So you’re taking the North Carolina Foundations of Reading (090) 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 Maegan Rigby, and at Best in Class we are here to help you get familiar with everything you need to know about the North Carolina Foundations of Reading (090) exam!
North Carolina Foundations of Reading Video Overviews
The following videos from 240 Tutoring offer helpful information as you plan your study approach for the North Carolina Foundations of Reading exam:
These three videos from Pearson are not specific to the Foundations of Reading exam, but they do provide tips on how to start your study plan and how to navigate the North Carolina Foundations of Reading website.
First Thing to Know
The North Carolina Foundations of Reading is a Pearson exam. This means that the Pearson testing company creates the Foundations of Reading exam and tailors it to fit North Carolina’s requirements. This is important to note mostly because you want to be sure you are looking at resources and information specific to North Carolina. There are other states that have a similar version of this Pearson exam, but the information may not be an exact match.
The identification number for the North Carolina Foundations of Reading is 090. This number serves as an organization tool for both you and the state. It helps you make sure you are selecting the correct exam when you sign up to register and helps the state keep all of their exams organized. In short, it is much quicker to refer to test 090 than “North Carolina Foundations of Reading.”
North Carolina Foundations of Reading Exam Breakdown
The North Carolina Foundations of Reading is made up of 100 multiple-choice questions and two open-response questions that must be completed in a four-hour time period. The topics for these questions come from four subareas, but there are no separate subtests. Check out the percentages in the table below to get an idea of which subareas carry the most weight.
| Subarea | Objectives | Percentage of Score | Time |
| I. Foundations of Reading Development | 1-4 | 35% | Self-paced over the allotted four hours. |
| II. Development of Reading Comprehension | 5-7 | 27% | |
| III. Reading Assessment and Instruction | 8-9 | 18% | |
| IV. Integration of Knowledge and Understanding | 10 | 20% |
Keep in mind that subarea IV is 20% of your total exam score and will consist of only the two written-response questions.
Remember, the Foundations of Reading does not have separate subtests. This means that there is no opportunity to take or retake only a portion of the exam. Be sure to plan your studying as necessary to make sure you are ready for all parts of the exam.
What is a Passing Score
The passing score for the North Carolina Foundations of Reading is 229. This scoring approach may be different than what you are used to seeing with more traditional percentage passing rates. This number refers to a scaled score that allows the test makers to adjust weighting for each test administration based on the questions on that specific exam.
How to Register for the North Carolina Foundations of Reading Exam
New to Teaching?
If you are new to teaching you will have a few extra steps prior to registering. You cannot take the exam until you have completed an approved educator preparation program. You can visit the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction website to access their list of approved programs and information on their alternative preparation pathways.
Once you have approval from your program, you will be able to register for an account on the North Carolina Foundations of Reading General Curriculum registration page.
- Look for a link that says “Create an account now.” The link can be found directly underneath the sign-in fields or on the right-hand side of the screen under the heading “Don’t Have an Account?”
- Fill in your email address, create your password, complete your security question, and click on the “Next” button.
- Next fill in your personal and background information. You will click through several pages and be asked to verify information twice. Take your time to make sure everything is accurate and matches the ID that you will use at the testing center.
- Once you have finished entering your personal information, the system will automatically move into the registration for your specific exam. It will first ask that you confirm your identity.
- Using the drop-down menu, choose the test you would like to take. In this case, choose “Foundations of Reading,” click “Add,” then click “Next.”
- Select whether you will be requesting alternative testing arrangements. On this page, there are links provided to learn more about policies related to alternative testing arrangements.
- Respond to and click through the series of additional background questions and other information.
- You’re almost done! Work through the remaining prompts to add your exam to the cart, choose your score recipients, and pay for your test.
Note that you will not be able to schedule the time and location of your exam until after you have completed and paid for the registration.
Already Certified?
If you are already certified to teach in North Carolina, this will be a quick process! If you are currently certified at the secondary level, you may need to create an account on the North Carolina Foundations of Reading General Curriculum registration page. (If you are already registered here, skip to step 4.)
Follow these simple steps:
- Look for a link that says “Create an account now.” The link can be found directly underneath the sign-in fields or on the right-hand side of the screen under the heading “Don’t Have an Account?”
- Fill in your email address, create your password, complete your security question, and click on the “Next” button.
- Next fill in your personal and background information. You will click through several pages and be asked to verify information twice. Take your time to make sure everything is accurate and matches the ID that you will use at the testing center.
- Once you have finished entering your personal information, the system will automatically move into the registration for your specific exam. It will first ask that you confirm your identity.
- On the next page, using the drop-down menu, choose the test you would like to take. In this case, choose “Foundations of Reading,” click “Add,” then click “Next.”
- Select whether you will be requesting alternative testing arrangements. On this page, there are links provided to learn more about policies related to alternative testing arrangements.
- Respond to and click through the series of additional background questions and other information.
- You’re almost done! Work through the remaining prompts to add your exam to the cart, choose your score recipients, and pay for your test.
Note that you will not be able to schedule the time and location of your exam until after you have completed and paid for the registration.
You will need to pass this exam and a general curriculum test for elementary certification, but by passing the North Carolina Foundations of Reading you will be well on your way to teaching elementary in North Carolina!
Yay!
North Carolina Foundations of Reading (090) Free Practice Test
If you’re here, you probably have a North Carolina Foundations of Reading (090) exam coming up and are wondering if you are ready.
And if you are not feeling confident, you would probably like some guidance about what you need to study.
Good news: you are right where you need to be! We are going to help you find the absolute best practice tests for your upcoming North Carolina Foundations of Reading exam.
Best Free Practice Test
240 Tutoring’s North Carolina Foundations of Reading (090) Practice Test
240 Tutoring has been helping teachers pass their exams since 2011. They offer an online, completely free practice test for the North Carolina Foundations of Reading. The practice test will give you a free score breakdown so you can see exactly what you need to study.
North Carolina Foundations of Reading (090) Paid Practice Test
Best Paid Practice Test
240 Tutoring’s North Carolina Foundations of Reading (090) Study Guide
240 Tutoring also offers a full study guide and practice test. Their North Carolina Foundations of Reading (090) study guide includes more than 255 questions and 84 pages of content. So while it is a paid practice test, it has much more to offer.
One of the best parts is that 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 North Carolina study guides — including the North Carolina Foundations of Reading — for just one monthly price of $39.99. So simply subscribing to one study guide gives you access to all study guides.
Runner-Up for Practice Test
Pearson’s Foundations of Reading Practice Test
This is a free practice test offered by the test maker itself, Pearson. That comes with some clear advantages because Pearson created the actual test that you will take. One downside is that the practice test is in PDF form. This means that any analysis of your results will be completed on your own, but it does include some handy charts to help you evaluate your performance.
Pearson’s Foundations of Reading Practice Test
Honorable Mention
Mometrix Free Practice Test
Mometrix provides a quick practice test that anyone can take. The test is free and provides explanations for correct answers. However, it includes only 15 questions, which really prevents you from getting a full understanding of the exam content. This test might be a good place to start, but you’ll definitely need something more substantial to make sure that you are prepared for the exam.
North Carolina Foundations of Reading Practice Test
North Carolina Foundations of Reading (090) Free Study Guide
Are you preparing to take the North Carolina Foundations of Reading (090)? Are you wondering if you’ll pass?
If you are worried about passing, you probably really want to know what you need to study.
That’s what we are here for! We have researched and identified the absolute best study guides for the North Carolina Foundations of Reading.
Best Free Study Guide
240 Tutoring’s North Carolina Foundations of Reading Ultimate Guide
If you are beginning your study process, this is a great place to start. 240 Tutoring offers a free guide to help you plan your exam preparation.
240 Tutoring’s free guide provides a broad overview of the exam and previews each individual subarea. Then, for each subarea, this free guide focuses on a handful of concepts that are likely to appear on the exam. It even has a link to a free practice test.
This free guide can help you get started, but you will probably need to expand your studying further. While there is a lot of important content inside of this free guide, it does not cover all the concepts you will encounter on the actual exam.
North Carolina Foundations of Reading (090) Paid Study Guide
Best Paid Study Guide
240 Tutoring’s North Carolina Foundations of Reading (090) Study Guide
240 Tutoring also offers a full study guide. The North Carolina Foundations of Reading (090) study guide includes more than 255 questions and 84 pages of content.
One of the best parts is that 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 their North Carolina study guides — including the North Carolina Foundations of Reading — for just one monthly price of $39.99. So simply subscribing to one study guide gives you access to all study guides.
Runner-Up for Study Guide
Mometrix Test Preparation
Mometrix Test Preparation offers some free information about the test, but it’s a stretch to call it a free study guide when compared with the content offered from 240 Tutoring. Mometrix provides a brief overview of the test format and a short practice test for free, but you’ll need to pay for study material that covers any actual concepts from the exam. The Mometrix paid study guide comes in the format of a printed book or e-book for $39.99.
Mometrix North Carolina Foundations of Reading Study Guide
Honorable Mention
Pearson Foundations of Reading Preparation Materials
The test maker, Pearson, offers free study materials for the Foundations of Reading exam. This comes with some clear advantages because Pearson created the actual test that you will take. The downside is that this will likely not meet all of your study needs. It mainly provides the same information that other study guides already offer in their free overviews.
Pearson Foundations of Reading Preparation Materials
Maegan is a former educator who taught first grade for six years before returning to school to obtain her MBA. Maegan loves going on walks with her two young children, binge-watching television shows, and crafting with her five-year-old!
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