The Pearson NES Foundations of Reading exam is currently used in determining eligibility for teaching reading in the following states: Arkansas, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Whether you’re preparing to take this exam in the near or distant
future, this blog post will aim to provide you with all the information you need to know.
Who needs to take this exam?
Be sure to check your licensure requirements to see if the Foundations of Reading assessment is listed as a prerequisite. In many states, the Foundations of Reading exam is required for certification in the areas of early childhood, middle school, and elementary education.
What is the structure/format of the exam?
The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and 2 open-response items. The multiple-choice questions focus on the following three areas: foundations of reading development, development of reading comprehension, and reading assessment/instruction. The 2 open-response items will require you to write an analysis on a topic related to reading comprehension or the development of reading skills. On test day, you will have 4 hours to complete both sections of the test.
What’s on the test?
Be prepared to answer questions about phonological and phonemic awareness, alphabetic principle, phonics, spelling, word analysis skills, fluency, vocabulary and academic language, comprehension, differentiation, strategies for assessment, and other concepts pertaining to teaching reading. For more information about the content of the Foundations of Reading assessment, contact the PrepForward team here.
How should I prepare?
There are a variety of ways to prepare for the Foundations of Reading exam. From researching concepts on the internet to enrolling in a teacher prep program, the optimal method is likely to vary from person to person. PrepForward also offers a Foundations of Reading practice test and a comprehensive, online course for the Foundations of Reading exam that has been used by hundreds of prospective teachers across the country. Click the following link to access information on PrepForward’s Foundations of Reading prep course.