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Exam Information

Occupational Competency Examination (OCE)

The State of New York requires individuals seeking CTE certification have recent and appropriate occupational experience in their selected specialization. Successful completion of the Occupational Competency Exam (OCE) will verify the content-specific occupational knowledge and skills and grant you 30 credit hours. See additional information regarding CTE Experience Requirements on the New York State Education Department website. 

Upon verification of your occupational experience, you will sign up to take the OCE to assess your knowledge and comprehension of topics related to your content-specific area. Upon signing up for the exam, the CTE department secretary will register you for CTE 331 and CTE 332. Both CTE 331 and CTE 332 are offered during the Fall and Spring semesters. The fee for each exam is $350.00.

  • CTE 331 - Occupational Competency Written Examination - 15 cr. hrs. This four-hour multiple choice written examination will assess your competencies in the theoretical aspects of your selected occupation.
  • CTE 332 - Occupational Competency Performance Examination - 15 cr. hrs. This four-hour performance examination is composed of typical jobs found in your selected occupation and is intended to assess your manipulative skills. This test is administered by examiners who have an established background in the occupation as well as expertise in test administration.

*The OCE will be waived with 36 semester hours of appropriate college credit in the occupational area in which teacher certification is sought.

For additional information, please contact OCE Coordinator Cynthia Thomas at [email protected].

Graduate Comprehensive Examination (MSed Comp. Exam)

The graduate comprehensive exam is a requirement for all CTE graduate students prior to graduation. Graduate students must complete this exam during the last semester at SUNY Oswego. This written exam is composed of multiple questions based on the CTE courses you have taken at SUNY Oswego. The graduate comprehensive exam is offered one Saturday each semester, online via Zoom and Brightspace. There is no cost associated with this exam.

Register for the MSed Comp. Exam

For additional information, please contact the CTE Graduate coordinator at [email protected]

Content Specialty Tests

This computer-based test includes 90 selected response items and 1 constructed response. You will have 3 hours and 15 minutes to complete the exam. Additional information for the various content areas can be found below:

Secondary Assessment of Teaching Skills - Written (ATS-W)

This computer-based test includes 80 selected response items and 1 constructed response. You will have 4 hours to complete the test. Additional information and registration for this test can be found on the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations website.

Secondary ATS-W

Educating All Students (EAS)

This computer-based test includes 40 selected response items and 3 constructed response items. You will have 2 hours and 15 minutes to complete the test. Additional information and registration for this test can be found on the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations website.

Educating All Students

CapstoneTPA

The CapstoneTPA is a subject-specific portfolio-based assessment to assure that students graduating from a teacher preparation program have the skills necessary to be successful in the classroom. Completion of the CapstoneTPA is a SUNY Oswego School of Education requirement for all students graduating from an initial certification program. Students will complete the CapstoneTPA during the Student Teaching experience. Information about the CapstoneTPA can be found on the SUNY Oswego School of Education website.

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Contact Us

It is your responsibility to initiate the call at the time of your advisement appointment.

Undergraduate Coordinator 

Dr. Star Matteson 
315-312-2229 
[email protected] 
Make an appointment with Dr. Matteson

Graduate Coordinator

Dr. Jan Woodworth
315-312-2298
[email protected]
Make an appointment with Dr. Woodworth