Unofficial practice for the four subtests of FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3: developmental knowledge, language arts and reading, mathematics, science.
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Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with the Florida Department of Education or Pearson. Bank checked October 9, 2026.
A preschool teacher watches a child hop across the rug on one foot. At about what age does the National Library of Medicine list hopping on one foot as a gross motor milestone?National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Preschooler development. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 1, Developmental Knowledge, competency 1
Children develop at different paces. Why does the National Library of Medicine still say milestone lists are worth watching?National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Developmental milestones record. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 1, Developmental Knowledge, competency 1
One child in a toddler room walked at 9 months and another at 16 months. How should a teacher read that difference?National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Developmental milestones record. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 1, Developmental Knowledge, competency 1
Show all 25 questions (22 more)
Child growth, development and families, continued
Which language behavior does the National Library of Medicine list for a typical 3-year-old?National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Preschooler development. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 1, Developmental Knowledge, competency 1
The profession and its foundations 3
A teacher rolls one of two equal balls of clay into a long snake, and a four-year-old now says the snake has more clay. In Piaget's theory, which idea has the child not yet grasped?Wikipedia, Piaget's theory of cognitive development, Preoperational stage. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 1, Developmental Knowledge, competency 2
Under section 39.201, Florida Statutes, how sure must a teacher be before she reports suspected child abuse to the central abuse hotline?Section 39.201, Florida Statutes (Online Sunshine, the Florida Legislature), subsection (1). Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 1, Developmental Knowledge, competency 2
Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, what must be true of a "free appropriate public education"?Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. 1401 (U.S. Government Publishing Office), paragraph (9). Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 1, Developmental Knowledge, competency 2
Developmentally appropriate practices 5
A teacher arranges the room so that children rotate through a block area, a writing table and a science shelf during one time block. What is this arrangement called?Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Preparing Young Children for School (WWC 2022009), Glossary. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 1, Developmental Knowledge, competency 3
A teacher plans counting lessons so that each new skill rests on one the children already have. Which idea is she applying?Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Teaching Math to Young Children (NCEE 2014-4005), Glossary. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 1, Developmental Knowledge, competency 3
During one block of the day, children pick their own activities and the teacher sets no learning objective. What does the IES guide Preparing Young Children for School call this?Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Preparing Young Children for School (WWC 2022009), Glossary. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 1, Developmental Knowledge, competency 3
Which description fits what the IES preschool guide calls intentional instruction?Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Preparing Young Children for School (WWC 2022009), Glossary. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 1, Developmental Knowledge, competency 3
Which practice follows the IES recommendation to integrate math instruction throughout the school day?Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Teaching Math to Young Children (NCEE 2014-4005), Recommendation 5. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 1, Developmental Knowledge, competency 3
Developmentally appropriate curricula 3
Before reading a picture book aloud, a teacher marks three pages where she will pause to ask the children a question. What are these planned pauses called?Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Preparing Young Children for School (WWC 2022009), Glossary. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 1, Developmental Knowledge, competency 4
To build vocabulary, a teacher asks a child about her block tower, listens, and follows up on each answer. What does the IES preschool guide call this back-and-forth?Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Preparing Young Children for School (WWC 2022009), Glossary. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 1, Developmental Knowledge, competency 4
Which activity mainly develops fine motor skills?National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Toddler development, Physical development. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 1, Developmental Knowledge, competency 4
Intervention strategies and resources 4
A teacher brings songs, stories and family photos from the children's own communities into her lessons. Which term names this approach?Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Preparing Young Children for School (WWC 2022009), Glossary. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 1, Developmental Knowledge, competency 5
After an eviction, a first grader's family moves in with relatives. Under the McKinney-Vento definition, is the child homeless?National Center for Homeless Education, The McKinney-Vento Definition of Homeless. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 1, Developmental Knowledge, competency 5
In the IES preschool guide, who are dual language learners?Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Preparing Young Children for School (WWC 2022009), Glossary. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 1, Developmental Knowledge, competency 5
Which default does the least restrictive environment provision of IDEA set for children with disabilities?Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. 1412 (U.S. Government Publishing Office), subsection (a)(5). Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 1, Developmental Knowledge, competency 5
Diagnosis, assessment and evaluation 3
A fall reading screen shows four first graders at elevated risk. What does the IES guide on multi-tier intervention in the primary grades say to do about their progress?Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Assisting Students Struggling with Reading: Response to Intervention in the Primary Grades (NCEE 2009-4045), Recommendation 1. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 1, Developmental Knowledge, competency 6
A parent asks to see her son's education records. Under the FERPA regulations, how long does the school have to comply?U.S. Department of Education, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act regulations, 34 CFR Part 99, section 99.10. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 1, Developmental Knowledge, competency 6
Midway through a unit, a teacher gives a short counting check and uses the results to decide what to reteach tomorrow. How is this assessment being used?Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Teaching Math to Young Children (NCEE 2014-4005), Glossary. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 1, Developmental Knowledge, competency 6
Child guidance and behavior management 3
A child shoves classmates most often while the class lines up. According to the IES behavior guide, what should the teacher work out first?Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Reducing Behavior Problems in the Elementary School Classroom (NCEE 2008-012), Recommendation 1. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 1, Developmental Knowledge, competency 7
A teacher plays a game in which children freeze, clap or hop depending on the color card she holds up. Which skills is a game like this designed to build?Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Preparing Young Children for School (WWC 2022009), Recommendation 2. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 1, Developmental Knowledge, competency 7
To teach kindness to three-year-olds, the IES preschool guide suggests more than telling children to be kind. Which method does it name?Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Preparing Young Children for School (WWC 2022009), Recommendation 1. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 1, Developmental Knowledge, competency 7
How this list was compiled: Our own questions, written to the competencies and skills of Subtest 1, Developmental Knowledge (531), of FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) in the test information guide on the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations website, https://www.fl.nesinc.com/studyguide/FL_SG_obj_053_redev.htm (copyright 2023 State of Florida, Department of State), read 2026-10-09: approximately 50 multiple-choice questions in 1 hour 10 minutes, seven competencies weighted 14, 12, 20, 12, 15, 14 and 13 percent. This set holds 25: 4, 3, 5, 3, 4, 3 and 3. Every fact was read on the public page named under its question (each opened 2026-10-09): practice guides of the Institute of Education Sciences, the MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia of the National Library of Medicine, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the FERPA regulations, section 39.201 of the Florida Statutes, the National Center for Homeless Education and one Wikipedia article. Licence: Questions, choices and explanations are original work of this site.
Language Arts and Reading: all 25 questions
Literacy and literacy instruction 6
A kindergarten teacher covers the print and says, "Say map. Now say it without the /m/." Why does this count as phonemic awareness and not as phonics?Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Foundational Skills to Support Reading for Understanding in Kindergarten Through 3rd Grade (NCEE 2016-4008), Glossary. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 2, Language Arts and Reading, competency 1
A kindergartner sweeps a finger along a line of text from left to right and then drops to the start of the next line. Which area of emergent literacy does this show?Florida Department of Education, Florida's B.E.S.T. Standards: English Language Arts, benchmark ELA.K.F.1.1. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 2, Language Arts and Reading, competency 1
A preschool teacher fills a table with blocks, balls, brooms and bags and asks children to say the sound that all the objects begin with. What is this center for?Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Preparing Young Children for School (WWC 2022009), Recommendation 6. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 2, Language Arts and Reading, competency 1
Show all 25 questions (22 more)
Literacy and literacy instruction, continued
Clapping the syllables in a name, splitting sat into /s/ and /at/, and saying each sound in map all belong to one umbrella skill. Which one?Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Foundational Skills to Support Reading for Understanding in Kindergarten Through 3rd Grade (NCEE 2016-4008), Glossary. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 2, Language Arts and Reading, competency 1
Each child has a card with three joined boxes and three counters. The teacher says mop, and children push one counter into a box for each sound. Which tool is this?Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Foundational Skills to Support Reading for Understanding in Kindergarten Through 3rd Grade (NCEE 2016-4008), Glossary. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 2, Language Arts and Reading, competency 1
Which step does the IES guide on reading comprehension in kindergarten through 3rd grade recommend for motivating young readers?Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Improving Reading Comprehension in Kindergarten Through 3rd Grade (NCEE 2010-4038), Recommendation 5. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 2, Language Arts and Reading, competency 1
Literary and informational texts 4
A passage about frogs and toads uses the words both, alike, but and however. Which informational text structure do these clue words signal?Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Improving Reading Comprehension in Kindergarten Through 3rd Grade (NCEE 2010-4038), Table 6. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 2, Language Arts and Reading, competency 2
After a read-aloud, first graders fill in a chart with the characters, setting, problem and events. What is this tool called?Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Improving Reading Comprehension in Kindergarten Through 3rd Grade (NCEE 2010-4038), Glossary. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 2, Language Arts and Reading, competency 2
After reading, a child tells the important parts of the story aloud in her own words. Which way of responding to a text is this?Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Improving Reading Comprehension in Kindergarten Through 3rd Grade (NCEE 2010-4038), Glossary. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 2, Language Arts and Reading, competency 2
Which book would the IES foundational skills guide class as informational text?Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Foundational Skills to Support Reading for Understanding in Kindergarten Through 3rd Grade (NCEE 2016-4008), Glossary. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 2, Language Arts and Reading, competency 2
Foundational reading skills 6
A child reads every word of a passage correctly and at a fair pace, but in a flat voice with no pause at the periods. Which part of oral reading fluency needs work?Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Foundational Skills to Support Reading for Understanding in Kindergarten Through 3rd Grade (NCEE 2016-4008), Glossary. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 2, Language Arts and Reading, competency 3
A second grader reads the word education by recognizing tion as a unit she has met in many other words. Which of Ehri's phases does this mark?Linnea C. Ehri, Phases of Development in Learning to Read and Spell Words, American Educator, Fall 2023 (American Federation of Teachers), Consolidated alphabetic phase. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 2, Language Arts and Reading, competency 3
A teacher models how to summarize a page, then summarizes with the class, then has pairs try it, and finally has each child do it alone. Which instructional model is this?Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Improving Reading Comprehension in Kindergarten Through 3rd Grade (NCEE 2010-4038), Glossary. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 2, Language Arts and Reading, competency 3
A three-year-old "reads" the name of a familiar store from its sign and colors, not from its letters. In Ehri's phases of word reading, where is this child?Linnea C. Ehri, Phases of Development in Learning to Read and Spell Words, American Educator, Fall 2023 (American Federation of Teachers), Pre-alphabetic phase. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 2, Language Arts and Reading, competency 3
During a read-aloud about a storm, a teacher asks, "What do you think the family will do if the river keeps rising?" Which kind of language is she drawing out?Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Foundational Skills to Support Reading for Understanding in Kindergarten Through 3rd Grade (NCEE 2016-4008), Glossary. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 2, Language Arts and Reading, competency 3
The teacher reads a sentence aloud with expression, and then the child reads that same sentence aloud. What is this fluency practice called?Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Foundational Skills to Support Reading for Understanding in Kindergarten Through 3rd Grade (NCEE 2016-4008), Glossary. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 2, Language Arts and Reading, competency 3
Oral and written communication 6
A first-grade teacher has children compare how they greet a friend with how they greet the principal. Which expectation of Florida's ELA standards is she teaching?Florida Department of Education, Florida's B.E.S.T. Standards: English Language Arts, expectation ELA.K12.EE.6.1. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 2, Language Arts and Reading, competency 4
A kindergartner writes "wuz" for was. How does the IES elementary writing guide describe this?Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Teaching Elementary School Students to Be Effective Writers (NCEE 2012-4058), Glossary. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 2, Language Arts and Reading, competency 4
A third grader writes a letter to the principal asking for a longer recess and gives three reasons. Which purpose for writing is this?Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Teaching Elementary School Students to Be Effective Writers (NCEE 2012-4058), Glossary. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 2, Language Arts and Reading, competency 4
According to the IES elementary writing guide, where should early handwriting instruction begin?Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Teaching Elementary School Students to Be Effective Writers (NCEE 2012-4058), Recommendation 3. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 2, Language Arts and Reading, competency 4
Under Florida's kindergarten writing benchmarks, how may a child create a narrative?Florida Department of Education, Florida's B.E.S.T. Standards: English Language Arts, benchmark ELA.K.C.1.2. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 2, Language Arts and Reading, competency 4
Which statement about the writing process matches the IES elementary writing guide?Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Teaching Elementary School Students to Be Effective Writers (NCEE 2012-4058), Glossary. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 2, Language Arts and Reading, competency 4
Assessments that inform literacy instruction 3
A teacher asks a child to say what she is thinking as she reads a hard paragraph, and listens for the strategies she uses. How does the IES comprehension guide describe this use of a think-aloud?Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Improving Reading Comprehension in Kindergarten Through 3rd Grade (NCEE 2010-4038), Glossary. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 2, Language Arts and Reading, competency 5
A teacher scores a writing sample for ideas, organization and mechanics one at a time and then adds the three scores. What kind of scoring is this?Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Teaching Elementary School Students to Be Effective Writers (NCEE 2012-4058), Glossary. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 2, Language Arts and Reading, competency 5
After several months in a tier 2 reading group, a second grader's monthly progress checks still show too little growth. What does the IES guide on multi-tier intervention say should happen next?Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Assisting Students Struggling with Reading: Response to Intervention in the Primary Grades (NCEE 2009-4045), Recommendation 4. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 2, Language Arts and Reading, competency 5
How this list was compiled: Our own questions, written to the competencies and skills of Subtest 2, Language Arts and Reading (532), of FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) in the test information guide on the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations website, https://www.fl.nesinc.com/studyguide/FL_SG_obj_053_redev.htm (copyright 2023 State of Florida, Department of State), read 2026-10-09: approximately 50 multiple-choice questions in 1 hour 10 minutes, five competencies weighted 24, 18, 24, 22 and 12 percent. This set holds 25: 6, 4, 6, 6 and 3. Every fact was read in the public document named under its question (each opened 2026-10-09): practice guides of the Institute of Education Sciences on foundational reading skills, reading comprehension, elementary writing, preschool and response to intervention; Florida's B.E.S.T. Standards for English Language Arts; and Linnea Ehri's article on the phases of word reading in American Educator. Licence: Questions, choices and explanations are original work of this site.
Mathematics: all 20 questions
Number concepts and operations in base 10 7
A child counts six bears correctly, one number word for each bear. Asked "How many bears are there?", she starts counting again from one. Which idea is not yet secure?Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Teaching Math to Young Children (NCEE 2014-4005), Glossary. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 3, Mathematics, competency 1
A kindergartner counts 8 counters in a row. The teacher spreads them into a wide circle and asks how many there are now. Which answer meets Florida's kindergarten benchmark?Florida Department of Education, Florida's B.E.S.T. Standards: Mathematics, benchmark MA.K.NSO.1.1. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 3, Mathematics, competency 1
A number line from 0 to 2 is marked in fourths. Which fraction names the point three marks past 1?Florida Department of Education, Florida's B.E.S.T. Standards: Mathematics, benchmark MA.3.FR.1.3. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 3, Mathematics, competency 1
Show all 20 questions (17 more)
Number concepts and operations in base 10, continued
A teacher has 56 crayons to share equally among 8 table groups. How many crayons does each group get?Florida Department of Education, Florida's B.E.S.T. Standards: Mathematics, benchmark MA.3.NSO.2.4. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 3, Mathematics, competency 1
Rounded to the nearest 100, what is 648?Florida Department of Education, Florida's B.E.S.T. Standards: Mathematics, benchmark MA.3.NSO.1.4. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 3, Mathematics, competency 1
Which comparison of two fractions is correct?Florida Department of Education, Florida's B.E.S.T. Standards: Mathematics, benchmark MA.3.FR.2.1. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 3, Mathematics, competency 1
Which is another correct way to express the number 54?Florida Department of Education, Florida's B.E.S.T. Standards: Mathematics, benchmark MA.1.NSO.1.3. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 3, Mathematics, competency 1
Algebraic thinking 3
A pattern begins 4, 9, 14, 19. If it continues by the same rule, what is the seventh number?Florida Department of Education, Florida's B.E.S.T. Standards: Mathematics, benchmark MA.3.AR.3.3. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 3, Mathematics, competency 2
What number makes the equation 38 + 17 = __ + 20 true?Florida Department of Education, Florida's B.E.S.T. Standards: Mathematics, benchmark MA.2.AR.2.2. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 3, Mathematics, competency 2
Which expression shows the distributive property used to find 6 × 14?Florida Department of Education, Florida's B.E.S.T. Standards: Mathematics, benchmark MA.3.AR.1.1. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 3, Mathematics, competency 2
Measurement, data collection and analysis 3
A child has 2 quarters, 3 dimes and 4 pennies. How much money is that?Florida Department of Education, Florida's B.E.S.T. Standards: Mathematics, benchmark MA.2.M.2.2. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 3, Mathematics, competency 3
Art class starts at 1:50 p.m. and ends at 2:35 p.m. How long is the class?Florida Department of Education, Florida's B.E.S.T. Standards: Mathematics, benchmark MA.3.M.2.2. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 3, Mathematics, competency 3
In a pictograph of favorite fruits, each picture stands for 2 children. The apple row has 6 pictures and the grape row has 4. How many more children chose apples than grapes?Florida Department of Education, Florida's B.E.S.T. Standards: Mathematics, benchmark MA.3.DP.1.1. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 3, Mathematics, competency 3
Geometry and spatial concepts 2
To teach the area of an L-shaped figure, a third-grade teacher cuts a paper L into a 7-by-2 strip and a 3-by-5 block, with no overlap. Side lengths are in feet. What total area should the class find?Florida Department of Education, Florida's B.E.S.T. Standards: Mathematics, benchmark MA.3.GR.2.4. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 3, Mathematics, competency 4
Which figure is on the list of quadrilaterals in Florida's grade 3 geometry benchmark?Florida Department of Education, Florida's B.E.S.T. Standards: Mathematics, benchmark MA.3.GR.1.2. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 3, Mathematics, competency 4
Student reasoning and instructional practices 5
A second grader adds 46 + 27 with a method she chose with her teacher's help and can now use accurately on her own. Which stage of Florida's fluency hierarchy does this show?Florida Department of Education, Florida's B.E.S.T. Standards: Mathematics, Fluency with Arithmetic Operations, Stage 2. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 3, Mathematics, competency 5
A teacher checks each child's counting at the start of a unit, rechecks every two weeks, and adjusts goals and lessons to match. What is this approach called?Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Teaching Math to Young Children (NCEE 2014-4005), Glossary. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 3, Mathematics, competency 5
A teacher wants second graders to answer 8 + 7 from memory, without working it out. Which expectation of Florida's standards is this?Florida Department of Education, Florida's B.E.S.T. Standards: Mathematics, Fluency with Arithmetic Operations, Automaticity. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 3, Mathematics, competency 5
In Florida's B.E.S.T. mathematics standards, what is expected of students at the exploration stage of an operation?Florida Department of Education, Florida's B.E.S.T. Standards: Mathematics, Fluency with Arithmetic Operations, Stage 1. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 3, Mathematics, competency 5
Students model 23 + 18 with base-ten blocks, then draw the tens and ones on paper, and only then write the equation. Which term fits the drawing step?Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Assisting Students Struggling with Mathematics: Intervention in the Elementary Grades (WWC 2021006), Recommendation 3. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 3, Mathematics, competency 5
How this list was compiled: Our own questions, written to the competencies and skills of Subtest 3, Mathematics (533), of FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) in the test information guide on the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations website, https://www.fl.nesinc.com/studyguide/FL_SG_obj_053_redev.htm (copyright 2023 State of Florida, Department of State), read 2026-10-09: approximately 40 multiple-choice questions in 1 hour 10 minutes, five competencies weighted 33, 16, 15, 13 and 23 percent. This set holds 20: 7, 3, 3, 2 and 5. Each question names the benchmark of Florida's B.E.S.T. Standards for Mathematics or the practice guide of the Institute of Education Sciences it was written to (each opened 2026-10-09), and every computed answer was recomputed. Licence: Questions, choices and explanations are original work of this site.
Science: all 20 questions
Effective science instruction 4
According to the National Science Teaching Association's statement on early childhood science, what do young children need in order to build science understanding?National Science Teaching Association, position statement Early Childhood Science Education, key principles. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 4, Science, competency 1
In the National Science Teaching Association's safety statement, safety goggles and gloves are examples of which part of a school safety program?National Science Teaching Association, position statement Safety and School Science Instruction, Declarations. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 4, Science, competency 1
In the National Science Teaching Association's statement, what is the adult's part in young children's experiential science learning?National Science Teaching Association, position statement Early Childhood Science Education, key principles. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 4, Science, competency 1
Show all 20 questions (17 more)
Effective science instruction, continued
Which classroom plan best fits the National Science Teaching Association's call for "carefully planned open-ended, inquiry-based explorations"?National Science Teaching Association, position statement Early Childhood Science Education, Declarations. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 4, Science, competency 1
The nature of science 4
A second grader says, "Everybody knows heavy things sink." Which reply best reflects how science decides whether an idea is accepted?Understanding Science, University of California Museum of Paleontology: Science relies on evidence. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 4, Science, competency 2
Children look at pond water through a hand lens and draw what they see. In terms of the nature of science, what are they doing?Understanding Science, University of California Museum of Paleontology: Observation beyond our eyes. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 4, Science, competency 2
One group reports that its plant grew taller with music playing. What should happen before the class treats that claim as well supported?Understanding Science, University of California Museum of Paleontology: Science relies on evidence. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 4, Science, competency 2
Which question can a first-grade class investigate scientifically?Understanding Science, University of California Museum of Paleontology: Science works with testable ideas. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 4, Science, competency 2
Earth and space sciences 4
A child drops a ball and asks why it falls instead of floating away. Which explanation matches NASA's Space Place?NASA Space Place: What Is Gravity?. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 4, Science, competency 3
A second grader says the Moon makes its own light, the way a lamp does. What does NASA's Space Place say?NASA Space Place: What Are the Moon's Phases?. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 4, Science, competency 3
It is summer in Florida in July. What is true of Earth then, according to NASA's Space Place?NASA Space Place: What Causes the Seasons?. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 4, Science, competency 3
The National Weather Service issues a tornado watch for a school's county. What does a watch mean?National Weather Service: Understand Tornado Alerts. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 4, Science, competency 3
Physical sciences 3
A stretched rubber band is held still. What kind of energy does it have, in the U.S. Energy Information Administration's classification?U.S. Energy Information Administration, Energy Explained: Forms of energy. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 4, Science, competency 4
Sand and iron filings are stirred together and then pulled apart again with a magnet. What does this show about the combination?Wikipedia, Mixture. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 4, Science, competency 4
Which of these changes the chemical composition of a material, making it a chemical change and not a physical one?Wikipedia, Physical change. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 4, Science, competency 4
Life sciences 5
A bee carries pollen grains from the anther of one squash flower to the stigma of another. What is this transfer called?USDA Forest Service: What is Pollination?. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 4, Science, competency 5
A caterpillar forms a chrysalis and comes out as a butterfly. What is this abrupt change in body structure during development called?Wikipedia, Metamorphosis. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 4, Science, competency 5
A kitten has the same fur pattern as its mother. In genetics, what does it mean to say the pattern is inherited?National Human Genome Research Institute, Talking Glossary: Inherited. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 4, Science, competency 5
According to the National Human Genome Research Institute, what can determine a trait such as height?National Human Genome Research Institute, Talking Glossary: Trait. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 4, Science, competency 5
What is the job of the heart within the circulatory system, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute?National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: The Heart. Written to FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) Subtest 4, Science, competency 5
How this list was compiled: Our own questions, written to the competencies and skills of Subtest 4, Science (534), of FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053) in the test information guide on the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations website, https://www.fl.nesinc.com/studyguide/FL_SG_obj_053_redev.htm (copyright 2023 State of Florida, Department of State), read 2026-10-09: approximately 40 multiple-choice questions in 1 hour, five competencies weighted 19, 19, 20, 17 and 25 percent. This set holds 20: 4, 4, 4, 3 and 5. Every fact was read on the public page named under its question (each opened 2026-10-09): two position statements of the National Science Teaching Association, Understanding Science of the University of California Museum of Paleontology, NASA Space Place, the National Weather Service, the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the USDA Forest Service, the National Human Genome Research Institute, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and four Wikipedia articles. Licence: Questions, choices and explanations are original work of this site.
How it works
This free FTCE PK-3 practice test has a question set for each of the four subtests of Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 (053). It is unofficial and not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by the Florida Department of Education or Pearson.
Read the full guide
Sets and clock
Each set is half the length of its subtest, 25, 25, 20 and 20 questions, spread over the competencies in the guide's percentages. Exam mode allows 35 minutes a set and 30 for Science, the pace of the real 1 hour 10 minutes and 1 hour.
Where the facts come from
Practice guides of the Institute of Education Sciences, Florida's B.E.S.T. standards, MedlinePlus, federal law, and science pages of NASA and other agencies. The page read is linked under each question.
The real Mathematics subtest allows no calculator. The test comes with a mathematics reference sheet; the test.
Developmentally appropriate practices carry the most weight in Subtest 1, about 20% of its questions.
Questions and answers
How many questions are on the FTCE PK-3 test?
About 180 across four subtests, all multiple choice on computer: about 50, 50, 40 and 40, according to the test's page on the FTCE site. A test may include tryout questions that do not affect the score.
What is the passing score for the FTCE PK-3?
A scaled score of at least 200 on each subtest, and all four must be passed. A scaled score is not a percent, so this page gives your number right and no pass verdict.
Can you take the FTCE PK-3 subtests separately?
Yes. Since February 28, 2023, the FTCE site says the four subtests may be split across appointments in any combination, with a separate registration for each appointment.
Is an FTCE PreK-3 practice test the same as a PK-3 one?
Yes. PreK-3 and PK-3 are two ways of writing Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3, test 053. Any practice test for FTCE PreK-3 should cover the same four subtests and the competencies of the current guide, copyright 2023.