Licensure | Illinois Content Exams
High School Physics Content Exam (243)
If you have been assigned to teach High School Physics you will take the Physics 243 content exam. Your High School Physics exam (243) is a computer-based test that you can take at a testing location near you (you don't need to be in Illinois). Most corps members assigned to this content area have experience from college Physics courses so will need to spend some time brushing up on the content depending on when and what courses you took. However, with dedicated study time (and proactive outreach for support) we see approximately 95% of corps members pass this exam.
Logistics
This exam is computer-based (you can take it from a testing center anywhere in the US and some international locations).
This exam costs $122.
If you fail, you can retake this exam. However, you must wait 14 days before re-testing.
Study Tips
Use the ILTS Study Guide (located below). Recent Corps Members said this was the most helpful study resource!
Use a study guide template to plan your studying and hold yourself accountable
Carve out time to study and honor that time on your calendar. What does this mean? Make sure you are dedicating real time to studying - if you put a 2 hour block on your calendar then prioritize that commitment (don't schedule over it). On average 95% of folks that studied for at least 10 hours passed this exam.
Work together, you are a team! Reach out to each other (and your MDLD) via Slack if you need support or have questions!
Have compassion for yourself and for others. Sometimes even our best-laid plans have to change because life happens and testing cannot always be a priority. We understand that and are here for you. If you need to change your test date or ask for an extension just reach out to Steven Grosso via a direct message in Slack.
Test Taking Strategies (and tips for test anxiety) Check out these strategies on preparing for your exam, taking the exam, and your own wellness. This is especially helpful if you have test anxiety.
Content Specific Study Resources
Illinois State Board of Education Issued Test Prep (#1 Recommended)
Study.com memberships provided by TFA
You can find full instructions to access your free Study.com account in this PDF.
Please use your TFA email address (firstname.lastname.25@tfacorps.org) when signing up.
Please use the access code for our region only, which you can find in the PDF.
Once you apply to NLU and are accepted you’ll be able to access full Mometrix study guides using your NLU email
Khan Academy Physics Review (for basic content refreshers)
Test Taking Strategies
Review our preparation and anxiety-reducing strategies for better test taking.