ICTS Passing Requirements

An individual's performance on a test is evaluated against an established standard. The passing score for each test, established by ISBE, is based on the professional judgments and recommendations of Illinois educators regarding the acceptable level of performance for educators.

ISBE periodically reviews passing scores. The required total test scores may be changed as a result of Board action. Examinees will be advised via their score reports of any change to the passing requirement.

All test scores are reported using a range from 100 to 300 with a total test score of 240 or higher required for passing.

The Basic Skills Test

Effective September 2010, the Basic Skills test is now scored as four independent subtests. Under the new test design and score reporting model, to pass the Basic Skills test, you must now 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 Basic Skills test until you receive a passing score on each of the four subtests. Please note that individual subarea scaled scores from Basic Skills tests taken prior to September 11, 2010, cannot be used to fulfill this new requirement.

The Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP)

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. Note that if you have passed one or more Basic Skills subtests after September 11, 2010, the passing score(s) will count toward the passing of the TAP.

Test Scores for Certification

Passing scores for all ICTS tests may be accepted as part of an application for certification for up to ten years. The ten-year period will be calculated from the date the test was taken and passed to the date of receipt of the application by ISBE. Except as provided below, scores more than ten years old will not be accepted as part of an application.

• An individual who has taken and passed the Basic Skills test or the Test of Academic Proficiency as a requirement for admission to an Illinois-approved educator preparation program will not need to retake the test when applying for a certificate.
• An individual who has taken and passed the Basic Skills test or the Test of Academic Proficiency and has been issued a certificate on the basis of those test scores after July 1, 1988, does not need to retake the Basic Skills test or the Test of Academic Proficiency when seeking a subsequent certificate.

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