Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP) or ACT/SAT?
To be formally admitted into the Department of Teacher Education’s programs that lead to
initial certification and to be eventually certified in the state of Illinois, applicants must have
passed the TEST of Academic Proficiency (TAP). Effective July 24, 2012, ACT/SAT scores can be
used in lieu of a passing score on the TAP for obtaining a provisional educator certificate/license
or for full admission to an Illinois educator preparation program.
This guide can be used to determine which test to take or use for this admission requirement.
Components
TAP
Reading Comprehension: 60 multiple choice
questions
Language Arts: 60 multiple choice questions
Mathematics: 50 multiple choice questions
Writing: 1 constructed-response writing assignment
ACT
English: 75 questions - 45
minutes
Mathematics: 60 questions - 60
minutes
Reading: 40 questions - 35
minutes
Science: 40 questions - 35
minutes
Writing: 1 prompt - 30 minutes
Must receive a composite score
of 22 (SAT 1030) INCLUDING the
Writing portion. No individual
subtest scores required.
Test centers are located
throughout the state of Illinois.
The test is offered at Bradley
periodically.
http://www.actstudent.org/regis
t/centers/
Passing Score
Must receive an 80% (240) or higher on EACH
subtest to pass
Location for
testing
Computer-based test is offered at Pearson-Vue sites
whenever the site is open.
http://www.il.nesinc.com/IL17_testsites.asp?paget
ype=CBT
Fees
(subject to
change)
Total fee for all subtests is $125
Fee for one subtest is $75
Each test session counts as one of the 5 times that
the TAP can be taken
Total fee for all subtests (with
writing)
$50.50
Registration
http://www.il.nesinc.com/IL17_internetreg.asp
?pagetype=CBT
http://www.actstudent.org/
Additional
Information
Calculators are NOT allowed during the TAP
Calculators may be used on the
Mathematics test only. Some
models and features are
prohibited. Students are
responsible for knowing if their
calculator is acceptable.
You can take the ACT no more
than 12 times total.
ITLS testing policy places a 5 time limit on the
number of test attempts for the same test.
Test Prep
Information
http://www.il.nesinc.com/index.asp
Go to Prepare for Your Test and choose ACCESS ICTS
preparation materials. Find study guides and click
on Test of Academic Proficiency (400). There are
practice multiple choice questions to assess your
skills in reading, language arts, mathematics, and
writing. The study guide is free. For a fee, An
Expanded Study Guide ($19.95) and Practice Tests
($17.95 per sub test and $29.95 for all subtests) are
both available.
The following link offers several
preparation guides and an ACT
question of the day. There is a
fee for some of the materials,
however, some of them are free.
http://www.actstudent.org/testp
rep/
Additional
Test Prep
Materials
Longsdale Publishing ICTS Basic Skills Online Course
and Practice Test:
Bradley students can gain access by going to Sakai
and locating the school number and key
http://www.longsdalepub.com/icts/
McGraw-Hill offers free ACT
practice tests and problemsolving videos for English,
mathematics, science, and
reading
http://www.mhpracticeplus.com
/act.php
READING
Practice with reading skills and comprehension
http://www.cbest.nesinc.com/PDFs/CA_OPT_Readi
ng.pdf
Kaplan Test Prep offers free
online ACT practice tests and
workshops.
http://www.kaptest.com/College
/Getting-into-College/freepractice-tests-workshops.html
LANGUAGE ARTS
Practice with grammar and essay writing
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/
This link provides a free ACT
practice math test with 60
questions and answers.
http://www.analyzemath.com/pr
actice_tests/act/act_sample_1.ht
ml
MATH
Practice with percents, fractions, decimals, problem
solving, analyzing data etc.
http://www.wiu.edu/users/mfjro1/wiu/BootCamp/
PFDfront/index.html
http://mathpower.com/
Additional free ACT practice tests
are available at
http://www.4tests.com/exams/e
xamdetail.asp?eid=13
http://www.khanacademy.org/
WRITING
TEST TAKING
Build effective writing skills
http://www.studygs.net/
http://www.cbest.nesinc.com/PDFs/CA_OPT_Writin
g.pdf
Tutoring services funded by the Bradley University Parents Association are available in the
Teaching Resource Center (TRC) Monday – Thursday 5:00 – 8:00. You do not need an
appointment and can walk in at your convenience. Services are FREE to Bradley students.