FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053): Best Study Resources

So you’re taking the FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) exam and you’re asking some of the following questions:

Where do I find a free practice test?
An exam breakdown?
How do I register for the test?

Those are all great questions, and you’ve found the right place to get them answered!

My name is Becky Hummel, and at Best in Class we are here to answer these questions and help you get familiar with everything you need to know about the FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053)!

FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 Video Overviews

The Florida Teacher Certification Examinations are a series of many different exams. You’ll most likely need to take more than just the Prekindergarten/Primary PK-3 exam. This video from 240 Tutoring provides an overview of the exams you’ll need to take:

Which FTCE You Should Take

In this video from Mometrix, different presenters discuss several concepts that will likely be on the exam. This is similar to a lecture style review.

FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Study Guide

While not specific to the FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3, the following videos provide a quick, straightforward review of various math and reading concepts that may be covered on the exam:

Fractions, Decimals, Percents Place Value for Elementary Mathematics Understanding the Main Idea and Purpose for Reading Certification exams Drawing Inferences on Your Reading Certification Exam

First Thing to Know

The FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK-3 exam is part of the FTCE certification series. FTCE stands for Florida Teacher Certification Examinations. These tests are used to assess the content and pedagogical knowledge needed to teach in the state of Florida.

The FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK-3 will assess your knowledge of prekindergarten through third grade science, math, reading, and language arts. It will also assess your understanding of child development and pedagogy.

The identification number for the FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 is 053. Exams are given identification numbers to help differentiate between similarly named exams or between subtests within an exam. When all four subtests of the Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 exam are taken together, the identification number is 053. However, each subtest has its own identification number as well:

Subtest 1: Developmental Knowledge (531)
Subtest 2: Language Arts and Reading (532)
Subtest 3: Mathematics (533)
Subtest 4: Science (534)

FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 Exam Breakdown

The FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 is made up of four subtests: Developmental Knowledge, Language Arts and Reading, Mathematics, and Science. You must pass each individual subtest to pass the entire FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) exam.

Each subtest is broken down into competencies. These competencies make up a certain percentage of the test. Furthermore, the competencies each have specific skills to further specify what may appear on the test. Click on the subtest title in the tables below to be taken to a competency and skill breakdown for each subtest.

Subtest 1 (531) – Developmental Knowledge 60 questions, 70 minutes
Competency	Percentage of Subtest Questions
Knowledge of child growth, development, and relationships with families and the community	14%
Knowledge of the profession and foundations of early childhood education	12%
Knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices	20%
Knowledge of developmentally appropriate curricula	12%
Knowledge of developmentally appropriate intervention strategies and resources to meet the needs of all students	15%
Knowledge of diagnosis, assessment, and evaluation	14%
Knowledge of child guidance and classroom behavioral management	13%

Subtest 2 (532) – Language Arts and Reading 60 questions, 70 minutes
Competency	Percentage of Subtest Questions
Knowledge of literacy and literacy instruction	24%
Knowledge of fiction and nonfiction genres, including reading informational texts	20%
Knowledge of reading foundational skills	24%
Knowledge of language elements used for effective oral and written communication	22%
Knowledge of assessments to inform literacy instruction	10%

Subtest 3 (533) – Mathematics 50 questions, 70 minutes
Competency	Percentage of Subtest Questions
Knowledge of effective mathematics instruction	23%
Knowledge of algebraic thinking	16%
Knowledge of number concepts and operations in base ten	30%
Knowledge of measurements and data collection and analysis	15%
Knowledge of geometric and spatial concepts	16%

Subtest 4 (534) – Science 50 questions, 60 minutes
Competency	Percentage of Subtest Questions
Knowledge of effective science instruction	19%
Knowledge of the nature of science	19%
Knowledge of earth and space sciences	20%
Knowledge of the physical sciences	17%
Knowledge of the life sciences	25%

If this is your first time taking the FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK-3, you must take all four subtests together. If you do not pass one or more subtests, you can retake those particular subtests instead of retaking the whole exam. You cannot retake a subtest until 31 days after your score was reported.

What is a Passing Score

In order to be certified in this content area, you must receive a scaled score of at least 200 on each subtest. Your score report will include a “Pass/Not Pass” status in addition to the numerical scaled score.

How to Register for the FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 Exam

New to Teaching?

Before registering for this exam, you need to complete an approved educator preparation program or ensure that your college or university is an Educator Preparation Institute. More information on the routes to becoming a certified teacher in Florida can be found here.

Once you’ve completed the necessary coursework and are ready to begin taking your FTCE exams, follow these steps to register for your exam:

Create an account with the FTCE/FELE
Follow the steps to register for your exam.
1. Select the Prekindergarten/Primary PK-3 exam or subtests. If this is your first time taking the exam, you need to register for all four subtests. This is also referred to as the “full battery.”
2. Choose your exam date and testing site.
3. Indicate if you need alternative arrangements to accommodate a disability or if you are a nursing mother. More information about requesting accommodations can be found here.
Pay the exam fee using a credit, debit, or check card.
1. For your first attempt and all four subtests, the fee is $150. If you are retaking a subtest that you did not pass, the costs are $37.50 for one, $75 for two, $112.50 for three, or $150 for all four.

On test day, you should arrive at the testing site at least 30 minutes before the start of your exam. Be sure to bring two valid forms of identification, both written in English.

Already Certified?

If you are already certified to teach in a state other than Florida, there are two paths you can take for Florida certification. More information and links to follow for submitting the required documents can be found here.

If you are already certified in Florida and would like to add Prekindergarten/Primary PK-3 to your certifications, you must first submit an application before demonstrating mastery in the new subject area. More information about adding a certification can be found here.

When you’re ready to test, follow these steps.

Create an account with the FTCE/FELE
Follow the steps to register for your exam.
1. Select the Prekindergarten/Primary PK-3 exam or subtests. If this is your first time taking the exam, you need to register for all four subtests. This is also referred to as the “full battery.”
2. Choose your exam date and testing site.
3. Indicate if you need alternative arrangements to accommodate a disability or if you are a nursing mother. More information about requesting accommodations can be found here.
Pay the exam fee using a credit, debit, or check card.
1. For your first attempt and all four subtests, the fee is $150. If you are retaking a subtest that you did not pass, the costs are $37.50 for one, $75 for two, $112.50 for three, or $150 for all four.

Once you pass the exam, you are qualified to teach Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 in the state of Florida!

Yay!

FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Free Practice Test

Ready to take the FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3? You may be feeling worried or anxious about passing since this subtest covers so much content. Before you dive into studying, try taking a practice test. Practice tests can help you focus your studies on the areas that you need to work on the most.

There are many practice tests available, but how do you know that you’ve found a reliable source? Well, you’re in the right place. We’ve done the research and found the absolute best practice tests for the FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3.

Best Free Practice Test

240 Tutoring’s FTCE PK-3 Subtest 1: Developmental Knowledge (531) Practice Test

240 Tutoring has been helping teachers pass their exams since 2011. They offer an online, completely free, 60 question practice test for the first FTCE PK-3 subtest – Developmental Knowledge. This practice test will give you a free score breakdown, so you can see exactly what you need to study.

FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Paid Practice Test

Best Paid Practice Test

240 Tutoring’s FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK-3 Study Guide and Practice Test

240 Tutoring also offers a full study guide that comes with practice tests for each subtest. Their FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK-3 Study Guide has over 1850 questions, 325 pages of content, and includes flashcards. So while it is a paid practice test, it offers a lot of extra benefits.

Best of all? The study guide comes with a money-back guarantee that you will pass the test.

BONUS: 240 Tutoring is a month-to-month subscription. You get all of their FTCE study guides — including all four subtests — for just one monthly price of $39.99. If you plan on taking multiple FTCE tests, this is a great deal!

Runner-Up for Practice Test

FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Practice Tests

The FTCE website provides practice tests for each FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK-3 subtest. Since the content is provided by FTCE, you can expect the questions to closely mirror those found on the actual exam. One downside to this practice test is that it does not provide any additional study material or content for further review.

Developmental Knowledge Subtest Practice Test

Language Arts and Reading Subtest Practice Test

Mathematics Subtest Practice Test

Science Subtest Practice Test

Honorable Mention

Study.com Practice Test

This free 15-question practice test reviews a variety of material from all four subtests. However, at only 15 questions, you’ll definitely need another resource to help you feel fully prepared for the exam.

Study.com Practice Test

FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Free Study Guide

You’ve taken a FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) practice test, identified the areas you’d like to study, and now it’s time to start — but where do you even begin? With so many study guides available, which one will give you the most bang for your time, effort, and cost?

You’ve found the right place! We’ve done the research and found the best free and paid study guides for the FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3.

Best Free Study Guide

240 Tutoring’s FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 Ultimate Guide

The 240 Tutoring Ultimate Guide is a succinct, informative guide that reviews the most relevant and important concepts from each subtest. The ultimate guide is a great place to go if you need a quick refresher of key concepts before your exam date.

FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Paid Study Guide

Best Paid Study Guide

240 Tutoring’s FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK-3 Study Guide

240 Tutoring also offers a full study guide that comes with a practice test for each subtest. Their FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK-3 Study Guide has over 1850 questions, 325 pages of content, and countless flashcards.

Best of all? The study guide comes with a money-back guarantee that you will pass the test.

Runner-Up for Study Guide

Research & Education Association Study Guide

If you’d like the option of a printed study guide, the REA guide may be right for you. The print edition retails for $34.95. As with any printed text, there is a finite amount of practice questions available, so you may have to supplement this with extra digital resources.

REA Printed Edition

Honorable Mention

Study.com FTCE Online Course

If you are a visual learner, Study.com offers video review lessons through its paid study guide. Users can watch videos, read transcripts, and take practice tests to review content. This online course starts at $59.99 a month and offers a high score guarantee, not a pass guarantee.

Study.com FTCE Online Course

About the Author

Becky Hummel

Becky taught for six years as a Reading/Language Arts teacher in middle and high school. She currently spends her time chasing after two sweet girls and catching up on current teaching research.