The New York State Teacher Certification Exams program (NYSTCE) was designed for teachers in New York State to ensure proficiency in specific educational areas. The NYSTCE Music exam is designed for prospective music teachers in the state of New York.
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NYSTCE Music Exam Outline
The NYSTCE Music exam contains 90 selected-response questions and one constructed-response question, and you will be given a time limit of 3 hours and 15 minutes.
The exam is split into five competencies:
1. Listening Skills (20%)
The questions in this competency are designed to assess your knowledge and skills pertaining to the following:
- Aural knowledge of characteristics, styles, and genres of music of the world
- Aural knowledge of musical characteristics and masterworks of composers in the Western tradition from all time periods
- Aural knowledge of major US composers and their works
- Aural recognition of voice types, instruments, vocal ensembles, and instrumental ensembles
- Melodic and harmonic elements in a musical recording
- Temporal and expressive elements in a musical recording
- Form and texture in a musical recording
- Error detection in a musical recording
2. Music Theory (20%)
The questions in this competency are designed to assess your knowledge and skills pertaining to the following:
- Music notation and nonstandard notation
- Melody and harmony
- Time-related elements
- Composing, arranging, and improvising
3. Music Performance (20%)
The questions in this competency are designed to assess your knowledge and skills pertaining to the following:
- Scientific principles of sound
- Principles of singing
- String, keyboard, brass, percussion, and woodwind instruments
- Guitar, ukulele, hand drums, recorder, and various other instruments
- Various types, ranges, and characteristics of instrumental, vocal, and classroom ensembles
- Conducting
4. Cultural Understanding and Historical Context (20%)
The questions in this competency are designed to assess your knowledge and skills pertaining to the following:
- Music of the world
- The development of Western music from the medieval era to 1750
- The development of Western music from 1750 to the present
- Music from the United States and the Americas
- Purposes of music in society
- The relation of music to other art forms and academic disciplines
5. Pedagogical Content Knowledge (20%)
This competency contains the only constructed-response question on the exam. You will be asked to write a short analysis of design instruction that helps students achieve a specific learning goal.
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Exam Registration
To register for the NYSTCE Music exam, you will need to create an NYSTCE account online and complete the registration process there. It is recommended that you complete the registration process at least 30 days before you take the exam.
During this process, you will be asked some questions about your educational history, as well as your current education level, first language, matriculation status, and the education code for the NYC Department of Education program type you are associated with.
The examination fee is $122.
Test Day
On testing day, you should arrive at the testing center about 30 minutes earlier than the scheduled exam time. Once you arrive, you will be asked to sign in and provide a valid form of government-issued photo ID.
Before the exam begins, you will be asked to place all personal items (cell phone, keys, wallet, bags, etc.) in a locker outside the testing room, or you may be asked to leave them in your car.
Once the test begins, you will be allowed to take breaks. However, the timer will not be stopped during your break, so use your break time carefully.
How the Exam is Scored
Your total NYSTCE Music score is based on the number of questions you answered correctly, which is then reported as a numerical figure in the range of 400-600. To pass the exam, you must achieve a scaled score of 520.
You should receive your test results roughly 2-4 weeks after taking the exam. When you receive your score report, you will see your total score, your pass/fail status, and your scores for each subarea of the test.
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FAQs
Q
How many questions are on the NYSTCE Music exam?
A
There are 91 questions on this exam.
Q
How long is the NYSTCE Music exam?
A
The time limit for this exam is 3 hours and 15 minutes.
Q
What is the passing score for the NYSTCE Music exam?
A
To pass this exam, you must achieve a minimum scaled score of 520.
Q
How much does the NYSTCE Music exam cost?
A
The examination fee is $122.
