National Board Certification Literacy: Reading-Language Arts: Early and Middle Childhood Exam

When and Where Can I Take It?

The test is administered by Pearson VUE. During the testing window, you will schedule a testing date and time online through their website or by phone through their customer service department. Assessment centers fill up quickly so be sure to schedule as early as possible. It is required that you schedule your exam for a day at least 24 hours or one full business day after you schedule. There is only one testing window each year, typically falling between March and the middle of June. Locations are available across the U.S.

After you have scheduled your exam, you will be sent a confirmation including the date, time, and directions to your choice of location. If you should need to change or cancel your testing session for any reason, you must do so at least 24 hours before you are scheduled to test. If you do not, you will be charged a $175 fee.

What to Bring?

You will be expected to arrive at the testing center at least 30 minutes early. Those who arrive late will not be allowed to test.

The exam is administered via a computer. There is no need to bring anything with you except a valid government issued ID with a photo and signature. Pencils, dry-erase boards, and other materials needed for your exam will be given to you at the testing center.

What is Covered?

The EMC/Literacy exam is made up of about 45 multiple-choice items and three constructed response exercises.

The test will cover knowledge and instruction of the following teaching standards and related content:

• Learners and Collaborating with Families (20%)
  • Student are intellectual, social, emotional, cultural, and language learners
  • Understanding learning and child development theories
  • Assisting families in supporting their child’s learning development

• Equity, Fairness, and Diversity; the learning environment and literacy assessment (25%)
  • Promoting fairness and equity
  • Establishing an intellectual environment
  • Selecting resources
  • Knowledge of assessment and selecting and administering assessments

• Reading and Writing (20%)
  • Reading
  • Writing
  • Connections of reading and writing to the other language arts and disciplines

• Listening and Speaking (35%)
  • Listening and speaking
  • Viewing and visual literacy

The three constructed exercises are to assess the following:

Exercise 1 – Analyzing student reading

Exercise 2 – Writing development

Exercise 3 – Literacy across the curriculum

You will be given an hour to complete the multiple-choice questions, a 10-minute break, and 30 minutes for each constructed exercise. Total time given is 2 hours and 40 minutes.

How is it Scored?

Your score indicates your ability to prove that you have met the National Board Standards that are specific to your certificate field. Score reports show your results in each component tested and whether retesting should be done.

Scores are released on the date identified for your assessment cycle. If this date should be changed for any reason, you will be notified via email as to this change. Typically, scores are released in December for the first time and returning candidates. For those that are renewing their certificate, scores are released in November.

How to Prepare?

Mometrix Test Preparation is offering a study guide and set of flash cards made specifically for this test. To make sure you understand all that will be expected of you and to receive sample questions and constructed exercises, get your hands on these irreplaceable tools. This test is important to your future, don’t compromise it by not being prepared.