rules- Add together the highest Evidence-based reading and writing score and math score, from multiple
tests. The total composite must be higher than 1110 and a minimum score of 26 on writing and language test. (Based on
the current SAT test format) For tests prior to March 5, 2016 the combined scores for critical reading and math must
be at least 1030.
Test A Test B
Math 500 Math 540
super score requirement. (Writing score would still need to be met and sent)
SAT total of Evidence-based reading and writing score and Math score, from multiple tests must total 1110 to meet the
minimum along with passing writing portion to meet the test of basic skills.

ISBE Basic Skills Requirement- ACT and SAT Super Scoring Explained
Students must meet the Illinois State Board of Education’s basic skills requirement by passing the TAP test or meeting a minimum
ACT or SAT score.
Effective July 2017, a minimum composite score for either the ACT or SAT may be achieved by combining multiple sub-scores from
multiple previous test dates. Students must still meet the minimum writing portion.
ACT
ACT rules- Combine the highest English, Math, Reading and Science score, across multiple test reports, to develop a new averaged
super score. The averaged super score must be 22 or higher (averages of 21.5 will round up to 22). Students must still achieve a
passing writing score and also send it to ISBE.
Test A Test B
Math 18 Math 20
When combining his highest scores, highlighted above, Ryan’s composite average would equal 22 and meet the
requirement. (Writing score would still need to be met)
ACT total of English, Math, Reading and Science scores, from multiple tests, must total 86 points to meet the minimum super score
composite average of 22, along with a passing score on a writing test, to meet the test of basic skills minimum.
SAT
SAT rules- Add together the highest Evidence-based reading and writing score and math score, from multiple tests. The total
composite must be higher than 1110 and a minimum score of 26 on writing and language test. (Based on the current SAT test
format)
Test A Test B
Math 500 Math 540
requirement. (Writing score would still need to be met and sent)
SAT total of Evidence-based reading and writing score and Math score, from multiple tests must total 1110 to meet the minimum
along with passing writing portion to meet the test of basic skills.
Sending Scores to meet requirements (Must meet ISBE and ISU requirement)
 Students must create an ISBE ELIS account (completed during PBA orientation) and then send officials score reports
needed to meet the super score. These score reports are to be sent directly to ISBE, for uploading to the students ELIS
account. Students must then e-mail licensure@isbe.net to notify ISBE that they would like their scores super scored.
o Meeting the test of basic skills requirement is an ISBE requirement for licensure and must be completed, by the
student, before student teaching. Confirmation of received scores is visible within a student’s ELIS account
under the educator/testing section.
 Students will also need to meet ISU requirements to complete the basic skills milestone in Gateway 1. To meet this
requirement, ISU must have proof of all scores, receipt of scores sent to ISBE and request form to use ACT or SAT scores.
 Please note: ISBE is the final determiner on if super scored tests meet the basic skills legal requirements.
SAT & ACT TEST PREPARATION RESOURCES
SAT & ACT: Preparing Yourself for Success

SAT Resource Links
 You Tube videos with SAT practice tests questions and test-taking tips:
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=SAT+test
 Information about the SAT test construct::

count/standardized-tests/v/overview-of-sat
 Peterson’s: https://www.petersons.com/college-search/sat-scores-test-about.aspx
 CollegeBoard: https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/inside-the-test
 PrepScholar: http://blog.prepscholar.com/what-is-the-sat-a-complete-explanation-of-the-test
 MajorTests: http://www.majortests.com/sat/sat-information.php
 Online SAT Test Preparation Materials

 Khan Academy: https://www.khanacademy.org/sat and https://www.khanacademy.org/test-
prep/sat
 CollegeBoard: https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/practice
 Union Test Prep: https://uniontestprep.com/sat?gclid=CPfZzcKqjM0CFQUFaQod9fUK7Q
 MajorTests: http://www.majortests.com/s.0at/
 ISBE SAT Practice Materials

 General SAT Practice Information
 SAT Practice on Khan Academy
 Downloadable SAT Practice Tests
 Downloadable SAT Practice Tests for Assistive Technology
 Downloadable MP3 SAT Practice Tests
ACT Resource Links

1
 ACT, Inc: Interactive ACT Test Preparation Materials:
https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act.html
 ACT Test Prep: http://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-
preparation.html
preparation.html
preparation
http://www.mometrix.com/academy/act-test/
 Prep Scholar: ACT Practice Tests & Test Tips: http://blog.prepscholar.com/complete-official-
act-practice-tests-free-links
solving videos]

 4Tests, ACT Practice Exams: https://www.4tests.com/act
test.aspx
 PowerScore, Free Official SAT & ACT Practice Tests:
 Test Guide, Free ACT Practice Tests: https://www.test-guide.com/free-act-practice-tests.html
August 1, 2018
2
School of Education Student Teacher Candidate Support
for the edTPA Licensure Exam
The edTPA
The edTPA is a performance-based, content specific assessment used to
help determine whether pre-service teachers are ready to enter the
teaching profession with the skills necessary to help all of their students
acquire essential knowledge and skills. It requires that teacher candidates
demonstrate that they have the classroom abilities necessary to ensure
student learning within five key areas of competence: planning, assessment, instruction, reflection,
and academic language. The edTPA process used to assess teacher candidates is similar to the
process used for National Board teacher certification. It is also comparable to entry-level licensing
exams that demand applications of skills in other professions, such as the medical licensing exams,
the architecture exam, and the bar exam in law. Additional information on the edTPA can be found at
https://www.isbe.net/Documents/edTPA-Guide.pdf#search=edTPA%20information.
.
The edTPA is completed during the first 8-10 weeks of the student teaching experience. It is an ISBE
requirement that all teacher candidates pass the edTPA, before an Illinois educator license will be
granted. Candidates who subsequently fail to pass the edTPA prior to their BU graduation will have
“Graduated without Licensure” indicated on their BU transcript. Additional information on Illinois
educator licensure requirements can be found at http://www.isbe.net/licensure/.
edTPA Teacher Candidate Support Provided by the School of Education (SOE)
edTPA Training
 A SOE “Introduction to edTPA” Powerpoint Presentation is given at Student Teaching Seminar II,
with a PDF of the PowerPoint sent to candidates,
 Six additional Student Teaching Seminars designed to assist candidates in both developing and
compiling their edTPA portfolios are conducted during the first two months of the student teaching
experience.
 Additional information and training regarding the edTPA is provided individual candidates by their
University Supervisors and the Director of Student Placement, as requested and required.
edTPA Resource Provision
A variety of resources (e.g., books; articles, resource links; webinars; etc.) are made available to
candidates, to assist in their development of a successful edTPA portfolio. A partial listing of SOE
edTPA resource supports follow.
 The Director of Student Placement provides candidates with edTPA content area handbooks,
portfolio templates, lesson plan templates, and other select edTPA resource documents, at least
one month prior to the start of the student teaching experience. She further furnishes them with
new materials sent by edTPA, as they are received.
 Candidates are continually provided with journal articles and online training videos, webinars, and
web links to assist them in preparing their edTPA portfolios. These supports are reviewed and
updated each term, to ensure that all resources and materials referenced are current.
 Candidates are notified of and provided additional edTPA resources and supports via e-mail,
announcements made at Student Teaching Seminars, and postings on the SOE webpage.
 A variety of edTPA resource materials are available to candidates at the BU Library. New and
updated materials are added to the collection annually.
 Informal, individualized study sessions are conducted at candidate request, to review edTPA
content related task requirements and to practice test taking strategies.
Additional edTPA Candidate Supports
 Candidates are provided an edTPA Completion Checklist for Student Teachers, to assist them in
completing edTPA tasks in a timely fashion.
 Candidates are additionally given a comprehensive Getting Ready to Submit Your edTPA
Checklist that provides them with step-by-step guidance for compiling and submitting their edTPA
portfolios for scoring.
 Candidates submit their edTPA portfolios as a group, with submission support provided by the
Director of Student Placement, Student Teaching Supervisors, and program graduates.
 Ongoing guidance and support is afforded candidates by their University Supervisors and
Cooperating Teachers.
Support for Retaking the edTPA
Candidates who fail the edTPA on their first submission are given the opportunity to resubmit their
portfolios a second time. This is the only opportunity that candidates have to retake the edTPA, prior
to BU graduation for the term specified.
 Candidates must meet with the Director of Student Placement to review the feedback
accompanying their “not passed” edTPA components, and then work with the Director to develop
an individualized retake plan.
 The Director additionally reviews the edTPA results profile with the candidate, provides guidance
in the resubmission of the portfolio, and refers the candidate for tutoring and support by faculty
who are content area specialists, as appropriate.
Impact of edTPA Training and Supports
A chart depicting the percent of student teacher candidates who passed the Teacher Performance
Assessment (edTPA) Illinois teacher licensure exam on their first attempt follows. The chart reflects
data compiled from the fall of 2015 (when the edTPA was first mandated by ISBE for Illinois educator
licensure), through the spring of 2018. The overall 2015-2018 student teacher first attempt pass rate
is 97%, with all but two candidates passing the edTPA on their first attempt.
Student Teacher Candidate edTPA Performance
2015-2018
The percent of student teacher candidates who passed the Teacher Performance Assessment
(edTPA) Illinois teacher licensure exam on their first attempt is depicted in the chart below. The chart
reflects data compiled from the fall of 2015 (when the edTPA was first mandated by ISBE for Illinois
educator licensure), through the spring of 2018. The overall 2015-2018 student teacher first attempt
pass rate is 97% (all but two candidates passed on their first attempt). The two candidates who did
not pass the edTPA on their first attempt, passed all but one subtask of their first submission (one was
only a single point from passing). Both subsequently passed the exam on their second attempt.
BU Student Teacher edTPA First Atttempt Pass Rate

100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Fall 2015 S[ring 2016 Fall 2016 Spring 2017 Fall 2017 Spring 2018
% Candidates Passed
TAP Content Area Resources
TAP Reading Resources

 http://www.iltstestprep.com/TapReading/
 http://study.com/academy/topic/taps-reading-comprehension-inference-interpretation.html
 http://study.com/academy/topic/taps-reading-comprehension-find-the-main-idea-supporting-details.html
 http://study.com/academy/exam/topic/taps-reading-comprehension-vocabulary-language.html
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p46_c4xRlMI
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1qOagYWZB8
TAP Language Arts and General Resource Links

 DePaul University, TAP Language Arts Study Guide:
file:///C:/Users/jwriter/TAP%20Lang.%20Arts%20Study%20Guide%20-%20DePaul%20University.html
 Eastern Illinois University, TAP Reading/Language Arts Resource Sites:
http://www.eiu.edu/basicskillstest/readinglahelpful.php
 Wishing Well, TAP Test Language Arts Boot Camp Study Guide: http://wishingwell.mn/library/basic-skills-tap-test-
language-arts-bootcamp-study-guide.pdf
 Pearson, TAP Test Preparation:
 Study.com, TAP Language Arts Writing Mechanics (video links): http://study.com/academy/topic/tap-language-arts-
writing-mechanics.html
 AUSL, TAP Study Guides and Preparation Resources:
http://faqs.auslchicago.org/support/solutions/articles/4000023872-study-guides-preparation-resources-for-the-test-
of-academic-proficiency-tap-
 National Louis University, ILTS (TAP/SAT/ACT/Content Tests) Test Taking Tips:
http://libguides.nl.edu/c.php?g=356438&p=2404882
 Longsdale Publishing, ILTS TAP Online Course and Practice Tests: http://www.longsdalepub.com/ilts-test.html
Math Resource Links
 http://www.longsdalepub.com/courses/ilts_demo/math_tests/index.html
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLdlIfe4STs
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsiUOsLNcvk
 http://www.mathhelp.com/ilts-math-test-prep/
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K18mOXaoYx8
 http://www.iltstestprep.com/HighSchoolMath/
 https://www.testprepreview.com/ilts/mathematics.htm
 https://www.240tutoring.com/ilts/mathematics-115/
 http://www.satexamprep.com/resources/sat-math-test.html
 https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/inside-the-test/math
 https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat-subject-tests/subjects/mathematics/mathematics-2
 http://blog.prepscholar.com/sat-math-prep-guide-strategies-tips-practice
 https://www.princetonreview.com/college-advice/sat-math-practice
 http://www.erikthered.com/tutor/

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July 23, 2018
3

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July 23, 2018
3
Basic Skills/ TAP Test
Language Arts BootCamp Study Guide
The Basic Skills/ TAP Test of Language Arts examines skills required to write effectively at the
college level.
Comparison Basic Skills to TAP:

Lang.Arts: BS300 - 42 multiple choice; TAP400- 60 multiple choice online
The information herein was gathered by members of the Associated Colleges of Illinois.
The links provided are in the process of being cited fully in the text.
.
Grammar & Usage
Standard 7 Demonstrate command of standard usage in edited English in the US.
Subject-verb agreement
Singular subjects need singular verbs; plural subjects need plural verbs.
My brother is a nutritionist.
My sisters are mathematicians.
Capital Community College Foundation, Hartford, Connecticut
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/sv_agr.htm
Purdue Online Writing Lab
Quiz on Subject-verb agreement
Capital Community College Foundation, Hartford, Connecticut http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/cgi-
shl/quiz.pl/sv_agr_quiz.htm
Verb tense
See Purdue Online Writing Lab, “Sequence of Tenses.”
English has three time frames: past, present, and future

Past- Last year I went on vacation to Disney World.
Present- Right now I am on Spring vacation in Mexico.
Future- Tomorrow I will go on vacation to Mexico.
Quiz/Tutorial on verb tense http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/verbtenseintro.html
Consistency of verb tense

http://www.towson.edu/ows/tenseconsistency.htm
Keep tenses consistent within sentences.
Do not change tenses when there is no time change for the action.
• During the movie, Sam stood up and then dropped his popcorn.
Pronouns
http://www.towson.edu/ows/pro_antagree.htm
Generally (but not always) pronouns stand for (pro + noun) or refer to a noun, an individual or
individuals or thing or things (the pronoun's antecedent) whose identity is made clear earlier in
the text. Pronouns are words like I, me (personal pronouns) or my, mine (possessive pronouns)
which take the place of a noun. In the following sentence, instead of repeating President
Lincoln, the pronoun his takes its place.
Pronoun-antecedent agreement
http://depts.dyc.edu/learningcenter/owl/agreement_pa.htm
An antecedent is a word for which a pronoun stands. (ante = "before")
Pronoun antecedent agreement is when the pronoun agrees in number (referring to singular or
plural) and person (referring to first, second, or third person) with its antecedent.
• When an employee does not agree with his boss's decision, the employee should not
support that decision.
Antecedent (Employee) is singular therefore the Pronoun (his) agrees with it in number.
Possessive pronouns
http://englishplus.com/grammar/00000023.htm
Certain pronouns called possessive pronouns show ownership. Some are used alone; some
describe a noun.
• That computer is hers.

• It belongs to me, it’s mine.
More examples: http://a4esl.org/q/h/vc-pronouns-lb.html
Quiz on possessive pronouns http://a4esl.org/q/h/vc-pronouns-lb.html
Relative pronouns
http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/pronouns-relative.htm
A relative pronoun is a pronoun that introduces a relative clause. It is called a "relative"
pronoun because it "relates" to the word that it modifies. Here is an example:
• The person who phoned me last night is my teacher.
In the above example, "who":
• relates to "person,” which it modifies

• introduces the relative clause "who phoned me last night"
Quiz on relative pronouns

http://www.englischhilfen.de/en/exercises/pronouns/relative_pronouns.htm
Demonstrative pronouns
http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/pronouns-demonstrative.htm
A demonstrative pronoun represents a thing or things:
• near in distance or time (this, these)
• far in distance or time (that, those)
Examples:
• This tastes good.
• Have you seen this?
• These are bad times.
• Do you like these?
Demonstrative pronoun quiz

http://www.mcwdn.org/grammar/prodemonquiz/prodemonquiz.html
Adverbs
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/adverbs.htm
Adverbs are words that modify
• a verb (He drove slowly. — How did he drive?)

• an adjective (He drove a very fast car. — How fast was his car?)
• another adverb (She moved quite slowly down the aisle. — How slowly did she
move?)
Adverb Quiz http://www.softschools.com/quizzes/grammar/adverb/quiz200.html
Adjectives
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/adjectives.htm
Adjectives are words that describe or modify another person or thing in the sentence. The
Articles — a, an, and the — are adjectives.
Examples:
• a six-year-old child
• the unhappiest, richest man
Adjectives Quiz: http://www.softschools.com/quizzes/grammar/adjective/quiz219.html
Prepositional phrases
http://www.chompchomp.com/terms/prepositionalphrase.htm
A prepositional phrase will function as an adjective or adverb. As an adjective, the prepositional
phrase will answer the question Which one?
Prepositional Phrase Examples:
The book on the bathroom floor is swollen from shower steam.

Which book? The one on the bathroom floor!
Preposition review quizzes http://aliscot.com/bigdog/prep_exercise.htm

http://www.softschools.com/quiz_time/language_arts/preposition/theme156.html
Reviewing frequent grammar mistakes

See John Gingerich, “20 Common Grammar Mistakes That (Almost) Everyone Makes.” Jan 2012.
http://litreactor.com/columns/20-common-grammar-mistakes-that-almost-everyone-gets- wrong
Conventions and Usage
Standard 8
Understand and apply knowledge of mechanical conventions in edited English in the U.S.
Comma splice
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/runons.htm
When two independent clauses are connected by only a comma, they constitute a run-on
sentence that is called a comma-splice.
Example: The sun is high, put on some sunblock.
When you use a comma to connect two independent clauses, it must be accompanied by a little
conjunction (and, but, for, nor, yet, or, so).
You can also turn one of the clauses into a subordinate or dependent clause with a subordinating
conjunction (if, because, although, when, where, etc.)
Quiz on comma splices: See Capital Community College Foundation, Hartford, Connecticut
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/quizzes/nova/nova4.htm
Punctuation Marks
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/marks/marks.htm
Period:
Use a period after a complete sentence.

Example: A hangover is the wrath of grapes.
Use a period after a command.
Example: Please close the door behind you.
Use a period after most abbreviations.
Examples: Dr., Ms., Jr.
Don't use a period after the individual letters in an acronym.
For example, write NATO, not N.A.T.O.
Use a period after an initial.
Example: John F. Kennedy
Use a period after each Roman numeral, letter, or number in an outline.
Example: 1.
Always place a period inside a quotation mark that ends a sentence.
Example: The sign read, “A pest is a friend in need.”
Question Mark:
Use a question mark after a question.

Example: Isn't the Mason-Dixon line what separates y'all from youse guys?
Place the question mark inside of closing quotation marks if it is part of the quotation.
Example: In a dream, I heard someone asking, “Isn't atheism a nonprophet
organization?”
Place the question mark outside of the closing quotation marks if it is not part of the quotation.
Example: Was it your mother who said, “The Lord prefers common-looking people;
that's the reason he made so many of them”? (In such a circumstance, it's okay to drop
the period from the quotation.)
Exclamation Point:
Use an exclamation mark after an exclamatory sentence even though it is far more convincing
to create emphasis by the force of your words rather than the force of your punctuation.
Example: “Apparent” is a large, old bossy person who tortures youth!
Colon:
http://grammar.about.com/od/c/g/colon.htm
Used after a statement that introduces a quotation, an explanation, an example, or a series.
• "The airplane plip-plopped down the runway to a halt before the big sign: WELCOME TO
CYPRUS." (Leon Uris, Exodus, 1958)
• "A liberal arts education creates citizens: people who can think broadly and critically about
themselves and the world."
• (William Deresiewicz, "Faulty Towers." The Nation, May 23, 2011)
• "I have never made but one prayer to God, a very short one: 'O Lord, make my enemies
ridiculous.' And God granted it." (Voltaire)
• "There are three choices in this life: be good, get good, or give up." (Dr. House, House, M.D.)
Semicolon:
2013 Matthew Inman, “How to Use a Semicolon.” http://theoatmeal.com/comics/semicolon
Use a semicolon between two independent clauses
• The sixteen-year-old girl is a full-time student; she is also a full-time waitress.
Also use semicolons in series in which the individual elements in the series have commas:
• The experimental report was split into an abstract; an introduction, which contained a
hypothesis; a methods section; the findings, which reported on the data; and the
discussion/analysis sections.
Hyphen:
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/grammar/punctuation/
A hyphen is used between parts of a compound word or name. It is also used to split a word by
syllables to fit on a line of text.
• The sixteen-year-old girl is a full-time student.
Dash:
The following is from Joseph Devline, How to Speak and Write Correctly, Ed. Theodore
Waters, 2008 edition, Baltimore: Arc Manor Press, downloadable on http://books.google.com .
The Dash is generally confined to cases where there is a sudden break from the general run of
the passage. Of all the punctuation marks it is the most misused.
1. It is employed to denote sudden change in construction or sentiment: "The Heroes of

the Civil War,—how we cherish them." "He was a fine fellow—in his own opinion."
[Note that it is not usual to put a comma before a dash or parenthesis]
2. When a word or expression is repeated for oratorical effect, a dash is used to introduce
the repetition: "Shakespeare was the greatest of all poets—Shakespeare, the
intellectual ocean whose waves washed the continents of all thought."
3. The Dash …indicates a conclusion without expressing it: "He is an excellent man but—"
4. It is used to indicate what is not expected or what is not the natural outcome of what
has gone before: "He delved deep into the bowels of the earth and found instead of the
hidden treasure—a button."
5. It is used to denote the omission of letters or figures: "J—n J—s for John Jones; 1908-9
for 1908 and 1909; Matthew VII:5-8 for Matthew VII:5, 6, 7, and 8.
6. When an ellipsis of the words, namely, that is, to wit, etc., takes place, the dash is used
to supply them: "He excelled in three branches—arithmetic, algebra, and geometry."
7. A dash is used to denote the omission of part of a word when it is undesirable to write
the full word: He is somewhat of a r——l (rascal). This is especially the case in profane
words.
8. Between a citation and the authority for it there is generally a dash: "All the world's a
stage."—Shakespeare.
9. When questions and answers are put in the same paragraph they should be separated
by dashes: "Are you a good boy? Yes, Sir.—Do you love study? I do."
Parentheses:
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/marks/parentheses.htm
USE PARENTHESES [ ( ) ] TO INCLUDE MATERIAL THAT YOU WANT TO DE-EMPHASIZE or that wouldn't normally
fit into the flow of your text but you want to include nonetheless. If the material within
parentheses appears within a sentence, do not use a capital letter or period to punctuate that
material, even if the material is itself a complete sentence. (A question mark or exclamation
mark, however, might be appropriate and necessary.) If the material within your parentheses is
written as a separate sentence (not included within another sentence), punctuate it as if it were
a separate sentence.
• Thirty-five years after his death, Robert Frost (we remember him at Kennedy's
inauguration) remains America's favorite poet.
• Thirty-five years after his death, Robert Frost (do you remember him?) remains
America's favorite poet.
• Thirty-five years after his death, Robert Frost remains America's favorite poet. (We
remember him at Kennedy's inauguration.)
Brackets:
You can use them to include explanatory words or phrases within quoted language:
Example: Lew Perkins, the Director of Athletic Programs, said that Pumita Espinoza, the
new soccer coach [at Notre Dame Academy] is going to be a real winner.
If you are quoting material and you've had to change the capitalization of a word or change a
pronoun to make the material fit into your sentence, enclose that changed letter or word(s)
within brackets:
Example: Espinoza charged her former employer with "falsification of [her] coaching
record."
Ellipsis:
A series of marks that usually indicate an intentional omission of a word, sentence or whole
section from the original text being quoted. An ellipsis can also be used to indicate an
unfinished thought or, at the end of a sentence, a trailing off into silence (aposiopesis). It can
also be used at the end of a sentence to emphasize a statement. When placed at the beginning
or end of a sentence, the ellipsis can also inspire a feeling of melancholy longing.
Example: Let's take the sentence, "The ceremony honored twelve brilliant athletes from the
Caribbean who were visiting the U.S." and leave out "from the Caribbean who were":
The ceremony honored twelve brilliant athletes … visiting the U.S.

Apostrophe:
WE USE AN APOSTROPHE [ ’ ] TO CREATE POSSESSIVE FORMS, CONTRACTIONS, AND SOME PLURALS (SEE BELOW).
The apostrophe shows where a letter or letters have been left out of a contracted verb:
am = I'm you are = you're she is = she's it is = it's

do not = don't she would = she'd he would have = he would've
let us = let's who is = who's she will = she'll they had = they'd
In possessives, the placement of the apostrophe depends on whether the noun that shows
possession is singular or plural
Generally, if the noun is singular, the apostrophe goes before the s.

Example: The witch's broom.
If the noun is plural, the apostrophe goes after the s

Example: The witches' brooms
Quotation marks
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/capitals.htm
USE QUOTATION MARKS [ “ ” ] TO SET OFF MATERIAL THAT REPRESENTS QUOTED OR SPOKEN LANGUAGE.
Quotation marks also set off the titles of things that do not normally stand by themselves: short
stories, poems, and articles.
Usually, a quotation is set off from the rest of the sentence by a comma; however, the
typography of quoted material can become quite complicated.
Examples:
The phrase "lovely, dark and deep" begins to suggest ominous overtones.
My father always said, "Be careful what you wish for."
Comma:
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/commas.htm
Use a comma to separate the elements in a series (three or more things), including the last
two.
Examples: "He hit the ball, dropped the bat, and ran to first base."
Use a comma + a little conjunction (and, but, for, nor, yet, or, so) to connect two independent
clauses.
Example: "He hit the ball well, but he ran toward third base."
Use a comma to set off introductory elements [phrases of 5+ words in MLA it would be used
after conjunctive adverbs, common transitions]
Examples:
Running toward third base, he suddenly realized how stupid he looked.
In conclusion, the three-minute method should be used.
Use a comma to set off parenthetical elements

Example "The Founders Bridge, which spans the Connecticut River, is falling down."
QUIZ ON PUNCTUATION MARKS:

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/quizzes/quotes_quiz.htm
Capitalization
The first words of a sentence

Examples: When he tells a joke, he sometimes forgets the punch line.
The pronoun "I"
Examples: The last time I visited Atlanta was several years ago.
Proper nouns (the names of specific people, places, organizations, and sometimes things)
Examples: Worrill Fabrication Company
Golden Gate Bridge
Supreme Court
Livingston, Missouri
Atlantic Ocean
Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Family relationships (when used as proper names)
Examples: I sent a thank-you note to Aunt Abby, but not to my other aunts.
Here is a present I bought for Mother; did he buy a present for his mother?
The names of God, specific deities, religious figures, and holy books
Example: God the Father
the Virgin Mary, Moses
the Bible, the Old Testament, the Torah
the Greek gods
Shiva
Buddha
Zeus
Titles preceding names, but not titles that follow names
Examples: She worked as the assistant to Mayor Hanolovi.
I was able to interview Miriam Moss, mayor of Littonville.
Directions that are names (North, South, East, and West when used as sections of the
country, but not as compass directions)
Examples: The Patels have moved to the Southwest.
Jim's house is two miles north of Otterbein.
The days of the week, the months of the year, and holidays (but not the seasons used
generally)
Examples: Friday, October, Halloween
but winter, spring, fall, summer
Exception: Seasons are capitalized when used in a title.
Example: The Fall 1999 semester
The names of countries, nationalities, and specific languages
Examples: Costa Rica
Spanish, French, English
The first word in a sentence that is a direct quote
Example: Emerson once said, "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds."
The major words in the titles of books, articles, and songs (but not short prepositions [of 5 or
fewer letters] or the articles "the," "a," or "an," if they are not the first word of the title)
Example: One of Jerry's favorite books is The Catcher in the Rye.
Members of national, political, racial, social, civic, and athletic groups
Examples: Chinese, Democrats, Anti-Semitic
African-Americans, Friends of the Wilderness, Green Bay Packers,
Periods and events (but not century numbers)
Examples: Victorian Era, Great Depression
Constitutional Convention
but sixteenth century
Trademarks
Examples: Pepsi, Honda, IBM, Microsoft Word
Words and abbreviations of specific names (but not names of things that came from specific
things but are now general types)
Examples: Freudian, UN, NBC
but not pasteurize, french fries, italics
Spelling http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/660/01/
www.greyorgray.com/100-most-commonly-misspelled-words.html
http://academic.cuesta.edu/acasupp/as/819.htm
Critical Terms About Writing to Know and Be Able to Apply
Vocabulary for Language Arts
Main idea – The main idea of a paragraph is what all sentences are about. After reading a
paragraph, ask, “What’s your point?” That will help you zero in on the main idea.
Introductory sentence – Introductory sentences are general sentences that open paragraphs
and precede the development sentences. Introductory sentences are not developed
throughout the paragraph.
Cohesion – Concerns that flow of sentences and paragraphs from one to another. It involves
the typing together of old information and new.
Sentence structure – The grammatical arrangement of words in sentences.

http://www.towson.edu/ows/sentencestruct.htm
Writing Styles – Descriptive, Analytical, Reflective
Patterns of Organization
• Time Order
• Comparison and/or Contrast
• Cause and Effect
• Definition and Example
• Classification
• Order of importance
• Problem-Solution
• Process
• Mixed Patterns
Point of View
• Objective Point of View: With the objective point of view, the writer tells what happens
without stating more than can be inferred from the story’s action and dialogue. The
narrator never discloses anything about what the characters think or feel, remaining a
detached observer.
• Third Person Point of View: There the narrator does not participate in the action of the
story as one of the characters, but lets us know exactly how the characters feel. We
learn about the characters through this outside voice.
• First Person Point of View: In the first person point of view, the narrator does
participate in the action of the story. When reading stories in the first person, we need
to realize that what the narrator is recounting might not be the objective truth. We
should question the trustworthiness of the accounting.
• Omniscient and Limited Omniscient Points of View: The narrator who knows everything
about all the characters is all knowing, or omniscient.
• Shift Point of View: A point of view shift is when the narrator of the story changes
positions or becomes non-existent. Consider a shift from first to third person. Instead
of saying “I” the narrator will say “He.” Point of view is often consistent in novels,
however, it is not very difficult or uncommon to change point of views. Sometimes the
author will change the point of view when the character has a flash back. Sometimes
the author will change the point of view… to focus on an event that does not directly
involve the main character(s). It can be a powerful literary tool.
Persuasive writing: The writer presents his or her opinion and tries to convince the reader to
agree. Here you’ll find help for writing a variety of persuasive essays.
Writer’s Purpose: To inform, persuade, or entertain
Tone: Position from which a writer addresses a topic to include beliefs, assumptions, and
biases.
Audience: Three categories of audience are the “lay” audience, the “Managerial” audience,
and the “experts.”
• Lay audience – has no special or expert knowledge. They connect with the
human interest aspect of articles. They usually need background information;
they expect more definition and description and they may want attractive
graphics or visuals.
• Managerial audience – may or may not have more knowledge than the lay
audience about the subject, but they need knowledge so they can make a
decision about the issue. Any background information, fact, statistics needed to
make a decision should be highlighted.
• Expert Audience – may be the most demanding audience in terms of knowledge,
presentation, and graphics or visuals. Experts are often “theorists” or
“practitioners.” For the expert audience, document formats are often elaborate
and technical, style and vocabulary may be specialized or technical, sour
citations are reliable and up-to-date, and documentation is accurate.
Persuasive Techniques: Repetition, reasons why, consistency, social proof, comparisons,

agitate & solve, prognosticate, go tribal, address objections, storytelling
Fallacies: Common errors in reasoning that will undermine the logic of your argument.
Fallacies can be either illegitimate arguments or irrelevant points, and are often identified
because they lack evidence that supports their claim.
Bias: One kind of bias is a strong opinion about something. You can be biased in favor of
something or biased against it. In either case, you may have some facts to support your
position, but a bias is based more on feelings and opinions than on facts. In some cases, bias
results from the person’s past experiences.
Symbolism: the "deeper meaning,” that the author is trying to convey to you. A simple example
would be writing about the Phoenix may be a symbol for reincarnation.
Imagery: Used in literature to refer to descriptive language that evokes sensory experience.
Such images can be created by using figures of speech such as similes, metaphors,
personification, and assonance. Imagery can also involve the use of relatable action words or
onomatopoeias that trigger images in the reader’s mind.
Metaphor: a figure of speech in which a term or phrase is applied to something to which it is

not literally applicable in order to suggest a resemblance, as in “A mighty fortress is our God.”
Type of Writing Author’s Purpose Point of View and Tone
Non-fiction
• News articles To inform, explain, give The author’s point of view
• Textbooks directions, illustrate, or and tone is primarily neutral.
• Biographies present information.
• Documentaries
• Technical Manuals
• Charts, graphs, tables
Persuasive Pieces To persuade by The point of view clearly

expressing an opinion to reflects the author’s attitude
• Editorials convince readers to about a subject. Sometimes
• Advertisements think/feel/act a certain the opinion is directly stated
• Campaign speeches way. and other times it is implied.
• Bumper stickers The author may try to
• Billboards convince readers by using
• Commercials tone to appeal to their
• Some charts and graphs feelings and/or values.
To illustrate a theme, The author may use

Fiction event, or story that characters or narrators to
• Short story conveys a mood. express attitudes in the
• Poetry Usually written to story. The tone might be
• Novels entertain. light and humorous or
• Drama serious and sad.
http://www.algebralab.org/lessons/lesson.aspx?file=Reading_AuthorsPurpose.xml

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