OSAT Principal Certification Exam (144
Q&A) Full Practice Test – Updated
Study Guide
\.A community group has requested the use of the school gymnasium for an upcoming event.
Which of the following should the principal consider first before approving the request? -
ANSWERS✔-Whether the request is in accordance with school and district policy for use of
school facilities
\.A goal for XYZ High School is to increase teachers' and students' technology skills. Which of the
following decisions best demonstrates that the leader is aligning resources to achieve the goal?
- ANSWERS✔-Purchase updated computers for teachers and students and provide training for
using them
\.A group of community members meet with the principal to share concerns that the
community does not believe the principal is effectively communicating data about progress
toward the school vision and goals to them. The community members explain that many of
them are not able to attend meetings held at the school. Which of the following solutions
should the principal suggest to the community members? - ANSWERS✔-Develop a variety of
ways to communicate in addition to the community meetings, such as via email, a school
newsletter, and regular phone calls.
\.A group of parents expressed concern to the school leader that they did not feel involved in
the decision-making processes at the school. Which of the following actions could the school
leader take to address their concerns? - ANSWERS✔-Create a parent focus group.
,\.A group of social studies teachers at a high school approach the principal to discuss forming a
professional learning community(PLC). The teachers explain that their initial focus will be on
strategies for differentiating instruction. The principal can best support the teachers in meeting
their goals of the PLC by: - ANSWERS✔-encouraging the teachers to identify authentic
instructional problems for which they can develop solutions within the PLC.
\.A group of teachers who are unhappy with some of the policies on campus have organized
into an informal group. They have begun inviting other teachers and staff to meet with them to
discuss campus concerns. The school leader becomes aware of the group. Which of the
following is the best response to the formation of this group? - ANSWERS✔-Invite the group to
meet with the school leader to discuss their concerns.
\.A high school in the second year of a multiyear implementation of a new schoolwide
instructional system. The new system requires teachers to significantly change the way they
deliver instruction to students, and the principal has noticed that a subset of teachers is
resistant to making the required changes in their classrooms. Several of those teachers have
expressed discontent with the new system during the department meeting. Which of the
following strategies should the principal utilize to address the teachers' resistance - ANSWERS✔-
Encouraging the teachers to share their concerns about the new system so that the faculty can
collaboratively assess the concerns and develop solutions
\.A high school principal ensured that the campus was fully staffed with highly qualified
teachers at least a month before the start of the school year. What is the primary benefit of this
effort? - ANSWERS✔-All teachers will have an opportunity to participate in trainings and
professional development prior to the start of the year.
\.A high school principal has created instructional teams comprised of teachers from each core
content area and fine arts. These teams plan instruction together and incorporate concepts
from the various subjects in each of their classrooms. This strategy is an example of what type
of instruction? - ANSWERS✔-Cross-curricular instruction
\.A high school principal is conducting regularly scheduled classroom walkthroughs. A first-year
teacher is showing a video documentary that aligns with the topics on which the teacher is
,focusing this week. During the walkthrough, the principal observes that most of the students
appear to be watching the video as entertainment, while a few students are looking out of the
window or texting on their cellphones. Which of the following strategies would be most
appropriate for the principal to suggest to the teacher in order to improve instruction? -
ANSWERS✔-including activities before and after the video to establish and reinforce learning
objectives.
\.A high school principal is informed by a clerk in the main office that moments earlier, an
anonymous caller made a bomb threat against the school. In response to this situation, the
principal's first course of action should be to - ANSWERS✔-evacuate the school immediately and
bring students to a secure location
\.A high school principal is overseeing the implementation of a schoolwide instructional
initiative to provide targeted academic support for students at risk of not graduating. Responses
to faculty surveys over the past two years demonstrate strong support for the inititative as well
as uncertanty about hou to reach as-risk students. Which of the following strategies can the
principal utilize, in collaboration with the faculty, to design professional development to support
the implementation of this initiative? - ANSWERS✔-linking individual teacher growth plan goals
explicity with the instructional goals of the initiative
\.A leader must ensure that the school's physical plant, equipment, and support systems
operate safely, efficiently, and effectively. Which of the following strategies best helps the school
leader fulfill this responsibility? - ANSWERS✔-Selecting the appropriate staff to manage the
physical plant
\.A middle school is expecting a dramatic increase in the number of students requiring special
education services for the upcoming school year. Which of the following should be the
principal's primary concern? - ANSWERS✔-The availability of human and fiscal resources
needed to meet the needs of this group of students
\.A middle school principal has been informed that there will be a cut in the school budget in
the area of technology capital for the upcoming school year. Based on this information, which of
the following represents the best action that the school principal could take? - ANSWERS✔-
, Assess the current technology on campus and determine how to use current assets for next
school year's instruction
\.A new pricnipal will be starting at a culturally diverse schiil with a history of achievement gaps
for some studnt groups. In an initial meeting with the leadership team, the princiapl sets
creating a more equitable learning environment as a high-priority improvement goal for the
school. Which of the following strategies whould be most effective in building a more equitable
learning environment? - ANSWERS✔-working with teachers to recognize and eliminate barriers
that may prevent students from accessing the cutrriculum.
\.A new principal is entering a school that has had high staff turnover rates for several
consecutive years. Which of the following policy changes would be most effective and
appropriate for increasing teacher retention at the school? - ANSWERS✔-ensuring that
induction programs and professional development offerings are meaningful and teacher
focused
\.A new principal is evaluating safety and security protocols that have been in place since the
school opened 20 years ago. Which of the following components of the protocols would most
likely benefit from updates - ANSWERS✔-procedures for communicating emergency information
to parents/guardians.
\.A new principal receives verbal reports from several faculty members that a member of the
leadership team is undermining school improvement efforts in conversations with staff. The
principal has private discussion with the team member about the reports and the principals
expectations for the team, while protecting the identities of the reporting faculty members. The
principals actions best reflect which of the following leadership principles? - ANSWERS✔-The
principal must hold all staff members accountable for professional norms and ethical behavior
\.A new student arrives in the country from Switzerland, speaks French, and is enrolled in XYZ
High School. The only languages spoken at the school are English and Spanish. Which of the
following actions should the school leader take in order to accommodate the needs of this
student? - ANSWERS✔-Meet with the student and their family to discuss their needs
Q&A) Full Practice Test – Updated
Study Guide
\.A community group has requested the use of the school gymnasium for an upcoming event.
Which of the following should the principal consider first before approving the request? -
ANSWERS✔-Whether the request is in accordance with school and district policy for use of
school facilities
\.A goal for XYZ High School is to increase teachers' and students' technology skills. Which of the
following decisions best demonstrates that the leader is aligning resources to achieve the goal?
- ANSWERS✔-Purchase updated computers for teachers and students and provide training for
using them
\.A group of community members meet with the principal to share concerns that the
community does not believe the principal is effectively communicating data about progress
toward the school vision and goals to them. The community members explain that many of
them are not able to attend meetings held at the school. Which of the following solutions
should the principal suggest to the community members? - ANSWERS✔-Develop a variety of
ways to communicate in addition to the community meetings, such as via email, a school
newsletter, and regular phone calls.
\.A group of parents expressed concern to the school leader that they did not feel involved in
the decision-making processes at the school. Which of the following actions could the school
leader take to address their concerns? - ANSWERS✔-Create a parent focus group.
,\.A group of social studies teachers at a high school approach the principal to discuss forming a
professional learning community(PLC). The teachers explain that their initial focus will be on
strategies for differentiating instruction. The principal can best support the teachers in meeting
their goals of the PLC by: - ANSWERS✔-encouraging the teachers to identify authentic
instructional problems for which they can develop solutions within the PLC.
\.A group of teachers who are unhappy with some of the policies on campus have organized
into an informal group. They have begun inviting other teachers and staff to meet with them to
discuss campus concerns. The school leader becomes aware of the group. Which of the
following is the best response to the formation of this group? - ANSWERS✔-Invite the group to
meet with the school leader to discuss their concerns.
\.A high school in the second year of a multiyear implementation of a new schoolwide
instructional system. The new system requires teachers to significantly change the way they
deliver instruction to students, and the principal has noticed that a subset of teachers is
resistant to making the required changes in their classrooms. Several of those teachers have
expressed discontent with the new system during the department meeting. Which of the
following strategies should the principal utilize to address the teachers' resistance - ANSWERS✔-
Encouraging the teachers to share their concerns about the new system so that the faculty can
collaboratively assess the concerns and develop solutions
\.A high school principal ensured that the campus was fully staffed with highly qualified
teachers at least a month before the start of the school year. What is the primary benefit of this
effort? - ANSWERS✔-All teachers will have an opportunity to participate in trainings and
professional development prior to the start of the year.
\.A high school principal has created instructional teams comprised of teachers from each core
content area and fine arts. These teams plan instruction together and incorporate concepts
from the various subjects in each of their classrooms. This strategy is an example of what type
of instruction? - ANSWERS✔-Cross-curricular instruction
\.A high school principal is conducting regularly scheduled classroom walkthroughs. A first-year
teacher is showing a video documentary that aligns with the topics on which the teacher is
,focusing this week. During the walkthrough, the principal observes that most of the students
appear to be watching the video as entertainment, while a few students are looking out of the
window or texting on their cellphones. Which of the following strategies would be most
appropriate for the principal to suggest to the teacher in order to improve instruction? -
ANSWERS✔-including activities before and after the video to establish and reinforce learning
objectives.
\.A high school principal is informed by a clerk in the main office that moments earlier, an
anonymous caller made a bomb threat against the school. In response to this situation, the
principal's first course of action should be to - ANSWERS✔-evacuate the school immediately and
bring students to a secure location
\.A high school principal is overseeing the implementation of a schoolwide instructional
initiative to provide targeted academic support for students at risk of not graduating. Responses
to faculty surveys over the past two years demonstrate strong support for the inititative as well
as uncertanty about hou to reach as-risk students. Which of the following strategies can the
principal utilize, in collaboration with the faculty, to design professional development to support
the implementation of this initiative? - ANSWERS✔-linking individual teacher growth plan goals
explicity with the instructional goals of the initiative
\.A leader must ensure that the school's physical plant, equipment, and support systems
operate safely, efficiently, and effectively. Which of the following strategies best helps the school
leader fulfill this responsibility? - ANSWERS✔-Selecting the appropriate staff to manage the
physical plant
\.A middle school is expecting a dramatic increase in the number of students requiring special
education services for the upcoming school year. Which of the following should be the
principal's primary concern? - ANSWERS✔-The availability of human and fiscal resources
needed to meet the needs of this group of students
\.A middle school principal has been informed that there will be a cut in the school budget in
the area of technology capital for the upcoming school year. Based on this information, which of
the following represents the best action that the school principal could take? - ANSWERS✔-
, Assess the current technology on campus and determine how to use current assets for next
school year's instruction
\.A new pricnipal will be starting at a culturally diverse schiil with a history of achievement gaps
for some studnt groups. In an initial meeting with the leadership team, the princiapl sets
creating a more equitable learning environment as a high-priority improvement goal for the
school. Which of the following strategies whould be most effective in building a more equitable
learning environment? - ANSWERS✔-working with teachers to recognize and eliminate barriers
that may prevent students from accessing the cutrriculum.
\.A new principal is entering a school that has had high staff turnover rates for several
consecutive years. Which of the following policy changes would be most effective and
appropriate for increasing teacher retention at the school? - ANSWERS✔-ensuring that
induction programs and professional development offerings are meaningful and teacher
focused
\.A new principal is evaluating safety and security protocols that have been in place since the
school opened 20 years ago. Which of the following components of the protocols would most
likely benefit from updates - ANSWERS✔-procedures for communicating emergency information
to parents/guardians.
\.A new principal receives verbal reports from several faculty members that a member of the
leadership team is undermining school improvement efforts in conversations with staff. The
principal has private discussion with the team member about the reports and the principals
expectations for the team, while protecting the identities of the reporting faculty members. The
principals actions best reflect which of the following leadership principles? - ANSWERS✔-The
principal must hold all staff members accountable for professional norms and ethical behavior
\.A new student arrives in the country from Switzerland, speaks French, and is enrolled in XYZ
High School. The only languages spoken at the school are English and Spanish. Which of the
following actions should the school leader take in order to accommodate the needs of this
student? - ANSWERS✔-Meet with the student and their family to discuss their needs
