So you’re taking the NES Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Secondary (052) 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 answer these questions and more about the NES Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Secondary (052) exam!
NES Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Secondary Video Overviews
While not specific to this particular exam, this video offers some excellent study tips and test taking strategies that can be applied to any teacher certification exam:
First Thing to Know
The Assessment of Professional Knowledge (APK) is created and administered by the National Evaluation Series™, or NES.
The APK: Secondary is used to test your knowledge across a broad spectrum of content related to the field of education. In other words, this exam tests your classroom readiness. Each state uses the scores of the APK: Secondary differently, so it’s important to check the Board of Education website for the state you’d like to teach in.
The identification number for the APK: Secondary is 052. Each exam has its own particular number to clearly differentiate it from other NES exams. It’s helpful to know your exam identification number so that you can make sure you are registering for the right test and studying the right material.
NES Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Secondary Exam Breakdown
The APK: Secondary is made up of 100 multiple-choice questions, one case study, and one work project. The subject matter is broken into three content domains, with competencies outlined in each. You will have three hours to complete the whole test.
Check out the table below for more detail on the content domains, types of questions, and the percentage of the test that each domain takes up.
| Content Domain | Question Type | Approximate Percentage of Test |
| I. Student Development and Learning | Multiple-choice questions | 24% |
| II. Assessment, Instruction, and the Learning Environment | Multiple-choice questions | 40% |
| Written assignment: case study | 10% | |
| III. The Professional Environment | Multiple-choice questions | 16% |
| Written assignment: work product | 10% |
Since there are no subtests in the Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Secondary, you will need to retake the entire exam if you don’t pass.
What is a Passing Score
This test’s scores run from 100 to 300, and the national passing benchmark is 220. While most states have a passing score of 220, you should definitely check your state to see whether it requires a passing score that differs from the national benchmark.
How to Register for the NES Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Secondary Exam
New to Teaching?
If you are new to teaching you’ll need to complete an approved educator preparation program before taking Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Secondary. Check your state’s education website for approved certification programs. Once that step is complete, you’ll be ready to register for your exam by following these steps:
- Go to the NES Registration page and select your state from the drop down menu.
- The next page will prompt you to create an account. You will be asked for your email, social security number, address, and other necessary background information. .
- After you have created an account and logged in, you’ll be able to register for an NES exam. Fill out the registration form and pay the test fee. Note that you will pay for the test before scheduling your exam date. Once you’ve paid for the exam, you’ll have one year to take the test.
- After you’ve paid for your exam, you can enter your zip code for a list of testing locations near you. You can then select your exam date and location.
Print and keep your exam confirmation information. While it may not be required by your testing center, it will be helpful to have it just in case.
Already Certified?
If you are already a certified teacher, registering for the NES APK: Secondary will be a relatively quick process. Depending on which certification exams you’ve taken in the past, you may already have an account with NES. Follow these steps to register for the Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Secondary.
- Go to the NES Registration page and select your state from the drop down menu.
- If you don’t already have an account, you will be prompted to create one at this time. You will be asked for your email, social security number, address, and other necessary background information.
- After you have created an account and logged in, you’ll be able to register for an NES exam. Fill out the registration form and pay the test fee. Note that you will pay for the test before scheduling your exam date. Once you’ve paid for the exam, you’ll have one year to take the test.
- After you’ve paid for your exam, you can enter your zip code for a list of testing locations near you. You can then select your exam date and location.
Print and keep your exam confirmation information. While it may not be required by your testing center, it will be helpful to have it just in case.
Once you’ve passed the NES Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Secondary, then you’re well on your way to teaching secondary education in your state! Be sure to check your state’s education website for additional content tests that you may need to take.
NES Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Secondary (052) Free Practice Test
So you’re taking the NES Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Secondary exam and you want to know if you’ll pass.
One of the best ways to find out is by taking a practice test, but how do you know which practice tests are the most accurate and helpful?
Well, you’re in the right place. We’ve looked at tons of practice tests and found the absolute best ones for the NES Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Secondary.
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: Secondary. This practice test includes 50 questions, and you get a free score breakdown so you can see exactly what you need to study.
NES Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Secondary (052) Paid Practice Test
Best Paid Practice Test
240 Tutoring’s Online Study Guide and Practice Test
240 Tutoring also offers a full study guide with practice questions included. The NES APK: Secondary study guide has over 371 questions and 87 pages of content. So while it is listed as a paid practice test, there’s a lot more included in your purchase. The content is presented in a clear and concise format, and all of the practice questions are aligned to the testing standards.
Best of all? The study guide comes with a money-back guarantee that you will pass the test.
240 Tutoring is a month-to-month subscription. You get all of the NES study guides for one monthly price of $39.99. This is a great added bonus if you plan on taking multiple NES exams.
Runner-Up for Practice Test
Study.com
Study.com offers a free 15 question practice test with immediate feedback. After each question, you are able to watch a short sample of their paid video tutorials. While the content is good, you’ll most likely need a longer practice test in order to get a better idea of what to expect on the exam.
Honorable Mention
NES has a paid study guide and practice test available on their website. The upside to this resource is that it comes from the same company that creates the test, so you know it is accurate and up to date. However, with so many other free practice tests out there, you may want to save your money and try some free tests first.
NES Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Secondary (052) Free Study Guide
Feeling overwhelmed by the amount of content on the Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Secondary exam? Wondering how to choose the right study guide for you?
Well, you’re at the right place. We’ve found the best study guides, both free and paid, for the NES Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Secondary.
Best Free Study Guide
240 Tutoring’s NES Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Secondary Ultimate Guide
The Ultimate Guide for the NES Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Secondary from 240 Tutoring is a well-rounded resource, with information on the exam structure, exam content, and practice questions. For each exam competency, 240 Tutoring carefully selects a few concepts that will likely be on the exam and explores them in more detail. While it does not cover everything you need to know, it’s a good starting point for your studying and an excellent free resource.
NES Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Secondary (052) Paid Study Guide
Best Paid Study Guide
240 Tutoring’s Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Secondary Online Study Guide
240 Tutoring also offers a full study guide. The NES Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Secondary guide has over 371 questions, 87 pages of content. The content is aligned to the testing standards and presented in an easy-to-understand format.
One of the best parts is that the study guide comes with a money-back guarantee that you will pass the test.
Plan on taking multiple NES exams? With 240 Tutoring’s month-to-month subscription at $39.99, you get access to all of their NES study guides just by subscribing to the APK: Secondary guide
Runner-Up for Study Guide
NES Study Guide
The National Evaluation Series™, or NES, has a paid practice test and a paid study guide. Since NES is the company that creates and administers the APK: Secondary, 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
Mometrix
Mometrix has a paid APK: Secondary study guide that covers concepts from the exam and provides test-taking strategies for the NES exams. The downside to this resource is that it is only available as a printed book or ebook, so you’ll miss out on benefits like videos and interactive practice tests that are available in online study guides.
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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