Has anyone taken this test recently? It's all I have left for certification as admin. I have the ets study guide and was wondering what else I might study? Thanks.
I took it today. I used the ETS study guide, and I also googled SLLA practice tests and took any that I could find online. A friend of mine bought the online practice exam ($20 through ETS). It is the same format as the test. A lot of it is common sense...I had an hour left after finishing the multiple choice...that extra time does not roll over to your written response time. I only had 5 minutes remaining when I finished the constructed response section.
Thanks. I signed up to take it in March. I am not worried about M/C section- just the CR. There is so little time to write 7 CR! I am currently reading a couple of book to prepare. One is on ethical issues in education, another is on dealing with difficult teachers. The final one is Marzano's book on effective supervision. Just want the terminology to be fresh in my mind.
I took this yesterday and thought I would post some thoughts while it was fresh in my mind. The multiple choice section was not bad at all. Lots of common sense stuff if you have been in education a while. There were one or two really specific and obscure questions, but that was about the hardest it got. I had plenty of time left for the M/C section. I finished with almost an hour left over. You do not get a score when you complete this section so you have no idea how you did on the first part when you start the second. I wish they did show you a score for that section. The essay section was tougher with such a short time to write 7 responses. It doesn't give you a lot of time to think and reflect, you just have to answer. I read all of the essays and then went back and worked on the easy ones first. I saved the data ones for last and I saved 45 minutes for those 3 questions, which was the right choice. I needed every second of that time and finished with 23 seconds left over. I'll get my results in 3 weeks but I feel fairly confident I passed. I need a 160 in my state. I guess I will know for sure in 3 weeks time.
I am getting ready to take this test this week. I took the practice test that you can pay for. I am having a hard time trying to decide if my score will be passing. I only scored 77 out of 100 on the multiple choice, and the constructed responses - you had to score yourself against a rubric. I am worried - did any of you who have passed find a better "prep" source? How does a 121 point test turn into a scaled score between 100-200?
A certain percentage of your score comes from the multiple choice and the rest from the essays. I think it's 70/30 but I cannot remember for sure. You will want to score as high as you possibly can in the multiple choice. The time for the essays goes by so fast. You really won't have time to do any quality writing, just get your ideas down as fast as you can.
So, it's possible to bomb the CR section, but still "pass" from doing well on multiple choice section?
Depends on your state's passing score, but since a majority of your points come from m/c it is more important to do well there. I needed 160 to pass in my state. I scored 179 with a majority of my points coming from m/c. I did well on some essays and not great in others. The time for the essays is so limited, I really could have used more time to write.
I need a 163 for DC. Now that you have taken the test, do you have any study tips? I plan on taking it in either July or August.
Know your standards and what they mean. Answer all questions as if you were a principal, not a teacher. Always remember to consult all stakeholders. I did buy a practice test from Exam Edge and I found it helpful. Some of their questions were on pretty obscure things, so don't worry about those questions. Focus on the ones that link to the standards and research anything you don't know. Practice writing short essays. Give yourself only 10 minutes per essay and that includes thinking time. That's about all you will have on test day and it's good to have practiced within the time limits.
Seven responses? Don't call them "essays": don't introduce, don't conclude, don't try to write pretty. Lead with your conclusion, then bullet-list the evidence and reasoning that got you there, using the technical terminology of school leadership where it's appropriate and defining only those terms that you're asked to define.
Let me add that, where a test or subtest gives just one scaled score, one passes or doesn't pass the whole thing. Bombing the constructed responses won't necessarily fail you, but doing well on the constructed responses can pay off - and, unlike multiple choice questions, constructed responses can be given partial credit.
I borrowed them from a friend and have already returned them, so I don't have the titles to give you. Check out your public library's education section. I did find some helpful books there on testing and on the role of the principal.
I am preparing to take my SLLA as well. How long did you study for the exam? (weeks/months) Any hints on answering the constructed response questions? Thanks
Most states have a passing score in the 160s. TN and Kentucky are the lowest with a passing score of 160. Lots of others are 163 or 165. The highest passing score is 169 and that is in MS, I believe.
Yes I am catching it no I made a 161 both times tried to get license in Tennessee but you have to have went through a school with administration preparation program it's just so frustrating not to mention they no longer have that long study guide they replaced it with a real simulated practice computer test.
Yes, you have to do the classes as well. There is no test-only option in TN. You cancomplete a program in another state, and they do accept it though. I completed my program in MA and passed the test in TN and have my cert now. Just need an admin job now!
I did my specialist in education leadership at walden they said something in Tennessee that I needed an recommendation form from the school or something.
Yup. I had to get my program in MA to sign off that I had completed their admin program. It was pretty easy though.
What school were you in. I did my online at walden and they was like we can't sign that they sent a letter saying that I had completed and everything I think it was just the person that was doing my application.
I completed my degree at Fitchburg State Univ. it wasn't online. The program director was very happy to sign off on the form from the state.
I have taken that slla twice I wonder is it universal did you have questions on there. I have seen some questions appear twice on previous test and current. Did you have a strategy how did you study.
SLLA has existed for years, so it wouldn't be surprising to find multiple versions of it. In any case, we don't share actual specific test questions here on A to Z: test companies do monitor sites like this to ensure that actual questions aren't being publicized and shared, and the companies can and do take action against people who do share actual questions.
jdubb- I guess I am confused. You said you applied for licensure in TN and you had the passing score on the test, but they turned you down. It seems like you don't need to take the test again, you need to take the classes with an accredited university so that you can get the certification. I'm not sure what taking the test again will get you, unless you plan to apply in another state that requires a higher score. I would imagine that any state you apply in will need those classes too. Maybe you can find a university that will accept some of your online classes so that you only have to take a few more. I did see your post before it was edited and I will say that my test was different. I did not have a question like that. I think there are several versions of the test and you get different scenarios for the CR section depending on when you take it.
Yes that thought crossed my mind this morning I thinking about enrolling in Grand Canyon just take a class to say that I am enrolled so I can get a license once I do that I can transfer it to any state I just need a school to sign off on that form. Not trying to get another degree because I have a specialist already.
The TN form says that the school has to be willing to sign off on this statement: Note to recommending agency: By signing below, you are indicating that the above stated individual has met the currently approved expectations and requirements for a preparation program approved in Tennessee for licensure of instructional leaders/administrators (SBE Rule 0520-02-03). In addition, you certify, to the best of your knowledge, that the individual is at least 18 years of age and possesses good moral character (Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-5-101). If you haven't taken the required classes for admin degree with them, very few schools are going to want to sign that statement. I'm not sure any online school will. They are certifying that they prepared you and that their preparation meets the TN standards for certification. Was your degree in Ed Admin or another area?
I know for an ILLA you just have to be enrolled in a preparation program. But I guess just need to suck it up and find a pattern study aggressive and pass it here but it's hard when your state has the highest passing score.
You are only 8 points off the highest passing score required, so you are close. You are going to want to get as many points as possible in both sections. Do you have the 2009 SLLA study guide? Its a great place to start. If you don't, I can email it to you. A friend emailed it to me, which is how I got it. Not sure you can get it online anywhere anymore. It's helpful.
Yeah I have just need to split my time studying between the constructed responses and multiple choice questions always believe third time is a charm.
And I tell you another problem I have with the ets series I wish they tell you how many questions you needed to answer right to pass I actually called and they still couldn't give me an answer. I don't understand their calculations a 100 questions 7 cr just need the calculations.
Be advised that, at least in California, you have a different type of credential from completing a program vs. taking the test. A few places I applied only accepted credentials from completing actual admin programs. I don't actually know any working site administrators who took the test.
So you saying in California all you have to do is complete an admin program and you don't have to take the SLLA. I know states like Texas and Georgia have their own test Georgia will honor your license while Texas gives you one year to pass their test.
