1. Reading and Writing to Succeed on the EAS (Educating All Students) Exam: Beating the Clock & Answering the Question
A Student Workshop by
Writing Across the Curriculum
Jane Boyton, CUNY Writing Fellow
Switch around the sections? Talk about the multiple choice qs first and then get out of the homework? Or vice versa (will outlining help them think about reading comprehension?)

2. What to expect:
The EAS Exam asks you to answer: 42 “selected-response” questions (multiple choice with four possible answers) and 3 “focused response” questions (Short essay answers of words each based on 3 “exhibits”) You have 135 minutes (2 hours and 15 minutes) TOTAL. The exam suggests using 10 minutes for each short essay and 105 minutes on the multiple choice questions (2-3 minutes per question).
Need to divide into two sections: writing and reading comp or writing the essay / answering the multiple choice qs?

3. How You'll be Evaluated
NOTE! Only the first three competencies have short essay questions

4. Practice your reading skills for understanding the question!
What is an “exhibit”?
“Exhibits” are presenting data in various forms, usually:
Class description / case study
Teacher’s journal entries
Student Assessment data
Lesson plans
The constructed response tests your critical thinking and background knowledge through your reading and writing skills.
The selected response tests your critical thinking and background knowledge through your reading skills.
Both types of questions are scored on how well you answer the question.
Practice your reading skills for understanding the question!

5. Understanding the Multiple Choice Questions
1. Read the questions AND the answers first, and look for keywords and ideas (use the whiteboard/scrap paper to make a list! Pay attention to words that are italicized) 2. Read the exhibits (some questions may only be relevant to one exhibit) 3. Return to the questions and see if you can eliminate options 4. Go back (and forth!) to the relevant exhibit(s). 5. Choose the BEST answer – lots answers may be right, but you’re looking for the one that answers the question.

6. If you have no idea… Narrow it down using common sense
Use the skills you have to eliminate options
There is no penalty for wrong answers, so guess! “B” and “C” are statistically more likely to be correct (but if you can narrow it down first, trust your skills)

7. Understanding the short essay questions:
All three written assignments have the same instructions:
Use the exhibits to complete the task that follows.
After analyzing the information provided, write a response of approximately 150–200 words in which you:
( specific task is listed here)
The final version of your response should conform to the conventions of edited American English.
The specific task for each question uses the same language:
Identify (an issue, need, aspect . . .) Describe (a strategy or modification) Explain (why that strategy or modification will work)

8. Outlining and Checklists
Step 1. Generate a checklist to see what the response needs to include
Step 2. Outline using topic sentences (answer each part of the question in a separate paragraph)
Step 3. Fill in with evidence and details
Step 4. Edit, refine, and check each sentence for relevance

9. What kind of writing is this?
Analysis and application of pedagogical principles, not just description.
You can use the language of the exam to make it easy for your reader to line up each section. Make it obvious! Each sentence should answer some part of the question
Evaluation rubric:

10. Managing Your Time
Beat the clock! Use your planning and outlining time to start writing. There is a timer in the upper right hand corner of the screen and the computer tracks number of questions completed. Don’t leave anything blank.
Outline your response in topic sentences, organize, then fill in the paragraphs with evidence from the reading.
Don’t worry about the ‘hook’ or opening sentence: get the main ideas down first.
(def. here for topic sentences?)

11. The Day Of…
Bring a government issued ID (a school ID is not enough! A driver’s license, NY State ID, passport, or green card are good options)
Make sure you register for the exam with the exact same name that is on the ID you will use
Get there early. If you arrive more than 15 minutes late, you won’t be admitted. Give yourself time to mentally prepare.
Leave as much at home as possible. You won’t be able to bring in your cell phone, textbooks or notebooks, backpacks, food or drink (including gum). There will be lockers available at most test sites, but they might be limited.

12. Practice
Check the official NYSTCE website for all testing policies:
It also has links to computer-based test tutorials (if you want to get familiar with the way the test will look),
EAS Prep Materials, and a $20 Practice exam