NYSTCE Multi-Subject: Part Three: Arts and Sciences (245) Practice Tests
Prepare for the NYSTCE Multi-Subject: Part Three: Arts and Sciences (245): 40 selected-response questions in 1 hour, covering 3 content areas: Science and Technology (40%), Social Studies (40%) and Fine Arts, Health and Fitness, Family and Consumer Science, and Career Development (20%).
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NYSTCE Multi-Subject: Part Three: Arts and Sciences (245): Test at a Glance
Facts as published by the official test program.
Part Three of the NYSTCE Multi-Subject assessments (field 245) covers arts and sciences. It has 40 selected-response questions and 60 minutes of testing time. The same part is required for the Early Childhood, Childhood, Middle Childhood and Secondary Multi-Subject certificates.
The official framework lists 3 competencies: Science and Technology (40%); Social Studies (40%); Fine Arts, Health and Fitness, Family and Consumer Science, and Career Development (20%).
This is Part Three of the Multi-Subject assessment. Each part is scored separately, and you must pass every required part to qualify for certification.
Passing score: A total score of 520 or higher (scale 400 to 600).
NYSTCE Multi-Subject: Part Three: Arts and Sciences (245): Exam Blueprint
Content categories and approximate weighting from the official test framework.
1. Science and Technology
40%Competency 0001 makes up about 40% of the 245 score. It covers: scientific inquiry; physical setting; living environment; technology and engineering design; connections among mathematics, science and technology.
- Scientific inquiry: Formulate hypotheses from reasoning and preliminary results; Evaluate the soundness and feasibility of investigations; Apply mathematical and statistical methods to data; Interpret graphs, charts and tables for patterns and relationships; Evaluate the validity of conclusions; Apply safe lab practices and humane animal care
- Physical setting: Earth-Moon-Sun interactions: seasons, lunar phases; Air, water and land interactions: weather, volcanism, erosion; Physical versus chemical properties and changes; Forms of energy and their transformations; Effects of forces on objects; Physical science principles: forces, conservation of energy
- Living environment: Characteristics of living things and life processes; Reproduction, development and inheritance; Factors driving change in organisms and species over time; How organisms meet life needs and maintain balance (homeostasis); Effects of environmental conditions and plant-animal relationships
- Technology and engineering design: Technological systems and their subsystems; Modeling and optimization in engineering design; Evaluating technological solutions; Criteria for selecting tools and materials; Positive and negative effects of technology
- Connections among mathematics, science and technology: Common themes: systems, models, scale, equilibrium, patterns of change; Modeling situations with math, science and technology principles; Designing solutions with mathematical, scientific and technological reasoning; Effects of human activity on the environment and evaluating science and technology solutions
2. Social Studies
40%Competency 0002 makes up about 40% of the 245 score. It covers: history; geography; human development and interactions; economic and political principles; citizenship; social studies skills.
- History: Defining concepts such as racism, nation-state and feudalism and using them to analyze events; Social effects of the agricultural, scientific, industrial and information revolutions; Characteristics of ancient civilizations and their interactions; Periodization and comparing interpretations of events; Effects of European contact and settlement in New York and the Northeast; Roles of individuals and groups in U.S. life
- Geography: Geographic terms and concepts; The six essential elements of geography; Physical features of Earth and the processes that reshape them; Social, political, cultural and religious systems in regions; Population density, distribution and demographic change; Human impact on the environment
- Human development and interactions: Anthropological, psychological and sociological perspectives; Factors shaping personal identity; How language, arts, media, traditions and values transmit culture; Roles of social groups and institutions; Competing viewpoints; social and cultural change
- Economic and political principles: Economic and political terms: scarcity, opportunity cost, supply and demand, power, checks and balances; The U.S. economic system; economic models and government systems; Principles of American constitutional democracy; Influence between the U.S. and other nations
- Citizenship: Personal and political rights in founding documents and civil rights law; Core values of American democracy; The election process; roles of parties, pressure groups and special interests; Rights, responsibilities and privileges in family, community and nation
- Social studies skills: Evaluating research resources and methods; Mapping: grids, latitude and longitude, map projections; Analyzing materials: central themes, fact versus opinion, multiple viewpoints; Interpreting graphic and written information
3. Fine Arts, Health and Fitness, Family and Consumer Science, and Career Development
20%Competency 0003 makes up about 20% of the 245 score. It covers: visual arts, music, theater and dance; health, safety, physical education and fitness; family and consumer science and career development.
- Visual arts, music, theater and dance: Elements and principles of art and how they convey meaning; Analyzing two- and three-dimensional works; choosing media for a purpose; Instrument families, musical terms and the science of sound; Dramatic forms, dance types and their cultural origins; How cultures use art, music, drama and dance
- Health, safety, physical education and fitness: Common health problems: prevention, detection, treatment; Skills supporting healthy choices; nutrition principles and diet planning; Contemporary health issues and evaluating health information; Physical development sequences, motor skills and safety practices; Major body systems and their disorders; fitness components and training principles; personal fitness plans
- Family and consumer science and career development: Stages of child development and children's needs; Family structures, roles and functions; interpersonal relationships and communication; Consumer rights, fraud and major purchases; housing, credit, insurance and investments; budgeting; Linking interests and skills to employment; career research and job search; Interview skills, workplace communication and employment rights
Study Guide by Content Category
Use this section to plan your study time. Each topic comes from the official content categories for NYSTCE Multi-Subject: Part Three: Arts and Sciences (245).
Category 1 · Science and Technology
About 40% of the exam- Scientific inquiry Review Formulate hypotheses from reasoning and preliminary results; Evaluate the soundness and feasibility of investigations; Apply mathematical and statistical methods to data; Interpret graphs, charts and tables for patterns and relationships; Evaluate the validity of conclusions; Apply safe lab practices and humane animal care.
- Physical setting Review Earth-Moon-Sun interactions: seasons, lunar phases; Air, water and land interactions: weather, volcanism, erosion; Physical versus chemical properties and changes; Forms of energy and their transformations; Effects of forces on objects; Physical science principles: forces, conservation of energy.
- Living environment Review Characteristics of living things and life processes; Reproduction, development and inheritance; Factors driving change in organisms and species over time; How organisms meet life needs and maintain balance (homeostasis); Effects of environmental conditions and plant-animal relationships.
- Technology and engineering design Review Technological systems and their subsystems; Modeling and optimization in engineering design; Evaluating technological solutions; Criteria for selecting tools and materials; Positive and negative effects of technology.
- Connections among mathematics, science and technology Review Common themes: systems, models, scale, equilibrium, patterns of change; Modeling situations with math, science and technology principles; Designing solutions with mathematical, scientific and technological reasoning; Effects of human activity on the environment and evaluating science and technology solutions.
Category 2 · Social Studies
About 40% of the exam- History Review Defining concepts such as racism, nation-state and feudalism and using them to analyze events; Social effects of the agricultural, scientific, industrial and information revolutions; Characteristics of ancient civilizations and their interactions; Periodization and comparing interpretations of events; Effects of European contact and settlement in New York and the Northeast; Roles of individuals and groups in U.S. life.
- Geography Review Geographic terms and concepts; The six essential elements of geography; Physical features of Earth and the processes that reshape them; Social, political, cultural and religious systems in regions; Population density, distribution and demographic change; Human impact on the environment.
- Human development and interactions Review Anthropological, psychological and sociological perspectives; Factors shaping personal identity; How language, arts, media, traditions and values transmit culture; Roles of social groups and institutions; Competing viewpoints; social and cultural change.
- Economic and political principles Review Economic and political terms: scarcity, opportunity cost, supply and demand, power, checks and balances; The U.S. economic system; economic models and government systems; Principles of American constitutional democracy; Influence between the U.S. and other nations.
- Citizenship Review Personal and political rights in founding documents and civil rights law; Core values of American democracy; The election process; roles of parties, pressure groups and special interests; Rights, responsibilities and privileges in family, community and nation.
- Social studies skills Review Evaluating research resources and methods; Mapping: grids, latitude and longitude, map projections; Analyzing materials: central themes, fact versus opinion, multiple viewpoints; Interpreting graphic and written information.
Category 3 · Fine Arts, Health and Fitness, Family and Consumer Science, and Career Development
About 20% of the exam- Visual arts, music, theater and dance Review Elements and principles of art and how they convey meaning; Analyzing two- and three-dimensional works; choosing media for a purpose; Instrument families, musical terms and the science of sound; Dramatic forms, dance types and their cultural origins; How cultures use art, music, drama and dance.
- Health, safety, physical education and fitness Review Common health problems: prevention, detection, treatment; Skills supporting healthy choices; nutrition principles and diet planning; Contemporary health issues and evaluating health information; Physical development sequences, motor skills and safety practices; Major body systems and their disorders; fitness components and training principles; personal fitness plans.
- Family and consumer science and career development Review Stages of child development and children's needs; Family structures, roles and functions; interpersonal relationships and communication; Consumer rights, fraud and major purchases; housing, credit, insurance and investments; budgeting; Linking interests and skills to employment; career research and job search; Interview skills, workplace communication and employment rights.
Registration, Test Day and Scoring
- Test options
- Test center
- Passing score
- 520 (scale 400-600)
How to Register
- 1Confirm which tests you need
The New York State Education Department sets certification requirements. Check the requirements for your certificate with the Department or your preparation program.
- 2Register on the NYSTCE site
Create an account at nystce.nesinc.com, choose the test and an appointment, and pay when you register.
- 3Prepare with the official framework
The test framework lists every competency and its weight, and the site has a preparation guide with sample questions.
Fees
$43 (Part Three costs $43. For the Childhood assessment, taking all three parts (221, 222 and 245) at one administration totals $161.). Fees can change, so confirm the amount on the NYSTCE site when you register.
Test day
NYSTCE tests are computer-based and are scheduled through the NYSTCE site (nystce.nesinc.com), run by Pearson for the New York State Education Department.
Candidates set their own pace within the total testing time, which covers both the selected-response and constructed-response parts.
Read the NYSTCE registration bulletin for arrival and identification requirements before your appointment.
Scoring
Total test scores range from 400 to 600, and a score of 520 or above passes.
Each correct selected-response answer counts equally and wrong answers carry no penalty. At least two qualified New York State educators score each constructed response, without knowing the candidate's identity, on a four-point scale.
Who Takes NYSTCE Multi-Subject: Part Three: Arts and Sciences (245)?
Every candidate for a Multi-Subject certificate. Part Three (245) is shared by all four Multi-Subject assessments, so candidates seeking more than one Multi-Subject certificate need to pass it only once.
Candidates who want a quick first step. Part Three has no written response and the shortest testing time, so some candidates take it first.
How to Prepare for NYSTCE Multi-Subject: Part Three: Arts and Sciences (245)
- 1Start with the official preparation materials
Read the official NYSTCE test framework for field 245. It lists each competency and its weight.
- 2Study by weight
Give the most time to Science and Technology (about 40%), but cover every category.
- 3Science and social studies are 80% of the score
Competencies 0001 and 0002 each carry 40%. Review scientific inquiry, the physical setting, the living environment, engineering design, history, geography, economics and civics.
- 4Do not skip the last 20%
Fine arts, health, fitness, family and consumer science and career development together carry 20% across nine topic areas. A few hours of review here pays off.
- 5Read graphs and data carefully
Scientific inquiry and social studies skills both ask you to interpret graphs, charts, tables and maps.
- 6Pace yourself
You have 60 minutes for 40 items, about 90 seconds each. There is no penalty for wrong answers, so answer every question.
- 7Answer every question
There is no penalty for wrong answers on the selected-response questions, so never leave one blank.
NYSTCE Multi-Subject: Part Three: Arts and Sciences (245): Frequently Asked Questions
What is the passing score for NYSTCE Multi-Subject: Part Three: Arts and Sciences (245)?+
A total score of 520 or higher (scale 400 to 600).
What is on NYSTCE Multi-Subject: Part Three: Arts and Sciences (245)?+
40 selected-response questions, in 1 hour.
How much does NYSTCE Multi-Subject: Part Three: Arts and Sciences (245) cost?+
$43 (Part Three costs $43. For the Childhood assessment, taking all three parts (221, 222 and 245) at one administration totals $161.). Fees can change, so confirm the amount on the official site.
How many questions are on NYSTCE Multi-Subject: Part Three: Arts and Sciences (245) and how long is it?+
40 selected-response questions, with 60 minutes of testing time plus about 15 minutes for the tutorial and nondisclosure agreement.
Which competency carries the most weight on NYSTCE Multi-Subject: Part Three: Arts and Sciences (245)?+
Science and Technology carries the most weight at about 40% of the score.
How many competencies are on NYSTCE Multi-Subject: Part Three: Arts and Sciences (245)?+
The official framework lists 3 competencies.
Do I have to pass all three parts of the Multi-Subject assessment?+
Yes. Each part has its own passing standard of 520 and you must take and pass all three parts to qualify for certification in the field. Part Three (245) is shared across all Multi-Subject certificates, so you pass it only once.
What score do I need to pass a NYSTCE test?+
You need a total score of 520 or higher on the 400 to 600 scale.
Is there a penalty for guessing?+
No. Each correct selected-response answer counts equally and wrong answers carry no penalty, so answer every question.
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Start Practice Free →Sources: NYSTCE Multi-Subject (221/222/245) test details, fees and time; NYSTCE Fields 221/222/245 test design and framework (official PDF); Multi-Subject preparation materials; NYSTCE candidate score reports explained. Always confirm current requirements, fees and passing scores with the official program before you register.
ApexTeachersPrep is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by New York State Education Department. Last reviewed: October 31, 2026.