Skip to main content
Lauby Teacher Education Center

Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Content Test

This test assesses the knowledge and skills required to teach the subject matter in which you are becoming licensed.

Testing requirement for student teachers

  • Per ISBE licensure code, students must pass their major’s content test before starting student teaching .  For ISU students, you should plan to take the exam well in advance to ensure passage by the Gateway 1 deadlines  for your student teaching semester . 
  • The Governor's emergency proclamation allowing exception to this rule expired in June of 2023.

ISU Guide To ISBE Content Testing

When to Complete

Complete as part of Gateway 1, but your PBA workshop should be completed before registering for an exam.  Must have passing scores before registering for student teaching no later than:

  • July 15 for Fall Student Teaching
  • December 15 for Spring Student Teaching*

Prepare for the content test

  • Through Milner Library -
    • On campus link: Mometrix e-Library
    • Off campus link: Mometrix e-Library
    • Select "Teaching" for Illinois Certification exam preparation materials (search or scroll down to tests that begin with ILTS)
  • Use Illinois Licensure Testing System (ILTS) Study Guides to prepare for tests.

Register for the content test

  • Register online. IMPORTANT: To ensure content tests are properly matched to your ISBE licensure account, make sure your ILTS acccount name and Social Security number match your ISBE ELIS account name and SSN.
  • If you take a computer-based ILTS test, you must wait 14 days before retaking the same test on computer.

Undergraduate Tests

1 - For content areas with the option of two test codes, either exam is valid to meet ISBE endorsement requirements. Older exams (usually the lower numbers) still count toward licensure but may no longer have active testing dates. As such, it's advised to take the new exam when registering.

2 - Those meeting the ISBE seal of biliteracy can have the target language proficiency exam waived as a licensure requirement. To prove you have met the seal, it must be uploaded into your ELIS account and a picture of your account sent to teacheredcenter@IllinoisState.edu. If not in your account, contact your high school to have them send proof of earned seal of biliteracy to biliteracy@isbe.net.

Graduate Tests

1 - For content areas with the option of two test codes, either exam is valid to meet ISBE endorsement requirements. Older exams (usually the lower numbers) still count toward licensure but may no longer have active testing dates. As such, it's advised to take the new exam when registering.