Professional Readiness Examination (PRE) and its Alternatives
(Taken from the Michigan Department of Education Website)
The PRE is the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) teacher certification basic skills examination composed of reading, writing, and mathematics subtests. The PRE must be passed before student teaching in a Michigan K-12 school. The PRE is also required for out-of-state applicants seeking Michigan certification. To pass the PRE, a test-taker must pass each of the three subtests mentioned above.
The PRE provider, Evaluation Services Group of Pearson (ES), offers the PRE in a computer- or paper-based format as part of the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) program. Those seeking Michigan certification can learn about test schedules, locations, and registration by visiting the MTTC Web site.
In April 2014, the MDE accepted ACT and the Michigan Merit Examination (MME) as alternative examinations for the PRE. In February 2017, the updated SAT was added as an alternative. ACT, MME, and SAT minimum passing scores are below:
|
PRE Subtest
|
Required ACT Score1
|
Required MME Score2
|
Required SAT Score3
|
|
Reading
|
22
|
1108
|
4805
|
|
Writing
|
224
|
1129
|
|
Mathematics
|
22
|
1116
|
530
|
- ACT scores are valid for tests taken from January 1989 to September 23, 2017
- MME scores are valid for tests taken from January 2007 through January 2015
- SAT scores are valid for tests taken on or after March 5, 2016
- ACT Writing score is determined from an ACT Combined English/Writing score
- SAT Reading and English test results are reported as a single Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score
SAT test takers are not required to complete the SAT essay test. SAT essay performance is not in the SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score.
The MDE also offers the option of passing the PRE with a passing score in two PRE subtests and a third PRE subtest alternative score, which is a score at or above a Statistical Error of Measurement (called -1 SEM). The -1 SEM target score may change with each test administration. An alternative scores table is published on the MTTC Web site.
Test-takers may combine alternative pass measures until October 1, 2025. For example, a test-taker can receive basic skills examination “passed” status with:
- an ACT Mathematics score of 22, an MME Reading score of 1108, and an SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score of 480.
- an SAT Mathematics score of 530, an MME Reading score of 1108, and a PRE Writing score of 220.
An important caveat to the combination allowances:
The -1 SEM alternative pass measure is not allowed in any combination using an SAT score.
Thus, in the combination examples above, a test-taker may not use a -1 SEM PRE allowance in place of the ACT or the PRE score. Someone could, however, earn basic skills examination “passed” status with:
- an ACT Mathematics score of 22, an MME Reading score of 1108, and a Writing PRE score at or above a -1 SEM score from the alternative score table.
As of September 23, 2017,
- the PRE will no longer be offered. PRE score results from on or before September 23, 2017 will still be eligible to establish basic skills examination “passed” status without expiration.
- the ACT may no longer be taken as a basic skills examination.
- test-takers needing to pass the MDE basic skills examination must use the updated SAT from on or after March 5, 2016.
- alternative pass measures completed on or before September 23, 2017 may be used until October 1, 2025. Alternative pass measures include ACT, MME, and -1 SEM PRE score values.
State law requires a passing result in all 3 areas prior to student teaching. Andrews University requires a passing result prior to admission to the Teacher Preparation/Student Teaching program.
