About the author: Kayman McIver
Kayman is a science teacher with 13 years of experience. She loves the world of education and is thrilled to help others join the field. Her other loves include running, hand-lettering, and quirky middle schoolers.
Interested in teaching in Illinois? You will need to take the ILTS, but what is it? And which one do you need to take? This article will help you become familiar with what the ILTS is and which one you should sign up for to become a teacher in Illinois.
We will help you figure out what the ILTS is and who has to take it. We will break down the exams by grade level and give you more information about each test. We’ve also included some great tips on preparing for the exam, so keep reading!
Ready to get started? Let’s go!
ILTS stands for the Illinois Licensure Testing System. Pearson creates and administers the ILTS exams. The ILTS exams are all of the exams that an educator can take in Illinois to become certified. You must go through a certification program, either at a college or university or by completing an alternative certification program. These programs will help you identify which test(s) to take based on your interests and what you want to teach.
If you are planning on teaching in Illinois, you will need to take an ILTS exam before becoming certified. Other educational programs such as private or charter schools may also require teachers to take one. The exam ensures that all teachers are qualified to teach. You’ll need to take more than one ILTS exam if you are adding additional endorsements to your license.
The ILTS tests are categorized by grade level and then by subject. For prospective elementary school teachers, there is one test that covers many subjects. For prospective middle school and high school teachers, the ILTS test you take depends on which subjects you wish to teach.
Elementary
The Elementary Education (Grades 1-6) (305) has recently been redesigned. It used to be four individual subtests, but now it is one test. It consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and you’ll have four hours and 15 minutes to complete it. A passing score is 240. The cost of the exam is $122.
Start preparing for your test with this ILTS Elementary Education study guide and practice test.
Middle School
Prospective middle school teachers have the option of taking the General Middle Grades test or a content-specific test. The table below includes more information about the more popular ILTS middle school tests.
240 Tutoring has a study guide for each of these ILTS exams:
High School
If you plan to teach high school, the ILTS exam you take is based on what subject you plan to teach. There are many to choose from. Many of the ILTS secondary exams have been redesigned. The old versions of these tests can be taken through 8/1/2021. The new versions of the ILTS secondary exams all consist of 100 multiple-choice questions, you are allotted 3 hours and 30 minutes, and cost $122.
One of the most popular ILTS secondary exams is the Mathematics (208) exam. Check out the ILTS Mathematics (208) study guide to begin your test preparation.
Not sure what to study, or if you are going to pass? We can help!
I'm a teacher candidate at a university/college I'd like to transition to teaching I'm a current / former teacher I'm in K-12 or EPP leadershipQuestion 2 of 3
🤔 Hmmm... Looks like you may have to take a {testSeriesAndURL} exam.
Have no fear! We got you covered!
Would you like us to send you over {testSeries} resources?
We can help you feel confident in passing your exam. We'd recommend taking a free diagnostic test to see how you perform.
Get access to all exam study guides for {testSeries} and feel rest assured you're ready for exam day, with our money-back guarantee.
Great! Then let's get studying. And no worries, we have a money-back guarantee.
Get access to all exam study guides for {testSeries} and feel rest assured you're ready for exam day, with our money-back guarantee.
Teachers can come from many paths, even if you don't have an education degree.
We built a guide for all the paths teachers can take, and the timeline for each one. Would you like us to send it to you?
If you're interested in how to become a teacher in certain subject areas or states, please visit these resources to get you started.
Question 2 of 3
🤔 Hmmm... Looks like you may have to take a {testSeriesAndURL} exam.
Have no fear! We got you covered!
Would you like us to send you over {testSeries} resources?
Question 2 of 2
Teachers can come from many paths, even if you don't have an education degree.
We built a guide for all the paths teachers can take, and the timeline for each one. Would you like us to send it to you?
You may be a great fit for the 240 Alt-Cert Program (ACP), which is a more affordable and quicker option to becoming a teacher in Texas.
You will likely need to get a certification to start teaching. We'd recommend an Alternative Certification program.
What best describes why you are looking to be certified?
I'm teaching in a new state I'm teaching a new grade level I'm teaching a new subject I'd like to expand my supplementals / endorsements I'm currently not certified My certification(s) expiredQuestion 2 of 3
🤔 Hmmm... Looks like you may have to take a {testSeriesAndURL} exam.
Have no fear! We got you covered!
Would you like us to send you over {testSeries} resources?
Question 2 of 3
🤔 Hmmm... Looks like you may have to take a {testSeriesAndURL} exam.
Have no fear! We got you covered!
Would you like us to send you over {testSeries} resources?
Question 1 of 2
What best describes your organization?
Higher Ed Institution K-12 District or State DOE Other EPPQuestion 2 of 2
Tell us a little about yourself, and we'll be in touch to discuss how we can support your teachers.
Question 2 of 2
Tell us a little about yourself, and we'll be in touch to discuss how we can support your teachers
Thank you for submitting your information! We will be in touch shortly.
In the mean time, please visit our EPP page to learn more.
Thank you for submitting your information! We will be in touch shortly.
In the mean time, please visit our K12 page to learn more.