PECT Special Education Practice Test

Unofficial practice for Modules 1 and 2 of the PECT Special Education PreK–8 and 7–12 tests.

Module

Both sets serve the PreK–8 test and the 7–12 test, whose modules share one design. More questions: PECT practice test.

Which of these is part of the federal definition of a free appropriate public education (FAPE) at 34 CFR 300.17?

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

Print covers the next 24 questions. Share this set copies a link to the same questions in the same order.

Exam mode: 24 questions, 35 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 36 more special education questionsPraxis special education practice

Module 1: all 24 questions

Foundations and professional practice 8

  • A fourth grader with a learning disability struggles in the regular class. Under 34 CFR 300.114, when may the school remove her to a special class? 34 CFR 300.114(a)(2), LRE requirements. Written to the PECT Special Education test design, Module 1, objective 0001
  • A regular education teacher's area of the curriculum will not be modified or discussed at an IEP meeting. What does 34 CFR 300.321(e) require before the teacher may skip the meeting? 34 CFR 300.321(e)(1), IEP Team attendance. Written to the PECT Special Education test design, Module 1, objective 0002
  • How often must a Pennsylvania school district submit its special education plan to the Department of Education for approval, under 22 Pa. Code § 14.104? 22 Pa. Code § 14.104(a), Special education plans. Written to the PECT Special Education test design, Module 1, objective 0001
Show all 24 questions (21 more)

Foundations and professional practice, continued

  • Two co-teachers plan a lesson jointly. Then each teaches the same information to a different half of the class at the same time. Which co-teaching model is this? Wikipedia, Co-teaching, Models. Written to the PECT Special Education test design, Module 1, objective 0002
  • Under 22 Pa. Code § 14.146, what is the maximum age range of students in a specialized setting in an elementary school (grades K to 6)? 22 Pa. Code § 14.146, Age range restrictions. Written to the PECT Special Education test design, Module 1, objective 0001
  • When must a child's IEP team include at least one regular education teacher of the child, under 34 CFR 300.321? 34 CFR 300.321(a)(2), IEP Team. Written to the PECT Special Education test design, Module 1, objective 0002
  • Which of these is one of the three ways 22 Pa. Code § 14.105 lets a person qualify as an instructional paraprofessional? 22 Pa. Code § 14.105(a)(1), Personnel. Written to the PECT Special Education test design, Module 1, objective 0002
  • Which of these is part of the federal definition of a free appropriate public education (FAPE) at 34 CFR 300.17? 34 CFR 300.17, Free appropriate public education. Written to the PECT Special Education test design, Module 1, objective 0001

Understanding students with disabilities 8

  • A student hears with a cochlear implant. Which of these is NOT a related service under 34 CFR 300.34? 34 CFR 300.34(b), Related services. Written to the PECT Special Education test design, Module 1, objective 0004
  • A student's attention deficit hyperactivity disorder limits his alertness to instruction and hurts his school performance. Under which IDEA category does 34 CFR 300.8 name this condition? 34 CFR 300.8(c)(9), Child with a disability. Written to the PECT Special Education test design, Module 1, objective 0004
  • Before an infant's IFSP is written, 34 CFR 303.321 calls for a family-directed assessment. What does it identify? 34 CFR 303.321(a), Evaluation of the child and assessment of the child and family. Written to the PECT Special Education test design, Module 1, objective 0004
  • The IDEA definition of emotional disturbance at 34 CFR 300.8 does not apply to children who are what, unless they also have an emotional disturbance? 34 CFR 300.8(c)(4), Child with a disability. Written to the PECT Special Education test design, Module 1, objective 0003
  • In early intervention under Part C of the IDEA, what are 'natural environments' as 34 CFR 303.26 defines them? 34 CFR 303.26, Natural environments. Written to the PECT Special Education test design, Module 1, objective 0004
  • Under 22 Pa. Code § 14.125, a district may identify a specific learning disability through the child's response to research-based intervention. What is the other permitted procedure? 22 Pa. Code § 14.125(2), Criteria for the determination of specific learning disabilities. Written to the PECT Special Education test design, Module 1, objective 0003
  • Which brain injury falls outside the IDEA definition of traumatic brain injury at 34 CFR 300.8? 34 CFR 300.8(c)(12), Child with a disability. Written to the PECT Special Education test design, Module 1, objective 0003
  • Which condition is named inside the IDEA definition of specific learning disability at 34 CFR 300.8? 34 CFR 300.8(c)(10), Child with a disability. Written to the PECT Special Education test design, Module 1, objective 0003

Assessment and program planning 8

  • A parent asks a Pennsylvania teacher out loud for an evaluation of her son. Within how many calendar days must the parent be given the permission to evaluate form under 22 Pa. Code § 14.123(c)? 22 Pa. Code § 14.123(c), Evaluation. Written to the PECT Special Education test design, Module 1, objective 0005
  • A parent disagrees with the school's evaluation and asks for an independent educational evaluation at public expense. Under 34 CFR 300.502, the school must provide it or do what? 34 CFR 300.502(b), Independent educational evaluation. Written to the PECT Special Education test design, Module 1, objective 0005
  • A Pennsylvania student receives special education supports from special education personnel for 15% of the school day. Which type of service is this under 22 Pa. Code § 14.105(c)? 22 Pa. Code § 14.105(c)(1), Personnel: caseload. Written to the PECT Special Education test design, Module 1, objective 0006
  • A team wants to decide a child's eligibility from one IQ score. What does 34 CFR 300.304(b) say about this? 34 CFR 300.304(b)(2), Evaluation procedures. Written to the PECT Special Education test design, Module 1, objective 0005
  • Besides measurable annual goals, what must an IEP say about those goals under 34 CFR 300.320(a)(3)? 34 CFR 300.320(a)(3), Definition of individualized education program. Written to the PECT Special Education test design, Module 1, objective 0006
  • In 34 CFR 300.39, specially designed instruction means adapting which three things to the needs of an eligible child? 34 CFR 300.39(b)(3), Special education. Written to the PECT Special Education test design, Module 1, objective 0006
  • Unless a parent waives it in writing, how long before the IEP team meets must copies of a Pennsylvania evaluation report reach the parents, under 22 Pa. Code § 14.123(d)? 22 Pa. Code § 14.123(d), Evaluation. Written to the PECT Special Education test design, Module 1, objective 0005
  • Which screening must every Pennsylvania school district's screening process include under 22 Pa. Code § 14.122(b)? 22 Pa. Code § 14.122(b), Screening. Written to the PECT Special Education test design, Module 1, objective 0006

How this list was compiled: Our own questions, written to Module 1 of the PECT Special Education PreK–8 and Special Education 7–12 tests 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_011012_obj.htm and https://www.pa.nesinc.com/CONTENT/HTML_FRAG/STUDYGUIDE/Study_Guide_015016_obj.htm, read 2026-10-11): 41 selected-response items in 60 minutes, cutscore 220; Foundations and Professional Practice (objectives 0001 and 0002), Understanding Students with Disabilities (0003 and 0004) and Assessment and Program Planning and Implementation (0005 and 0006), about 33 percent each. This set holds 24, four for each objective. Every fact was read on the public page named under its question: Pennsylvania's special education rules at 22 Pa. Code Chapter 14, the federal regulations at 34 CFR Parts 300 and 303 and one Wikipedia article. Licence: Questions, choices and explanations are original work of this site.

Module 2: all 24 questions

Inclusive learning environments 12

  • A Pennsylvania student needs a mechanical restraint to control involuntary movement that has an organic cause. Under 22 Pa. Code § 14.133(d), who must determine that it is needed? 22 Pa. Code § 14.133(d), Positive behavior support. Written to the PECT Special Education test design, Module 2, objective 0007
  • A Pennsylvania student with an IEP is restrained to control aggressive behavior. Unless the parent waives it in writing, what must follow under 22 Pa. Code § 14.133(c)? 22 Pa. Code § 14.133(c)(1), Positive behavior support. Written to the PECT Special Education test design, Module 2, objective 0007
  • A preschooler with an IEP has functioned within the range of normal development, as the IEP team verifies. After how long does 22 Pa. Code § 14.157 let the child exit early intervention on that ground? 22 Pa. Code § 14.157(a), Exit criteria. Written to the PECT Special Education test design, Module 2, objective 0009
Show all 24 questions (21 more)

Inclusive learning environments, continued

  • A student speaks in clear, grammatical sentences but interrupts, misses hints and cannot fit his talk to the listener. Which area of language studies how context contributes to meaning? Wikipedia, Pragmatics, lead. Written to the PECT Special Education test design, Module 2, objective 0008
  • A student with an IEP graduates with a regular diploma, which ends her eligibility. What must the school give her under 34 CFR 300.305(e)(3)? 34 CFR 300.305(e)(3), Additional requirements for evaluations and reevaluations. Written to the PECT Special Education test design, Module 2, objective 0009
  • A teacher prompts a student through every step of washing his hands except the last, turning off the tap, which he learns first. Which procedure is this? Wikipedia, Chaining, Backward chaining. Written to the PECT Special Education test design, Module 2, objective 0009
  • Besides modifying the classroom, the IES guide on reducing behavior problems recommends that teachers do what to increase appropriate behavior? Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Reducing Behavior Problems in the Elementary School Classroom, Recommendation 3. Written to the PECT Special Education test design, Module 2, objective 0007
  • In 22 Pa. Code § 14.105, a personal care assistant helps a student with activities of daily living. What limit does the section set when the assistant supports more than one student? 22 Pa. Code § 14.105(a)(4), Personnel. Written to the PECT Special Education test design, Module 2, objective 0009
  • In Pennsylvania, disciplinary exclusions of a student with a disability are deemed a change in educational placement once they pass how many cumulative school days in a school year? 22 Pa. Code § 14.143(a), Disciplinary placements. Written to the PECT Special Education test design, Module 2, objective 0007
  • What does the IES guide on teaching English learners recommend for students who struggle in areas of literacy and English language development? Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Teaching Academic Content and Literacy to English Learners in Elementary and Middle School, Recommendation 4. Written to the PECT Special Education test design, Module 2, objective 0008
  • Which of these is an unaided form of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)? Wikipedia, Augmentative and alternative communication, lead. Written to the PECT Special Education test design, Module 2, objective 0008
  • Which score on the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment does 22 Pa. Code § 14.105(b) name as one way to qualify as an educational interpreter? 22 Pa. Code § 14.105(b), Personnel: educational interpreters. Written to the PECT Special Education test design, Module 2, objective 0008

Delivery of specially designed instruction 12

  • A student fills in a story map after reading. According to the IES reading comprehension guide, what can a detailed story map describe? Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Improving Reading Comprehension in Kindergarten Through 3rd Grade, Recommendation 1. Written to the PECT Special Education test design, Module 2, objective 0011
  • A teacher asks, 'Fish, dish, hook: which one does not rhyme?' At which level of phonological awareness is this task? Wikipedia, Phonological awareness, Onset-rime awareness tasks. Written to the PECT Special Education test design, Module 2, objective 0010
  • A teacher asks, 'How many parts do you hear in the word coffee?' and the children clap twice. At which level of phonological awareness is this task? Wikipedia, Phonological awareness. Written to the PECT Special Education test design, Module 2, objective 0010
  • A teacher models a comprehension strategy, practices it with the class, then has students use it on their own. What does the IES reading comprehension guide call this approach? Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Improving Reading Comprehension in Kindergarten Through 3rd Grade, Recommendation 1. Written to the PECT Special Education test design, Module 2, objective 0011
  • Gough and Tunmer's simple view treats reading comprehension as decoding multiplied by what? Wikipedia, Simple view of reading, lead. Written to the PECT Special Education test design, Module 2, objective 0010
  • The IES guide on foundational reading skills opens with a recommendation to teach academic language skills. Which kinds of language does it name? Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Foundational Skills to Support Reading for Understanding in Kindergarten Through 3rd Grade, Recommendation 1. Written to the PECT Special Education test design, Module 2, objective 0010
  • In the CAST guidelines for Universal Design for Learning, which principle holds the guideline on expression and communication, such as using multiple media for communication? CAST, Universal Design for Learning Guidelines, Action & Expression. Written to the PECT Special Education test design, Module 2, objective 0012
  • In the word 'unbreakable', which part is a free morpheme, able to stand alone as a word? Wikipedia, Morpheme. Written to the PECT Special Education test design, Module 2, objective 0011
  • Put Reading First says students who learn the four most common English prefixes gain clues to about two thirds of all prefixed words. Which four are they? National Institute for Literacy, Put Reading First: The Research Building Blocks for Teaching Children to Read (third edition, on the NICHD website), Vocabulary instruction. Written to the PECT Special Education test design, Module 2, objective 0011
  • To help students monitor and reflect while they solve mathematics problems, what does the IES guide on problem solving in grades 4 through 8 say to give them? Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Improving Mathematical Problem Solving in Grades 4 Through 8, Recommendation 2. Written to the PECT Special Education test design, Module 2, objective 0012
  • What kind of mathematical language does the 2021 IES guide on mathematics intervention in the elementary grades say to teach? Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Assisting Students Struggling with Mathematics: Intervention in the Elementary Grades, Recommendation 2. Written to the PECT Special Education test design, Module 2, objective 0012
  • Which kinds of representations does the 2021 IES guide on mathematics intervention in the elementary grades say to use to support students' learning of concepts and procedures? Institute of Education Sciences, practice guide Assisting Students Struggling with Mathematics: Intervention in the Elementary Grades, Recommendation 3. Written to the PECT Special Education test design, Module 2, objective 0012

How this list was compiled: Our own questions, written to Module 2 of the PECT Special Education PreK–8 and Special Education 7–12 tests 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_011012_obj.htm and https://www.pa.nesinc.com/CONTENT/HTML_FRAG/STUDYGUIDE/Study_Guide_015016_obj.htm, read 2026-10-11): 41 selected-response items in 60 minutes, cutscore 220; Inclusive Learning Environments (objectives 0007 to 0009) and Delivery of Specially Designed Instruction (0010 to 0012), about 50 percent each. This set holds 24, four for each objective. Every fact was read on the public page named under its question: 22 Pa. Code Chapter 14, 34 CFR Part 300, practice guides of the Institute of Education Sciences, Put Reading First, the CAST guidelines and the named Wikipedia articles. Licence: Questions, choices and explanations are original work of this site.

How it works

This free PECT Special Education practice test has a 24-question set for each module, written to the test design the PreK-8 and 7-12 tests share. It is unofficial and not affiliated with the Pennsylvania Department of Education or Pearson.

Read the full guide

PECT Special Education PreK-8 and 7-12 study guide: Modules 1 and 2

By the test design on the PECT site, read October 11, 2026, Module 1 weighs Foundations and Professional Practice, Understanding Students with Disabilities, and Assessment and Program Planning about 33% each. Module 2 weighs Inclusive Learning Environments and Delivery of Specially Designed Instruction 50% each. The two tests differ in a few lines: PreK-8 names the transitions at ages three and fourteen, 7-12 postschool outcomes.

Pennsylvania's own rules

Fourteen questions rest on 22 Pa. Code Chapter 14: caseload types, the age range of a class, paraprofessionals and interpreters, restraints, evaluation deadlines and exit from early intervention. Taken as a timed exam, each set gets 35 minutes, the pace of 41 items in 60.

  • Pennsylvania counts a disciplinary exclusion as a change of placement after 15 cumulative school days in a year.

Questions and answers

Is this PECT Special Education practice test free?

Yes. All 48 questions and their explanations are free, with no sign-up. They are our own: none is taken or reworded from the real test, its sample questions or the official practice test, and no score is predicted.

Is this for the PECT Special Education PreK-8 or the 7-12 practice test?

Both. The two tests have the same two modules, subareas and percentages, and the questions are written to the objectives they share: special education law, Pennsylvania's Chapter 14, assessment, behavior support, transition and reading and mathematics instruction.

How many questions are on the PECT Special Education test?

82 selected-response items, 41 in each module, with 60 minutes a module after a 15-minute tutorial. Take both modules in one session and there is a 15-minute break between them. Some items may be unscored trial questions.

What is the passing score for PECT Special Education?

A cutscore of 220 on each module, by the test's page on the PECT site. A cutscore is not a percent, so this page reports your number right and gives no pass verdict.

What can I use during the PECT Special Education test?

A glossary of common acronyms used in the field is available on screen during both modules. The same glossary can be reviewed on the PECT site before test day.

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