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Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA)
600 questions
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About this exam
The Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) is a Virginia educator licensure test for candidates whose license pathway requires it. It measures reading and writing skills used in professional and academic settings; it is not a test of teaching methods or a subject-area specialty. The assessment has Reading and Writing subtests. Candidates should confirm with the Virginia Department of Education or their preparation program whether the VCLA applies to their specific license and pathway, since requirements can vary.
VCLA Reading covers skills such as identifying main ideas and supporting details, drawing inferences from textual evidence, analyzing an author’s purpose and tone, and recognizing how a text is organized. VCLA Writing assesses written communication, including language conventions and the ability to develop and organize a response. The computer-based assessment includes selected-response questions and constructed-response tasks. Preparation is most effective when it targets both careful reading and clear, well-supported writing, rather than memorizing isolated rules.
How to prepare for the VCLA
- Review reading passages for main ideas, supporting evidence, inferences, author’s purpose, tone, audience, and text structure; support each interpretation with details from the passage.
- Practice writing clear, organized responses under timed conditions. Check that each response addresses the prompt, develops its ideas with relevant support, and follows standard grammar and usage.
- Use current official VCLA test materials to confirm the subtest format and competencies, and check Virginia licensure guidance for requirements that apply to your pathway.
FAQ
Who needs to take the VCLA?
The VCLA is taken by candidates seeking Virginia educator licensure when it is required for their license type or pathway. Check current Virginia Department of Education guidance or ask your preparation program to confirm your requirement.
What is the format of the VCLA?
The assessment has separate Reading and Writing subtests and uses selected-response questions and constructed-response tasks. Consult current official VCLA materials for the format and requirements applicable to your test date.
What should I study for the VCLA?
For Reading, review main ideas, supporting details, inferences, textual evidence, author’s purpose and tone, and text organization. For Writing, work on language conventions and producing clear, organized responses that answer the prompt.