FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Program Overview

In 2000 the Washington State Legislature passed HB 2760, which created the Washington Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB). In addition to its authority and responsibilities related to high standards for Washington educators, the PESB has authority for assessing the basic skills and content knowledge of prospective teachers applying to educator preparation programs and applicants for residency certification in Washington State.

Why do we need the WEST?
Why was the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) given this responsibility?
What do the results tell us?
Who set the passing scores? How are they set?
What if I don't pass the test?
After I have passed the Reading, Mathematics, and Writing subtests on the WEST–B, will I have to take the test again?

Program Overview

	Why do we need the WEST?
	As Washington established higher standards for what all students should know and be able to do, more is required of our teachers as well. Although all of our state-approved higher education teacher preparation programs have basic skills requirements for admission to their programs, these requirements vary considerably. Similarly, each program has different requirements for completion. The governor, legislature, state board of education, and superintendent of public instruction proposed establishing a single, uniform means of assessing basic skills competency and subject-area content knowledge of all teaching candidates statewide.
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	Why was the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) given this responsibility?
	The PESB is composed primarily of education practitioners, including teachers, administrators, educational staff associates, and representatives from higher education teacher training programs, committed to upholding the highest standards for education professionals. As a board of some of our state's finest educators, they understand well what it takes to be a good teacher and are therefore best positioned to determine what is appropriate with regard to assessing the basic skills and subject-area content knowledge required to teach in Washington State.
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	What do the results tell us?
	WEST–B results tell us whether an individual meets the state-established level of basic skills competency required of teachers to be certified. WEST–E results tell us whether an individual has the state-established level of content knowledge for teaching endorsement in a particular subject area. This provides the public with assurance that all teachers have basic skills in reading, mathematics, and writing needed to teach in Washington schools and that they have the appropriate content knowledge for their teaching assignments. WEST results also provide us with insight into the caliber of individuals who wish to pursue teaching in Washington.
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	Who set the passing scores? How are they set?
	Legislation authorizes the Professional Educator Standards Board to set the passing score on the assessments for prospective teachers. The PESB established a standards-setting process to get recommendations from Washington educators regarding appropriate passing scores. Through this process educators examine the content of the tests, the difficulty of the questions, and the examinees' performance to determine the level of performance needed to pass each test. With the benefit of these recommendations, the Board sets a passing score for each test in the WEST program.
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	What if I don't pass the test?
	On a case-by-case basis, higher education educator preparation programs may admit individuals who have not achieved the minimum passing scores on the WEST–B; however, most institutions require passage of all three subtests of the assessment before the field experience. Individuals will not receive residency certification until they pass all three WEST–B subtests and the WEST–E test(s) for the endorsement(s) sought. Applicants for a residency teaching certificate must achieve the minimum passing score on all required tests or meet one of the criteria for exemption from the test(s). Individuals will also have unlimited opportunities to retake any WEST test(s) and/or subtest(s) they do not pass.
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	After I have passed the Reading, Mathematics, and Writing subtests on the WEST–B, will I have to take the test again?
	At this time there is no expiration date for WEST–B scores. Once a candidate has achieved a passing score on each of the three subtests (Reading, Mathematics, and Writing), the candidate has met the WEST–B requirement for teacher certification in Washington State.
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Before Registering to Test

	Who is required to take the tests?
	See "Who Is Required to Take the Tests?" for information about who is required to test.
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	Which test(s) do I need to take?
	Refer to the Washington Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) Web site at www.pesb.wa.gov/assessment/assessment.asp.
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	Where can I find materials that will help me prepare to test?
	See "Preparing for the Tests" for information about where you can find test-preparation materials.
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	When can I test?
	See "Test Dates" for a list of available test dates and their corresponding registration deadlines. See "Test Sites" for details about test area availability on each test date. (A particular test area may not be available on a particular test date.)
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	Where can I test?
	See "Test Sites" for a list of test areas and for details about test date availability for each test area. (A particular test date may not be available for a particular test area.)
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	What are the test fees, and what methods of payment are acceptable?
	See "Test Fees and Payment Policies" for a complete list of test fees and any related service fees and for information about acceptable methods of payment and the policies that apply to the processing of your payment.
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	How do I register to test?
	See "Registration Options" for an overview of the various registration methods available to you and for information about when you may use each method to register.
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	How do I register for the test if I don't have a social security number?
	Please call Evaluation Systems at (800) 784-4999 or (916) 928-4192 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific time, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
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	At what times are tests administered, and how much time will I have to test?
	See "Test Selection" for test session reporting and dismissal times and test session length. If you have a documented disability and you feel you need extra time for testing, you may submit a request for alternative testing arrangements when you register for the WEST. See "Registering for Alternative Testing Arrangements" for complete information about how to submit your request.
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	If I test on one date and do not receive my test scores until after the regular registration deadline for the next test date, am I then required to pay the late or emergency registration fee when I register to take the test again on that next test date?
	See the "Testing on Consecutive Test Dates" section in "Test Fees and Payment Policies" for details about conditions under which you may not be required to pay the late registration fee when registering to test on consecutive test dates.
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After Registering to Test

	How do I confirm my registration?
	The way in which your registration is confirmed depends on the method that you used to register to test. If you registered on the Internet, you will receive your admission ticket by e-mail after your registration has been processed and you have been assigned to a specific test site. If you registered by U.S. mail or by telephone, you will receive your admission ticket by U.S. mail after your registration has been processed and you have been assigned to a specific test site. If you requested alternative testing arrangements, you will receive your admission ticket by U.S. mail, regardless of registration method. To confirm your registration status, select "Confirm or Modify Registration" at the top of this Web page and follow the instructions provided. You will be required to provide your date of birth and your ID number (found on your admission ticket and/or e-mail registration confirmation) to view your registration information. See "Confirming Your Registration" for more information about how to confirm your registration status and what to do if you are unable to confirm your registration status.
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	How do I change my registration?
	See "Changing Your Registration" for details about how and when you may change your registration (e.g., your test date, your test area) or withdraw your registration and how to correct or update personal information that appears on your admission ticket (e.g., your mailing address).
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	I did not receive an admission ticket. What should I do?
	If you know your WEST ID number, select "My Admission Ticket" to confirm your registration status and request another copy of your admission ticket. You may request that the copy be sent by e-mail or by U.S. mail and e-mail. If you are unable to receive a copy of your admission ticket before your test date, you may use this service to print the admission information you need to bring to the test site to be admitted to the test administration. If you do not know your WEST ID number, contact Evaluation Systems (see "Contact Information").
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	I lost my admission ticket. May I still be admitted to the test site without it?
	Yes, you may still be admitted to the test site and permitted to test. However, you may first be required to complete additional paperwork, which could reduce your available testing time. See "What to Bring to the Test Site" for details about what you may be required to do or provide at the test site if you do not have your admission ticket. If you know your WEST ID number, you may request another copy of your admission ticket online by selecting "My Admission Ticket." If you are unable to receive a copy of your admission ticket before your test date, you may use this service to print the admission information you need to bring to the test site to be admitted to the test administration.
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	My name has recently changed and now does not match the name that appears on my identification. What should I do?
	See the identification policy in "What to Bring to the Test Site" for details about what you may be required to do or provide at the test site if the name on your identification differs from the name in which you registered.
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	Will I be permitted to use a calculator on the test(s) for which I have registered?
	Depending on the test, you may or may not be permitted to use a calculator. See "Test Selection " for information about whether calculator use is permitted for the test for which you have registered. "Test Selection" also contains information about the types and models of calculators approved for use on tests and whether calculators are provided or must be brought by examinees.
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The Day of the Test

	I was absent from the test administration. Will I receive a refund?
	If you are absent, you will not receive a refund or credit of any kind. You will need to register and pay again to test at a future administration.
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	If, after testing, I would like to submit a comment about my testing experience, how should I do that?
	If you have comments about the test site or the conditions under which you took a test, please submit your comments in a letter sent to Evaluation Systems at the address indicated in "Contact Information." Your letter should be received by Evaluation Systems no later than seven days after your test date.
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Scores and Score Reporting

	When will my scores be available?
	See "Test Dates" for an overview of test dates and their corresponding score report dates. See "Release of Your Test Scores" for details about different ways in which your scores are made available to you. For instance, your unofficial scores are available on the Internet for a two-week posting period, but you must provide your date of birth and ID number (found on your admission ticket and/or e-mail registration confirmation) to access them, and for security reasons, you may view them only once. Your official score report is sent to you by U.S. mail. Unofficial scores are not an acceptable substitute for an official score report. See "Score Reporting" for more information.
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	Will I be able to access my unofficial scores on the Internet without my ID number?
	No. If you do not have your ID number (found on your admission ticket and/or e-mail registration confirmation), you will not be able to access your unofficial scores on the Internet. Your official score report will be sent to you by U.S. mail.
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	I did not receive my score report. What should I do?
	Your official score report will be sent to you by U.S. mail on the score report date published in "Test Dates." Your score report will be sent to the address that you provided during the registration process. If you have not received your score report two weeks after the score report date, call Evaluation Systems at (800) 784-4999 or (916) 928-4192. Under no circumstances will your official report information be released in person or by telephone, fax, or e-mail.
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	How are tests scored, and how do I read my official score report?
	You will receive with your official score report an explanation of how to read and interpret your scores. Also, you may access details about how to read and interpret your scores by selecting "Score Reporting" at the top of this Web page. In addition, see "WEST Passing Requirements" for information about test design and how passing scores or standards for the test are established.
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	May I request that my test score be verified?
	Yes. See "Requesting a Score Verification" for complete information about available score verification services.
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	I did not pass the test. To help me to prepare to take the test again, may I obtain more detailed information about my performance on the test?
	Yes. See "Expanded Diagnostic Feedback Service" for complete information about a service designed to reveal more clearly areas of strength and weakness in your most recent performance on the test so that you may better prepare to take the test again.
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	May I request additional copies of my scores?
	Yes. See "Requesting Additional Copies of Your Test Results" for complete information about how to request additional copies of your scores.
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Alternative Testing Arrangements

	How do I request alternative testing arrangements for a disability?
	See "Registering for Alternative Testing Arrangements" for complete information about how to submit a request for alternative testing arrangements for a disability (physical or other than physical).
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	May I submit my request for alternative testing arrangements on the Internet?
	No. If you register on the Internet, you will need to submit by fax or U.S. mail, after completing your registration on the Internet, your Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form and any required documentation. If you register by U.S. mail, your Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form and any required documentation should be submitted with your registration materials. See "Registering for Alternative Testing Arrangements" for additional important information about how to request alternative testing arrangements.
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	May I still request alternative testing arrangements after the regular registration deadline?
	Yes. However, because of the time that it takes to review requests adequately, and because of test-site and staffing constraints, there is no assurance that requests received after the regular registration deadline can be accommodated.
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	The last time that I tested, my request for alternative testing arrangements was granted. Do I need to submit the paperwork again each time I register?
	The Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form must be submitted each time that you register. The first time that you request alternative testing arrangements, you will need to submit all of the required documentation to support your request for accommodations. Evaluation Systems will keep your documentation on file for one year. If you register for subsequent test dates within that year, you only need to submit your completed registration, correct payment, and a completed Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form, as long as your condition and the requested accommodations have not changed.
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	May I submit a request to test on an alternative test date for religious reasons?
	See the "Registering for an Alternative Test Date for Religious Reasons" section in "Registering for Alternative Testing Arrangements" for complete information about how to register for an alternative test date for religious reasons.
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