In order to fulfill our obligation to our students and those they teach or will come to teach, faculty and staff at SED constructed a literacy test that would ensure our students graduate with an appropriate level of mastery in literacy. The SED Literacy Test is but one guarantee that we uphold our commitment to provide an excellent education. Furthermore, the test provides students with a brief summary of their facility with certain areas of reading and writing.
Who must take the test?
| If you are... |
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You will need a minimum score of... |
| In your first semester of your sophomore year |
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70% to enter a student teaching practicum
70% on both the overall Reading and overall Writing sections prior to graduation |
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| In your first semester of enrollment as a master's students (EdM and MAT) seeking licensure |
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70% to student teach
(If you passed the MTEL prior to entering your master's program, you are exempt from taking the BU Literacy Test. You must present a copy of your MTEL Communication and Literacy Test results to the SED Office of Student Records before an exemption from the test will be approved.) |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the components of the SED Literacy Test?
The SED Literacy Test is a four-hour, eight-section exam that includes mechanics, reading comprehension, grammar and usage, vocabulary, summary writing, and essay writing.
Overview of the Literacy Test
| Subtest |
Format |
Points |
| I. Mechanics |
Written correction of embedded errors in spelling, punctuation, and capitalization |
30/582 points or 5% |
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| II. Reading Comprehension |
30 multiple choice items based on five passages |
240/582 points or 41% |
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| III. Grammar & Usage I |
14 multiple choice items on error recognition |
28/582 points or 5% |
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| IV. Grammar & Usage II |
3 sentences to be rewritten |
24/582 points or 4% |
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| V. Word Definitions |
6 words to be defined |
42/582 points or 8% |
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| VI. Definition of Grammatical Terms |
3 terms to be defined |
18/582 points or 3% |
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| VII. Written Summary |
A passage to be summarized |
100/582 points or 17% |
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| VIII. Written Composition |
A persuasive essay to be written on an assigned topic |
100/582 points or 17% |
2. What if I am unable to take the test when it is offered?
If for some reason you are unable to take the test when it is administered, you must submit a Petition for Administrative Waiver of Standard Rules and Regulations to Daniel Fitzpatrick's office, SED, Room 127. If your petition is approved, you are excused for that particular cycle of testing but must take the test during the next cycle.
3. Are there specific requirements for passing the test? For taking the test?
All SED undergraduates must achieve a passing score of 70% in both the Reading and Writing sections of the test to graduate from SED. Undergraduates are required to take the test for the first time during the fall semester of their sophomore year. Undergraduates are further required to obtain an overall test score of 70% prior to entering a student teaching practicum. All students in Elementary Education and Special Education programs must earn an overall passing score (70%) before registering for
CH 300.
Master's students (EdM and MAT) seeking licensure must take the SED Literacy Test during their first semester of enrollment and obtain an overall score of 70% before they begin student teaching. Those students who passed the MTEL prior to entering their master's program are exempt from taking the BU Literacy Test; students must present a copy of their MTEL Communication and Literacy Test results to the SED Office of Student Records before an exemption from the test will be approved.
4. What if I do not pass?
You may retake the test as many times as you wish, although only once during a testing cycle. Retake any subtests in the Reading and/or Writing sections that will help you raise your score in that section. You may choose to retake sections that you have already passed. You will keep your highest score.
Workshops are offered after each round of testing, and we strongly encourage students to participate in the relevant classes before retaking the test. Literacy workshops are offered in mechanics, grammar and usage, and vocabulary (one workshop of three hours), reading comprehension (two hours), summary writings (two hours), and composition/essay writing (two hours). SED faculty teach the workshops. You may attend as many and as often as you like.
You may register for upcoming workshops on this website. There is no fee to participate in these workshops.
5. How do I prepare for the test?
There is no study guide specifically created in preparation for the SED Literacy Test. Students are encouraged to review grammar and usage rules; the glossary of Strunk and White's The Elements of Style (4th Edition) is very useful. Students may also want to practice reading comprehension questions from any SAT or GRE review book (Princeton Review, Arco, Barrons). SAT and GRE review books on writing are now available as well. The best overall preparation for any assessment in literacy is to read, and to read frequently. The New York Times is an excellent resource, for example, that includes vocabulary one would expect to find on a literacy test.
6. How are my scores reported?
You will receive a score for each of the eight sections of the test, a composite score for both the Reading and Writing sections, and your overall score. Scores will appear on the Student Link under "External Credits and Test Scores" in the "Academics" section, on or before the date announced on the test schedule.
7. How is the test scored?
Faculty members in the literacy testing office construct or select scoring rubrics for the grammar and usage, vocabulary, mechanics, summary and essay portions of the test. Each constructed response is scored independently by two raters. If there is a discrepancy between the two scores, a third rater is called in.
8. What if I need special accommodations?
Students who require special accommodations that have been approved by the Boston University Office of Disabilities Services must present documentation from that office stating the needed accommodations at least two weeks prior to the test date to Daniel Fitzpatrick, Room 127. |
