PECT Program Update:
PAPA and PreK–4 Test Design Change

The Pre-service Academic Performance Assessment (PAPA) and the PreK–4 tests are undergoing structural changes effective March 3, 2014. The changes involve an increase of 15 minutes for one module in each test as described below and 15-minute breaks between modules. We are making these changes to improve the testing experience for the test taker. There will be an increase in fees due to the increased time.

The fee increase will be effective January 14, 2014. This is necessary due to the nature of the registration process. Candidates who wish to take the PAPA before March 3, 2014, should register for the test before January 14, 2014. The restructured tests will be administered effective March 3, 2014. Please see the tables below for detailed information regarding these changes.

PAPA Test Design Changes

PAPA Test Design CURRENT
(as of October 14, 2013) 		FUTURE
(beginning March 3, 2014)
Reading 45 min.
36 multiple-choice questions 		45 min.
36 multiple-choice questions
Break n/a 15 min.
Mathematics 60 min.
36 multiple-choice questions 		75 min.
36 multiple-choice questions
Break n/a 15 min.
Writing 75 min.
36 multiple-choice questions
2 sentence corrections
1 essay (approx. 600 words) 		75 min.
36 multiple-choice questions
2 sentence corrections
1 essay (approx. 600 words)
Total Test 180 min.
  		195 min.
plus 30 min. break time

Summary of changes to the PAPA

  • Time changes
    • Two 15-minute scheduled breaks
    • 15 minutes of additional testing time for the Mathematics module whether scheduled separately or with other two modules
  • Fee changes
    • All three modules together: $110 (currently $89)
    • Math module taken separately: $44 (currently $37)
  • No longer able to move between modules
    • Each module is a separate test with a break between modules.
    • This ensures all candidates will have a standard amount of time for each module.

PreK–4 Test Design Changes

PreK–4 Test Design CURRENT
(as of April 2, 2012) 		FUTURE
(beginning March 3, 2014)
Module 1 45 min.
40 multiple-choice questions 		45 min.
36 multiple-choice questions
Break n/a 15 min.
Module 2 75 min.
50 multiple-choice questions 		75 min.
45 multiple-choice questions
Break n/a 15 min.
Module 3 75 min.
50 multiple-choice questions 		90 min.
45 multiple-choice questions
Total Test 195 min.
  		210 min.
plus 30 min. break time

Summary of changes to PreK–4

  • Time changes
    • Two 15-minute scheduled breaks
    • 15 minutes of extra time for Module 3 whether scheduled separately or with other two modules
  • Fee changes
    • All three modules together: $131 (currently $110)
    • Module 3 taken separately: $53 (currently $46)
  • No longer able to move between modules
    • Each module is a separate test with a break between modules.
    • This ensures all candidates will have a standard amount of time for each module.

Want the new test design?

  • Register on or after January 14, 2014, and schedule a test appointment on or after March 3, 2014.
  • If you register after January 14, do not schedule a test prior to March 3, 2014.
  • Current test design continues through March 2, 2014.

Already registered but not scheduled?

  • If you schedule a test appointment before March 3, 2014, you will get the current test design. If you schedule a test appointment for a date on or after March 3, 2014, you will get the new test design; you will not be charged any additional fees.

Candidates who have already registered and have scheduled a test appointment prior to March 3 may:

  • Keep their current appointment and take the test with the current design
    OR
  • To get the new test design, cancel their current test appointment and reschedule their test appointment for a date on or after March 3

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