So you’re taking the NES Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Elementary (051) 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 Marshall Highet, and at Best in Class we are here to help you get familiar with the NES Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Elementary (051), henceforth known as the NES APK.
NES Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Elementary Video Overviews
Short on time to prepare for your exam? Everyone’s been there! Although cramming isn’t ideal, this video will give you some tips to make the most of your time.
Looking for some additional testing strategies and tips that will help you feel confident and successful? 240 Tutoring has created a video that will help you get even more prepared for your exam!
First Thing to Know
NES stands for National Evaluation Series™, the creators and administrators of the test. NES uses current test content to evaluate the prospective educators of 21st-century classrooms. NES offers teacher certification testing programs across the country and digitally.
This test in particular – Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Elementary, or NES APK – assesses teacher candidates’ knowledge of subject matter and educational practices for elementary school. There are three different content domains, each with a range of competencies.
The identification number for the NES Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Elementary is 051. Each exam has its own specific number to differentiate it from other exams.
NES Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Elementary Exam Breakdown
The NES APK is a national assessment that measures a prospective teacher’s ability to teach elementary school. Every school district and state uses these test results differently, so it’s important to check the Board of Education’s website for the state in which you want to teach.
The NES APK lasts up to three hours and consists of both multiple-choice questions and constructed responses. Here are some more details about the exam.
| Test Field | Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Elementary |
| Test Format | 100 multiple-choice questions
1 work product written assignment 1 case study written assignment |
| Time | 3 hours |
| Provided Materials | Written assignment scoring scale
Written assignment directions |
The NES APK is made up of three content domains: Student Development and Learning; Assessment, Instruction, and the Learning Environment; and The Professional Environment. Here is a table showing the different content domains, their competencies, and how much of the exam is allotted to each section.
| Content Domain | Format | Approximate Number of Questions | % of Exam | Competencies |
| Student Development and Learning | Multiple-choice questions | 30 | 24% | 0001-0003 |
| Assessment, Instruction, and the Learning Environment | Multiple-choice questions
Case study written assignment |
50 multiple choice; 1 constructed response | 40%
10% |
0004-0008 |
| The Professional Environment | Multiple-choice questions
Work product written assignment |
20 multiple choice; 1 constructed response | 16%
10% |
0009-0010 |
Each content domain is made up of different competencies. To learn more about the content domains and their associated competencies, take a look at this document from NES.
In order to pass the NES APK, you have to complete all of these sections within the allotted three hours and achieve a passing score or above.
What is a Passing Score
The scores for the NES APK range from 100 to 300. This is a scaled score, which means that it reflects the difficulty level of different exam questions. In order to pass the exam you typically have to earn a 220 or higher, but keep in mind that some states might have a different passing standard!
How to Register for the NES Assessment of Professional Knowledge : Elementary Exam
New to Teaching?
In order to register for the NES Assessment of Professional Knowledge, you first have to create an account with the test-maker, National Evaluation Series™. You should also plan to check your state’s board of education website. Along with taking the required certification exams, you’ll most likely need to complete a teacher preparation program for your specific state.
Once you have completed other requirements for your state, use these steps to register for your exam:
- Start at this webpage and select your state.
- Underneath the log in area, click on “create an account now.” You’ll be asked to provide your email address and create a password.
- Next, you will answer a series of background questions before confirming your account.
- After you’ve created an account, you will be asked to confirm that you are the person who will be taking the exam.
- Next, use the drop-down menu to select the Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Elementary, click “add,” then click on “next.”
- You will then be taken through a series of questions about your testing preferences, score recipients, and background information before paying for your exam.
- You can pay the testing fee of $95.00 with a credit card, debit card, or check. You can also potentially register for this exam through the mail or by phone, but by far the most reliable and quickest way to register is online.
- It’s important to note that you will pay for your exam before choosing your registration date. Available testing dates and locations can be found here.
Already Certified?
If you’re already certified and planning to add a new certification, follow the steps below to register for the NES Assessment of Professional Knowledge.
- Start at this webpage and select your state.
- If you’ve taken an NES exam before, log in to your account.
- If you don’t have an account, click on “create an account now.” You’ll be asked to provide your email address, create a password, and answer a series of background questions.
- After logging in, you will be asked to confirm that you are the person who will be taking the exam.
- Next, use the drop-down menu to select the Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Elementary, click “add,” then click on “next.”
- You will then be taken through a series of questions about your testing preferences, score recipients, and background information before paying for your exam.
- You can pay the testing fee of $95.00 with a credit card, debit card, or check. You can also potentially register for this exam through the mail or by phone, but by far the most reliable and quickest way to register is online.
- It’s important to note that you will pay for your exam before choosing your registration date. Available testing dates and locations can be found here.
Once you pass the exam, you are qualified to teach elementary school, which is great! (Just be sure to see whether you need additional testing for your content area.)
NES Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Elementary (051) Free Practice Test
You’ve signed up for the NES Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Elementary (051), or NES APK. I imagine you’re wondering if you’re going to pass. If there’s a chance that you’re not going to pass (worst-case scenario), you really want to know what to study.
Well, you’re at the right place. We are going to tell you about the absolute best practice tests for the NES APK.
Best Free Practice Test
240 Tutoring has been helping teachers pass their exams since 2011. They offer an online, completely free practice test for the NES Assessment of Professional Knowledge. Each practice test gives you a free score breakdown, so you can see exactly what you need to study.
NES Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Elementary (051) Paid Practice Test
Best Paid Practice Test
240 Tutoring’s NES Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Elementary (051) Study Guide
240 Tutoring also offers a full study guide that comes with tons of practice questions. The Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Elementary study guide has over 372 questions, 85 pages of content, and tons of flash cards. 240 Tutoring’s interactive site helps you stay in touch with your study material, no matter where you are!
Best of all? The study guide comes with a money-back guarantee that you will pass the test, so you know you’re getting your money’s worth.
BONUS: 240 Tutoring is a month-to-month subscription. You get all of their NES study guides – the NES APK: Elementary included – for a monthly price of $39.99. Simply subscribing to one study guide gives you access to all of the NES study guides.
Runner-Up for Practice Test
Study.com provides a free 15 question practice test. While the questions are accurate and helpful, 15 questions won’t be able to provide you with a full idea of where you stand. You’ll likely want to find additional practice questions elsewhere, or pay for a Study.com account at $59.99 per month.
Honorable Mention
Cirrus Test Prep
Cirrus has an online resource and a book as well. Since this is a computer-based exam, the book may not prove helpful to you. It does have a “quick-yet-full” review of everything that will be on the test, which may compensate for the lack of a free diagnostic test.
NES Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Elementary (051) Free Study Guide
So you’ve signed up to take the NES Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Elementary and you want to know what to study.
The amount of material and resources can be overwhelming sometimes.
You’re in the right place. We are going to tell you about the absolute best study guides for the NES Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Elementary or NES APK.
Best Free Study Guide
240 Tutoring NES APK Ultimate Guide
240 Tutoring’s free Ultimate Guide for the NES APK is easily understood and chock full of valuable information and insights. In this free guide, 240 Tutoring breaks down each competency and provides examples for the CRQs. While it doesn’t cover everything that’s on the exam, it’s a great starting point and one of the only free study guides available for this test.
NES Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Elementary (051) Paid Study Guide
Best Paid Study Guide
240 Tutoring Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Elementary (051) Study Guide
240 Tutoring also offers a full study guide. Their Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Elementary has over 372 questions, 85 pages of content, and tons of flash cards. 240 Tutoring’s interactive site helps you stay in touch with your study material, no matter where you are!
Best of all? The study guide comes with a money-back guarantee that you will pass the test. So while it is a paid study guide, you know you’re getting your money’s worth.
BONUS: 240 Tutoring is a month-to-month subscription. You get all of their NES study guides – the NES APK: Elementary included – for a monthly price of $39.99. Simply subscribing to one study guide gives you access to all of the NES study guides.
Runner-Up for Study Guide
National Evaluation Series™
The NES also offers a study guide as a resource for studying. Since NES is the company that creates and administers the APK: Elementary, you can count on the information being up-to-date and reliable. The study guide includes a short diagnostic test, review exercises, and a guide to additional resources. There is a lengthier practice test available, but you have to pay for that separately.
Honorable Mention
Study.com
Study.com offers resources in video format for those taking the NES APK. Those who are not aural learners may find the video format hard to absorb. The overload of options may be overwhelming to some, but the information is there. It’s also a bit pricey, at $59.99 per month.
Marshall Highet has been writing since she was a wee thing. No longer a wee thing, for the past ten years she’s worked as a professor, a professional writer, and an educational consultant.
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The Ultimate Overview of the NES Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Elementary
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NES Test Results and Passing Scores
NES Test Registration Information
Understanding The Structure Of The NES | 240Tutoring