EIU History-Teacher Licensure

Content Test Information and Links

In order to be approved for student teaching, you are required to take and pass the Content Test in your area of concentration. For History with Teacher Licensure in Social Science, that is the Social Science: History test (#246). Official passing scores must be on file at EIU for approval, and it usually takes 3-4 weeks for official scores to be received after you take the test. If you do not pass the test, you are required to wait two weeks before re-taking. This means that we strongly advise that students attempt the content test at least three months prior to when your student teaching will begin. So if you will student teach in spring term, you should register and take the content test by October 1 the previous fall. Students seeking endorsements in other areas are required to pass those content tests as well. This includes endorsements in geography, economics, political science, psychology, and sociology-anthropology.

For information about the testing process, see http://www.il.nesinc.com/. For test info and study guides, see http://www.il.nesinc.com/TestView.aspx?f=HTML_FRAG/IL246_PrepMaterials.html. For the history framework, see https://www.il.nesinc.com/Content/Docs/IL_fld246_FW.pdf. You may take a helpful online interactive practice guide through ILTS for $29.95 and/or use a free e-book preparation guide via Booth Library at https://i-share.carli.illinois.edu/vf-eiu/Record/EIUdb.1571627. (If the link doesn’t work, type ILTS 246 in the Booth Library catalog.) Class notes may also help—particularly from survey courses—as may survey textbooks. Some review will also take place in SOS 3400 and in stand-alone preparation workshops offered by the Social Science Teaching Coordinator.