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Exam Overview
Each subtest is a separate computer-based test of multiple-choice questions with four answer choices. There is no written response.
Key Facts About NES Elementary Education
| Feature | Subtest I (102) | Subtest II (103) |
|---|---|---|
| Content | Reading and English Language Arts; Social Studies | Mathematics; Science; The Arts, Health, and Fitness |
| Questions | About 75 multiple-choice | About 75 multiple-choice |
| Answer choices | Four | Four |
| Testing time | 1 hour 30 minutes | 1 hour 45 minutes |
| Tutorial and agreement | 15 minutes | 15 minutes |
| Passing score | 220 | 220 |
| Reference materials | None | None, and no calculator |
Fees and Delivery
| Option | Details |
|---|---|
| Computer-based at a test center | By appointment year-round; $85 for one subtest or $165 for both |
| Online proctoring | Monthly one-week testing windows; $85 per subtest, each registered and taken separately |
| Breaks | Restroom breaks at a center count toward testing time; no breaks online |
Who Needs This Test
- Oregon: candidates for the Elementary Multiple Subjects endorsement can meet the content requirement with ORELA Elementary Education Subtests I and II, or with the Praxis Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects test. You cannot mix subtests from the two providers.
- Washington: candidates for the Elementary Education endorsement take the NES content test or an approved alternative.
- Other programs that use the National Evaluation Series may also accept these subtests.
Requirements can change, so confirm the test you need with your preparation program or your state licensing agency before you register.
What the Test Covers
Domains and Weights
| Subtest | Domain | Competencies | Approximate Share of Subtest |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | Reading and English Language Arts | 0001 to 0005 | 62% |
| I | Social Studies | 0006 to 0008 | 38% |
| II | Mathematics | 0001 to 0004 | 50% |
| II | Science | 0005 to 0007 | 38% |
| II | The Arts, Health, and Fitness | 0008 | 12% |
Subtest I Competencies
| Competency | Focus |
|---|---|
| 0001 | Language development and emergent literacy |
| 0002 | Phonics, word analysis, spelling and fluency |
| 0003 | Reading comprehension and vocabulary |
| 0004 | Literary, informational, persuasive and functional texts and graphic sources |
| 0005 | Written and oral communication: process, conventions and modes |
| 0006 | Government and economics |
| 0007 | U.S. and world history |
| 0008 | Geography and social studies inquiry |
Subtest II Competencies
| Competency | Focus |
|---|---|
| 0001 | Numeration, number sense and operations |
| 0002 | Reasoning, problem solving, communication and data analysis |
| 0003 | Patterns, algebra and functions |
| 0004 | Geometry and measurement |
| 0005 | Life sciences |
| 0006 | Physical, Earth and space sciences |
| 0007 | Nature of science and scientific inquiry |
| 0008 | The arts, health and fitness |
How the Test Is Scored
Each subtest is reported as a scaled score from 100 to 300, and the passing score is 220 on each subtest. Your score depends only on the number of questions you answer correctly, so there is no penalty for guessing. Never leave a question blank.
A subtest may include questions that are being tried out for future use and do not count. You cannot tell which ones they are, so give every question your best effort.
What Kinds of Questions to Expect
After the Test
- If you test at a center, you see a preliminary result at the end. Official score reports are released within two weeks in your online account.
- Your scores are reported to your state licensing agency for your file.
- If you do not pass a subtest, you retake only that subtest. Check the retake policy on the program website before you reschedule.
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