NES Essential Academic Skills Exam Overview

Are you planning to take the NES Essential Academic Skills exam? Well, you’ve come to the right place! This article will summarize the exam structure and provide valuable tips and resources to help you ace the test.

Aspiring teachers may be required to take the NES Essential Academic Skills test as part of licensure requirements. Be aware that subtests for this exam have been updated in recent years. You should consult the agency that handles teacher certification in your state to confirm which subtests you should take: the older versions (001-003) or the updated series (005-007).

The Essential Academic Skills test assesses your basic knowledge of reading, writing, and mathematics to ensure you have the requisite skills for classroom teaching. Understanding the structure of this exam – and knowing how to prepare effectively – should heighten your chances of success.

Whether you’re new to this test or gearing up for a retake, let’s dive into the details of the NES Essential Academic Skills exam and explore some strategies for preparation and test-taking. By the end of this article, you’ll be armed with the knowledge and tools you need to tackle the exam with confidence. Let’s get started!

Overview of the NES Essential Academic Skills Exam

Understanding what to expect on test day is important. This exam assesses your basic skills in reading, writing, and math. Let’s look at the NES Essential Academic Skills overview to help you better prepare.

The Essential Academic Skills exam consists of 126 multiple-choice questions as well as a written response. This exam is spread across three subtests:

1. NES Essential Academic Skills: Subtest I: Reading (001) OR (005)
2. NES Essential Academic Skills: Subtest II: Writing (002) OR (006)
3. NES Essential Academic Skills: Subtest III: Mathematics (003) OR (007)

For more detail on the knowledge, skills, and abilities that the Essential Academic Skills exam covers, check out official NES EAS preparation materials, such as this guide provided by the state of Oregon. By understanding the breakdown of each section, you can assign priority to areas where you may need additional practice and review. Overall, a balanced approach to studying all sections should lead you to success on the Essential Academic Skills exam.

Time Limit

Subtests I and III of the NES Essential Academic Skills exam must be completed within 1 hour, while Subtest II must be completed within 1 hour and 15 minutes. This adds up to a total testing time of 3 hours and 15 minutes.

Passing Score

To pass the NES Essential Academic Skills exam, you must pass all three subtests. The national benchmark for each subtest is 220. Generally, this also represents the minimum passing score, but you should verify that this is the passing score for your particular state.

Number of Questions

The Essential Academic Skills exam has a total of 126 multiple-choice questions in addition to a written response. The questions are spread among three subtests.

Cost

Subtests I and II each cost $50, while Subtest III costs $70. However, if you take two subtests at once, you’ll only pay $75. If you take all three subtests at once, you’ll only pay $120, as opposed to $170.

Note if you take the test via online proctoring, you cannot bundle tests. You must register and pay for each subtest separately.

Visit your state’s licensure website to learn more about how to pay for your exam, including information on fee waivers. For instance, here is Oregon’s payment information page.

Registration Information

You are allowed to take the Essential Academic Skills exam year-round. You can start the registration process on the NES website, which will direct you to the appropriate state agency website. Then choose a convenient time and place to test.

If you are willing to abide by the rules of online proctoring, you can even elect to take this exam at home. If you choose this option, you must register and pay for each subtest separately.

You should review NES EAS test day requirements well in advance, especially the guidelines around what ID you’ll need to provide, which may vary by state. While a driver’s license or passport will usually suffice, replacing a photo ID takes time – so you’ll want to be sure yours meets requirements.

Scoring and Results

If you take this exam at a testing center, you’ll see preliminary scores for Subtests I and III immediately after you finish. Within two weeks, you should receive your official score report for these subtests. Official Subtest II results are available within four weeks of your test date.

Your results will be sent to each institution you indicated during registration; if applicable, your scores should also be reported to the agency that handles educator licensure in your state.

You can dig deeper into scores using our NES Essential Academic Skills scoring guide.

Test Preparation Tips

Given its importance to your career, the NES EAS exam may feel intimidating. However, the right strategies and mindset will give you the boost you need to succeed. Here are some preparation tips to make the most of your study time:

Reviewing Key Concepts and Skills

• Start familiarizing yourself with the NES Essential Academic Skills exam outline and content areas. This will help you prioritize study topics and focus on areas that need attention.
• Create a study schedule and allocate dedicated time to both subtests and all content areas. It’s important that you be prepared for all topics you may encounter on this exam.
• Be sure to go over the basics before you dig into NES Math (003) or (007) content. For instance, check that you remember the order of operations, basic geometry rules, and how to use Cartesian coordinates. You may be surprised to find how much you’ve forgotten over time.

Practicing Sample Questions and Practice Tests

• Make regular use of practice tests to ensure you’re comfortable with the exam’s format and timing. Review your performance afterward, identifying subjects and content areas where you may need improvement. Be sure that you understand the reasoning behind correct answers before moving on. Here are free practice tests for all individual subtests:
  • Original NES EAS exam:
    • Subtest I: Reading (001) practice test
    • Subtest II: Writing (002) practice test
    • Subtest III: Mathematics (003) practice test
  • Updated NES EAS exam:
    • Subtest I: Reading (005) practice test
    • Subtest II: Writing (006) practice test
    • Subtest III: Mathematics (007) practice test
• If you’re unable to finish the overall exam within 2 hours and 15 minutes, avoid attempting a drastic time cut. Try gradually accelerating your pace instead.
• Use official NES exam preparation materials. Studying content that aligns with the real Essential Academic Skills exam will help prevent surprises on test day.

Developing Effective Study Strategies

• Break down your study materials into smaller, manageable chunks. Focus on understanding the main ideas, key details, and concept connections. It’s better to dedicate 20 minutes to studying every night than to burn out after 10 hours of nonstop prep.
• Use diagrams, charts, and flashcards to organize concepts. Visualizing complex ideas can make them easier to remember.
• Since Subtest II includes a written response, it’s important that you have the skills to quickly complete this task. In the weeks before the test, brush up on your outlining and composition skills and try to practice formal writing on a regular basis, in addition to the time you spend on sample NES prompts.
• Engage in active learning techniques, such as summarizing content in your own words, teaching concepts to someone else, or participating in study groups. These strategies can deepen your understanding and retention of the material.

Managing Test Anxiety and Stress

• Test anxiety is a common challenge, but there are ways to calm your nerves. Before and during the exam, practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, visualization, and positive self-talk.
• Be sure you get enough sleep the night before the exam. A lack of sleep can seriously affect your focus and cognitive performance.
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle leading up to the exam. Eat nutritious meals, exercise regularly, and stay hydrated. Physical well-being can positively influence your mental state.

Remember, everyone’s study journey is unique. Find the best methods for you and adapt them to your learning style. Stay organized, stay consistent, and stay positive. Be confident that you have the power to succeed on the NES Essential Academic Skills exam.

Important Exam Day Instructions

Before your NES Essential Academic Skills exam, review all pre-test instructions carefully. Allow ample time for travel—and verify that you’re headed to the right location! Take care not to arrive late, or you risk having your exam canceled.

Checking Required Documents

On the day of the exam, double-check that you have all you need before leaving home. Essential items can include:

• Valid identification: You must present a current, government-issued photo ID that bears your legal name and signature. Examples of valid ID could include your driver’s license or passport.
• Sensible clothing: To combat cold exam rooms, the NES website recommends bringing clothing you can layer. You should also be sure to wear soft-soled shoes to keep the testing space quiet.
• Equipment and workspace: If you’re taking this exam at home, you must have access to a desktop or laptop computer. You also need a quiet, private, and well lit workspace that is free of prohibited items.
• Remember that you should not bring a calculator to the EAS exam, even though it includes math content. You will be required to use an on-screen calculator.

Review the official exam policies to learn more about testing rules and what to bring to the exam site. If you are taking a subtest at home, make sure that you’re viewing the tab that reads “Online Proctoring” when you browse this link. Test takers who plan to use online proctoring should pay special attention to these requirements, as the rules for remote testing are very strict.

Understanding Exam Format and Instructions

To prevent confusion on test day, familiarize yourself with the format and basic instructions of the NES EAS exam well in advance. Key things to remember include:

• Time limits: Be aware of the time limit for each subtest and plan accordingly. Pace yourself to ensure you have enough time for each question.
• Marking scheme: Make sure you understand how to mark selections properly on your screen. This exam takes place exclusively via computer.
• Special instructions: Pay attention to any special instructions provided by the exam proctors, such as rules around breaks or how to use the on-screen calculator.

Managing Time Effectively

Time management is crucial during the exam to ensure enough time to answer all the questions. Here are some tips for managing your time effectively:

• Read and understand the instructions: Take a moment at the beginning to go over all instructions thoroughly. This will help prevent errors and wasted time.
• Pace yourself: On straightforward questions, try to work as quickly as you can without making errors. This will allow you to bank time for pondering tough questions or checking your answers.
• Know when to move on: There is no guessing penalty on the NES EAS exam, so if you’re stuck on a question, it’s in your best interest to guess.

On test day, you can use these tips to streamline your test-taking process and maximize your chances of success. Working efficiently, staying calm, and maintaining focus are all essential to doing well on the NES Essential Academic Skills exam.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the NES EAS exam gauges your knowledge of basic skills in reading and writing. If you familiarize yourself with the exam structure, review all content areas, and follow our prep tips, you can approach the Essential Academic Skills exam with confidence, increasing your chances of success.

More NES Essential Academic Skills Resources

• Got questions about your scores? We got you covered in our NES Essential Academic Skills scoring guide!
• Looking for more study help? Check out our study guide for the NES EAS exam.
• Kick off your prep with free practice tests for all subtests of the Essential Academic Skills exam:
  • Original NES EAS exam:
    • Subtest I: Reading (001) practice test
    • Subtest II: Writing (002) practice test
    • Subtest III: Mathematics (003) practice test
  • Updated NES EAS exam:
    • Subtest I: Reading (005) practice test
    • Subtest II: Writing (006) practice test
    • Subtest III: Mathematics (007) practice test