NES Elementary Education Pass Rate, Format & Study Guide

NES Elementary Education has two subtests: Subtest I (110) with about 75 multiple-choice questions on Reading and English Language Arts (60%) and Social Studies (40%), and Subtest II (111) with about 75 questions on Mathematics (43%), Science (43%) and the Arts, Health and Fitness (14%). Each subtest is scored separately on a 100 to 300 scale, and passing is judged against the standard of the state on the date you test; Pearson states that the passing score may vary across states. This portal's practice mock has 150 questions covering both subtests.

Passing the NES Elementary Education subtests demonstrates the subject knowledge many states require for an elementary teaching certificate.

Elementary teacher candidates in states that use the NES Elementary Education tests, and candidates retaking one subtest.

The certifying body does not publicly publish an official pass rate for this exam. Be wary of third-party sites citing a specific number here — treat any pass-rate claim you see elsewhere for this exam as unverified.

Retake rules depend on your state program. Third-party guides describe a 30-day wait between attempts for NES tests, but we did not confirm that on an official page, so check your state's NES policies.

Each subtest is scored separately on a scale of 100 to 300. There is no single national cut score: Pearson states that the passing score may vary across states and is judged against your state's standard on the test date. A National Benchmark of 220 appears on some score reports but does not decide passing status. Format: two subtests of about 75 multiple-choice questions each, with a 135-minute appointment per subtest. No official pass rate is available for this exam, so none is quoted here.

NES Elementary Education has two subtests: Subtest I (110) with about 75 multiple-choice questions on Reading and English Language Arts (60%) and Social Studies (40%), and Subtest II (111) with about 75 questions on Mathematics (43%), Science (43%) and the Arts, Health and Fitness (14%). Each subtest is scored separately on a 100 to 300 scale, and passing is judged against the standard of the state on the date you test; Pearson states that the passing score may vary across states. This portal's practice mock has 150 questions covering both subtests. Two computer-based subtests · about 75 multiple-choice questions each · 135-minute appointment each · scaled scores 100-300 per subtest. Each subtest is scored separately on a scale of 100 to 300. There is no single national cut score: Pearson states that the passing score may vary across states and is judged against your state's standard on the test date. A National Benchmark of 220 appears on some score reports but does not decide passing status.

• Reading and English Language Arts: Foundations of Language Development and Emergent Literacy7.5%
• Reading and English Language Arts: Phonics, Spelling, Vocabulary, Fluency, and Reading Comprehension7.5%
• Reading and English Language Arts: Literary, Informational, Persuasive, and Functional Texts and Graphic Sources7.5%
• Reading and English Language Arts: Writing, Conventions of Standard American English, and Modes of Communication7.5%
• Social Studies: Civics, Government, and Economics6.7%
• Social Studies: U.S. and World History6.7%
• Social Studies: Geography and Social Studies Inquiry6.7%
• Mathematics: Numeration, Number Sense, and Mathematical Operations7.2%
• Mathematics: Patterns, Algebra, and Functions7.2%
• Mathematics: Geometry, Measurement, and Data Analysis7.2%
• Science: Life Sciences7.2%
• Science: Earth and Space Sciences7.2%
• Science: Physical Sciences7.2%
• The Arts, Health, and Fitness7%

The content outline spreads questions across 14 areas: Reading and English Language Arts: Foundations of Language Development and Emergent Literacy (7.5%); Reading and English Language Arts: Phonics, Spelling, Vocabulary, Fluency, and Reading Comprehension (7.5%); Reading and English Language Arts: Literary, Informational, Persuasive, and Functional Texts and Graphic Sources (7.5%); Reading and English Language Arts: Writing, Conventions of Standard American English, and Modes of Communication (7.5%); Social Studies: Civics, Government, and Economics (6.7%); Social Studies: U.S. and World History (6.7%); Social Studies: Geography and Social Studies Inquiry (6.7%); Mathematics: Numeration, Number Sense, and Mathematical Operations (7.2%); Mathematics: Patterns, Algebra, and Functions (7.2%); Mathematics: Geometry, Measurement, and Data Analysis (7.2%); Science: Life Sciences (7.2%); Science: Earth and Space Sciences (7.2%); Science: Physical Sciences (7.2%); The Arts, Health, and Fitness (7.0%).

Who must take the NES, and which subtests, is decided by the state certification agency or the educator preparation program you are working with. Check that agency for authorization steps, score-validity windows and any alternative route.

No fee is quoted: the NES catalog does not list an amount for tests 110 and 111, and state programs set their own pricing.

This guide does not cover how long scores stay valid or certificate renewal; those rules belong to your state.

Start with the heaviest areas of the content outline: Reading and English Language Arts: Foundations of Language Development and Emergent Literacy (7.5%); Reading and English Language Arts: Phonics, Spelling, Vocabulary, Fluency, and Reading Comprehension (7.5%); Reading and English Language Arts: Literary, Informational, Persuasive, and Functional Texts and Graphic Sources (7.5%). Then work through the remaining areas, and finish with timed full-length practice runs of 150 questions in one sitting.

Content outlines, fees and passing standards change; this guide follows the materials listed under Verification as of October 2026. Check your state education agency and Pearson before you register.