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Prepare for the TLIS Exam

Success on the Technology Leader in Independent Schools (TLIS) exam comes from dedicated and structured preparation. This guide, based on materials produced by the ATLIS Certification Council and ATLIS staff, outlines a step-by-step process to help you build the knowledge and confidence needed to earn your certification.

Understand the Exam and Assess Your Readiness

  1. Review Key Documents: Begin by reading the TLIS Candidate Handbook and the TLIS Study Guide* in their entirety. The handbook provides official information on eligibility and policies, while the study guide is designed to optimize your preparation efforts.
     
    *The TLIS Study Guide is included FREE when you register for the TLIS Prep Program.
     
  2. Adopt the PTL Perspective: The exam requires you to answer from the perspective of a Primary Technology Leader (PTL) in a specific, standardized school setting:
    • Role: You are the head of the technology department.
    • School Type: A K-12 day school.
    • Size: Approximately 1,000 students and 250 employees.
    • Tech Department: Comprised of 5-10 people.
       
  3. Conduct a Self-Assessment: Use the "Domain-By-Domain Assessment" worksheet in the Study Guide to evaluate your current knowledge level (Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, TLIS) for each objective. This will help you identify areas that require more attention.

Create and Execute Your Study Plan

  1. Customize Your Study Plan: Based on your self-assessment, create a personalized study plan that accounts for your learning style and available time. Start early to ensure you have plenty of time for deep reflection and to avoid rushing.
     
  2. Focus on the Four Domains: The exam content is weighted across four key domains. Structure your studies accordingly:
    • Domain 1: Professional Development (11%): Covers determining, implementing, and evaluating PD strategy, as well as researching technology trends.
    • Domain 2: Operations (32%): Includes evaluating and implementing systems (SIS, LMS), managing data and deployment, user support, and infrastructure projects.
    • Domain 3: Independent School Governance and Leadership (37%): Focuses on policy development, executing a technology vision, department structure, budgeting, and leadership practices.
    • Domain 4: Technology for Teaching and Learning (20%): Involves aligning technology with learning needs, evaluating ed tech tools, and enhancing learning experiences.
       
  3. Engage with Recommended Resources: Use a variety of resources, to get yourself in a well-rounded, "TLIS" mindset.
  4. Focus on Application, Not Memorization: The exam is "practice-based." It assesses your ability to understand, apply, analyze, and evaluate experiences from your professional work. The goal is to make strategic decisions, not recall facts.

Final Preparation and Exam Day

  1. Practice with Sample Questions: Familiarize yourself with the multiple-choice question format. Both the Candidate Handbook and the Study Guide provide sample questions, dissected examples, and answer keys with rationales to help you understand the logic required.
     
  2. Simulate Exam Conditions: The exam is 120 multiple-choice items with a four-hour time limit and one optional break up to 15 minutes long. Practice pacing yourself with timed mock exams to ensure you can think through each question without rushing.
     
  3. Prepare for Exam Day Logistics:
    • Well in advance, you will receive technical instructions for logging in and preparing your system for the online, live-proctored exam.
    • On exam day, you will need a completely empty workspace (no documents on your desk, on your walls around you, etc.; a water bottle and small snacks are ok) and a government-issued ID for identity confirmation. The check-in process includes a room scan and equipment check.