Illinois Test of Basic Skills: Language Arts

Test of Academic Proficiency
400: Language Arts
General Information
 The language arts subtest is one of 4 required subtests for
all students qualifying to be teachers in the state of Illinois.
The other subtests include reading comprehension, math,
and writing.
 Cut scores for TAP have yet to be determined.
 You may elect to retake only the failed subtests, if you have
not taken the Test of Basic Skills prior to September 11,
2010.
General Test Information
 The first offering of TAP will be in February 2012
,and will be offered only in an on-line format at
Pearson Vue Centers.
 The new Basic Skills’ content will remain the same
with the exception of math. Math will now include
probability. Additionally, 10 extra questions will be
added to each of the subtests.
General Test Information
 The cost of the entire TAP battery will be $99.00 with a
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$ 26.00 registration fee. The cost of one on-line subtest
will be $49.00 with a $26.00 registration fee.
The entire TAP battery must be completed within 5
hours/ 2 hours for an individual test
The nearest Pearson Vue testing center is Peoria, Il.
Availability of the TAP, on a given day, at a given time, in
a given center varies. Pearson Vue will notify you of the
test’s availability.
If you test after or on 1/17/12, you must wait 60 days
before re-taking the on-line version of the test.
General Test Information
 All students will get 5 attempts to pass this newly
revised test- even if they have used up all 5 attempts
during the previous version of the test.
 All subtests that were previously passed using the old
version will be banked (counted towards passing the
new basic skills exam).
 Until new cut scores have been determined, TAP test
results may be delayed.
 All students attending a testing session will be
presented with 10 pages of yellow laminated sheets
and a marker to record thoughts or figures.
How to Prepare
 1. Read the Test Standards and Objectives
 2. Practice the sample tests. Set aside several hours
for this in a setting that simulates the testing
environment. Time yourself.
 3. Become familiar with all the aids available at
www.icts.nesinc.com
The Day of the Test
 Arrive on time. You must arrive 30 minutes prior to your test.
You are required to have a valid picture- ID that also includes
your signature. This ID will be the only item you will be allowed
to keep once you have entered the testing area.
 Dress comfortably. Temperatures within the room may
fluctuate, so plan to dress in layers.
 Follow directions- both written and oral. Any items brought to
the Center, including cell phones and watches will be placed in a
locker prior to your testing. If for any reason, you wish to leave
the testing area, you must raise your hand and the proctor will
escort you. At the completion of the test, you must again raise
your hand to summon the proctor.
 During the test: pace yourself, read carefully, utilize your
laminated boards and marker, guess wisely, check for accuracy.
Language Arts Objectives
 A. Grammar and Usage
 0007 Demonstrates command of
verbs, pronouns, modifiers
 0008 Understands and applies the
following mechanical conventions:
punctuation, spelling, and
capitalization
Language Arts Objectives
 B. Writing
 0009 Understands the role of purpose and audience in
written communication
 00010 Understands unity, focus, development, and
organization in writing
 00011 Understands and applies editing and revision strategies
within written work
 00012 Recognizes sentences and paragraphs that effectively
communicate intended messages
TAP
Skill
Frequency
Coherence and Unity: sentences are in
the wrong order, sentences need to be
deleted, sentences contain distracting
detail, transitions
8
Main idea of the selection or paragraph
5
Vocabulary
5
Organizational patterns: patterns of
development
4
TAP (Of Lesser Concern)
Skill
Frequency
Commas
4
Capitalization
3
Verb Form
3
Spelling
3
Pronoun Usage
3
Adverb/Adjective
3
Word Choice Consistent with Author’s
Purpose and Audience
3
Support for Main Idea of the Selection or
Paragraph, Format Appropriateness, Type of
Persuasive Technique, Repetition,
Comparative/Superlative
2
Subject/Verb Agreement, Author’s Purpose, Point
of View Shift, Introduction Techniques, Sentence
Structure, Parallel Structure
1
Suggested Test Taking Strategy for TAP LA
 Preview the questions by utilizing the NEXT command at
the bottom of your computer screen.
 Return to the first question by employing the PREVIOUS
command at the bottom of your computer screen.
 Lightly read the selection; this test, unlike the reading
one, is more editing and proof-reading – not
comprehension.
 On your laminated sheets, write the question #, the
letters: A,B,C,D and any brief notation regarding the # of
the sentence, words to be considered, or paragraph #.
This will isolate the possibilities from the rest of the text.
Alternate between the text and the laminated sheets as
you eliminate possible wrong answers.
 Thank you for coming and good luck with your
exams.

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