240's GACE Application of the Science of Reading Study Guide Is 98% Test-Aligned
240's GACE Application of the Science of Reading study guide is built around the official exam framework so you can study what is actually tested. This page shows exactly how the guide maps to the real exam — SMR by SMR and competency by competency — so you can see where coverage is strongest, where some depth gaps remain, and how each part of the guide supports your prep.
Why Test Alignment Matters for Your GACE Application of the Science of Reading Study Guide
Certification test standards are broad, but the exam questions are very specific. Our team of curriculum experts uses the 240 Study Guide Creation Process to ensure the most aligned, specific content for your GACE Application of the Science of Reading (418) test — so you are not wasting time on broad subject review that may not show up on exam day.
- Built around the official exam framework
- Organized by the competencies actually used on the exam
- Shows exactly what is covered and where depth is partial
- Includes aligned questions, flashcards, study materials, and videos
- Helps candidates study what is actually tested instead of broad generic content
How to Read This Alignment Review
| Official Competency | Matching 240 Topics | Alignment | Qs | Mats | Cards | Vids | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| a. Demonstrate knowledge of the interrelatedness of oral language and literacy development, including evidence-based strategies for providing meaningful, varied experiences to build background knowledge and reinforce students' language development and emergent literacy skills. | ELA.Oral Language to Support Reading and Writing; ELA.Teaching - Oral Language | Covered | 39 | 2 | 5 | 1 | Covered by 2 topics (39 questions, 2 materials, 5 cards, 1 videos). |
| b. Demonstrate knowledge of how to continuously promote, nurture, and observe students' oral language development through social interactions and relationships with peers and adults across various settings. | ELA.Teaching - Oral Language | Covered | 19 | 1 | 4 | 1 | Covered by 1 topic (19 questions, 1 materials, 4 cards, 1 videos). |
| c. Apply knowledge of concepts and instructional strategies for promoting the development of emergent and early literacy skills, such as concepts of print. | ELA.Fundamentals of Early Literacy | Covered | 15 | 1 | 9 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (15 questions, 1 materials, 9 cards, 0 videos). |
| d. Demonstrate understanding of the distinction between phonological awareness and phonemic awareness and of the role of phonological awareness in the attainment of future literacy skills. | ELA.Phonological Awareness V2 | Covered | 18 | 1 | 10 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (18 questions, 1 materials, 10 cards, 0 videos). |
| e. Demonstrate knowledge of the levels of phonological awareness skills, including word awareness, syllable awareness, onset and rime awareness, and phonemic awareness, and of strategies to promote students' development. | ELA.Teaching - Phonological Awareness; ELA.Phonological Awareness V2 | Covered | 64 | 2 | 17 | 1 | Covered by 2 topics (64 questions, 2 materials, 17 cards, 1 videos). |
| f. Apply knowledge of developmentally appropriate strategies and activities to teach and incorporate environmental print meaningfully throughout various settings. | ELA.Teaching - Concepts of Print | Covered | 26 | 1 | 8 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (26 questions, 1 materials, 8 cards, 0 videos). |
| g. Apply knowledge of how to interpret the results of developmentally appropriate emergent language assessments to identify students' strengths and needs. | ELA.Reading Assessment | Covered | 10 | 1 | 6 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (10 questions, 1 materials, 6 cards, 0 videos). |
| h. Apply knowledge of evidence-based explicit and differentiated instructional strategies for teaching phonological awareness and other early literacy skills. | ELA.Differentiation in Reading Instruction | Covered | 24 | 1 | 8 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (24 questions, 1 materials, 8 cards, 0 videos). |
| Official Competency | Matching 240 Topics | Alignment | Qs | Mats | Cards | Vids | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| a. Apply knowledge of evidence-based, developmentally appropriate instructional strategies for promoting students' understanding of the alphabetic principle. | ELA.Teaching - Alphabetic Knowledge and Principle | Covered | 33 | 1 | 5 | 1 | Covered by 1 topic (33 questions, 1 materials, 5 cards, 1 videos). |
| b. Apply knowledge of evidence-based instructional practices for developing letter knowledge (i.e., letter recognition and formation). | ELA.Teaching - Alphabetic Knowledge and Principle | Covered | 33 | 1 | 5 | 1 | Covered by 1 topic (33 questions, 1 materials, 5 cards, 1 videos). |
| c. Apply knowledge of evidence-based instructional strategies for promoting the development of letter-sound correspondence skills. | ELA.Teaching - Alphabetic Knowledge and Principle | Covered | 33 | 1 | 5 | 1 | Covered by 1 topic (33 questions, 1 materials, 5 cards, 1 videos). |
| d. Demonstrate knowledge of the interrelationship between letter-sound correspondence and beginning decoding. | ELA.Teaching - Alphabetic Knowledge and Principle | Covered | 33 | 1 | 5 | 1 | Covered by 1 topic (33 questions, 1 materials, 5 cards, 1 videos). |
| e. Demonstrate knowledge of the critical role of phonemic awareness in learning to read an alphabetic language. | ELA.Teaching - Alphabetic Knowledge and Principle | Covered | 33 | 1 | 5 | 1 | Covered by 1 topic (33 questions, 1 materials, 5 cards, 1 videos). |
| f. Demonstrate knowledge of the developmental continuum of phonemic awareness skills (e.g., identifying, blending, segmenting, deleting, adding, and substituting phonemes). | ELA.Phonemic Awareness | Covered | 18 | 1 | 9 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (18 questions, 1 materials, 9 cards, 0 videos). |
| g. Apply knowledge of evidence-based explicit and differentiated instructional strategies for promoting alphabet knowledge, understanding of the alphabetic principle, and the development of phonemic awareness skills. | ELA.Differentiation and Intervention - Print Concepts and Alphabetic Knowledge | Covered | 10 | 1 | 8 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (10 questions, 1 materials, 8 cards, 0 videos). |
| Official Competency | Matching 240 Topics | Alignment | Qs | Mats | Cards | Vids | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| a. Apply knowledge of evidence-based explicit instructional strategies for teaching words with regular phonics patterns of increasing complexity, including words that follow common consonant-vowel patterns (e.g., CVC, CCVC, CVCC, CVCe, CVVC, CCCVCCC). | ELA.Teaching - Phonics and Decoding V2 | Covered | 55 | 1 | 14 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (55 questions, 1 materials, 14 cards, 0 videos). |
| b. Apply knowledge of evidence-based explicit instructional strategies for supporting decoding and word recognition (e.g., words with common phonics patterns and morphemes, high-frequency regular and irregular words) and for spelling words with common phonics patterns. | ELA.Teaching - Phonics and Decoding V2; ELA.Teaching - High-Frequency Words; ELA.Teaching - Spelling | Covered | 100 | 3 | 34 | 0 | Covered by 3 topics (100 questions, 3 materials, 34 cards, 0 videos). |
| c. Apply knowledge of evidence-based instructional strategies for common inflectional morphemes (e.g., -ed, -er, -est, -s) and corresponding orthographic rules. | ELA.Teaching - Phonics and Decoding V2 | Covered | 55 | 1 | 14 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (55 questions, 1 materials, 14 cards, 0 videos). |
| d. Apply knowledge of evidence-based instructional strategies for teaching syllable types, syllable patterns and division (e.g., VC/CV, VCC/CV, VC/CCV, V/CV, VC/V), and word analysis skills (e.g., etymology, morphology). | ELA.Teaching - Phonics and Decoding V2 | Covered | 55 | 1 | 14 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (55 questions, 1 materials, 14 cards, 0 videos). |
| e. Apply knowledge of evidence-based explicit and differentiated instructional strategies for teaching phonics, syllabication, and word recognition. | ELA.Assessment and Intervention - Phonics and Word Analysis; ELA.Assessment and Intervention - Syllabication and Morphemic Analysis | Covered | 42 | 2 | 7 | 0 | Covered by 2 topics (42 questions, 2 materials, 7 cards, 0 videos). |
| Official Competency | Matching 240 Topics | Alignment | Qs | Mats | Cards | Vids | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| a. Demonstrate knowledge of the key indicators of reading fluency (i.e., accuracy, rate, and prosody) and their interrelationships. | None | Coverage gap identified | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | No matching topic found in the study guide. |
| b. Apply knowledge of evidence-based explicit instructional strategies for supporting fluency with respect to accuracy. | ELA.Teaching - Reading Fluency V2 | Covered | 85 | 1 | 12 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (85 questions, 1 materials, 12 cards, 0 videos). |
| c. Apply knowledge of evidence-based explicit instructional strategies for supporting fluency with respect to rate. | ELA.Teaching - Reading Fluency V2 | Covered | 85 | 1 | 12 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (85 questions, 1 materials, 12 cards, 0 videos). |
| d. Apply knowledge of evidence-based explicit instructional strategies for supporting fluency with respect to prosody. | ELA.Teaching - Reading Fluency V2 | Covered | 85 | 1 | 12 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (85 questions, 1 materials, 12 cards, 0 videos). |
| e. Demonstrate knowledge of the interrelationships between decoding skills (e.g., phonics knowledge, automaticity), fluency, and reading comprehension. | ELA.Teaching - Reading Fluency V2 | Covered | 85 | 1 | 12 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (85 questions, 1 materials, 12 cards, 0 videos). |
| f. Apply knowledge of evidence-based explicit and differentiated instructional strategies for teaching fluency (e.g., repeated reading, echo reading, Reader's Theater, assistive technology) at all stages of reading development. | ELA.Process of Learning and Intervention - Reading Fluency | Covered | 27 | 1 | 3 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (27 questions, 1 materials, 3 cards, 0 videos). |
| Official Competency | Matching 240 Topics | Alignment | Qs | Mats | Cards | Vids | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| a. Demonstrate knowledge of the relationship between vocabulary, fluency, and reading comprehension. | ELA.Importance of - Vocabulary and Reading Skills | Covered | 14 | 1 | 4 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (14 questions, 1 materials, 4 cards, 0 videos). |
| b. Demonstrate awareness of the distinctions between tiers of vocabulary (i.e., Tier One, Tier Two, and Tier Three). | ELA.Three Tiers of Words | Covered | 21 | 1 | 3 | 1 | Covered by 1 topic (21 questions, 1 materials, 3 cards, 1 videos). |
| c. Demonstrate knowledge of evidence-based explicit criteria for selecting vocabulary words for instruction. | ELA.Choosing Targeted Vocabulary Words | Covered | 11 | 1 | 3 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (11 questions, 1 materials, 3 cards, 0 videos). |
| d. Apply knowledge of evidence-based explicit vocabulary instruction and independent word-learning strategies (e.g., appositive phrases, morphology, etymology) as clues to a word's meaning. | ELA.Teaching - Increasing Vocabulary V2; ELA.Determining Meaning of Words | Covered | 76 | 2 | 22 | 0 | Covered by 2 topics (76 questions, 2 materials, 22 cards, 0 videos). |
| e. Demonstrate knowledge of the role of vocabulary in reading comprehension. | ELA.Importance of - Vocabulary and Reading Skills | Covered | 14 | 1 | 4 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (14 questions, 1 materials, 4 cards, 0 videos). |
| f. Apply knowledge of evidence-based explicit and indirect instructional strategies for promoting students' vocabulary knowledge, including content-specific and/or academic language. | ELA.Teaching - Increasing Vocabulary V2 | Covered | 63 | 1 | 16 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (63 questions, 1 materials, 16 cards, 0 videos). |
| g. Apply knowledge of factors that affect vocabulary development and of evidence-based explicit and differentiated instructional strategies for teaching vocabulary. | ELA.Factors Affecting Vocabulary Development; ELA.Intervention - Vocabulary | Covered | 25 | 2 | 11 | 0 | Covered by 2 topics (25 questions, 2 materials, 11 cards, 0 videos). |
| Official Competency | Matching 240 Topics | Alignment | Qs | Mats | Cards | Vids | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| a. Demonstrate knowledge of different levels of reading comprehension (i.e., literal, inferential, and evaluative) and of explicit instructional strategies for promoting all levels of students' comprehension. | ELA.Levels of Comprehension; ELA.Teaching - Reading Comprehension (All Texts) | Covered | 114 | 2 | 23 | 2 | Covered by 2 topics (114 questions, 2 materials, 23 cards, 2 videos). |
| b. Apply knowledge of evidence-based strategies for teaching students how to use organizational text structures (e.g., compare/contrast, cause/effect, chronological, problem/solution) and text features (e.g., graphs, photographs, maps, charts) to enhance comprehension of expository (informational) texts. | ELA.Teaching - Reading Comprehension (Informational Texts) | Covered | 40 | 1 | 42 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (40 questions, 1 materials, 42 cards, 0 videos). |
| c. Apply knowledge of evidence-based strategies for teaching students how to use organizational text structures (e.g., beginning, middle, end), story elements (e.g., characters, plot, problem, solution, theme), text features (e.g., pictures, predictability), and genres (e.g., fiction, science fiction, poetry, drama) to enhance comprehension of narrative texts. | ELA.Teaching - Reading Comprehension (Narrative Texts) | Covered | 7 | 1 | 29 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (7 questions, 1 materials, 29 cards, 0 videos). |
| d. Apply knowledge of evidence-based instructional strategies for developing reading comprehension and analysis skills related to interpreting an author's use of craft and structure in narrative and expository (informational) texts. | ELA.Teaching - Literary Analysis | Covered | 39 | 1 | 18 | 1 | Covered by 1 topic (39 questions, 1 materials, 18 cards, 1 videos). |
| e. Demonstrate knowledge of ways to promote students' critical thinking about narrative and expository (informational) texts by modeling and guiding students in constructing meaning. | ELA.Teaching - Reading Comprehension (All Texts) | Covered | 94 | 1 | 20 | 1 | Covered by 1 topic (94 questions, 1 materials, 20 cards, 1 videos). |
| f. Demonstrate knowledge of factors that affect or contribute to comprehension (e.g., vocabulary knowledge, background knowledge, decoding, fluency). | ELA.Intervention - Reading Comprehension | Covered | 15 | 1 | 8 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (15 questions, 1 materials, 8 cards, 0 videos). |
| g. Apply knowledge of evidence-based explicit (e.g., think-alouds, close reading, summarizing) and differentiated instructional strategies for teaching comprehension of narrative and expository (informational) texts. | ELA.Intervention - Reading Comprehension | Covered | 15 | 1 | 8 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (15 questions, 1 materials, 8 cards, 0 videos). |
| Official Competency | Matching 240 Topics | Alignment | Qs | Mats | Cards | Vids | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| a. Demonstrate knowledge of basic principles of assessment, including reliability and validity. | ELA.Fair Assessment | Covered | 11 | 1 | 6 | 1 | Covered by 1 topic (11 questions, 1 materials, 6 cards, 1 videos). |
| b. Demonstrate knowledge of purposes, strengths, and limitations of various formal and informal assessments. | ELA.Types of Assessment | Covered | 51 | 1 | 18 | 1 | Covered by 1 topic (51 questions, 1 materials, 18 cards, 1 videos). |
| c. Demonstrate knowledge of various types of assessments, including screening, progress monitoring, diagnostic, and outcome assessments for evaluating students' literacy skills (e.g., phonological and phonemic awareness, decoding, encoding, fluency, comprehension). | ELA.Types of Assessment | Covered | 51 | 1 | 18 | 1 | Covered by 1 topic (51 questions, 1 materials, 18 cards, 1 videos). |
| d. Demonstrate knowledge of using student work samples, oral reading, observation, and informal inventories to determine students' reading, literacy, and language strengths and needs. | ELA.Using Assessment Data to Guide Instruction | Covered | 20 | 1 | 6 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (20 questions, 1 materials, 6 cards, 0 videos). |
| e. Apply knowledge of interpreting screening and diagnostic assessment results, including to identify students at risk for reading difficulties or who exhibit characteristics of dyslexia. | ELA.Using Assessment Data to Guide Instruction | Covered | 20 | 1 | 6 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (20 questions, 1 materials, 6 cards, 0 videos). |
| f. Apply knowledge of how to interpret the results of reading assessments to identify students' strengths and needs. | ELA.Using Assessment Data to Guide Instruction | Covered | 20 | 1 | 6 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (20 questions, 1 materials, 6 cards, 0 videos). |
| g. Apply knowledge of how to use assessment data to guide and differentiate instruction and create flexible grouping. | ELA.Using Assessment Data to Guide Instruction | Covered | 20 | 1 | 6 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (20 questions, 1 materials, 6 cards, 0 videos). |
| h. Apply knowledge of strategies for interpreting, summarizing, and explaining assessment results to a variety of stakeholders (e.g., school personnel, families, students). | ELA.Communicating Assessment Results | Covered | 8 | 1 | 3 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (8 questions, 1 materials, 3 cards, 0 videos). |
| Official Competency | Matching 240 Topics | Alignment | Qs | Mats | Cards | Vids | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| a. Demonstrate knowledge of the typical developmental progression of literacy skills. | ELA.Process of Learning - Literacy | Covered | 22 | 1 | 7 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (22 questions, 1 materials, 7 cards, 0 videos). |
| b. Demonstrate knowledge of the most common intrinsic differences between proficient and striving readers and factors that affect reading and writing development. | ELA.Determining Reading Level; ELA.Factors Affecting Reading Development | Covered | 23 | 2 | 5 | 0 | Covered by 2 topics (23 questions, 2 materials, 5 cards, 0 videos). |
| c. Demonstrate knowledge of how to select high-quality decodable, narrative, multimedia, and expository (informational) texts. | ELA.Matching Readers to Text | Covered | 8 | 1 | 7 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (8 questions, 1 materials, 7 cards, 0 videos). |
| d. Apply knowledge of content area literacy skills and instructional strategies for supporting the development of literacy skills across the curriculum. | ELA.Cross-Disciplinary Literacy | Covered | 8 | 1 | 7 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (8 questions, 1 materials, 7 cards, 0 videos). |
| e. Apply knowledge of the components of explicit, systematic, cumulative instruction. | ELA.Planning and Adjusting Reading Instruction | Covered | 24 | 1 | 9 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (24 questions, 1 materials, 9 cards, 0 videos). |
| f. Demonstrate knowledge of how to modify or adapt materials and implement differentiated instruction. | ELA.Selecting Instructional Materials | Covered | 13 | 1 | 6 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (13 questions, 1 materials, 6 cards, 0 videos). |
| g. Apply knowledge of evidence-based instructional approaches that support the development of listening, speaking, viewing, and visual representation skills. | ELA.Teaching - Listening Skills; ELA.Teaching - Media Analysis V2 | Covered | 59 | 2 | 25 | 0 | Covered by 2 topics (59 questions, 2 materials, 25 cards, 0 videos). |
| h. Apply knowledge of language processes required for proficient reading and writing (i.e., phonological, orthographic, semantic, syntactic, and discourse). | ELA.Foundational Language Processes | Covered | 5 | 1 | 7 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (5 questions, 1 materials, 7 cards, 0 videos). |
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