If you’re considering a career in teaching in Virginia, you may have come across the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) exam. This exam is vital in assessing your knowledge and skills necessary to becoming a teacher in Virginia. Understanding the scoring system and what it entails is crucial for preparing effectively. This article delves into everything you need about VCLA exam scores.
Overview of the VCLA Exam
The Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) exam is designed to evaluate your competency on two subtests (Reading and Writing) covering 14 objectives.
The VCLA exam consists of 80 multiple-choice questions, 3 short-answer questions, 1 written summary assignment, and 1 written composition assignment. You have 4 hours to complete the exam.
Our Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) exam overview expands more on the structure of the exam.
How the Exam is Scored
The VCLA Reading subtest score is calculated by summing up the total number of questions you answered correctly on the exam. You are not penalized for incorrect answers, meaning you won’t lose points because you answered some questions incorrectly. The exam is scored by a machine
The VCLA Writing Subtest total score is breakdown as follows:
- Multiple-Choice and Short Answer Questions – 50% of total score
- Summary Assignment Response – 20%
- Composition Assignment Response – 30%
.
Passing Score
The passing score for the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) exam is a 470. Your total score is calculated by combining your highest scores on the two subtests.
When Will You Get Your Score Report
Official scores will be sent out within 10 business days of your test date. If you take your exam at a test center you will receive a certificate of completion at the conclusion of the exam. If you take your exam through online proctoring you will not receive a certificate of completion when the test is over.
Understanding Your Score Report
Your Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) score report will include your total score, whether or not you passed the exam, and a breakdown of your performance on each objective called “performance indices”.
The Performance Indices are provided to help you determine your strengths and weaknesses. They should be taken with caution however, because all objectives have different numbers of questions. Meaning its hard to determine true proficiency in an objective that only had a few questions pertaining to that objective. Performance Indices will be broken down into one of the following categories:
| Performance Indices |
| Multiple-Choice Questions |
Shorts Answer Questions & CRQs |
| ++++ Most or all items answered correctly |
++++ Response reflected a thorough understanding |
| +++ Many items answered correctly |
+++ Response reflected a general understanding |
| ++ Some items answered correctly |
++ Response reflected a limited understanding |
| + Few or none of the items answered correctly |
+ Response reflected little or no understanding |
Retaking the Exam:
If you don’t pass the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) exam you can retake the test. However, you must wait 30 days before you can retest. You can retake the exam as many times as you need to pass. You must complete the registration process and submit payment again to retake the exam. It’s crucial to carefully analyze your score report to identify areas of weakness and develop a targeted study plan to improve your performance in those subject areas. To help you in future study or in preparing to retake the test, your score report shows how you performed in each content domain.
Conclusion:
The Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) exam scores play a significant role in assessing your competency as a teacher in Virginia. By understanding the scoring system, criteria, and passing score requirements, you can effectively prepare for the exam and increase your chances of success. Remember to utilize your score report as a valuable tool for identifying areas that need improvement, enabling you to focus your efforts and enhance your overall performance. With diligent preparation and a clear understanding of the exam, you’ll be well-equipped to excel in the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) exam.
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