General Inquiries

Computer-delivered testing is the most secure examination methodology available, outperforming the protections afforded by traditional paper-and-pencil testing. Each NBPTS testing center meets standardized specifications and is designed with physical safeguards in place to prohibit and discourage cheating. Computer-delivered testing centers employ state of the art technology to ensure that the highest levels of security are maintained. Computer workstations at the testing centers have disk drives that are disabled, eliminating any risk of unauthorized file transfers. To prevent any unauthorized access, the databases and servers used to store candidate responses and assessment data are encrypted and protected by multiple levels of password protection.

There is not a disadvantage. You can take the assessment center exercises before you begin work on your portfolio, during your work on your portfolio, or after you have completed your portfolio. The choice is yours. There is no need to "prepare" for the assessment center by completing your portfolio entries first. The content associated with the portfolio entries is dictated by the teaching context of candidates, whereas the assessment center exercises are specifically designed to measure fundamental certificate-area content that is not likely to be demonstrated in portfolio entries. Unlike the portfolio portion of the National Board Certification process, the assessment center exercises are based primarily on content standards for what accomplished teachers should know, not how they teach. Therefore, your work on your portfolio entries should not be seen as preparation for taking assessment center exercises, because there is minimal overlap between exercises and entries. If your fees are fully paid and all eligibility verification forms processed, you are free to schedule your assessment center exercises whenever you choose, even before you have begun your portfolio entries.

Candidates may not bring photocopies of any materials — whether provided by NBPTS or others, hardcover or soft cover textbooks, dictionaries, encyclopedias, loose-leaf printed materials (held in a ring binder), or other bound books or bound printed materials. Candidates may not bring any of the following items into the testing room: bags, briefcases, food, tobacco, scratch paper, beepers, calculators of any type, highlighter pens, stereos, CD players or radios with headphones, cellular phones, watch alarms (including those with flashing lights or alarm sounds), translators, and any electronic devices.

Canidates are permitted to bring only the following materials into the testing room:

• Photo Identification
• Art product in plastic bag (EMC/Art and EAYA/Art candidates only)
• Candidate ID bar code labels received with your ATT (EMC/Art, EAYA/Art, EA/Mathematics, AYA/Mathematics, EMC/Music, EAYA/Music, EA/Science, AYA/Science, EAYA/WLOE candidates only)
• Number 2 pencil (for Mathematics, Music, Science, and WLOE candidates only)
• Minor comforts as described in the Request for Testing Accommodations Form and Instructions

An online scientific calculator is available to candidates in the appropriate certificate areas.

If your bar code labels are damaged or misplaced, or if you never received your bar code labels for the assessment center, you can print your 8-digit candidate ID number on those places asking for a candidate ID bar code label. Please do not use bar code labels from your Portfolio Kit as they are a different format and are not compatible for the assessment center.

When you retake an assessment center exercise, you will be responding to a different prompt.

Music candidates at both EMC and EAYA levels will have chosen their specialty, - band, orchestra, or vocal music - at the time of their application. Exercises will automatically be delivered based on the pre-selected specialty area. The exercises specified for orchestra will be accessible to both examinees who are strings-only teachers as well as orchestra teachers. 

The online Pearson tutorial is intended to prepare you for your assessment center testing experience, and help you become familiar with the look and feel of the Pearson VUE software used to administer the assessment center exercises. The tutorial explains screen navigation and tools. There is an informative, interactive sample exercise that simulates a real exercise, including the Introduction, prompts, system notices, and clock countdown. It is an excellent way to prepare for the actual test.

Primary ID must be current and display your name, a recent photograph, and your signature.
Acceptable forms of identification include the following:

• Driver's license with photograph and signature
• Passport with photograph and signature
• State identification with photograph and signature
• National identification with photograph and signature
• Military identification with photograph and signature
• Alien Registration Card (green card, permanent resident visa)

Unacceptable forms of identification include the following:

• Any expired ID
• Draft classification card
• Credit card of any kind
• Social Security card
• Student ID
• International student ID
• International driver's license
• Notary-prepared letter or document
• Employee identification card
• Learner's permit or any temporary identification card
• Automated teller machine (ATM) card

Important: To gain admittance to the testing center, your first and last name must match the name on your ATT.

Music candidates may feature more than one specialty area in their portfolio entries but not for the assessment center exercises. Music candidates will need to select their specialty area at the time their candidate application is submitted. Once selected, Music candidates are committed to the same specialty area for retaking. Specialty areas for Music candidates are band, orchestra, or vocal music.

No. Many, perhaps most, EMC candidates will naturally focus their portfolios on their work as general music teachers. This was anticipated in the development of the assessments. When registering for the assessment center, EMC candidates will declare band, orchestra, or vocal music, just as their EAYA counterparts will. This is due to the nature of both Diagnostic Skills and Applied Theory/Composition, where recordings, scores, and candidate compositions are part of the exercises, and need to be specific to a "performing" area.

The Music format features aural stimulus materials. These audio files are embedded in the computer software and the candidate will listen to clips using headphones provided at the assessment center. For select music exercises in which the candidate is required to write in musical notation, a response booklet with lined pages will be provided at the assessment center.

Beginning in 2009, Music candidates use a computer keyboard to respond to five of the six exercises. The exception is Exercise 3, which requires Music candidates to compose a brief composition. The assessment center staff will provide the candidate with a response booklet containing staff paper for the composition. Exercise 3 will be the only Music exercise requiring a handwritten response.

All WLOE candidates will be tested in a separate testing room at a Pearson Professional Center. The first exercise includes an oral component that will be recorded at your computer. WLOE candidates may be asked to use a response booklet when composing answers.

The message for the icon that reads, "Ready to Test" indicates your eligibility has been verified, and your full fee payment has been received by NBPTS. This message will not change even after you take your assessment exercise.

You will not get an individual confirmation; however, the National Board has adopted a thorough process for ensuring your test materials are received.

Candidates will choose band, orchestra or vocal music as a specialty in advance of taking the assessment center exercises.

At the start of each exercise, the available response time will display as 30 minutes and 00 seconds. The clock will continue to show the time remaining for that exercise. A popup will appear that tells the candidate that there are five minutes remaining and the candidate must respond with an OK. The clock will continue to run. The candidate may minimize the timekeeper except after the five minute warning.

No. Creation of the art product takes a minimal amount of time. The art product materials will accompany your Authorization to Test (ATT) and candidates will have sufficient time to read and follow the instructions in the art packet prior to attending the assessment center.