A committee weighs placing a seven-year-old braille reader in a separate school. Under New York's definition of the least restrictive environment, when may a student be removed from the regular educational environment?New York State Education Department, Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, section 200.1(cc). Framework section: Competency 0001, Foundations, performance indicator e
Anne Sullivan began teaching Helen Keller in 1887, drawing on accounts of the education of Laura Bridgman, a deafblind student of Samuel Gridley Howe. Of which school was Sullivan a graduate?Wikipedia, "Deafblindness". Framework section: Competency 0001, Foundations, performance indicator a
Federal Social Security rules define "statutory blindness", often called legal blindness. Which acuity meets the definition?Code of Federal Regulations, 20 CFR 404.1581 (edition of April 1, 2024). Framework section: Competency 0001, Foundations, performance indicator b
In 1879 Congress enacted the Act to Promote the Education of the Blind, known as the Federal Quota Program. How does the program set each year's funding for educational materials?American Printing House for the Blind, "Federal Quota". Framework section: Competency 0001, Foundations, performance indicator o
Show all 42 questions (38 more)
Foundations, continued
Louis Braille, who gave his name to the tactile code used across the world, lost his sight as a small child. How did it happen?Wikipedia, "Louis Braille". Framework section: Competency 0001, Foundations, performance indicator a
New York's regulations define a "student with a disability" partly by age. Which limit does section 200.1(zz) set?New York State Education Department, Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, section 200.1(zz). Framework section: Competency 0001, Foundations, performance indicator g
William Bell Wait taught at the New York school for blind children that was founded in 1831. What did he invent there that was widely used in the United States before braille was adopted?Wikipedia, "New York Institute for Special Education". Framework section: Competency 0001, Foundations, performance indicator a
Knowledge of students 7
A new student has albinism. With which group of vision problems is albinism associated?Wikipedia, "Albinism in humans". Framework section: Competency 0002, Knowledge of Students, performance indicator j
A student has both a hearing loss and a visual impairment. How do New York's regulations define deaf-blindness?New York State Education Department, Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, section 200.1(zz)(3). Framework section: Competency 0002, Knowledge of Students, performance indicator k
A student has damage to the macula of each eye. Which kind of seeing does the macula control?National Eye Institute, "Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)". Framework section: Competency 0002, Knowledge of Students, performance indicator i
A student with Usher syndrome joins a teacher's caseload. Which two senses does the syndrome affect?National Eye Institute, "Usher Syndrome". Framework section: Competency 0002, Knowledge of Students, performance indicator k
A student's eye report lists a cataract in the left eye. What is a cataract?National Eye Institute, "Cataracts". Framework section: Competency 0002, Knowledge of Students, performance indicator j
A student's low vision report says she cannot see things "out of the corners of her eyes". Which of the common types of low vision named by the National Eye Institute is this?National Eye Institute, "Low Vision". Framework section: Competency 0002, Knowledge of Students, performance indicator i
Light passes through the cornea, the pupil and the lens. Where is it then turned into electrical signals for the brain?National Eye Institute, "How the Eyes Work". Framework section: Competency 0002, Knowledge of Students, performance indicator i
Assessment and program planning 7
A Committee on Special Education refers a student for an orientation and mobility assessment. How do federal special education regulations classify orientation and mobility services?Code of Federal Regulations, 34 CFR 300.34(a) and (c)(7) (edition of July 1, 2024). Framework section: Competency 0003, Assessment and Individual Program Planning, performance indicator j
A parent signs consent for the initial evaluation of her son, who has low vision. Under New York's regulations, how soon must the initial individual evaluation be completed?New York State Education Department, Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, section 200.4(b)(1). Framework section: Competency 0003, Assessment and Individual Program Planning, performance indicator j
A school nurse screens distance acuity with a Snellen chart. From what distance does the student read it, and what is recorded?Wikipedia, "Snellen chart". Framework section: Competency 0003, Assessment and Individual Program Planning, performance indicator a
A student takes classroom and district tests in braille, with extended time. Where do New York's regulations say that these testing accommodations are recorded?New York State Education Department, Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, section 200.4(d)(2)(vi). Framework section: Competency 0003, Assessment and Individual Program Planning, performance indicator d
A student with a progressive eye condition was last evaluated two years ago. How often, at the least, do New York's regulations call for a reevaluation of each student with a disability?New York State Education Department, Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, section 200.4(b)(4). Framework section: Competency 0003, Assessment and Individual Program Planning, performance indicator e
Section 200.3 of New York's regulations lists the members of a Committee on Special Education. Which of these is on the list?New York State Education Department, Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, section 200.3(a)(1). Framework section: Competency 0003, Assessment and Individual Program Planning, performance indicator m
Which pair of statements must every IEP contain under 34 CFR 300.320?Code of Federal Regulations, 34 CFR 300.320(a)(1) and (2) (edition of July 1, 2024). Framework section: Competency 0003, Assessment and Individual Program Planning, performance indicator l
Learning environment and interventions 7
A sixth grader who reads braille attends regular classes all day. A teacher of the visually impaired works with her in those classes and also advises her classroom teachers. Which service on New York's continuum is this?New York State Education Department, Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, section 200.1(m). Framework section: Competency 0004, Learning Environment and Classroom Interventions, performance indicator e
A student uses the sound of a traffic signal to line up before crossing a street. Under which heading do federal regulations place this skill when they list what orientation and mobility services teach?Code of Federal Regulations, 34 CFR 300.34(c)(7)(ii)(A) (edition of July 1, 2024). Framework section: Competency 0004, Learning Environment and Classroom Interventions, performance indicator k
A student with low vision cannot read the board from her seat. Which low vision device is a compact telescope that magnifies distant objects?Wikipedia, "Monocular". Framework section: Competency 0004, Learning Environment and Classroom Interventions, performance indicator i
A teacher adapts a classroom for a student with low vision. Which set of changes matches what the National Eye Institute suggests for making the most of remaining vision?National Eye Institute, "Low Vision". Framework section: Competency 0004, Learning Environment and Classroom Interventions, performance indicator g
A teacher lists a talking calculator, a slant board and a video magnifier as assistive technology devices on an IEP. How do New York's regulations define such a device?New York State Education Department, Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, section 200.1(e). Framework section: Competency 0004, Learning Environment and Classroom Interventions, performance indicator f
In 1944 Richard E. Hoover, working with World War II veterans at Valley Forge Army Hospital, went about blindfolded for a week with a white cane. What did he develop?Wikipedia, "White cane". Framework section: Competency 0004, Learning Environment and Classroom Interventions, performance indicator k
New York's regulations define travel training as a special education service. What does it enable students to do?New York State Education Department, Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, section 200.1(ggg). Framework section: Competency 0004, Learning Environment and Classroom Interventions, performance indicator k
Instructional planning and delivery 7
A district needs a braille edition of a new science textbook. Which federally funded repository, created by IDEA 2004, holds the publishers' source files that states use to produce accessible formats?National Instructional Materials Access Center, "About NIMAC". Framework section: Competency 0005, Instructional Planning and Delivery, performance indicator c
A fifth grader who is visually impaired reads large print slowly. Under New York's regulations, what must the Committee on Special Education do about braille when it develops her IEP?New York State Education Department, Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, section 200.4(d)(3)(iii). Framework section: Competency 0005, Instructional Planning and Delivery, performance indicator e
A high school student takes notes in class on a portable device that has a braille keyboard. Which of the tools for writing braille is she using?Wikipedia, "Braille". Framework section: Competency 0005, Instructional Planning and Delivery, performance indicator c
A student uses a braille notetaker that her school bought. Her IEP Team finds that she needs it at home in order to receive a free appropriate public education. What do federal regulations require?Code of Federal Regulations, 34 CFR 300.105(b) (edition of July 1, 2024). Framework section: Competency 0005, Instructional Planning and Delivery, performance indicator c
A teacher signs up a student who cannot read standard print for Bookshare. What is Bookshare?Wikipedia, "Bookshare". Framework section: Competency 0005, Instructional Planning and Delivery, performance indicator c
A third grader in a regular class leaves for one period a day to work on braille reading with a teacher of the visually impaired and two other students. Which New York program fits this arrangement?New York State Education Department, Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, section 200.1(rr). Framework section: Competency 0005, Instructional Planning and Delivery, performance indicator d
An orientation and mobility specialist plans to teach a related service to several students in one session. Under New York's continuum of services, how large may the group be?New York State Education Department, Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, section 200.6(e)(3). Framework section: Competency 0005, Instructional Planning and Delivery, performance indicator d
Language, literacy and expanded core curriculum 7
A parent asks why her daughter, who is blind, has lessons in orientation and mobility, independent living and self determination on top of her academic classes. Which body of instruction, described by the American Printing House for the Blind, do these lessons belong to?American Printing House for the Blind, "Expanded Core Curriculum". Framework section: Competency 0006, Language, Literacy, and Expanded Core Curriculum Skills, performance indicator h
A student who reads literary braille joins the school band. How does braille music relate to the braille she already knows?Wikipedia, "Braille music". Framework section: Competency 0006, Language, Literacy, and Expanded Core Curriculum Skills, performance indicator g
A teacher keeps a Perkins Brailler in the resource room for daily writing practice. Which statement about the machine is accurate?Wikipedia, "Perkins Brailler". Framework section: Competency 0006, Language, Literacy, and Expanded Core Curriculum Skills, performance indicator f
A teacher loads a braille embosser and sets it to "interpoint". What do the paper and the setting involve?Wikipedia, "Braille embosser". Framework section: Competency 0006, Language, Literacy, and Expanded Core Curriculum Skills, performance indicator f
The Braille Authority of North America adopted Unified English Braille as a complete code. What did its implementation statement of 2014 say about the Nemeth Code for mathematics?Braille Authority of North America, "Unified English Braille (UEB)". Framework section: Competency 0006, Language, Literacy, and Expanded Core Curriculum Skills, performance indicator g
Each of the six dot positions in a braille cell is either raised or flat. Counting the empty cell that serves as a word space, how many combinations are possible?Wikipedia, "Braille". Framework section: Competency 0006, Language, Literacy, and Expanded Core Curriculum Skills, performance indicator e
English braille has three levels: uncontracted, contracted and grade 3. What is grade 3?Wikipedia, "Braille". Framework section: Competency 0006, Language, Literacy, and Expanded Core Curriculum Skills, performance indicator e
How this list was compiled: Our own questions, written to the six selected-response competencies of the NYSTCE Field 117: Blind and Visually Impaired Test Design and Framework, May 2018, authorized for distribution by the New York State Education Department (https://www.nystce.nesinc.com/content/docs/NY117_OBJ_FINAL.pdf, read 2026-10-14): 0001 to 0006, each 10 of the 60 selected-response items. The bank holds 7 for each, 42 in all. Every fact was read on 2026-10-14 in the public page the question names: the Code of Federal Regulations (34 CFR part 300, 20 CFR 404.1581), the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, Part 200, on the New York State Education Department site, the National Eye Institute, the American Printing House for the Blind, the National Instructional Materials Access Center, and Wikipedia articles that carried no warning banner that day. Licence: Questions, choices and explanations are original work of this site.
How it works
This NYSTCE Blind and Visually Impaired practice test has 42 questions of our own on the six selected-response competencies of CST (117). It is unofficial and not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by the New York State Education Department or Pearson.
Read the full guide
What the real test asks
The framework of May 2018 gives 10 selected-response items to each of six competencies, 60% of the score. A four-task transcription assignment in Unified English Braille and Nemeth Code carries 20%, and one written analysis of a student profile carries 20%.
What this page covers
Eighteen of the 42 questions rest on New York's Part 200 regulations or the federal regulations, with the section named. Exam mode runs the 42 in 63 minutes, the pace of 60 in 90.
New York's own rules differ from the federal ones in places: Part 200 names the Committee on Special Education where federal rules say IEP Team.
Questions and answers
What is on the NYSTCE Blind and Visually Impaired test?
Sixty selected-response items on foundations, knowledge of students, assessment and program planning, the learning environment, instructional delivery, and language, literacy and the expanded core curriculum, then the braille transcription assignment and one written response.
Do I need to bring a brailler to the test?
Yes. The test's page says you must bring your own Classic Perkins Brailler for the transcription tasks, in good working order and able to take paper 11 by 11.5 inches. A braillewriter is not provided.
What score passes the Blind and Visually Impaired CST?
A scaled score of 520, by the test's own page. A count of right answers here is no verdict: it covers the selected-response part alone.
Does this practice test cover the braille transcription tasks?
No. The transcription assignment is done on a manual brailler, and the framework plans up to 90 minutes for it. This page practices the selected-response competencies only.