Content Test

Deadlines

The ILTS #305 Elementary Education (ELED) content test is required by the state of Illinois and must be passed for licensure. Students can move forward with P2/Student Teaching with a documented score of 220 or higher (a score of 240 or higher is passing, and still required for the PEL).

Your deadline to pass the content test (or receive a score of 220 or higher) depends on your linked placement term (P2/Student Teaching in Fall/Winter or P2/Student Teaching in Winter/Spring). Please check your Degree Plan or ask your Academic Advisor if you need to confirm the terms of your P2/Student Teaching.

Please note - we recommend beginning test preparations as early as possible and taking the test several terms prior to the deadline.

Students who do not pass the content test (or provide a score above 220) by their deadline will be required to delay Practicum 2 and Student Teaching to a future term.

Fall/Winter linked placement:

Fall (ELE580) /Winter (ELE590)

Deadline: Pass by August 15th (or proof of a score above 220)
- Date Test Must be Taken (to receive score by deadline)
  - 2026 - July 26th

Winter/Spring linked placement:

Winter (ELE580)/Spring (ELE590)

Deadline: Pass by December 1st (or proof of a score above 220)
- Date Test Must be Taken (to receive score by deadline)
  - 2026 - November 15th

Preparing for the Content Test

Discover Course

We are excited to announce our new Discover Course for Content Test Prep - a comprehensive, self-paced online study course to help you prepare for your content test!

The Discover Course is a self-paced, free tool within D2L. There are no deadlines, and you can work at your own pace.
Self-register for the course and access the materials for as long as needed.
The Discover Course contains multiple general resources for the content test, modules detailing specific testing strategies, and plenty of example questions.
Access the Discover Course by following the instructions below or linked here: Access Discover Course

Content Test Workshops

Students who have completed the Discover Course and tested (but have not passed) can also attend Content Test Preparation Workshops on ZOOM to get more individualized support.

March 2026 sessions - ZOOM link
- Monday, March 9, 7:00 - 8:30PM (Literacy 1 and Social Studies)
- Monday March 16, 7:00 - 8:30PM (Literacy 2 and Science)
- Monday, March 23, 7:00 - 8:30PM (Math 1 and Fine Arts)
- Monday March 30, 7:00 - 8:30PM (Math 2 and PE /Health)
- Content will be different for each night in the session, so students should attend as many as possible
May-June 2026 sessions - ZOOM link
- Tuesday, May 12, 7:00 - 8:30PM (Literacy 1 and Social Studies)
- Tuesday, May 19, 7:00 - 8:30PM (Literacy 2 and Science)
- Tuesday, June 2, 7:00 - 8:30PM (Math 1 and Fine Arts)
- Tuesday, June 9, 7:00 - 8:30PM (Math 2 and PE /Health)
- Content will be different for each night in the session, so students should attend as many as possible

Discover Course Access Step by Step

Content Test Study Guidebook 2025-2026.docx

How to Register

ELED #305

https://www.il.nesinc.com/TestView.aspx?f=HTML_FRAG/IL305_TestPage.html

*After you register for the test, you will have access to a free practice test. Registration does not require selecting a test date, and you can test up to one year after completing registration.

Need to reschedule? Cancel within 24 hours and receive a full refund- more details here

Accomodations

Students who meet any of the following criteria are eligible for accommodations during their test:

Students with disabilities
Students for whom English is not a primary language
Nursing mothers

Students requesting accommodations must:

1. Register for the test and pay the fee.

2. Submit a completed Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form and any additional documentation required.

3. Wait to receive approval on your request. Most students receive an update on their request within 3 weeks of submitting the paperwork.

4. Once approval is received, students can select the date/time/test center and finalize registration for the test.

Note: Pre-approval is required BEFORE the test day or the center will not honor the alternative

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