PECT PreK-4 Practice Test

Unofficial practice for the three modules of the PECT PreK–4 test, each passed on its own score.

In Erik Erikson's stages of psychosocial development, which conflict belongs to the school-age years, when neighbors and school become a child's significant relations?

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Exam mode: 20 questions, 25 minutes.

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Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with the Pennsylvania Department of Education or Pearson. Bank checked October 11, 2026.

Next step Special education sets: PECT practice testMore early childhood questions: Praxis 5025

Module 1: all 20 questions

Child development and learning 4

  • The IES practice guide Preparing Young Children for School recommends strengthening preschoolers' executive function skills by what means? Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Preparing Young Children for School, Recommendation 2. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 1, objective 0001
  • In Albert Bandura's social learning theory, how can a child acquire a new behavior without practicing it and without being rewarded for it? Wikipedia, Social learning theory, lead and History. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 1, objective 0001
  • In Erik Erikson's stages of psychosocial development, which conflict belongs to the school-age years, when neighbors and school become a child's significant relations? Wikipedia, Erikson's stages of psychosocial development, table of stages. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 1, objective 0001
Show all 20 questions (17 more)

Child development and learning, continued

  • When a Pennsylvania school district offers prekindergarten, 22 Pa. Code § 4.20 says the program must be based on what? 22 Pa. Code § 4.20, Prekindergarten education. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 1, objective 0001

Assessment 4

  • 22 Pa. Code § 4.51a says all PSSA assessments will be standards-based and of which type? 22 Pa. Code § 4.51a(a), Pennsylvania System of School Assessment. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 1, objective 0002
  • In which grades does Pennsylvania give the PSSA in English language arts and mathematics each year? 22 Pa. Code § 4.51a(c), Pennsylvania System of School Assessment. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 1, objective 0002
  • Under 22 Pa. Code § 4.52, what must a school entity's local assessment system use assessment results for? 22 Pa. Code § 4.52(a), Local assessment system. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 1, objective 0002
  • Under the federal evaluation procedures in 34 CFR 300.304, may a school decide that a child has a disability on one test score alone? 34 CFR 300.304(b), Evaluation procedures. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 1, objective 0002

English learners and disabilities 4

  • A second grader with an IEP spends most of the day in a regular classroom. Under 34 CFR 300.321, who must be a member of her IEP team? 34 CFR 300.321(a)(2), IEP Team. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 1, objective 0003
  • For English learners, what kind of writing assignments does the IES guide Teaching Academic Content and Literacy to English Learners recommend? Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Teaching Academic Content and Literacy to English Learners in Elementary and Middle School, Recommendation 3. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 1, objective 0003
  • Under 22 Pa. Code § 4.26, for which students must every school district provide an ESOL program? 22 Pa. Code § 4.26, ESOL. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 1, objective 0003
  • Under 34 CFR 300.323(d), what must each regular education teacher of a child with an IEP be informed of? 34 CFR 300.323(d), Accessibility of child's IEP to teachers and others. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 1, objective 0003

Families and collaboration 4

  • FERPA lets a school release 'directory information' without consent only after the school has done what? 34 CFR 99.37(a), Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act regulations. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 1, objective 0004
  • In Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory, which system covers events and transitions over a child's life course, such as a divorce in the family? Wikipedia, Ecological systems theory, The five systems. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 1, objective 0004
  • Under 22 Pa. Code § 4.4, what right do parents have when specific instruction conflicts with their religious beliefs? 22 Pa. Code § 4.4(d)(3), General policies. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 1, objective 0004
  • Under FERPA, when may a school let a teacher see a student's education records without the parent's written consent? 34 CFR 99.31(a)(1), Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act regulations. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 1, objective 0004

Professional responsibilities 4

  • A parent openly hands a teacher a small token of thanks at the end of the year. What does Pennsylvania's code of conduct for educators say about it? 22 Pa. Code § 235.5c(9), Commitment to the profession. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 1, objective 0005
  • According to Pennsylvania's Code of Professional Practice and Conduct for Educators, to whom is an educator's primary professional obligation? 22 Pa. Code § 235.5a(a), Commitment to students. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 1, objective 0005
  • In Pennsylvania a teacher is a mandated reporter. According to the Department of Human Services, when is a mandated reporter legally required to report suspected child abuse? Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Report Child Abuse, Mandated Reporters. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 1, objective 0005
  • Under 22 Pa. Code § 4.20, a school district prekindergarten classroom of 20 students needs at least which adults? 22 Pa. Code § 4.20(6), Prekindergarten education. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 1, objective 0005

How this list was compiled: Our own questions, written to Module 1 of the PECT PreK–4 test in the test design and test objectives of the PECT study guide on the Pennsylvania Educator Certification Tests website, https://www.pa.nesinc.com/CONTENT/HTML_FRAG/STUDYGUIDE/Study_Guide_006007008_obj.htm (copyright 2014 Pearson Education, Inc.), read 2026-10-11: 36 selected-response items in 45 minutes; Child Development, Learning, and Assessment (objectives 0001 to 0003) about 60 percent, Collaboration and Professionalism (0004 and 0005) about 40 percent. This set holds 20: four for each objective. Every fact was read on the public page named under its question: 22 Pa. Code Chapters 4 and 235 on the Pennsylvania Code and Bulletin website, the federal regulations at 34 CFR Parts 99 and 300, practice guides of the Institute of Education Sciences, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services and three Wikipedia articles. Licence: Questions, choices and explanations are original work of this site.

Module 2: all 24 questions

Language development 4

  • After a read-aloud a teacher asks, 'Why did the character do what she did?' Which academic language skill, in the terms of the IES foundational reading guide, does this prompt call for? Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Foundational Skills to Support Reading for Understanding in Kindergarten Through 3rd Grade, Recommendation 1 and Example 1.2. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 2, objective 0006
  • The IES guide Preparing Young Children for School recommends shared book reading to develop children's language, their knowledge of the world, and what else? Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Preparing Young Children for School, Recommendation 7. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 2, objective 0006
  • The Pennsylvania Core Standards for English Language Arts have five standard categories. Which one is numbered 1.1? 22 Pa. Code Chapter 4, Appendix A-2, Pennsylvania Core Standards for English Language Arts, table of contents. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 2, objective 0006
Show all 24 questions (21 more)

Language development, continued

  • What does the IES foundational reading guide mean by narrative language? Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Foundational Skills to Support Reading for Understanding in Kindergarten Through 3rd Grade, Recommendation 1. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 2, objective 0006

Emergent literacy and phonics 4

  • A kindergarten teacher says 'c' and then 'at', and the children put the two parts together to say 'cat'. Which skill of Pennsylvania Core Standard CC.1.1.K.C are they practicing? 22 Pa. Code Chapter 4, Appendix A-2, Pennsylvania Core Standards for English Language Arts, standard CC.1.1.K.C. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 2, objective 0007
  • A teacher asks, 'What is stop without the /s/?' and the children answer, 'top.' Which phonemic awareness task is this? National Institute for Literacy, Put Reading First: The Research Building Blocks for Teaching Children to Read (third edition, on the NICHD website), Phonemic awareness instruction. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 2, objective 0007
  • In the one-syllable word 'win', which part is the rime? National Institute for Literacy, Put Reading First: The Research Building Blocks for Teaching Children to Read (third edition, on the NICHD website), Phonemic awareness instruction. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 2, objective 0007
  • Which skill belongs to Pennsylvania Core Standard CC.1.1.K.B, the kindergarten standard on print concepts? 22 Pa. Code Chapter 4, Appendix A-2, Pennsylvania Core Standards for English Language Arts, standard CC.1.1.K.B. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 2, objective 0007

Fluency, vocabulary, comprehension 4

  • A student reads every word quickly and correctly, but in a flat voice with no phrasing. What does Put Reading First say about such a reader? National Institute for Literacy, Put Reading First: The Research Building Blocks for Teaching Children to Read (third edition, on the NICHD website), Fluency instruction. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 2, objective 0008
  • By what approach does the IES guide on reading comprehension in kindergarten through 3rd grade say comprehension strategies should be taught? Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Improving Reading Comprehension in Kindergarten Through 3rd Grade, Recommendation 1. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 2, objective 0008
  • Pennsylvania Core Standard CC.1.1.2.E asks second graders to read on-level text orally, on successive readings, with which three qualities? 22 Pa. Code Chapter 4, Appendix A-2, Pennsylvania Core Standards for English Language Arts, standard CC.1.1.2.E. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 2, objective 0008
  • Which practice does Put Reading First report improves reading fluency and overall reading achievement? National Institute for Literacy, Put Reading First: The Research Building Blocks for Teaching Children to Read (third edition, on the NICHD website), Fluency instruction. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 2, objective 0008

Academic language and writing 4

  • A kindergartner writes 'kat' for cat. Which expectation of Pennsylvania Core Standard CC.1.4.K.F is the child showing? 22 Pa. Code Chapter 4, Appendix A-2, Pennsylvania Core Standards for English Language Arts, standard CC.1.4.K.F. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 2, objective 0009
  • According to the IES elementary writing guide, handwriting, spelling and sentence construction are basic writing skills that students draw upon to do what? Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Teaching Elementary School Students to Be Effective Writers, Recommendation 3. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 2, objective 0009
  • How does the IES elementary writing guide want students to use the components of the writing process, such as planning, drafting and revising? Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Teaching Elementary School Students to Be Effective Writers, Recommendation 2a. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 2, objective 0009
  • How much time for writing does the IES guide Teaching Elementary School Students to Be Effective Writers recommend each day, beginning in 1st grade? Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Teaching Elementary School Students to Be Effective Writers, Recommendation 1. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 2, objective 0009

Social studies 4

  • A class finds its town on a globe by its latitude and longitude. Which term from the glossary of Pennsylvania's geography standards names what they found? 22 Pa. Code Chapter 4, Appendix C, Academic Standards for Geography, glossary. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 2, objective 0010
  • According to the introduction to Pennsylvania's civics and government standards, which act is the underpinning of today's system of public schools in the Commonwealth? 22 Pa. Code Chapter 4, Appendix C, Academic Standards for Civics and Government, introduction. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 2, objective 0010
  • In Pennsylvania's academic standards for social studies, which standard area is numbered 8.2? 22 Pa. Code Chapter 4, Appendix C, Academic Standards for History. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 2, objective 0010
  • Pennsylvania standard 5.3.3.B asks third graders to identify the role of the three branches of government. Which are they? 22 Pa. Code Chapter 4, Appendix C, Academic Standards for Civics and Government, standard 5.3.3.B. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 2, objective 0010

Arts and humanities 4

  • In Pennsylvania arts standard 9.1.3.A, which set lists the elements of music? 22 Pa. Code Chapter 4, Appendix D, Academic Standards for the Arts and Humanities, standard 9.1.3.A. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 2, objective 0011
  • Pennsylvania's arts and humanities standards have four categories. Which one is numbered 9.3? 22 Pa. Code Chapter 4, Appendix D, Academic Standards for the Arts and Humanities, introduction. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 2, objective 0011
  • Third graders discuss how a painter used line and balance. In the glossary of Pennsylvania's arts standards, which kind of criticism deals with the elements and principles of a work? 22 Pa. Code Chapter 4, Appendix D, Academic Standards for the Arts and Humanities, glossary, Critical analysis. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 2, objective 0011
  • Which term does the glossary of Pennsylvania's arts and humanities standards define as a unique quality of sound? 22 Pa. Code Chapter 4, Appendix D, Academic Standards for the Arts and Humanities, glossary. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 2, objective 0011

How this list was compiled: Our own questions, written to Module 2 of the PECT PreK–4 test in the test design and test objectives of the PECT study guide on the Pennsylvania Educator Certification Tests website, https://www.pa.nesinc.com/CONTENT/HTML_FRAG/STUDYGUIDE/Study_Guide_006007008_obj.htm (copyright 2014 Pearson Education, Inc.), read 2026-10-11: 45 selected-response items in 75 minutes; Language and Literacy Development (objectives 0006 to 0009) about 66 percent, Social Studies, Arts, and Humanities (0010 and 0011) about 34 percent. This set holds 24: four for each objective. Every fact was read on the public page named under its question: the Pennsylvania Core Standards for English Language Arts and the academic standards for history, geography, civics and the arts in the appendices of 22 Pa. Code Chapter 4, practice guides of the Institute of Education Sciences and Put Reading First. Licence: Questions, choices and explanations are original work of this site.

Module 3: all 24 questions

Mathematics 8

  • A child counts five blocks correctly, one number to each block. Asked 'How many?', she starts counting again instead of saying 'five.' Which idea is she still learning? Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Teaching Math to Young Children, Recommendation 1, developmental progression. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 3, objective 0012
  • A second-grade teacher plans a unit on clocks. To what precision do the Pennsylvania Core Standards ask grade 2 students to tell and write time? 22 Pa. Code Chapter 4, Appendix A-2, Pennsylvania Core Standards for Mathematics, standards CC.2.4.1.A.2 to CC.2.4.3.A.2. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 3, objective 0012
  • In which grade do the Pennsylvania Core Standards for Mathematics first ask students to explore and develop an understanding of fractions as numbers? 22 Pa. Code Chapter 4, Appendix A-2, Pennsylvania Core Standards for Mathematics, standards CC.2.1.3.C.1 and CC.2.1.4.C.1. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 3, objective 0012
Show all 24 questions (21 more)

Mathematics, continued

  • Into which equal parts do the Pennsylvania Core Standards ask grade 2 students to partition shapes? 22 Pa. Code Chapter 4, Appendix A-2, Pennsylvania Core Standards for Mathematics, standards CC.2.3.1.A.2 and CC.2.3.2.A.2. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 3, objective 0012
  • The Pennsylvania Core Standards for Mathematics have four standard areas. Which one is numbered 2.3? 22 Pa. Code Chapter 4, Appendix A-2, Pennsylvania Core Standards for Mathematics, introduction. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 3, objective 0012
  • What does the IES guide Teaching Math to Young Children say about when mathematics should be taught? Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Teaching Math to Young Children, Recommendation 5. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 3, objective 0012
  • Why does the IES guide Teaching Math to Young Children recommend progress monitoring? Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Teaching Math to Young Children, Recommendation 3. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 3, objective 0012
  • With which displays do the Pennsylvania Core Standards ask grade 2 students to represent and interpret data? 22 Pa. Code Chapter 4, Appendix A-2, Pennsylvania Core Standards for Mathematics, standard CC.2.4.2.A.4. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 3, objective 0012

Science 8

  • According to Pennsylvania's grade 3 science standards, what do the unique and diverse life cycles of organisms all have in common? 22 Pa. Code Chapter 4, Appendix B-1, Pennsylvania Integrated Standards for Science, Environment, Ecology, Technology and Engineering (Grades K–5), Grade 3, Life Science. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 3, objective 0013
  • In integrated pest management (IPM), what is an 'action threshold'? U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Principles, Set Action Thresholds. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 3, objective 0013
  • In Pennsylvania's integrated science standards, kindergartners plan and conduct an investigation to compare the effects of what on the motion of an object? 22 Pa. Code Chapter 4, Appendix B-1, Pennsylvania Integrated Standards for Science, Environment, Ecology, Technology and Engineering (Grades K–5), Kindergarten, Physical Science. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 3, objective 0013
  • Pennsylvania's grade 4 science standards ask students for evidence of the effects of weathering or the rate of erosion by which agents? 22 Pa. Code Chapter 4, Appendix B-1, Pennsylvania Integrated Standards for Science, Environment, Ecology, Technology and Engineering (Grades K–5), Grade 4, Earth and Space Sciences. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 3, objective 0013
  • Second graders melt an ice cube and freeze it again, then watch batter bake into a cake. Which idea from Pennsylvania's grade 2 science standards are they gathering evidence for? 22 Pa. Code Chapter 4, Appendix B-1, Pennsylvania Integrated Standards for Science, Environment, Ecology, Technology and Engineering (Grades K–5), Grade 2, Matter and its Interactions. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 3, objective 0013
  • Under the Endangered Species Act, what is a 'threatened species'? NOAA Fisheries, Endangered Species Act, section 3, Definitions. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 3, objective 0013
  • What is a watershed, as the U.S. Geological Survey defines it? U.S. Geological Survey, Water Science School, Watersheds and Drainage Basins. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 3, objective 0013
  • Which description of a wetland matches the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's? U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, What is a Wetland?. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 3, objective 0013

Motor development and health 8

  • A child holds a one-foot pose without moving. Which term from the glossary of Pennsylvania's physical education standards names this? 22 Pa. Code Chapter 4, Appendix D, Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education, glossary. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 3, objective 0014
  • A first grader learning to skip thinks through each step, and her success is inconsistent. Which stage of learning does the glossary of Pennsylvania's physical education standards describe this way? 22 Pa. Code Chapter 4, Appendix D, Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education, glossary. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 3, objective 0014
  • All the space that the body or its parts can reach without traveling from a starting location: which movement concept in Pennsylvania's standards is this? 22 Pa. Code Chapter 4, Appendix D, Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education, glossary and standard 10.5.3.A. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 3, objective 0014
  • Fine motor skill is the coordination of small muscles with the eyes, hands and fingers. Which preschool activity mainly calls on it? Wikipedia, Fine motor skill, lead and Preschool. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 3, objective 0014
  • In Pennsylvania standard 10.5.3.A on basic movement skills, which of these is given as a locomotor movement? 22 Pa. Code Chapter 4, Appendix D, Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education, standard 10.5.3.A. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 3, objective 0014
  • Under 22 Pa. Code § 4.27, what must a school do for a student who is medically unable to take part in the regular physical education program? 22 Pa. Code § 4.27(b), Physical education and athletics. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 3, objective 0014
  • Which movements does the glossary of Pennsylvania's physical education standards define as control of objects with body parts and implements? 22 Pa. Code Chapter 4, Appendix D, Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education, glossary. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 3, objective 0014
  • Which of these is a health-related component of physical fitness in the glossary of Pennsylvania's health, safety and physical education standards? 22 Pa. Code Chapter 4, Appendix D, Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education, glossary, Health-related fitness and Skill-related fitness. Written to PECT PreK–4 Module 3, objective 0014

How this list was compiled: Our own questions, written to Module 3 of the PECT PreK–4 test in the test design and test objectives of the PECT study guide on the Pennsylvania Educator Certification Tests website, https://www.pa.nesinc.com/CONTENT/HTML_FRAG/STUDYGUIDE/Study_Guide_006007008_obj.htm (copyright 2014 Pearson Education, Inc.), read 2026-10-11: 45 selected-response items in 90 minutes; one subarea, Mathematics, Science, and Health (objectives 0012 to 0014). This set holds 24: eight for each objective. Every fact was read on the public page named under its question: the Pennsylvania Core Standards for Mathematics, the integrated science standards and the health, safety and physical education standards in the appendices of 22 Pa. Code Chapter 4, practice guides of the Institute of Education Sciences, pages of the U.S. Geological Survey, the Environmental Protection Agency and NOAA Fisheries, and one Wikipedia article. Licence: Questions, choices and explanations are original work of this site.

How it works

This free PECT PreK-4 practice test has a question set for each of the three modules. It is unofficial and not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Education or Pearson.

Read the full guide

Sets and clock

The sets hold 20, 24 and 24 questions, a little over half of each module's 36, 45 and 45, split by the percentages of the test design. Exam mode allows 25, 40 and 48 minutes, the pace of the real 45, 75 and 90.

Where the facts come from

Pennsylvania's own rules and academic standards in 22 Pa. Code Chapters 4 and 235, federal special education and privacy regulations, practice guides of the Institute of Education Sciences, Put Reading First, federal science pages and four named Wikipedia articles. The page read is linked under each question.

  • You may take one module or all three at one appointment, and you must pass all three.
  • The real Module 3 provides a standard on-screen calculator. A glossary of common acronyms is available in every module.

Questions and answers

Is this PECT PreK-4 practice test free?

Yes. All 68 questions and their explanations are free online, with no sign-up. They are our own: none is taken or reworded from the real test or its sample questions, and no score is predicted.

How many questions are on the PECT PreK-4?

126 selected-response items: 36 in Module 1, 45 in Module 2 and 45 in Module 3, according to the test's page on the PECT site, read October 11, 2026. A test may include questions under evaluation that do not affect the score.

What is the passing score for the PECT PreK-4?

A scaled score of 197 on Module 1 and 193 on each of Modules 2 and 3. A scaled score is not a percent, so this page gives your number right and no pass verdict.

How long is the PECT PreK-4 test?

Module 1 is 45 minutes, Module 2 is 75 and Module 3 is 90, after a 15-minute tutorial and nondisclosure agreement. With all three in one session there is a 15-minute break between modules.

What is on each PECT PreK-4 module?

Module 1: child development, learning and assessment, about 60%, and collaboration and professionalism, about 40%. Module 2: language and literacy, about 66%, and social studies, arts and humanities, about 34%. Module 3: mathematics, science and health.

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