First, an explanation: Translating raw scores to scaled scores is an inexact art, and for a good reason: it's very difficult to write questions that are of exactly equivalent difficulty, so the algorithm that converts raw scores to scaled scores contains fudge factors to give harder questions a little higher value. Now, then: If you didn't pass the multiple choice writing part, it will be surprising. No guarantees on the short answer or composition, but if you made sense and your composition was well organized and mechanically correct, you should be fine.
So, in your opinion, do you think I am okay with the raw score of 74% for the writing mutliple choice? Of course, not being able to take into consideration the compositions... I am so very much freaking out! I have to take the VRA in a week, and I must say, I am glad it won't be on "mechanics".
I'll put it this way, lizzie73: I think you're on track. As for the composition... practice up on your "five-paragraph essay" style, and chances are you'll do fine.
I took and passed the VRA/VCLA about 2 years ago. I was very nervous about them, because at this stage, I didn't have a STRONG reading course under my belt. I took the VRA first and had no idea how I did. I honestly just guessed at some of them! Then later in the day I took the VCLA. I felt that was A LOT easier. Then again, I am a better writer. To make a long story short, I recieved my scores in the mail and I passed the VRA by a few hairs, and the VCLA by a landslide. So here is my advice - If you have had good reading courses in your schooling, do not fear the VRA. It is basically asking questions about how you would teach reading and how you would handle situations. HTH!
Raw scores lizzie73..I just took that VCLA 2 weeks ago and my raw scores were just a little lower than yours and I passed it with a pretty good final score. I believe you will be okay as long as your writing was pretty good. Just think positive...
I'm hoping someone is still here to answer this. I took the VCLA on Nov 26th. My raw scores were 94% Reading and 80% Writing. I felt a bit rushed on the compositions. I'm still unable to access the unofficial scores. So, I have 2 questions. How long does it take to receive scores after a computerized test (the site said 10 days)? Also, are those scores fairly good? Thanks for the help.
If there's a teacher test around on which the passing score amounts to more than 3/4 of available points, I'd be surprised. If your scores are delayed, it's probably by the writing rather than the reading. In any case, breathe, please: I don't think you need to worry.
I passed! Whew! Now on to the Praxis II Social Studies. I think Geography will be the toughest part of that. There have been so many changes since 1988 (the last Geo class I had).
I'm curious also, but this thread is pretty old. I doubt you will see a response from lizzie73. ...just took the VCLA.... Writing- 88% raw. Good enough???
Just a data point for anyone searching and want to campare a raw vs. actual score.... Reading: Raw = 85% official = 278 (passing = 235) Writing: Raw = 88% official = 275 (passing = 235)
Congratulations, JCsuperstar! Sorry I missed your earlier email. Yes, I'd fully expect 88%, or even 80%, to be passing on a teacher test.
VCLA My husband was in the military so I decided to stayed at home to raise our kids. I also didn't want to have to get certified everywhere we lived. I have been out of college for 22 years and away from teaching for 14 years. I have been substituting for the past 5 years to get my kids used to me working. I am now ready to teach P.E. full time again. I took the VCLA yesterday and went home so angry and frustrated. My unofficial scores were 88% on reading and 82% on multiple choice writing. I had 50 minutes left at the end of the multiple choice writing section. I thought that was plenty of time to complete the short answer, summary and essay. Boy, was I wrong. After reading the section I had to summarize, I couldn't even focus on what I needed to do. The article was so far over my head, I couldn't believe it was on the test. After stumbling through 20 minutes of attempting to write something, I flagged it and attemted to write the essay. I ran out of time and didn't complete the summary or the essay. To make a long story short (too late), I'm wondering if there is a chance of passing or should I start studying again. The book I purchased to study from XAMonline was worthless
Hugs, 2goldens. Most writing tasks on most teacher tests allow for partial credit, so it's not impossible that you've passed. In the meantime, you now have a better sense of what the tasks are. I don't know that you should be studying, necessarily... but you could certainly rummage up texts on the Internet to practice your summarizing chops on.
VCLA So I just took the VCLA's and was very overwhelmed I received a raw score of 74% on the reading and a 62% on the writing and knew these were fairly low scores. However, I think I did well on the short answers and the essays. Is there a possible chance that I could have just made the cutoff to pass. I know its cutting it close! I would prefer your HONEST response Thanks!
My honest response is that these scores are indeed cutting it very close. I don't think it's impossible that you'll have passed, but there's no way I'd guarantee it.
I also took test waiting on scores. I got a 62% on reading and 88% on writing.... Anyone have a response for me?
Assuming that the two sections are weighted equally (and I don't recall, though the docs for the test should say), Teacher2013, you've got 75% of points in hand (that is, (88% + 62%)/2 = 75%), which looks promising.
I took the paper test on Jan. 19th and the website says the scores will be available Feb. 15th. However, it says under "Total test" = passed. For the individual tests it doesn't list a Pass/Fail. Any take the paper test? Is this accurate?
It's generally the case that one passes or fails the whole of a teacher test, though scores for individual sections may be reported.
Thanks TG. I got an email today that my scores will not be available on 2/15. I don't know why it would list as Pass if they haven't posted my scores.
NJ Newbie I just took the VCLA test today. I experienced what some have mentioned in that I took my time and assumed that I would have enough time. I felt like I rushed through the essays and I did not even proofread them and this is making me nervous. I scored 97% on the reading and 91% on the writing. I did complete both writing tasks but I feel sick thinking about not proofreading the writing. It definitely was not my best writing but I think I made the minimum word count (I think the persuasive essay said 300-600). The clock literally said .49 seconds when I logged out of the test. Has anyone done well on the multiple choice and failed the test because of the essay? (Did I see that one essay is 30% of the total grade!!!
Breathe, please, Stepdisney. VCLA consists of two subtests, each scored on a scale from 100 to 300. The Reading subtest is, I think, all multiple choice. Passing for both subtests together is 470 points on a scale from 200 to 600 (that is, the lowest aggregate score is 100 x 2 and the highest is 300 x 2); the standard passing scaled score for one subtest is is 235 on that scale from 100 to 300, but one can get away with a lower score on one subtest provided one makes up the points to 470 or better on the other. The Writing subtest is, I believe, a mix of multiple-choice and constructed response questions, with the the summary task counting for 20% of points in the subtest and the essay counting for 30%. Let's look at this a little differently: out of the 200 scaled points available on the writing subtest, 100 (that is, 50% of 200) belong to the non-essay questions, 40 (20% of 200) belong to the summary, and 60 (30% of 200) belong to the essay. All that was background. You already know you got 97% on the Reading subtest. That might be 97% of raw points, and the conversion from raw points to scaled on teacher tests is one of the arcane arts - but if that doesn't translate into a scaled score substantially higher than the minimum of 235, it would be a first. It follows that you've got extra points, so to speak, with which to cover possible shortfalls in the Writing subtest. You also already know that you got 91% on the non-constructed-response half of the Writing subtest. 91% of 50% is a bit over 45%; if you were to earn just half or 50% of the available points on the summary-and-essay part of the subtest, that would give you another 25%, so you'd have 45% + 25% = 70% overall, and a score of 70% correct is enough to pass most teacher tests of which I know, even without the compensatory points from the Reading subtest. Feeling better now? When you get your official score report, let us know, please.
TeacherGroupie: Thank you for responding and for explaining how the scores work. It will be a looong 10 days but I will let you know as soon as I hear something.
You're welcome, Stepdisney. Hugs, and find your brain something else to do for the next ten days, please, okay?
My wife took the VCLA last month. She got 91% of the multiple guess correct on the writing, and got a 273. I suspect she did worse on the "writing" parts than the multiple guess, just based on other tests she's taken, so I think most people getting in the mid to high 80's should expect around a 273. I can't provide any useful data for the reading, because she aced that part, so I wouldn't know what percent right converts to what scaled score.
So you're wife is a good guesser? I've always attributed my scores to how well I knew the material. Silly me.
I'm sure the test is multiple choice. Calling it multiple guess undermines the validity and seriousness of teacher licensure exams with which he seems to have issues.
Sounds to me he meant multiple choice, in all honestly after taking the Rica and Multiple Subject CSET. I had my shares of multiple guesses.
Making an intelligent guess is a test taking strategy. I'm reacting to the poster's repeated posts which excoriate teacher licensing exams and state certification requirements.
lol. It is funny. When I was taking all these test, I would say "this does not make you a good teacher." After teaching for five years now, I was wrong, you have to learn the concepts to be able to teach it. Hang in there these test do help you! Plus having great classroom management skills helps your sanity too.
Passed it! Just stopped by to say I passed with a 567. 296 reading and 271 in writing. I am very happy with my score considering the fact that I only had about 20 minutes to write the summary AND the essay and I turned them both in without proofreading. I didn't even stress this much years ago when I took the Praxis.
I will have my VCLA exam on the 13th of July . and my praxis week after it. Is there any tips for me on the VCLA to pass it ? As I really want to score a high grade . Also if there any any practice tests. I have done the ones on the site itself. thanks.
