• 50 questions

NES Spanish Practice Test

Unofficial questions on the four multiple-choice domains of NES Spanish, test 401: listening, reading, language structures and culture.

A student writes «¿A qué hora partistes ayer?» to a friend. Which form is the normative preterite for «tú»?

Pick an answer, then press Check answer. Then you see Correct or Not quite, with the reason. Keys: A to D pick, Enter checks.

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Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with Pearson, which owns the National Evaluation Series. Bank checked October 12, 2026.

Writing and speaking prompts to print 4 lines, made to print

NES Spanish: writing and speaking practice

Name ____ Date ____

Write an answer to the first two prompts on the lines. Say the last two aloud and record yourself. Unofficial practice prompts; none is from the real test.

Presentational writing

  • Escriba un mensaje al periódico de su ciudad. Proponga que la biblioteca pública abra también los domingos y apoye la propuesta con dos razones y un ejemplo.
  • Escriba una carta a un colega que empieza a enseñar este año. Cuéntele una dificultad que usted tuvo en su primer año de trabajo o de estudios y explíquele cómo la resolvió.

Presentational speaking

  • En voz alta: un grupo de estudiantes de intercambio acaba de llegar a su escuela. Explíqueles cómo es un día normal de clases y deles dos consejos para sentirse a gusto.
  • En voz alta: describa una tradición de su familia o de su comunidad y explique por qué cree que vale la pena conservarla.

Source: Own prompts. The real NES Spanish test (401) has one presentational writing assignment (competency 0009, 20% of the score) and one presentational speaking assignment (competency 0010, 22%), each in response to a prompt (https://www.nestest.com/static/docs/NES_Framework_401.pdf and https://www.nestest.com/test/401, read 2026-10-12). Checked October 12, 2026.

Next step More Spanish linguistics: CSET SpanishGACE Spanish practice test

All 50 questions

I. Interpretive listening (as transcripts) 13

  • Anuncio de radio: «¿Terminas el bachillerato este año y todavía no sabes qué estudiar? Ven el sábado a la feria de universidades: habrá charlas sobre carreras, becas y residencias.» ¿A quién se dirige el anuncio? Our own transcript of a short spoken text; the answer is read in the transcript. Outline: NES Spanish (401) framework, competency 0002 (inferential and analytical comprehension of oral messages).
  • Aviso en un aeropuerto: «Pasajeros del vuelo 482: su puerta de embarque ha cambiado. El embarque se hará por la puerta 14, no por la 9. La hora de salida se mantiene.» ¿Qué ha cambiado? Our own transcript of a short spoken text; the answer is read in the transcript. Outline: NES Spanish (401) framework, competency 0001 (literal comprehension of oral messages).
  • Aviso por megafonía: «Atención, por favor: la biblioteca cerrará hoy a las siete, y no a las nueve, por trabajos en el sistema eléctrico. Los libros pueden devolverse en el buzón de la entrada. Mañana abriremos en el horario de siempre.» ¿Cuál es la idea principal del aviso? Our own transcript of a short spoken text; the answer is read in the transcript. Outline: NES Spanish (401) framework, competency 0001 (literal comprehension of oral messages).
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I. Interpretive listening (as transcripts), continued

  • Comentario en la radio local: «El ayuntamiento dice que no hay dinero para arreglar el parque, pero sí lo hubo para los fuegos artificiales de las fiestas. Que cada oyente saque sus cuentas.» ¿Qué pretende el locutor? Our own transcript of a short spoken text; the answer is read in the transcript. Outline: NES Spanish (401) framework, competency 0002 (inferential and analytical comprehension of oral messages).
  • Conversación en una oficina. Marta: «¿Otra vez tarde, Raúl?» Raúl: «Lo sé. El autobús no pasó y tuve que venir a pie.» Marta: «Ya van tres veces esta semana, y el jefe ha preguntado por ti.» ¿Qué se puede concluir? Our own transcript of a short spoken text; the answer is read in the transcript. Outline: NES Spanish (401) framework, competency 0002 (inferential and analytical comprehension of oral messages).
  • Conversación. Hombre: «Buenas tardes, ¿en qué puedo ayudarla?» Mujer: «Compré esta lámpara ayer y no enciende.» Hombre: «¿Trae el recibo? Entonces se la cambiamos ahora mismo.» ¿Qué relación hay entre las dos personas? Our own transcript of a short spoken text; the answer is read in the transcript. Outline: NES Spanish (401) framework, competency 0002 (inferential and analytical comprehension of oral messages).
  • En una reunión, una amiga le dice: «Te presento a Carmen, mi compañera de trabajo.» ¿Qué respuesta es la más apropiada? Our own transcript of a short spoken text; the answer is read in the transcript. Outline: NES Spanish (401) framework, competency 0001 (literal comprehension of oral messages).
  • Mensaje de voz: «Buenos días, señor Ortega, le llamo de la clínica veterinaria. Su gata ya está lista: todo salió bien y puede recogerla hoy después de las cuatro. Recuerde traer el transportín y la tarjeta de vacunas.» ¿Qué debe llevar el señor Ortega además de la tarjeta? Our own transcript of a short spoken text; the answer is read in the transcript. Outline: NES Spanish (401) framework, competency 0001 (literal comprehension of oral messages).
  • Mensaje de voz: «¡No te lo vas a creer! ¡Me dieron la beca! Llevo toda la mañana llamando a todo el mundo. Llámame en cuanto puedas, que esto hay que celebrarlo.» ¿Cómo es el tono de quien habla? Our own transcript of a short spoken text; the answer is read in the transcript. Outline: NES Spanish (401) framework, competency 0002 (inferential and analytical comprehension of oral messages).
  • Parte de tráfico en la radio: «La avenida del Puerto sigue cerrada en sentido norte porque un camión perdió su carga de naranjas a la altura del mercado. Se recomienda tomar la calle Olmos hasta que terminen de limpiar la vía.» ¿Por qué está cerrada la avenida? Our own transcript of a short spoken text; the answer is read in the transcript. Outline: NES Spanish (401) framework, competency 0001 (literal comprehension of oral messages).
  • Un alumno nuevo se acerca a la directora del colegio, a quien no conoce, y le dice: «Oye, ¿me firmas este papel?» ¿Por qué resulta poco apropiado lo que dice? Our own transcript of a short spoken text; the answer is read in the transcript. Outline: NES Spanish (401) framework, competency 0002 (inferential and analytical comprehension of oral messages).
  • Un compañero de oficina pregunta: «¿Te importa si abro la ventana? Aquí dentro hace mucho calor.» ¿Qué respuesta tiene sentido? Our own transcript of a short spoken text; the answer is read in the transcript. Outline: NES Spanish (401) framework, competency 0001 (literal comprehension of oral messages).
  • Una profesora de cocina dice: «Primero laven bien los tomates y córtenlos en trozos. Después tritúrenlos con el pepino y el pimiento. Solo al final añadan el aceite y la sal, y dejen enfriar la sopa una hora.» ¿Qué se hace justo después de cortar los tomates? Our own transcript of a short spoken text; the answer is read in the transcript. Outline: NES Spanish (401) framework, competency 0001 (literal comprehension of oral messages).

II. Interpretive reading 13

  • Lea el anuncio: «¿Acabas de mudarte y no conoces a nadie? El club de senderismo te invita a su salida de bienvenida: una ruta fácil, de dos horas, pensada para quienes nunca han caminado por la montaña.» ¿A quién va dirigido? Our own passage; the answer is read in the passage itself. Outline: NES Spanish (401) framework, competency 0004 (inferential and analytical comprehension of written materials).
  • Lea el argumento: «Habría que eliminar los deberes en primaria. Mi sobrino dejó de hacerlos el año pasado y ahora está mucho más contento.» ¿Cuál es el punto débil del argumento? Our own passage; the answer is read in the passage itself. Outline: NES Spanish (401) framework, competency 0004 (inferential and analytical comprehension of written materials).
  • Lea el aviso: «Las clases de conversación empiezan el 3 de marzo. Cada grupo tendrá ocho alumnos como máximo y se reunirá los martes y jueves de 18:00 a 19:30. La matrícula cuesta 40 euros.» ¿Cuántos alumnos puede tener un grupo? Our own passage; the answer is read in the passage itself. Outline: NES Spanish (401) framework, competency 0003 (literal comprehension of written materials).
  • Lea el cartel: «Piscina municipal. Abierta de miércoles a domingo. Los menores de doce años entran gratis si van con un adulto. Es obligatorio el uso de gorro.» Según el cartel, ¿quién no paga entrada? Our own passage; the answer is read in the passage itself. Outline: NES Spanish (401) framework, competency 0003 (literal comprehension of written materials).
  • Lea el texto: «Cuando Julia llegó a la oficina, las luces estaban apagadas y no había nadie en la recepción. Miró el calendario de su teléfono y suspiró: otra vez se le había olvidado el día festivo.» ¿Qué se puede concluir? Our own passage; the answer is read in the passage itself. Outline: NES Spanish (401) framework, competency 0004 (inferential and analytical comprehension of written materials).
  • Lea el texto: «Desde hace dos años, el pueblo de Valverde cierra su calle principal a los coches los domingos por la mañana. Durante unas horas la calle se llena de ciclistas y de familias que pasean. Los comerciantes, que al principio se quejaban, dicen ahora que venden más que nunca.» ¿Cuál es la idea principal? Our own passage; the answer is read in the passage itself. Outline: NES Spanish (401) framework, competency 0003 (literal comprehension of written materials).
  • Lea el texto: «Desde que abrieron el centro comercial en las afueras, tres tiendas de la plaza han bajado la persiana para siempre, y la panadería de don Emilio ya solo abre por las mañanas.» ¿Qué relación de causa y efecto se sugiere? Our own passage; the answer is read in the passage itself. Outline: NES Spanish (401) framework, competency 0004 (inferential and analytical comprehension of written materials).
  • Lea el texto: «El puente nuevo mide 320 metros y se inauguró en mayo. Es, sin duda, la obra más hermosa de la región. Costó doce millones y lo cruzan unos cuatro mil vehículos al día.» ¿Qué parte del texto es una opinión? Our own passage; the answer is read in the passage itself. Outline: NES Spanish (401) framework, competency 0004 (inferential and analytical comprehension of written materials).
  • Lea el texto: «Este año la cosecha de aceitunas de la finca fue la mitad de lo normal. Como apenas llovió en primavera, los árboles dieron poco fruto, y la familia tuvo que comprar aceitunas a sus vecinos.» ¿Por qué fue pequeña la cosecha? Our own passage; the answer is read in the passage itself. Outline: NES Spanish (401) framework, competency 0003 (literal comprehension of written materials).
  • Lea el texto: «Marta dejó su empleo en un banco para abrir una librería. Los primeros meses fueron duros: entraba poca gente y los gastos eran altos. Entonces empezó a organizar lecturas para niños los sábados, y poco a poco la librería se llenó.» ¿Qué resumen es el más exacto? Our own passage; the answer is read in the passage itself. Outline: NES Spanish (401) framework, competency 0003 (literal comprehension of written materials).
  • Lea el texto: «Para Elena, la biblioteca del pueblo era un faro: cada vez que se sentía perdida en sus estudios, volvía a ella y encontraba el rumbo.» ¿Qué sugiere la metáfora del faro? Our own passage; the answer is read in the passage itself. Outline: NES Spanish (401) framework, competency 0004 (inferential and analytical comprehension of written materials).
  • Lea la reseña: «El restaurante promete "cocina de autor". El autor, por lo visto, estaba de vacaciones: la sopa llegó fría y el pescado, seco. La cuenta, eso sí, fue puntualísima.» ¿Cómo es el tono de la reseña? Our own passage; the answer is read in the passage itself. Outline: NES Spanish (401) framework, competency 0004 (inferential and analytical comprehension of written materials).
  • Lea las instrucciones: «Para renovar el carné, rellene primero el formulario en línea. A continuación recibirá un correo con un código. Presente ese código en el mostrador y, por último, recoja su carné nuevo.» ¿Qué se hace después de recibir el correo? Our own passage; the answer is read in the passage itself. Outline: NES Spanish (401) framework, competency 0003 (literal comprehension of written materials).

III. Language structures 11

  • A note written in Spain tells a group of friends «Vosotros ya lo sabéis». To adapt it for readers in the Americas, which pronoun takes over the function of «vosotros»? Wikipedia, Spanish conjugation (read 2026-10-12). Outline: NES Spanish (401) framework, competency 0006 (applying knowledge of the language structures of Spanish).
  • A speaker from Buenos Aires says «vos tenés» where a speaker from Madrid says «tú tienes». What is this use of «vos» for the familiar singular called? Wikipedia, Voseo (read 2026-10-12). Outline: NES Spanish (401) framework, competency 0005 (the language structures of Spanish).
  • A student writes «Compré dos camisas blanco». Which correction is right? Wikipedia, Spanish grammar (read 2026-10-12). Outline: NES Spanish (401) framework, competency 0006 (applying knowledge of the language structures of Spanish).
  • A student writes «¿A qué hora partistes ayer?» to a friend. Which form is the normative preterite for «tú»? Wikipedia, Spanish conjugation (read 2026-10-12). Outline: NES Spanish (401) framework, competency 0006 (applying knowledge of the language structures of Spanish).
  • English needs the pronoun in "We sing." Spanish can say simply «Cantamos». Why can Spanish leave the subject pronoun out? Wikipedia, Spanish grammar (read 2026-10-12). Outline: NES Spanish (401) framework, competency 0005 (the language structures of Spanish).
  • English says "the white house." Which statement describes how descriptive adjectives generally behave in Spanish, as in «la casa blanca»? Wikipedia, Spanish adjectives (read 2026-10-12). Outline: NES Spanish (401) framework, competency 0005 (the language structures of Spanish).
  • In the affirmative command «Ábrelo», the object pronoun is attached to the end of the verb. Where does the pronoun go when the command is made negative? Wikipedia, Spanish grammar (read 2026-10-12). Outline: NES Spanish (401) framework, competency 0006 (applying knowledge of the language structures of Spanish).
  • In traditional Spanish grammar, what is a word stressed on the third-to-last syllable, such as «teléfono», called? Wikipedia, Spanish orthography (read 2026-10-12). Outline: NES Spanish (401) framework, competency 0005 (the language structures of Spanish).
  • Someone has left a window open, and the speaker reports its condition. Which verb completes the sentence? «La ventana ___ abierta.» Wikipedia, Romance copula (read 2026-10-12). Outline: NES Spanish (401) framework, competency 0006 (applying knowledge of the language structures of Spanish).
  • Which preposition completes the sentence, which states a purpose? «Estudio todas las noches ___ aprobar el examen.» Wikipedia, Spanish prepositions (read 2026-10-12). Outline: NES Spanish (401) framework, competency 0006 (applying knowledge of the language structures of Spanish).
  • The words «zapato» and «cantan» carry no written accent. By the default rule for words ending in a vowel, n or s, which syllable is stressed? Wikipedia, Spanish orthography (read 2026-10-12). Outline: NES Spanish (401) framework, competency 0005 (the language structures of Spanish).

IV. Cultural understanding 13

  • After the Mexican Revolution, the government funded artists to cover the walls of public buildings with scenes of Mexico's past, present and future. Which three painters led this movement? Wikipedia, Mexican muralism (read 2026-10-12). Outline: NES Spanish (401) framework, competency 0008 (practices, products and perspectives of Spanish-speaking cultures).
  • At a birthday party, children take turns swinging at a decorated container until it breaks and the candy inside falls out. What is this product of Mexican celebrations called? Wikipedia, Piñata (read 2026-10-12). Outline: NES Spanish (401) framework, competency 0008 (practices, products and perspectives of Spanish-speaking cultures).
  • During Día de Muertos, families build home altars with the favorite foods and drinks of relatives who have died. What are these altars called? Wikipedia, Day of the Dead (read 2026-10-12). Outline: NES Spanish (401) framework, competency 0008 (practices, products and perspectives of Spanish-speaking cultures).
  • How did the Spanish Civil War end? Wikipedia, Spanish Civil War (read 2026-10-12). Outline: NES Spanish (401) framework, competency 0007 (geography and history of the Spanish-speaking world).
  • In 1494 Portugal and the Crown of Castile signed a treaty at Tordesillas. What did the treaty settle between them? Wikipedia, Treaty of Tordesillas (read 2026-10-12). Outline: NES Spanish (401) framework, competency 0007 (geography and history of the Spanish-speaking world).
  • In the novel by Miguel de Cervantes that is considered the first modern novel, who rides beside Don Quixote as his squire? Wikipedia, Don Quixote (read 2026-10-12). Outline: NES Spanish (401) framework, competency 0008 (practices, products and perspectives of Spanish-speaking cultures).
  • In which African country, a former Spanish colony, is Spanish the main official language? Wikipedia, Equatorial Guinea (read 2026-10-12). Outline: NES Spanish (401) framework, competency 0007 (geography and history of the Spanish-speaking world).
  • Machu Picchu, the Inca site in Peru that is estimated to have been built around 1450, is thought to have been the estate of which emperor? Wikipedia, Machu Picchu (read 2026-10-12). Outline: NES Spanish (401) framework, competency 0008 (practices, products and perspectives of Spanish-speaking cultures).
  • Tenochtitlan, capital of the Aztec Empire until it was captured in 1521, was built in what kind of place? Wikipedia, Tenochtitlan (read 2026-10-12). Outline: NES Spanish (401) framework, competency 0007 (geography and history of the Spanish-speaking world).
  • What does the name Al-Andalus refer to? Wikipedia, Al-Andalus (read 2026-10-12). Outline: NES Spanish (401) framework, competency 0007 (geography and history of the Spanish-speaking world).
  • Which genre of Spanish music and dance, whose style is uniquely Andalusian, did UNESCO inscribe on its Representative List of intangible cultural heritage in 2010? Wikipedia, Flamenco (read 2026-10-12). Outline: NES Spanish (401) framework, competency 0008 (practices, products and perspectives of Spanish-speaking cultures).
  • Which leader of the wars of independence in northern South America is known as «El Libertador»? Wikipedia, Simón Bolívar (read 2026-10-12). Outline: NES Spanish (401) framework, competency 0007 (geography and history of the Spanish-speaking world).
  • Which painter of the court of King Philip IV made «Las Meninas» in 1656, a painting now in the Museo del Prado in Madrid? Wikipedia, Las Meninas (read 2026-10-12). Outline: NES Spanish (401) framework, competency 0008 (practices, products and perspectives of Spanish-speaking cultures).

How this list was compiled: Our own questions, written to the eight multiple-choice competencies of the NES Spanish test (401) as its test framework prints them on the National Evaluation Series site of Pearson (https://www.nestest.com/static/docs/NES_Framework_401.pdf and https://www.nestest.com/test/401, read 2026-10-12): Interpretive Listening, competencies 0001-0002, 15%; Interpretive Reading, 0003-0004, 15%; Language Structures, 0005-0006, 13%; Cultural Understanding, 0007-0008, 15%. Presentational Writing (0009, 20%) and Presentational Speaking (0010, 22%) are assignments, not multiple-choice questions, and are not in this bank. The bank holds 13, 13, 11 and 13 questions. Listening and reading answers are read in our own Spanish texts, printed with each question. Every grammar and culture fact was read on 2026-10-12 in the Wikipedia article named under its question. Licence: Questions, choices and explanations are original work of this site.

How it works

This free NES Spanish practice test asks 50 questions of our own on the four multiple-choice domains of test 401. The page is unofficial and is not affiliated with Pearson, the owner of the National Evaluation Series.

Read the full guide

NES Spanish test study guide: six domains

By the framework read October 12, 2026, test 401 weights interpretive listening 15%, interpretive reading 15%, language structures 13%, cultural understanding 15%, presentational writing 20% and presentational speaking 22%. The bank holds 13, 13, 11 and 13 questions on the first four.

Listening without sound

The real listening questions are heard through a headset. Here each spoken text is a transcript in Spanish with its question beneath. Read it once only, as you would hear it.

Writing and speaking

The two assignments carry 42% of the score. Four prompts of our own, two to write and two to say aloud, print from under the questions.

  • The test page lists an on-screen selector of characters for the writing assignment, so get used to placing á, ñ and ¿ before test day.
  • Listening and reading questions here are in Spanish. Structure and culture questions are in English with Spanish examples.

Questions and answers

Is this free NES Spanish practice test the real exam?

No. All 50 questions were written for this site from the published framework of test 401. Comprehension answers are read in our own Spanish texts, and grammar and culture facts in the Wikipedia article each explanation names.

How many questions are on the NES Spanish test?

100 multiple-choice questions, one presentational writing assignment and one presentational speaking assignment, in 3 hours of testing. A 15-minute tutorial and nondisclosure agreement come first, so the appointment lasts 3 hours and 15 minutes.

What is the passing score for NES Spanish?

220 is the national benchmark on the test page, which links state passing scores for Alaska, Arizona, New Hampshire, Oregon and Tennessee. Exam mode here counts right answers and gives no verdict, since the two assignments are scored too.

How long does it take to get NES Spanish scores?

The test page says score reports are released within four weeks of testing. Candidates receive a receipt of completion at the end of the test center appointment.

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