Essential Academic Skills

The NES® Essential Academic Skills Subtest I: Reading and Essential Academic Skills Subtest II: Writing have been adopted by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. These NES subtests can be taken as an alternative to the Communication and Literacy Skills test in order to fulfill licensure requirements.

Online proctoring is available for this test. You may test remotely, including from home.
Is online proctoring right for me? Read more about online proctoring, including important policies and requirements.

The Essential Academic Skills test includes two subtests. Candidates must take and pass both subtests.

Format	Computer-based test (CBT) and online-proctored test; multiple-choice questions and a written assignment Subtest 1: 45 multiple-choice questions Subtest 2: 36 multiple-choice questions and 1 written assignment
Time	Computer-Based Testing CBT tutorial and nondisclosure agreement: 15 minutes Subtest 1: 1 hour testing time Subtest 2: 1 hour and 15 minutes testing time You may register to take one or both subtests at an administration.	Online Proctoring Tutorial and nondisclosure agreement: 15 minutes Subtest 1: 1 hour testing time Subtest 2: 1 hour and 15 minutes testing time Subtests are administered in separate testing sessions; therefore, candidates must register for each subtest separately.
Breaks	Computer-Based Testing You may take restroom breaks during testing. Time taken for breaks is considered part of the available testing time.	Online Proctoring Subtest 1: No breaks are allowed. Subtest 2: No breaks are allowed.
Test Dates	Computer-Based Testing By appointment, year round. Test appointments are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Check seat availability .	Online Proctoring By appointment with an online proctor during one-week testing windows each month Subtest 1 schedule Subtest 2 schedule
Test Sites	Computer-Based Testing CBT sites are located in Massachusetts and nationwide. Locate a test center .	Online Proctoring You may test remotely, including from home. Review system and testing environment requirements .
Passing Score	220 per subtest; examinees must pass subtests 1 and 2 to pass the test
Reference Materials Provided for this Test	None.
Test Fee	Computer-Based Testing 50 dollars for one Essential Academic Skills subtest 75 dollars for two Essential Academic Skills subtests Review payment information.	Online Proctoring 50 dollars per subtest. Candidates must pay for each subtest separately. Review payment information.
Score Reporting	Computer-Based Testing Subtest 1: Your test results are provided immediately after testing; your score report is released within two weeks of testing. Subtest 2: Your score report is released within four weeks of testing.	Online Proctoring Subtest 1: Your score report is released within two weeks of testing. Candidates taking an online-proctored test will not receive a receipt of completion when their test ends. Subtest 2: Your score report is released within four weeks of testing. Candidates taking an online-proctored test will not receive a receipt of completion when their test ends.
Testing Policies	When you register, you must agree to abide by all testing rules and policies. Read them now.
Prepare	View the tutorials and preparation materials available for this test.

Tests may include test questions that are being evaluated for future administrations and that do not affect a candidate's score.

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