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Exam Overview
The NES Early Childhood Education (101) test is part of the National Evaluation Series developed by Pearson. It measures the knowledge and skills needed to teach children from birth through age 8 (preschool through grade 3), and several states use it for early childhood teacher certification.
| Exam Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Test name and code | NES Early Childhood Education (101) |
| Age span covered | Birth through age 8 |
| Question format | Multiple choice, four answer choices, many built on classroom scenarios |
| Number of questions | About 150 |
| Testing time | 3 hours |
| Score scale | 100–300 (scaled) |
| Passing standard | 220 is the NES national benchmark; each state sets its own passing standard |
| Delivery | Computer-based at Pearson-authorized test centers |
How the Test Is Weighted
The official test framework divides the content into four subareas and 14 competencies. The approximate number of questions below is based on the framework's weights for a 150-question test.
| Subarea | Weight | Approx. Qs | Competencies | Where to Study |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I. Child Development and Learning | 21% | 31 | 0001–0003 | Section 1 (plus Learning Environments in Section 4) |
| II. Language and Literacy Development | 29% | 44 | 0004–0007 | Section 2 |
| III. Learning Across the Curriculum | 36% | 54 | 0008–0012 | Section 3 |
| IV. Professional Relationships and Responsibilities | 14% | 21 | 0013–0014 | Section 4 |
The 14 Competencies
| Code | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| 0001 | Child development and learning from birth through age 8 |
| 0002 | Observation, screening, and assessment of young children |
| 0003 | Safe, supportive, and positive learning environments |
| 0004 | Oral language development |
| 0005 | Foundations of literacy: phonological awareness, print concepts, alphabetic principle |
| 0006 | Reading instruction: phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension |
| 0007 | Writing development and instruction |
| 0008 | The arts: visual art, music, movement, and drama |
| 0009 | Health, safety, nutrition, and physical activity |
| 0010 | Mathematics |
| 0011 | Social studies |
| 0012 | Science and engineering |
| 0013 | Relationships with families, professionals, and communities |
| 0014 | Roles and responsibilities of early childhood educators |
Most questions describe a child, a classroom, or a family and ask what the teacher should do FIRST, which activity is MOST appropriate, or what a child's behavior shows. Expect to apply concepts, not just define them.
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