assessment center exercises 2009

Preparing for thePreparing for theAssessment Center Assessment Center

ExercisesExercises2009 Annual Conference2009 Annual Conference

Southeastern VA NBCT Regional NetworkSoutheastern VA NBCT Regional Network

Amy Brown, NBCTAmy Brown, NBCT

Leigh Ann F. Hinsch, NBCTLeigh Ann F. Hinsch, NBCT

INTRO:INTRO:Assessment Center Exercises Assessment Center Exercises

(ACE’s)(ACE’s)PURPOSEPURPOSE:: To demonstrate To demonstrate content knowledgecontent knowledge in in

response to 6 exercises developed for response to 6 exercises developed for your chosen content areayour chosen content area

TIMED EXERCISESTIMED EXERCISES:: Up to Up to 30 minutes30 minutes to complete each of to complete each of

the 6 exercisesthe 6 exercises

FORMATFORMAT:: Computerized testingComputerized testing at 300+ sites at 300+ sites

across U.S.across U.S.

Scheduling ACE’sScheduling ACE’s

BEFOREBEFORE scheduling your ACE’s: scheduling your ACE’s: Review the Guide to National Board Review the Guide to National Board

CertificationCertification Review the Assessment Center Policy Review the Assessment Center Policy

& Guidelines& Guidelines Review the Request for Testing Review the Request for Testing

Accommodations Form & InstructionsAccommodations Form & Instructions

These are all available at These are all available at www.nbpts.orgwww.nbpts.org

Scheduling ACE’sScheduling ACE’sBEFOREBEFORE scheduling your ACE’s, ensure: scheduling your ACE’s, ensure: eligibility forms eligibility forms are received & are received &

processed by NBPTSprocessed by NBPTS all feesall fees are paid in full* are paid in full*

Forms & fees must be submitted & Forms & fees must be submitted & processed by processed by January 31, 2010 January 31, 2010 for both for both first-time & retake candidates.first-time & retake candidates.

Log on to Log on to www.nbpts.orgwww.nbpts.org to check your to check your candidacy status for all forms & candidacy status for all forms & payments.payments.

*If you’ve been awarded grants from other sources, it is *If you’ve been awarded grants from other sources, it is youryour responsibility responsibility to follow up with these sources to ensure timely payment of their to follow up with these sources to ensure timely payment of their portion of your fees.portion of your fees.

Scheduling ACE’sScheduling ACE’s

At this point, you must wait to receive At this point, you must wait to receive from NBPTS your from NBPTS your Authorization to Authorization to TestTest via U.S. mail. via U.S. mail.

Upon receipt, verify accuracy of:Upon receipt, verify accuracy of: NameName Candidate numberCandidate number Certification areaCertification area Specialty areaSpecialty area

Call 1.800.22TEACH to request Call 1.800.22TEACH to request corrections.corrections.

Scheduling ACE’sScheduling ACE’sCandidates are eligible to test from Candidates are eligible to test from

early January 2010 to mid-June 2010early January 2010 to mid-June 2010..

Testing center locations are available Testing center locations are available at www.nbpts.org. at www.nbpts.org.

FYI, the only “local” testing center* is:FYI, the only “local” testing center* is:

Pearson Professional CentersPearson Professional Centers

825 Diligence Drive, Suite 120825 Diligence Drive, Suite 120

Newport News, VA 23606Newport News, VA 23606

757.591.0766757.591.0766*There are no testing centers on the Southside. The next *There are no testing centers on the Southside. The next

closest testing center is in Richmond.closest testing center is in Richmond.

Scheduling ACE’sScheduling ACE’sYou may schedule your ACE’s online or by You may schedule your ACE’s online or by

phone*.phone*. To schedule online, go to the Pearson To schedule online, go to the Pearson

VUE web site, VUE web site, www.pearsonvue.com/NBPTS, and click www.pearsonvue.com/NBPTS, and click on “Schedule A Test.”on “Schedule A Test.”

To schedule by phone, call Pearson VUE To schedule by phone, call Pearson VUE Call Center at Call Center at (888)288.3028(888)288.3028, Monday – , Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. CST Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. CST (excluding holidays).(excluding holidays).

A confirmation letter will be either mailed or emailed to you once A confirmation letter will be either mailed or emailed to you once you’ve made your appointment for your ACE’s. Verify accuracy you’ve made your appointment for your ACE’s. Verify accuracy of information contained therein.of information contained therein.

Scheduling ACE’sScheduling ACE’sExceptionsExceptions:: World Languages Other Than English World Languages Other Than English

(WLOE)(WLOE) candidatescandidates MUST schedule their MUST schedule their testing by phone. Call (888)288.3028, and testing by phone. Call (888)288.3028, and ask to speak to the Accommodations ask to speak to the Accommodations Program Coordinator to schedule to test in Program Coordinator to schedule to test in a private room.a private room.

Art candidatesArt candidates are required to submit an are required to submit an ART PRODUCT during ACE’s. Instructions ART PRODUCT during ACE’s. Instructions & materials for creating the art product will & materials for creating the art product will be mailed with your Authorization to Test; be mailed with your Authorization to Test; you may wish to wait until you’ve received you may wish to wait until you’ve received these items prior to scheduling your ACE’s.these items prior to scheduling your ACE’s.

Rescheduling / Cancelling Rescheduling / Cancelling ACE’sACE’s

You must contact Pearson VUE online You must contact Pearson VUE online (www.pearsonvue.com/NBPTS) or by (www.pearsonvue.com/NBPTS) or by phone (888.288.3208) to reschedule or phone (888.288.3208) to reschedule or cancel your ACE’s. A minimum of 24 cancel your ACE’s. A minimum of 24 hours’ notice is required to avoid hours’ notice is required to avoid penalty.*penalty.*

*If you do NOT provide 24 hours’ notice of *If you do NOT provide 24 hours’ notice of rescheduling / cancellation, NBPTS will assess you rescheduling / cancellation, NBPTS will assess you $175$175, which must be paid within 30 days to provide , which must be paid within 30 days to provide you eligibility for rescheduling your ACE’s.you eligibility for rescheduling your ACE’s.

Visit www.nbpts.org for eligibility to defer or for Visit www.nbpts.org for eligibility to defer or for procedures for NOT testing within your authorized procedures for NOT testing within your authorized testing window.testing window.

Preparing for ACE’sPreparing for ACE’s

Review the Review the exercise descriptionsexercise descriptions for for your certificate area.your certificate area.

Review Review additional resource materialsadditional resource materials, , including including retired promptsretired prompts, provided in , provided in the Scoring Guide for your certificate the Scoring Guide for your certificate area.area.

Both the exercise descriptions AND the Both the exercise descriptions AND the retired prompts and Scoring Guide for retired prompts and Scoring Guide for your certificate area are available at your certificate area are available at www.nbpts.org. www.nbpts.org.

Preparing for the ACE’sPreparing for the ACE’sThe Pearson VUE Web site offers the following The Pearson VUE Web site offers the following

resources to help you become familiar with resources to help you become familiar with the administration of the ACE’s:the administration of the ACE’s:

Step-by-step online scheduling guide (a 2-step Step-by-step online scheduling guide (a 2-step process involving creating a web account process involving creating a web account containing a user profile & your email address)containing a user profile & your email address)

Pearson Professional Centers tour (floor plan & Pearson Professional Centers tour (floor plan & photos of testing center, testing center photos of testing center, testing center procedures & a short video of testing session)procedures & a short video of testing session)

Interactive online tool containing representative Interactive online tool containing representative NBPTS content & navigation functions for NBPTS content & navigation functions for practice, scrolling through exercises & using the practice, scrolling through exercises & using the mouse and accompanying softwaremouse and accompanying software

The Day of TestingThe Day of Testing

Plan to arrive 30 minutes prior to Plan to arrive 30 minutes prior to your testing appointment. Do not your testing appointment. Do not arrive more than 30 minutes early.arrive more than 30 minutes early.

No one accompanying you will be No one accompanying you will be permitted to wait in the assessment permitted to wait in the assessment center or contact you during testing.center or contact you during testing.

Dress in layers to accommodate Dress in layers to accommodate varying room temperatures in the varying room temperatures in the testing center.testing center.

The Day of TestingThe Day of TestingBring:Bring: Authorization to TestAuthorization to Test Sheet of bar code ID labels provided Sheet of bar code ID labels provided

with your Authorization to Test*with your Authorization to Test* Photo ID** bearing your signature Photo ID** bearing your signature

(driver’s license, military ID, passport)(driver’s license, military ID, passport) Art product in plastic bag with bar Art product in plastic bag with bar

code ID labels already affixed (for Art code ID labels already affixed (for Art candidates only)candidates only)

*For EMC/Art, EAYA Art, EA/Mathematics, AYA/Mathematics, *For EMC/Art, EAYA Art, EA/Mathematics, AYA/Mathematics, EMC/Music, EAYA/Music, EA/Science, AYA/Science, and EMC/Music, EAYA/Music, EA/Science, AYA/Science, and EAYA/World Languages Other than English candidates onlyEAYA/World Languages Other than English candidates only

**Names on Authorization to Test & photo ID must match!**Names on Authorization to Test & photo ID must match!

The Day of TestingThe Day of TestingMaterials permitted in testing room:Materials permitted in testing room: Photo IDPhoto ID Art product in plastic bag (Art candidates Art product in plastic bag (Art candidates

only)only) Candidate ID bar code labels, if Candidate ID bar code labels, if

applicableapplicable Response booklet (provided by Response booklet (provided by

assessment center only for Math, Music, assessment center only for Math, Music, Science & WLOE candidates)Science & WLOE candidates)

No. 2 pencil (provided by assessment No. 2 pencil (provided by assessment center only for Math, Music, Science & center only for Math, Music, Science & WLOE candidates)WLOE candidates)


Materials permitted in testing room Materials permitted in testing room (continued):(continued):

Erasable noteboard & pen (provided Erasable noteboard & pen (provided by assessment center to candidates)by assessment center to candidates)

Online scientific calculator (provided Online scientific calculator (provided to candidates in certain certificate to candidates in certain certificate areas)areas)

Minor comfort aids (see subsequent Minor comfort aids (see subsequent list)list)

The Day of TestingThe Day of TestingMinor comfort aids permitted in Minor comfort aids permitted in

testing room include:testing room include: Tissues (Kleenex)Tissues (Kleenex) Cough drops (taken out of wrappers)Cough drops (taken out of wrappers) Pillow or cushionPillow or cushion Eye glasses / hearing aidsEye glasses / hearing aids Insulin pump attached to your bodyInsulin pump attached to your bodyNOTE: Candidates are permitted to take breaks above & NOTE: Candidates are permitted to take breaks above &

beyond the scheduled break to use the restroom or take beyond the scheduled break to use the restroom or take medication; however, time used is deducted from time medication; however, time used is deducted from time allotted to test.allotted to test.


Materials NOT permitted in the testing Materials NOT permitted in the testing room:room:

Personal calculatorsPersonal calculators Scratch paperScratch paper Photocopies of resource materials Photocopies of resource materials

provided by NBPTS or othersprovided by NBPTS or others Any items not listed on the previous Any items not listed on the previous

lists of items permitted in the testing lists of items permitted in the testing roomroom


You MUST You MUST follow all instructionsfollow all instructions provided by Pearson VUE’s testing provided by Pearson VUE’s testing center staff & on testing materials center staff & on testing materials preciselyprecisely. Failure to do so may . Failure to do so may result in your responses being result in your responses being disqualified or in your not being disqualified or in your not being permitted to test.permitted to test.

There are NO refunds of any fees There are NO refunds of any fees associated with the ACE’s.associated with the ACE’s.

The Day of TestingThe Day of TestingAllow 3 hours 40 minutes for the testing Allow 3 hours 40 minutes for the testing

experience, 3 hours of which is dedicated experience, 3 hours of which is dedicated to actual testing (responding to the six 30-to actual testing (responding to the six 30-minute testing prompts for your certificate minute testing prompts for your certificate area).area).

40 minutes’ time is allotted for:40 minutes’ time is allotted for: Checking inChecking in Reviewing the computer tutorialReviewing the computer tutorial Taking a 15 minute break after the first 3 Taking a 15 minute break after the first 3

ACE’sACE’s Completing a candidate survey once Completing a candidate survey once

testing endstesting ends

The Day of TestingThe Day of TestingYou must remain in the testing room at your You must remain in the testing room at your

assigned testing station for the duration of assigned testing station for the duration of the ACE’s (minus the optional 15-minute the ACE’s (minus the optional 15-minute break).break).

If you leave the testing room for any reason If you leave the testing room for any reason during the ACE’s, you will be electronically during the ACE’s, you will be electronically finger-printed prior to exiting for re-entry finger-printed prior to exiting for re-entry purposes.purposes.

Ear plugs will be available to reduce ambient Ear plugs will be available to reduce ambient noise.noise.

Testers in other areas other than National Testers in other areas other than National Board may be entering & exiting while you Board may be entering & exiting while you are testing.are testing.


Music Candidates:Music Candidates: Aural stimuli are used in three ACE’s Aural stimuli are used in three ACE’s

(Audio files are embedded in the (Audio files are embedded in the testing software, and you will listen to testing software, and you will listen to clips using headphones provided by the clips using headphones provided by the assessment center)assessment center)

One ACE requires a candidate One ACE requires a candidate response written in musical notation response written in musical notation (to be recorded in the response booklet (to be recorded in the response booklet provided by the assessment center)provided by the assessment center)


World Languages Other Than English World Languages Other Than English Candidates:Candidates:

The first ACE contains an oral The first ACE contains an oral component (speaking in the target component (speaking in the target language) which will be recorded at language) which will be recorded at your computer. This recording will be your computer. This recording will be done in a separate room at the done in a separate room at the assessment center to ensure proper assessment center to ensure proper testing conditions for you and for the testing conditions for you and for the other testers in the testing room.other testers in the testing room.

The Day of TestingThe Day of TestingThe Non-Disclosure AgreementThe Non-Disclosure Agreement All National Board candidates are All National Board candidates are

required to read & approve a non-required to read & approve a non-disclosure agreement, providing an disclosure agreement, providing an electronic signature agreeing to its electronic signature agreeing to its content.content.

By signing, you commit to maintaining By signing, you commit to maintaining the FULL CONFIDENTIALITY of ACE’s the FULL CONFIDENTIALITY of ACE’s content, specifically agreeing not to content, specifically agreeing not to REPRODUCE or DISCLOSE any content REPRODUCE or DISCLOSE any content in whole or in part to any person or in whole or in part to any person or entity.entity.

The Day of TestingThe Day of TestingThe Non-Disclosure Agreement The Non-Disclosure Agreement

(continued)(continued) Failure to approve the non-disclosure Failure to approve the non-disclosure

agreement will result in immediate agreement will result in immediate termination of the ACE’s.termination of the ACE’s.

Reproduction or disclosure of any Reproduction or disclosure of any testing content, in whole or in part, may testing content, in whole or in part, may result in serious penalty & result in serious penalty & consequences, including, but not limited consequences, including, but not limited to, legal prosecution and / or revocation to, legal prosecution and / or revocation of your National Board certification (if of your National Board certification (if achieved).achieved).

The Day of TestingThe Day of TestingAfter the tutorial, TESTING BEGINS!After the tutorial, TESTING BEGINS! You will be given 30 minutes 00 seconds You will be given 30 minutes 00 seconds

to respond separately to each of the six to respond separately to each of the six testing prompts.testing prompts.

The time will appear on the computer The time will appear on the computer screen and will count down during screen and will count down during testing for each of the six prompts.testing for each of the six prompts.

You may choose to reduce the clock You may choose to reduce the clock during testing; however, when five during testing; however, when five minutes remains, the clock will re-minutes remains, the clock will re-appear on the screen until testing of the appear on the screen until testing of the given prompt ends.given prompt ends.


Each ACE is designed to elicit evidence of Each ACE is designed to elicit evidence of your content knowledge related to the your content knowledge related to the focus of the exercise (described for each focus of the exercise (described for each certificate area on www.nbpts.org). certificate area on www.nbpts.org).

A scenario or student profile may be presented A scenario or student profile may be presented for you to consider before you respond to a (set for you to consider before you respond to a (set of) prompts.of) prompts.

If an ACE asks you to provide a specific If an ACE asks you to provide a specific number of examples in your response, do not number of examples in your response, do not exceed the requested number (excess content exceed the requested number (excess content will not be scored). Depth & quality count; will not be scored). Depth & quality count; quantity does not!quantity does not!


A short candidate survey follows the A short candidate survey follows the completion of the ACE’s.completion of the ACE’s.

Assessment center staff will then collect Assessment center staff will then collect the erasable noteboard & pen and all the erasable noteboard & pen and all testing materials before you will be testing materials before you will be permitted to leave the testing room.permitted to leave the testing room.

You will again be electronically finger-You will again be electronically finger-printed before being permitted to printed before being permitted to leave the testing room.leave the testing room.


If you experience problems of any kind If you experience problems of any kind (technology-related, atmospheric conditions, (technology-related, atmospheric conditions, etc.), you will be permitted to signal to etc.), you will be permitted to signal to assessment center staff who will make every assessment center staff who will make every effort to accommodate your complaint or effort to accommodate your complaint or issue.issue.

You have 7 days from the date of testing to file You have 7 days from the date of testing to file written complaint of testing irregularities written complaint of testing irregularities with NBPTS. Failure to do so prohibits you with NBPTS. Failure to do so prohibits you from appealing your score based on such from appealing your score based on such complaints.complaints.

You You cancan do this!!! do this!!!The ACE’s seem rather daunting and at The ACE’s seem rather daunting and at

times, even intimidating.times, even intimidating.

There is so much help available to you as There is so much help available to you as you prepare for the ACE’s. Take you prepare for the ACE’s. Take advantage of all resources available to advantage of all resources available to you.you.

There are differing philosophies on how & There are differing philosophies on how & when to prepare and on when to when to prepare and on when to schedule your ACE’s. Do what’s right for schedule your ACE’s. Do what’s right for YOU!YOU!

You can do this! Many candidates before You can do this! Many candidates before you have, and we support you!you have, and we support you!

Review the Core Review the Core PropositionsPropositions

1. Teachers are committed to students 1. Teachers are committed to students & their learning.& their learning.

2. Teachers know the subjects they 2. Teachers know the subjects they teach & know how to teach those teach & know how to teach those subjects to students.subjects to students.

3. Teachers are responsible for 3. Teachers are responsible for managing and monitoring student managing and monitoring student learning.learning.

4. Teachers think systematically about 4. Teachers think systematically about their practice & learn from their practice & learn from experience.experience.

5. Teachers are members of learning 5. Teachers are members of learning communities.communities.

Review Your Own Review Your Own StandardsStandards

For instance, ELA/AYA includes For instance, ELA/AYA includes 16 Standard Domains, broken 16 Standard Domains, broken into three areas:into three areas:

Preparing the way for productive Preparing the way for productive student learningstudent learning

Advancing student learning in the Advancing student learning in the classroomclassroom

Supporting Student Learning through Supporting Student Learning through Long-Range Initiatives Long-Range Initiatives

The Certificate Area The Certificate Area Standards Reflect the Standards Reflect the

Core PropositionsCore PropositionsFrom Preparing the Way for From Preparing the Way for

Productive Student LearningProductive Student Learning1.1. Knowledge of students Knowledge of students (1, 3)(1, 3)

2.2. Knowledge of English Language Arts Knowledge of English Language Arts (2, 4)(2, 4)

3.3. Instructional Design & Decision Instructional Design & Decision Making Making (2, 4)(2, 4)

4.4. Fairness, Equity, & Diversity Fairness, Equity, & Diversity (1, 2, 4)(1, 2, 4)

5.5. Learning Environment Learning Environment (1, 3, 4)(1, 3, 4)

6.6. Instructional Resources Instructional Resources (2, 4, 5)(2, 4, 5)

Assessment Center Assessment Center ExercisesExercises

Read description of Assessment Center Read description of Assessment Center Exercise for your certificate area.Exercise for your certificate area.

Although the topics are numbered, Although the topics are numbered, they may be presented in any order.they may be presented in any order.

What What contentcontent knowledge will be knowledge will be assessed?assessed?

What What skillsskills will be assessed? will be assessed? How does the Exercise reflect the How does the Exercise reflect the Core Core

PropositionsPropositions and the and the Certificate Certificate StandardsStandards??

For Example…For Example…

ELA/AYA : “Analysis of Writing”ELA/AYA : “Analysis of Writing” Teachers will demonstrate an Teachers will demonstrate an

understanding of audience and purpose understanding of audience and purpose in writing and an ability to analyze in writing and an ability to analyze techniques authors employ to make a techniques authors employ to make a passage effective. They will be asked to passage effective. They will be asked to read a non-fiction passage, discuss read a non-fiction passage, discuss audience and purpose, and analyze audience and purpose, and analyze techniques that make the piece effective techniques that make the piece effective for the audience and purpose.for the audience and purpose.

What What content knowledgecontent knowledge will be assessed?will be assessed?



What What content knowledgecontent knowledge will be assessed?will be assessed?

ELA/AYA : “Analysis of ELA/AYA : “Analysis of WritingWriting”” Teachers will demonstrate an Teachers will demonstrate an

understanding of understanding of audience and purpose audience and purpose in writingin writing and an ability to analyze and an ability to analyze techniques authors employtechniques authors employ to make a to make a passage effective. They will be asked to passage effective. They will be asked to read a non-fiction passage, discuss read a non-fiction passage, discuss audience and purposeaudience and purpose, and analyze , and analyze techniquestechniques that make the piece effective that make the piece effective for the for the audience and purposeaudience and purpose..

What What skillsskills will be will be assessed?assessed?



What What skillsskills will be will be assessed?assessed?

ELA/AYA : “ELA/AYA : “AnalysisAnalysis of Writing” of Writing” Teachers will Teachers will demonstrate an demonstrate an

understandingunderstanding of audience and purpose of audience and purpose in writing and an in writing and an ability to analyzeability to analyze techniques authors employ to make a techniques authors employ to make a passage effective. They will be asked to passage effective. They will be asked to read read aa non-fiction passage, non-fiction passage, discussdiscuss audience and purpose, and audience and purpose, and analyzeanalyze techniques that make the piece effective techniques that make the piece effective for the audience and purpose.for the audience and purpose.

How does it reflect the How does it reflect the propositions & standards?propositions & standards?



What Can I Expect???What Can I Expect???ELA/AYA : “Analysis of Writing”ELA/AYA : “Analysis of Writing” Teachers will demonstrate an understanding Teachers will demonstrate an understanding

of audience and purpose in writing and an of audience and purpose in writing and an ability to analyze techniques authors employ ability to analyze techniques authors employ to make a passage effective. They will be to make a passage effective. They will be asked to read a non-fiction passage, discuss asked to read a non-fiction passage, discuss audience and purpose, and analyze audience and purpose, and analyze techniques that make the piece effective for techniques that make the piece effective for the audience and purpose.the audience and purpose.

READ, UNDERSTAND, ANALYZE, READ, UNDERSTAND, ANALYZE, DEMONSTRATE, EVALUATE (ANALYZE DEMONSTRATE, EVALUATE (ANALYZE EFFECTIVENESS); Questions about EFFECTIVENESS); Questions about AUTHOR TECHNIQUES, AUDIENCE, AND AUTHOR TECHNIQUES, AUDIENCE, AND PURPOSEPURPOSE

Breaking Down the Breaking Down the ExercisesExercises

ACTIVITYACTIVITY

Use the handout provided to Use the handout provided to breakdown the guidelines for a breakdown the guidelines for a

certification area.certification area.

Preparing on Your OwnPreparing on Your Own Go to your BOX or download your Go to your BOX or download your

certificate information at certificate information at www.nbpts.orgwww.nbpts.org Standards Overview for Your Standards Overview for Your

Certificate AreaCertificate Area Assessment Center Exercise Assessment Center Exercise

descriptions/overviewdescriptions/overview Retired promptsRetired prompts Use the online tutorial Use the online tutorial priorprior to to

your test date!!!your test date!!!

PresentersPresenters

Amy BrownAmy Brown

NBCT 2006NBCT 2006

ELA/AYAELA/AYA

Grafton High School, Grafton High School,

York County York County School DivisionSchool Division

[email protected]@ycsd.york.va.usa.us

Leigh Ann F. HinschLeigh Ann F. Hinsch

NBCT 2004NBCT 2004

EAYA/WLOEEAYA/WLOE

Lafayette High Lafayette High School, School, Williamsburg-Williamsburg-James City County James City County Public SchoolsPublic Schools

[email protected]@wjcc.k12.va.us.us

SEVA Website: www.sevanbctrn.org

assessment center exercises 2009

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