2026 exam change
NYSTCE 519 vs ATAS 095: What's Changing
New York State is replacing the old Assessment of Teaching Assistant Skills (ATAS) 095 with the new Foundations of Classroom Support and Instruction (519) exam. If you are planning to become a teaching assistant in New York, here is what you need to know.
The bottom line
The ATAS 095 is retiring. The NYSTCE 519 is now the official content-knowledge exam for candidates seeking Teaching Assistant Certification in New York. Registration is open for testing starting January 27, 2026.
If you are deciding which exam to take, the safest choice is to prepare for the NYSTCE 519 — it is the exam you will need after the ATAS phaseout is complete.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | ATAS 095 | NYSTCE 519 |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Assessment of Teaching Assistant Skills | Foundations of Classroom Support and Instruction |
| Test code | 095 | 519 |
| Questions | 100 selected-response | 80 selected-response |
| Testing time | 3 hours | 2 hours |
| Fee | $54 | $49 |
| Passing score | 220 | 220 |
| Format | Computer-based testing | Computer-based testing only |
| Availability | Retiring / being phased out | First administration Jan 27, 2026 |
| Content focus | Reading, Writing, Math, Instructional Support | Literacy, Language Arts, Numeracy, Instructional Support |
Data from official NYSTCE test pages. Fees and policies can change; always confirm on the official NYSTCE website before registering.
Timeline to know
- January 27, 2026 — first administration of NYSTCE 519.
- August 2026 — last window for ATAS 095 registration.
- After the phaseout — new teaching assistant candidates must take NYSTCE 519.
If you already hold a valid Teaching Assistant Level I, II, or III certificate, you can continue in the old system as long as you progress to Level III by August 31, 2031. New candidates should focus on the 519.
How to prepare for the 519
The Cert-ified course covers all four subareas of the NYSTCE 519 exam with 48 short lessons. Each lesson includes a memory hook, a 60-second explanation, and 5 practice questions — so you can study a little every day instead of cramming.