WEST-B, WEST-E and NES Exams

WEST-B

All applicants must take the Washington Educator Skills Test - Basic (WEST-B) prior to the beginning of the program. The test is available online.

Accepted Alternatives for All Applicants

  • ACT scores: 
    • Math-22
    • Reading-22
    • Writing-8 (2/2005 to 8/2015) OR 23 (after 9/2015)
  • SAT scores:
    • Math-515 (prior to 3/2016) OR 530 (after 3/2016)
    • Reading-500 (prior to 3/2016) OR 27 (after 3/2016)
    • Writing-490 (prior to 3/2016) OR 28 (after 3/2016)
      • Applicants who completed SAT prior to 2005 and did not complete a Writing portion on the SATs may alternatively take the WEST-B writing or the SAT Essay

Alternatives for Out-of-State Applicants

  •  CBEST (California Basic Educational Skills Test)
  •  Praxis I
  •  NES Essential Academic Skills Test

Please note: The State of WA does not require a passing score for WEST-B or its accepted alternatives. However, your scores will be taken into account upon department review. 

WEST-E/NES

All applicants must take and pass the Washington Educator Skills Test - Endorsement (WEST-E) or National Evaluation Series (NES) test in their endorsement area(s) prior to beginning the program. This test is not a requirement to apply to the program. If admitted, applicants will need to provide official passing scores to Seattle University prior to August 10 (of your entry year). The NES passing score is 220. The WEST-E passing score is 240. These tests are available online.

Endorsement Exceptions for the WEST-E/NES
 

  •  Special Education: The WEST-E for Special Education does not need to be taken prior to the beginning of the MIT program. Students obtaining this endorsement will take the corresponding WEST-E near the end of the program. However, students do need to take the WEST-E/NES for their primary endorsement (elementary or secondary) prior to the start of Block III.
     
  •  Designated World Language (DWL): The WEST-E for DWL does not need to be taken prior to the beginning of the MIT program. Students obtaining this endorsement will take the corresponding WEST-E near the end of the program.
    • ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) Test: ALL students obtaining a DWL endorsement (French, Spanish, Japanese) do need to take both the written (WPT) and oral (OPI) sections of the ACTFL test prior to the start of the program. Both sections must be passed at the level of "Advanced Low" or better. Test registration can be completed online.
     
  •  English Language Learners (ELL): The WEST-E for ELL does not need to be taken prior to the beginning of the MIT program. Students obtaining this endorsement will take the corresponding WEST-E near the end of the program. However, students do need to take the WEST-E/NES for their primary endorsement (elementary or secondary) prior to the start of the program.