1
NYSTCE Multi-Subject CST: Part 3, Arts
& Sciences| Questions and Answers|
2025/2026
A teacher uses a Venn diagram to compare desert and rainforest ecosystems. What skill is the
teacher targeting?
Comparing and contrasting. This helps kids figure out what’s similar and different about two
things, which is big in science and reading.
A student keeps misplacing place value when solving multi-digit subtraction problems. What’s
the best support?
Use base-ten blocks or grid paper. That way they can physically line up digits and see what’s
going on with each column.
Which resource would most support a student's understanding of multiplication as repeated
addition?
Arrays or skip-counting number lines. These tools show how multiplication is just stacking
up groups of the same number.
A student in your class consistently skips over punctuation when reading aloud. What’s likely the
issue?
They’re focusing too much on decoding and not enough on fluency. You’d probably want to
work on pausing for punctuation and practicing with easier texts to build confidence.
, 2
A student says the sun moves across the sky each day. What’s a good next step instructionally?
Do a model showing Earth’s rotation. The kid’s got a common misconception—help them
see it’s Earth turning, not the sun moving.
Which strategy best supports comprehension in informational texts for 4th graders?
Teaching them to find the main idea and details. Helps them organize facts and make sense
of all that nonfiction info.
What’s the most appropriate tool for helping a student revise their writing for clarity?
A checklist that includes questions like “Does this make sense?” or “Did I use specific
words?” Simple and gets them thinking like editors.
In a science lesson, students test which materials conduct electricity. Which science practice is
this?
It’s planning and carrying out investigations. They’re testing stuff, collecting data—that’s
core to how science works.
During a unit on Earth’s changes, a student thinks mountains form overnight. How do you
respond?
Show a time-lapse or model of plate tectonics. They need to get how slow that process is.
Real visuals help.
, 3
You’re planning a history unit on early Native American cultures. What’s one thing you
definitely want to include?
Primary sources like artifacts or stories. They give students real context and show history
from the people’s perspective.
What’s a strong way to support a student struggling with nonfiction vocabulary?
Use a word wall and graphic organizers. Helps them see and connect terms, especially the
tricky content words.
If a student always chooses the same genre for independent reading, what’s a smart teacher
move?
Offer book talks on different genres. Sometimes kids need a nudge to try something new,
especially if they think they won’t like it.
A math lesson uses real grocery receipts. What teaching move is that?
That’s using real-world applications. Makes math feel useful and shows how it actually
works in daily life.
During a geography lesson, kids map where their food comes from. What’s the main skill?
Spatial thinking. They’re connecting places on a map to real-life stuff like trade and farming.
NYSTCE Multi-Subject CST: Part 3, Arts
& Sciences| Questions and Answers|
2025/2026
A teacher uses a Venn diagram to compare desert and rainforest ecosystems. What skill is the
teacher targeting?
Comparing and contrasting. This helps kids figure out what’s similar and different about two
things, which is big in science and reading.
A student keeps misplacing place value when solving multi-digit subtraction problems. What’s
the best support?
Use base-ten blocks or grid paper. That way they can physically line up digits and see what’s
going on with each column.
Which resource would most support a student's understanding of multiplication as repeated
addition?
Arrays or skip-counting number lines. These tools show how multiplication is just stacking
up groups of the same number.
A student in your class consistently skips over punctuation when reading aloud. What’s likely the
issue?
They’re focusing too much on decoding and not enough on fluency. You’d probably want to
work on pausing for punctuation and practicing with easier texts to build confidence.
, 2
A student says the sun moves across the sky each day. What’s a good next step instructionally?
Do a model showing Earth’s rotation. The kid’s got a common misconception—help them
see it’s Earth turning, not the sun moving.
Which strategy best supports comprehension in informational texts for 4th graders?
Teaching them to find the main idea and details. Helps them organize facts and make sense
of all that nonfiction info.
What’s the most appropriate tool for helping a student revise their writing for clarity?
A checklist that includes questions like “Does this make sense?” or “Did I use specific
words?” Simple and gets them thinking like editors.
In a science lesson, students test which materials conduct electricity. Which science practice is
this?
It’s planning and carrying out investigations. They’re testing stuff, collecting data—that’s
core to how science works.
During a unit on Earth’s changes, a student thinks mountains form overnight. How do you
respond?
Show a time-lapse or model of plate tectonics. They need to get how slow that process is.
Real visuals help.
, 3
You’re planning a history unit on early Native American cultures. What’s one thing you
definitely want to include?
Primary sources like artifacts or stories. They give students real context and show history
from the people’s perspective.
What’s a strong way to support a student struggling with nonfiction vocabulary?
Use a word wall and graphic organizers. Helps them see and connect terms, especially the
tricky content words.
If a student always chooses the same genre for independent reading, what’s a smart teacher
move?
Offer book talks on different genres. Sometimes kids need a nudge to try something new,
especially if they think they won’t like it.
A math lesson uses real grocery receipts. What teaching move is that?
That’s using real-world applications. Makes math feel useful and shows how it actually
works in daily life.
During a geography lesson, kids map where their food comes from. What’s the main skill?
Spatial thinking. They’re connecting places on a map to real-life stuff like trade and farming.
