AEPA Test – What Other Websites Don’t Want You To Know…
AEPA Test Background and History
Before you crack open your AEPA test prep books and take a practice test questions, read the information below. This page outlines the development of the Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments.
It gives you solid paradigm for why the AEPA exam was created. Keep this framework in mind as you take AEPA practice test questions and read your study guides. It’ll help you prepare more efficiency and effectively.
Using the mindset,understanding the AEPA test information below will help you get more correct answers on your actual exam. And of course that’ll help support a passing AEPA score.
Providing a quality education for students has been a part of our nation’s mission since the first schools were established in the 17th Century. This is the mission of the AEPA test.
Ever since that time, the concept of “quality education” has been debated. In 1983, the U. S. Department of Education’s report A Nation at Risk was published to research the public’s perception that something was “seriously remiss” in our system of education.
The report round that “half of the newly employed math, English, and science teachers” were “not qualified to teach” their subjects. As a result, our entire nation moved toward standards-based education, with an emphasis on accountability.
In 1997, in an effort to ensure that all Arizona teachers had met the legislature passed ARS §15-533 (A). This law states that any person who wishes to teach in Arizona must “pass each component of the proficiency examination. . .[which] shall consist of only a professional knowledge test and a subject knowledge test.”
The Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments (AEPA test) originated from that legislation.
AEPA Exam Purpose and Rationale
How can we guarantee that every Arizona teacher is equipped to teach students in the 21st Century? A two-year study by the National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future published its findings in 1996. One of the study’s premises was this: “what teachers know and can do is the most important influence on what students learn.”
Today, researchers continue to seek the elements that create the “perfect educator.” In their article “The Impact of Quality Teachers on Student Achievement,” Donna Fong-Yee and Anthony H. Normore of Florida International University state “teachers do matter, and their cognitive ability and knowledge of the subject matter and of teaching and learning, licensure, and teaching behaviors in the classroom are related to teacher quality.”
Although AEPA tests do not guarantee success in the classroom, the purpose of the Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments, or AEPA exam, is to ensure that each certified Arizona educator has the knowledge necessary to enter the profession as a beginning teacher in public schools of our state.
Development and Creation of AEPA Tests
The AEPA test was originally developed as a cooperative effort between the Arizona State Board of Education and the Arizona Department of Education. National Evaluation Systems was hired to create the tests; since then, the NES (National Evaluation Service) has rewritten some of the AEPA tests.
The AEPA exam development process begins with the Arizona educator certification standards, curriculum materials, and content of Arizona’s educator preparation programs. Educators and college and university faculty members were randomly selected to review objectives in their fields of study.
Those reviewers then decided which objectives measured the most important knowledge and skills for Arizona teachers. Their input provided the basis for development of the AEPA exams and the NES tests accepted for certification by the State of Arizona. These AEPA tests continue to evolve with the standards and legislative action.
Links To AEPA Test Prep Tools And Tactics:
What AEPA Tests Are Required For Arizona Teacher Certification?
Candidates for Arizona teacher certification take at least two AEPA tests, one in professional knowledge and the other in specific subject area knowledge.
Exams are offered for the AEPA Early Childhood test (Birth to Grade 3 or age 8); elementary education grades 1-8; secondary education grades 6-12; and middle school subject area exams aimed specifically to certify teachers for grades 6-8 subjects (this is not a substitute for the secondary education test).
Arts education, special education and disabilities areas, reading endorsements, library media specialist tests and administrator exams are also offered.
The state of Arizona also requires teachers to have knowledge of the Constitutions of the United States and Arizona. Teachers may choose to fulfill this requirement by taking an AEPA exam.
AEPA Testing Fees
AEPA test costs vary: though most exams require a $95 fee, some are $120 and Early Childhood Professional Knowledge tests and Administrator tests are $130-$170. The length of time for AEPA tests varies also. The typical test ranges from 2 ½ to 4 hours, but be prepared for up to 5 hours for math certification.
Remember: there are at least two AEPA exams required, one of professional knowledge and one of pedagogical, or teaching knowledge. If you choose to take an exam to fulfill the requirement for the Arizona and US Constitutions requirement, the cost can be $300-$400, not counting the time involved. It is important to be well-prepared to pass these exams the first time.
The number of AEPA test questions ranges from 100-150. The AEPA Professional Knowledge and tests for foreign language teachers, principals, and superintendents include written assessments as well.
Raw score points are converted to a scale of 100-300, with scores of 220-240 typically considered passing scores. The tests are pass/fail. Realize that the questions are not easy.
Choosing the best AEPA study guide book is absolutely essential in order to complete a thorough review and not leave anything up to chance. The vast majority of veteran AEPA tutors and former test takers who passed recommend you get at least 3 or more AEPA books.
They claim the breadth of content knowledge required to pass if often only found across several AEPA test prep manuals.
Feedback and surveys from hundreds of seasoned AEPA test prep tutors and former Arizona teacher candidates who passed advise you to get and take AEPA practice test questions.
Why?…
Because Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments (AEPA test) world is full of Arizona teacher candidates with majors in the specific subject they want to teach in (and/or have studied for this assessment for 1-3 months), but can’t pass-the-AEPA exam…
AEPA test practice with realistic exam questions under simulated testing conditions will sharpen the test taking skills required to actually achieve a passing score and advance your career as an Arizona educator.
How To Register For The AEPA Test
The AEPA computer-based tests are offered regularly during the week, but they are offered at specific times and places. To register for any of the AEPA tests, teachers may register for an account at www.aepa.nesinc.com.
After registering, enter the type of test to see the choices for testing times, sites, and number of seats available.
AEPA testing accommodations can be requested for those who have disabilities, those who need more time to take the test, and nursing mothers.
Register for the AEPA exam as early as possible prior to the date of the desired site and time; then, file an Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form, which may also require other documentation. Because the form may take up to three weeks to process, it is important to plan for accommodations early.
Many AEPA exams are solely multiple choice, and the results are known immediately. Tests which have written components may take 2-6 weeks for results. However, AEPA results are not officially released for at least two weeks for any of the tests.
Go to: Powerhouse AEPA Prep Tools That Actually Help You Pass and Launch Your Arizona Teaching Career right now.
A Mini AEPA Test Study Guide For Each Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments
Let’s face it: you want to pass the Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments and start living your passion as Arizona teacher – but you’re not sure the best way to get from point A to B.
You know that you should focus your AEPA study on what content knowledge and teacher competencies are required by the the Arizona Department of Education. This educator exam administered by Pearson Education, inc and Evaluations Systems measures your content knowledge in several critical areas.
Always start your AEPA test preparation with areas of test you’re the lowest in. That’s where small inputs of time will yield you the greatest amount of outputs in terms of exam score increases. Discipline yourself to do your prep on the subjects you dislike and are not comfortable with and a passing score will be yours.
Use the cheat-sheet below as a quick reference during your study and practice to stay on track. Just think of it as a roadmap to your exam success – one that takes you past all those hurdles and helps you master the required test content.
Each time before you start studying, make a list of 3 main objectives or areas of the exam you will cover intensely.
Below you’ll find a comprehensive review and content breakdown of each Arizona Teacher Certification Exam. These are designed to help you focus your study so you can make the most of your limited prep time.
Let’s get started!
Use This To Improve Your AEPA Exam Preparation
Before we begin de-mystifying these Arizona teaching exams, it’s important to note that we’ve included test score percentages and number of questions whenever possible.
This will help you to decide what content areas you should be focusing on, especially if they make up a large percentage of your overall test score.
With that in mind, let’s begin.
Professional Knowledge (Early Childhood) : This paper-based exam contains 100 multiple-choice questions, three written performance responses, and will take four hours to complete.
You will be tested on the following four competencies: Foundations of Early Childhood Education (28%); Promoting Child Development and Learning (36%); Child Guidance and Inclusive Learning Communities (18%); and Family and Community Relationships (18%).
Assessment of Professional Knowledge (Elementary) : This test contains 100 multiple-choice questions, one case study assignment, and one work product written assignment. The test will take three hours to take, and you should expect to receive a minimum raw score of 220 out of 300 in order to pass this exam.
You will be tested on three competencies, which include: Student Development and Learning (24%); Assessment, Instruction, and the Learning Environment (40%; another 10% will be devoted to the case study); and The Professional Environment (16%; another 10% will be devoted to the work product).
Assessment of Professional Knowledge (Secondary) : This AEPA test contains 100 multiple-choice questions, one case study assignment, and one work product written assignment (think of it like an essay). The test will take three hours to take, and you should expect to achieve a minimum raw score of 220 out of 300 in order to pass this exam.
You will be tested on three competencies, which include: Student Development and Learning (24%); Assessment, Instruction, and the Learning Environment (40%; another 10% will be devoted to the case study); and The Professional Environment (16%; another 10% will be devoted to the work product, or the essay).
Elementary Education : This computer-based exam contains 100 multiple-choice questions and one written performance assignment. The test will take approximately four hours to complete, and you should expect to receive a minimum score of 220 out of 300 in order to pass this exam.
Future teachers should expect to be tested on the following five competencies: Language Arts (25%); Mathematics (21%); Science (21%); Social Studies (21%); and The Arts (12%).
Early Childhood Education: This computer-based exam contains 100 multiple-choice questions and one written performance assignment. The test will take approximately four hours to complete, and you should expect to receive a minimum score of 220 out of 300 in order to pass this exam.
Future Arizona teachers can expect to be tested on the following three competencies: Child Development and Learning (24%); Communication, Language, and Literacy Development (38%); and Learning in the Content Areas (38%).
Basic Skills : This AEPA examination contains 126 multiple-choice questions and one written performance assignment. This test will take approximately four hours to take and will be a paper-based exam.
You will be tested in three competency areas, which include the following: Reading Comprehension (42 questions); Mathematics (42 questions); and Writing (42 questions and one essay).
All sections will make up a little over 33% of your final test score. You should expect to get a minimum of 220 out of 300 in order to pass this exam.
More Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments ‘Quick Reference’ Material
Biology : This Arizona teacher certification exam contains 100 multiple-choice questions and one written performance assignment. The test will take approximately four hours to complete, and you should expect to receive a minimum score of 220 out of 300 in order to pass this exam.
Future Biology teachers will be tested on the following six competencies: Scientific Inquiry (22%); Cells and Cell Theory (16%); Characteristics of Organisms (16%); Human Biology (13%); Principles of Heredity (16%); and Matter and Energy in Ecosystems (17%).
Chemistry : This exam contains 100 multiple-choice questions and one written performance assignment. The test will take approximately four hours to complete, and you should expect to receive a minimum score of 220 out of 300 in order to pass this exam.
Future Chemistry teachers will be tested on the following five competencies: Scientific Inquiry (23%); Matter and Atomic Structure (23%); Energy, Chemical Bonds, and Molecular Structure (20%); Chemical Reactions (19%); and Quantitative Relationships (15%).
Physics : This paper-based Arizona educator exam contains 100 multiple-choice questions, one written performance response, and will take four hours to complete. You should expect to receive a raw score of 220 out of 300 in order to become a certified Physics teacher in the state of Arizona.
You should expect to be tested on the following five competencies: Scientific Inquiry (19%); Mechanics and Heat Energy (36%); Electricity and Magnetism (15%); Waves, Sound, and Light (15%); and Quantum Theory and the Atom (15%).
Earth Science: This paper-based exam contains 100 multiple-choice questions and one written performance assignment. The test will take approximately four hours to complete, and you should expect to receive a minimum score of 220 out of 300 in order to pass this exam.
Future Earth Science teachers can expect to be tested on the following five competencies: Characteristics of Science (22%); Origin and Evolution of the Earth System (17%); Geologic Materials, Processes, and Cycles (22%); The Hydrosphere and the Atmosphere (22%); and Astronomy (17%).
Middle Grades General Science : This paper-based Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments exam contains 100 multiple-choice questions, one written performance response, and will take four hours to complete.
You should expect to receive a raw score of 220 out of 300 in order to become a certified Middle Grades General Science teacher in the state of Arizona.
Future certified teachers can expect to be tested on the following four competencies: Characteristics of Science (20%); Life Science (25%); Physical Science (30%); and Earth and Space Science (25%).
Mathematics : This paper-based exam contains 100 multiple-choice questions, one written performance response, and will take four hours to complete.
You should expect to receive a raw score of 220 out of 300 in order to become a certified Math teacher in the state of Arizona.
Future certified teachers can expect to be tested on the following six competencies: Number Sense (14%); Data Analysis and Probability (14%); Patterns, Algebra, and Functions (18%); Geometry and Measurement (18%); Trigonometry and the Conceptual Foundations of Calculus (18%); Mathematical Structure and Logic (18%).
More Preparation Outlines For Arizona Teaching Examinations
English : This paper-based exam contains 100 multiple-choice questions, one written performance response, and will take four hours to complete.
You should expect to receive a raw score of 220 out of 300 in order to become a certified English teacher in Arizona. You will be tested on the following four competencies: Reading (33%); Writing (34%); Listening and Speaking (22%); Viewing and Presenting (11%).
Middle Grades Language Arts and Reading : This paper-based Arizona educator exam contains 100 multiple-choice questions, one written performance response, and will take four hours to complete.
You should expect to receive a raw score of 220 out of 300 in order to become a certified Middle Grades Language Arts and Reading teacher in the state of Arizona.
Future certified teachers can expect to be tested on the following four competencies: Reading Process and Comprehension (35%); Writing Process, Conventions, and Applications (35%); Listening and Speaking (18%); and Viewing and Presenting (12%).
Health: This paper-based exam contains 100 multiple-choice questions, one written performance response, and will take four hours to complete. You should expect to receive a raw score of 220 out of 300 in order to become a certified Geography teacher in Arizona.
You will be tested on the following six competencies: Personal Health (19%); Healthy Interpersonal Relationships (18%); Community Health (15%); Accessing Health-Related Information (15%); Health-Related Skills and Behaviors (15%); Health-Related Physical Fitness (18%).
Spanish : This paper-based AEPA test contains 55 multiple-choice questions, one written expression performance assignment, and one oral expression performance assignment. This test will take about four hours to complete, and you’ll need to achieve a minimum score of 220 out of 300 in order to pass this exam.
You will be quizzed on the following competencies: Listening Comprehension (16%); Reading and Vocabulary (29%); Language Structures (22%); Cultural Understanding (16%); Foreign Language Methodology (16%); Written Expression and Oral Expression.
A Wrap-Up Of AEPA Practice Breakdowns
Social Studies : This exam contains 100 multiple-choice questions and one written performance assignment. The test will take approximately four hours to complete, and you should expect to receive a minimum score of 220 out of 300 in order to pass this exam.
You should expect to be tested on the following six competencies: American History (23%); World History (23%); Civics and Government (16%); Geography (16%); Economics (13%); and Social Studies Skills (10%).
Geography: This paper-based exam contains 100 multiple-choice questions, one written performance response, and will take four hours to complete.
You should expect to receive a raw score of 220 out of 300 in order to become a certified Geography teacher in Arizona. You will be tested on the following four competencies: Geographic Concepts and Skills (25%); World Geography (34%); United States and Arizona Geography (25%); Contemporary Issues and Future Trends (16%).
History : This paper-based Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments examination contains 100 multiple-choice questions, one written performance response, and will take four hours to complete.
You should expect to receive a raw score of 220 out of 300 in order to become a certified History teacher in Arizona. You’ll be tested on the following three competencies: Concepts and Skills (17%); World History (45%); and United States and Arizona History (38%).
Constitutions of the United States and Arizona : This paper-based exam contains 100 multiple-choice questions and will take four hours to complete.
You should expect to receive a minimum raw score of 220 out of 300 in order to pass this exam. You will be tested on both the U.S. Constitution and the Arizona Constitution, which count for 60% and 40% of your exam score, respectively.
Economics: This paper-based AEPA exam contains 100 multiple-choice questions and one written performance assignment. The test will take approximately four hours to complete, and you should expect to receive a minimum score of 220 out of 300 in order to pass this exam.
Future Arizona teachers can expect to be tested on the following four competencies: Basic Economic Concepts and Microeconomics (28%); Macroeconomics, Economic Theories and International Economics (36%); Economic Inquiry (18%); and Consumer Economics (18%).
Get More Study Help For Your Preparation
Now that you have the official NESINC breakdowns you need to succeed, it’s time to start working on that Arizona educator certification. Get the most effective AEPA practice tests and study guides available.
Go to: A Step-By-Step Blueprint I Used To Pass The AEPA Test right now.
Author: Mark Dahlson