For the summary I wrote 3 paragraphs. I was rushed because I had 30 minutes on each one. When I look over the study guides the vcla has, I notice they only have a 3 paragraph summary essay. For their essay I do see 5 paragraph, but for each study guide they use a different format. I use introduction (hook, state both sides, thesis with my three topic points). Then I use my 3 topic points for my 3 body paragraphs. (First, Furthermore, Finally.... in those 3 paragraphs to explain my points I use, for example, for instance and for example.) Then for my conclusion I state the counterclaim, restate the thesis, and my if, then statement. Hopefully they like it enough that I get a 219 or higher. I pray everyday about it. I need this done before the 30th....
Thank you CiscoKid88. I will keep those formats handy. I just felt really confident and to get that score really put me down. I am also shocked that I only got a 243 on my Reading when I got a 80% for my unofficial grade. Live and learn, I guess. Thank you again for your input. Very helpful! I hope you get the score you need or more!! Good luck to you. So do I need a passing score of 235 or do I need a 227 to get a passing since I got a 243 from Reading?
Those formats are what my wife told and taught me. We are both high school teachers. I am certified in special ed and social studies. My wife is certified in English. She used those formats when she took her vcla test ages ago. I totally agree with you. I got a 74 my second try and I scaled a 212.... I hope and pray I get the score I need... Thank you. So you need a total of 470, therefore, you only need a 227 or higher on your writing subtest. You will have 4 hours to complete the writing. Hopefully, that is enough to get you through it. You got this! I know that feeling... I thought a 74 was high enough to get a 219. I don’t get how they compute the scores. My wife and I both got the same raw score on reading, however, she scaled a 274 and I scaled a 251.. My wife got a raw score of an 80% in writing and she scaled a 264..
Thank you. I am glad I get 4 hours to completed the Writing Exam. This should give me plenty of time. My sister was an English Teacher for 8th grade, but not she is a Librarian. I should of went to her at the beginning to get tips but life has been busy with two kids. I am down to the wire now so I will need to contact her. I am going to print off some topic questions and practice. I will see if my sister can review them and give me some pointers on how to improve. I was really hoping that 80% on Reading would help me in the Writing test. I guess certain questions are weighted more therefore scores are different than what we think. I know we both can do it, we have good support around us and we both really want this! Good luck!!
https://www.va.nesinc.com/PageView.aspx?f=GEN_VCLAPractice.html This is what I focused on before I took the writing test a second time. I ended up going from a 206 scaled score to a 230 because of the writing examples. The reasons for the increase is because I had way more time to focus on the essays that you should parrot after the practice tests in the link. I think you got a 191 more because of getting a 60% on the questions that were graded by the computer. That was already not in your favor and might have not allowed you to be able to make up for the 60% on the essays. Regardless, you will pass the second time and make sure to use the provided link to look at the PDF files.
Having read all of the previous posts on this thread and I was wondering if someone could give me some insight if I may have gotten lucky enough to pass. I just took my VCLA Test today and I received the following scores: Reading = 77% Writing = 68% (I completed all the written assignments)
I got my score!!!!! 77% on writing with 3’s on the summary and persuasive essay scaled to a 238! Just in time too. Monday all my paperwork will be sent off to the VDEO. So, goodbye provisional and hello license! My advice, stay on topic for the persuasive essay. For the summary answer the following: who, what, when, where, why, and how. Combined scores for both subtest was a 489. I will be duel certified in Social Studies 6-12 and Special Education K-12. If you have any question do not hesitate to ask. Third time in the writing was the charm lol!
Congratulations! I’m so excited for you! I remember when I finally cleared my preliminary (provisional 5-year license in CA) credential. I jumped for joy and danced about the room because I was finally finished. Isn’t it great being official?! Again, congrats!
Thanks Ash G I hope I scored enough to pass. I have looked at everything I could find to see if I may have passed. Does the writing % include my sentence corrections and do you know how the essays are scored does it add additional points. Thanks for your help!!!!!
I don't think the sentence corrections are taken into account with the percentage. I'm not a 100% on that and you should maybe go onto the VCLA website to check that out. The essays are scored on a 1 to 4 star scale. There are two graders that grade the essays to make sure there isn't a variance from grader to grader. Everything is taken into account I believe when they give you your score from 1 to 4. After each category is scored from 1 to 4 you will get a scaled score. The scaled scores are from 100 to 300. You just need a 470 scaled score combined to pass. For you to pass I think your essays have to be top notch to make up for the lower multiple choice percentages. It will be close I think but don't stress over it. It's handed in and you can't change the past. I had to do a re-take on the writing and I passed because I had plenty of time to finish the one test. Hang in there!!!!
I got my scores back last night and passed the Reading part with a 248 (77%) but didn't the Writing part 200 (68%). I was wondering if anyone knew of any places / sources that may help me be better prepared for the writing part the 2nd time around.
Read my post above and you should be all set. Now you will have 4 hours to complete the writing which will give you plenty of time to finish.
I am new to the site. On the Reading, I got a score of 243 (it was 80%, passed by 8 points), and I just took the VCLA Writing Subtest with a raw score of 68%. I was not able to finish the short summary and the essay. Since English is my second language, I don’t think I could get better score even I take it again..Can I take the VCLA Reading Subtest again to help the Writing Subtest score? I’m sure I won’t pass the Writing subtest at this time…. Does anyone know if I can still take the Reading subtest again? Thank you for your response…
Yes, you can take the Reading and Writing Tests again but I don't think you should take the Reading Test again. You already have passed with a decent score on the Reading Test. If you only take the Writing Test you now will have 4 hours to take the exam instead of 2 hours increasing your odds of passing the second time. I had a similar situation as you and took the Writing Test by itself. I got a 230 on the Writing Test the second time because I had more time to get through the test and I was able to proofread my essays. I hope this helps. Tchau
Thank you for the response Ash G, it is great to know retaking Reading test is possible with passing score. I took the Reading Test on early May and the Writing test in the last week (took them separately to have more time), so planning to retake the Reading test soon if the Writing score is less than 227 (Still waiting for the Writing score) Thank you for your help again Ash G! Hope I scored enough to pass..
That is awesome! Congratulations I just took my writing exam today and got an unofficial score of 82%. I used the format that Ash G showed your tips and also reached out to an English teacher for tips/advice. I feel more confident about this exam. I will let you know what my final score is. Again, congratulations!
Here are the results of my first round of VCLA testing from June 2018: Reading = 248 (77%) = Passed WOOHOO Writing = 200 (68%) (Summary & Essays Completed) I took the written test over today and received a score of 77%. I completed all of the summary and essay parts. I felt I did a better job this time around on the summary and essay responses. I was wondering if I scored at least a 220 based on my results from today. Thanks!!!!!!!!!
You're going to want at least a 222 based off of your reading score because you need a 470 overall to pass. Based off what you scored on the writing I think you should get passed the 222 mark. There is a post on this thread where I put down my scores. I believe I got a 71% on the multiple choice part and it scaled to a score of 230 the second time I took the writing. Keep us posted when you receive the score and may the odds be in your favor.
I ended up with a 226 on my writing exam. I needed a 227. I missed it by ONE point. I am so disappointed! I am going to request a rescore in hopes there is something that can be changed to improve my score.
I'm very surprised by a 226 scaled score based off an unofficial score of 82%. I guess you can try a rescore but I heard it most likely won't change. I would just take it again and really focus on the essays.
I was very surprised. When I saw 82% as an unofficial score, I really thought I would get a higher score than what I received. I figured it wouldn’t hurt to get a rescore. I know it cost but if nothing changes the outcome than I will take it again. I have plenty of time to retake it again. I will focus more on my essays, since that seems to be where I need more improvement. I took the reading exam a few months ago and got an unofficial score of 80% and it ended up being a 243. I was kind of shocked by that score as I thought it would be a little higher. I know that some questions are weighed different. I really felt confident in my essays and not passing especially by one point is stressful and upsetting.
I hear ya on that because I would be irritated missing by one point. Try the re-score and if it doesn't change just take it again. I wouldn't stress about it because you will eventually pass it!!!!
You are correct. I am not going to stress about it. I have plenty of time to retake it again. I will study some more on my essay forms and wait until I get an update on the rescore. Fingers crossed that they revise it and add another point in and I pass.
Hello all...I re-took the entire test because for some reason I did not do well trying to take the writing portion by itself. I took the test on June 30 so my official results should be available on Friday. Here are my unofficial scores: Reading-88% Writing-71% As long as I get a 241 on the reading, I will not have to re-take the test. I predict that my score is at least a 264. I will let you all know the final results once I receive my scores.
Praise God...I passed the VCLA on my 2nd complete try...I took the writing by itself& that was not good. So Here are my scores: Reading-(raw score) 88% (scaled score 268) Writing-(raw score) 71% (scaled score 226) My highest Writing score was a 229 so I passed with a composite score of 497.
Ash G I received my scores back tonight on the VCLA Written Part (scaled score 77%). Test Score 229. Now on to the RVE!!!!
Hey everyone! Any advice on passing the reading portion of the VCLA? I've never been strong with reading comprehension. I did not pass the first time I took it. I've been studying using flashcard and a study book I bought on Amazon, and I am taking the practice tests on the VCLA website. I'm taking the reading part again this Friday and I'm nervous. Thanks in advance!!
Try LearningExpress's book Reading Comprehension Success in 20 Minutes a Day. Any edition will do, as long as you take it seriously.
Thank you! If I don't pass it on Friday, I will definitely look into purchasing this book. I'm afraid it won't be here in time if I order it now.
Have you found that you choose an answer, then change it thinking "This can't be that simple!", then find you shouldn't have changed it?
I use the process of elimination. I found that on these practice tests, after I eliminate answers down to 2 choices, I seem to almost always pick the wrong one of the two.
Ah. Process of elimination is a great start; you just need to be a little more fine-grained in what you're eliminating. The correct answer is the one that comes closest to being fully true, even if one of its details is less specific than another answer. Pay attention to the details; if need be, use your scratch paper to match up details you're given in a passage with details suggested by a possible answer.
