Studying for the ILTS on a Budget: Free & Low-Cost Strategies That Actually Work. Hey Reader, Let’s be honest: These tests are expensive. You’re already paying for exam fees, retakes, prep books that barely help, and courses that cost more than your rent. Add bills, groceries, or childcare—and suddenly “just buy this program” is the most tone-deaf advice ever. But here’s the truth no one tells you: You don’t need hundreds of dollars to pass. You need a smart strategy, the right tools, and...
13 days ago • 2 min read
Can’t Get Hired After Graduation? How to Move Forward When You Haven’t Passed the ILTS Yet Hey Future Teacher, Let’s keep it real. You crossed the stage. You did everything they told you—except pass that one test. Now, instead of sending out resumes, you’re holding your diploma in one hand and frustration in the other. And meanwhile? Your peers are getting job offers. Signing contracts. Planning classroom themes. You’re refreshing your inbox, waiting on a new test date and wondering what the...
20 days ago • 2 min read
Let’s focus where it counts—and stop guessing what to study. Hey Reader, If you’re prepping for the Early Childhood Education (206) content test, this newsletter is for you. Most people who struggle with this exam are not unprepared—they’re just studying the wrong way. And when all you get back is “Not Pass” with no feedback for weeks, it can feel like you’re failing without knowing why. But there’s a structure to this test—and once you understand that, your prep gets clearer and your...
27 days ago • 2 min read
Accommodations aren’t a handout—they’re a strategy. Hey Reader , If you’ve been pushing through testing anxiety, reading challenges, or physical limitations during your ILTS prep, this week’s message is simple: Requesting accommodations isn’t a weakness—it’s smart preparation. Many test-takers don’t even realize they qualify for support—or they worry that asking will disqualify them somehow. Let me be clear: you have a right to a fair testing environment. And if extra time, a separate room,...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
Test-taking tips, free retakes, and how to get better—not just busier Hey Reader, Whether you’ve already taken your ILTS test or you're gearing up for your first attempt, this week is all about what happens when studying hard isn’t enough. A lot of people go into these exams prepared—but not strategic. Today, we’re fixing that. Here’s what we’re covering in this issue: The new ISBE policy that could save you $$$ Test-day mistakes to avoid (and how to prep smarter) Real ways to use AI to think...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
This week, we’re breaking down the ILTS 290 and what it really takes to pass. Hey Reader, If you’re preparing for the LBS1 (ILTS 290) and it’s not clicking the way you thought it would—you’re not alone. This exam feels different because it is different. It doesn’t just test what you know—it tests how you apply it in situations you might face on the job. And if you’ve already passed another ILTS test, like Elementary Ed, you might be wondering why this one is so much harder to clear. Today,...
about 2 months ago • 3 min read
Let’s stop studying the wrong way. Hey Reader, Let’s keep it real: most people who fail the ILTS content exam aren’t lazy or unprepared.They’re just preparing for the wrong thing. Maybe that’s been you—studying for hours, memorizing flashcards, watching YouTube videos—only to open the test and feel like nothing looks familiar. That’s not your fault. But it is fixable. Study Shift Here’s the truth: most people fail the ILTS not because they didn’t study—but because they studied the wrong way....
about 2 months ago • 2 min read