RICA Written Examination Scoring Guide
If you plan to earn your Multiple Subjects or Educational Specialist credential in California, you’ll likely need to pass the RICA Written Examination. This exam has three separate subtests, each of which is critical to passing the RICA as a whole. With so much at stake, it’s important to understand the scoring system of the RICA Written Examination. If you know what it takes to pass, you’ll be able to prepare more effectively.
To give you a leg up, this article will cover all you need to know about RICA Written Examination exam scoring.
Overview of the RICA Written Examination Scoring Guide
The RICA Written Examination consists of three subtests, which you can take separately or in combination. Overall, it covers the following content domains: Word Analysis; Fluency; Vocabulary, Academic Language, and Background Knowledge; Comprehension; and Planning, Organizing, and Managing Reading Instruction Based on Ongoing Assessment.
The RICA: Subtest 1 exam consists of 35 multiple-choice questions and two written prompts, all of which must be completed within 1 hour and 15 minutes. RICA: Subtest 2 has the same structure and time limit.
The RICA: Subtest 3 exam consists of 25 multiple-choice questions and one written response in the form of a case study, all of which must be completed within 1 hour and 30 minutes.
For more details on the structure of this test, take a look at our RICA Written Examination overview.
How the Exam is Scored
Each subtest of the RICA Written Examination is scored by taking the sum of your correct answers, in addition to the holistic scores from your written responses, and converting them to a scaled score that takes test difficulty into account.
There is no penalty for incorrect answers on this exam.
Passing Score
To pass the RICA Written Examination, you must receive a scaled score of at least 220 on all three subtests.
When Will You Get Your Score Report
Typically, you will receive your score report within four weeks of testing. Visit the CTC website to find the exact day your RICA Written Examination scores will be released. (Scroll down to “Test Results.”)
Understanding Your Score Report
Your RICA Written Examination score report will state whether or not you passed and show your scaled score for the exam. This ranges from 100 to 300, with 220 being the minimum score to pass.
If you did not pass, look for your performance indices on the score report. These show how well you did on each subtest. Your performance on each domain and written response will be represented by a +, ++, +++, or ++++ (respectively: well below passing, just below passing, at or above passing, well above passing).
If you did not pass the exam, you should find this score report helpful for future studying. By reviewing your performance on each subtest and/or domain, you can identify the areas where you need the most work.
Retaking the Exam
If you don’t pass the RICA Written Examination on your first try, you are allowed to retake it as many times as you wish. However, you must wait 45 days between each attempt.
Conclusion:
RICA Written Examination scores play a key role in establishing your teaching career in California. Understanding how this test is scored and what is required to pass should help you prepare more effectively, maximizing your chances of success.
Even if your first try was unsuccessful, you should feel confident that you can pass the RICA. With diligent study and a clear understanding of the exam, you’ll be well prepared for your next attempt.
More RICA Written Exam Resources
