Test Design and 
Test Framework

Field 305: Elementary Education left paren Grades 1 to 6 right paren

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The test design below describes general test information. The framework that follows is a detailed outline that explains the knowledge and skills that this test measures.

Test Design

Format Computer-based test (CBT)
Number of Questions 150 multiple-choice questions
Time* 4 hours
Passing Score 240

*Does not include 15-minute CBT tutorial

Test Framework

Pie chart of approximate test weighting outlined in the table below.



Test Subarea Number of Test Objectives Number of Scorable Items Number of Non-Scorable Items subarea weight as percent of total test score
Subarea 1—Language and Literacy 6 31 8 26 percent
Subarea 2—Mathematics 6 31 8 26 percent
Subarea 3—Science 3 15 4 13 percent
Subarea 4—Social Science 3 15 4 13 percent
Subarea 5—Fine Arts 2 11 2 9 percent
Subarea 6—Physical Development and Health 3 15 4 13 percent
Totals 23 120 30 100 percent

Subarea 1—Language and Literacy

Objective 0001—Understand foundations of research-based literacy instruction and assessment and apply knowledge of emergent literacy development.

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Objective 0002—Apply knowledge of decoding and fluency development.

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Objective 0003—Apply knowledge of development in vocabulary, academic language, and reading comprehension.

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Objective 0004—Apply knowledge of skills and approaches for developing comprehension and analysis of literary and informational texts.

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Objective 0005—Apply knowledge of writing development and the writing process.

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Objective 0006—Apply knowledge of the development of speaking and listening skills.

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Subarea 2—Mathematics

Objective 0007—Apply knowledge of college algebra and statistics.

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Objective 0008—Apply knowledge of the mathematics curriculum and strategies for teaching counting and cardinality, numbers, and operations in base ten.

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Objective 0009—Apply knowledge of properties of numbers and operations involving fractions and strategies for teaching these concepts to students.

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Objective 0010—Apply knowledge of operations and algebraic thinking and strategies for teaching these concepts to students.

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Objective 0011—Apply knowledge of measurement and data and strategies for teaching these concepts to students.

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Objective 0012—Apply knowledge of geometry and strategies for teaching geometry concepts to students.

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Subarea 3—Science

Objective 0013—Understand the interrelationships among science, technology, and society.

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Objective 0014—Understand the use of scientific investigations and inquiry skills and apply principles and procedures, including safety practices, related to the design and implementation of scientific investigations.

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Objective 0015—Understand the fundamental concepts, principles, and interconnections of the life sciences, the physical sciences, and Earth and space sciences.

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Subarea 4—Social Science

Objective 0016—Understand the structures and functions of government; the rights and responsibilities of citizenship in the United States; and the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary for successful participation in civic life.

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Objective 0017—Understand the interrelationships of economic and political principles, concepts, and systems and their relationship to historical and contemporary developments in Illinois, the United States, and the world.

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Objective 0018—Understand major principles, concepts, and phenomena of geography, sociology, and culture and the interrelationships between people and their environment.

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Subarea 5—Fine Arts

Objective 0019—Understand historical, cultural, and societal contexts for the arts (visual arts, music, drama, dance) and the interrelationships among the arts.

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Objective 0020—Understand concepts, techniques, and materials related to the visual arts, music, drama, and dance and how to provide students with learning opportunities that encourage them to express themselves through the arts.

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Subarea 6—Physical Development and Health

Objective 0021—Understand fundamental concepts, principles, and practices related to movement, sports, and team-building skills and the role of physical activity in promoting students' personal, social, and cognitive development.

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Objective 0022—Understand the systems of the human body; health-related and skill-related fitness components, concepts, and practices; and interrelationships between fitness and body systems.

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Objective 0023—Understand principles and practices related to personal, family, and community health and safety and ways to provide students with knowledge and skills that will help them make sound health-related decisions.

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