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Pearson NESCode 890 (formerly 190)Multiple states

NES Foundations of Reading
(890) Practice Tests

Complete preparation for the National Evaluation Series Foundations of Reading test: 100 multiple-choice questions and 2 written assignments across four subareas. The same Pearson test is used by several states, with a passing score set by each state.

100Multiple-Choice Questions
2Written Assignments
4 hrsTesting Time
4Subareas
$139Fee (CT, NC, WI)
FreeTo Start
Choose Your StateSee the Framework

Foundations of Reading (890) by State (3)

The test content and format are the same for every state that uses the NES test. Each state sets its own passing score and decides which licenses require it, so choose your state below.

Connecticut Foundations of Reading (890)
Code: 890 · Pearson NES
100 questions + 2 writtenPass: 240$139
Early Childhood Education (#113), Elementary Education (#305) and Special Education (#165), per the Connecticut State Department of Education
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North Carolina Foundations of Reading (890)
Code: 890 · Pearson NES
100 questions + 2 writtenPass: 233$139
Elementary Education and Special Education (K-12), per UNC system licensure pages
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Wisconsin Foundations of Reading (890)
Code: 890 · Pearson NES
100 questions + 2 writtenPass: 233$139
Confirm which licenses require it with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
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Pearson's list of educator-licensure programs also names Foundations of Reading for Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Utah. We do not yet publish pages for those states, so confirm their passing scores and requirements with each licensing agency.

Test Framework: Subarea Distribution100 questions + 2 written
I. Foundations of Reading Development
Objectives 0001-0004 · about 35 questions
35%
II. Development of Reading Comprehension
Objectives 0005-0007 · about 27 questions
27%
III. Reading Assessment and Instruction
Objectives 0008-0009 · about 18 questions
18%
IV. Integration of Knowledge and Understanding
Objective 0010 · 2 written assignments
20%

Percentages are approximate and come from the NES study guide. The study guide states multiple-choice counts only as approximate shares of the 100 questions.

Subarea I: Foundations of Reading Development

0001Understand phonological and phonemic awareness.
0002Understand concepts of print and the alphabetic principle.
0003Understand the role of phonics in promoting reading development.
0004Understand word analysis skills and strategies.

Subarea II: Development of Reading Comprehension

0005Understand vocabulary development.
0006Understand how to apply reading comprehension skills and strategies to imaginative/literary texts.
0007Understand how to apply reading comprehension skills and strategies to informational/expository texts.

Subarea III: Reading Assessment and Instruction

0008Understand formal and informal methods for assessing reading development.
0009Understand multiple approaches to reading instruction.

Subarea IV: Integration of Knowledge and Understanding

0010Prepare an organized, developed analysis on a topic related to foundations of reading development, development of reading comprehension, or reading assessment and instruction.

What Is the NES Foundations of Reading Test?

Foundations of Reading (code 890) is a National Evaluation Series test from Pearson that measures whether teacher candidates understand how reading develops and how to teach it. Several states require it for elementary, special education and other reading-related licenses.

The test has 100 multiple-choice questions and 2 written assignments, with 4 hours of testing time. The written assignments are about 20% of the score. The test code changed from 190 to 890 on September 1, 2025, with no change to the framework or content.

You can test at a test center or from home with online proctoring. Passing scores differ by state: the NES test pages list 240 for Connecticut and 233 for North Carolina and Wisconsin.

How to Register for Foundations of Reading (890)

Four steps from deciding to test to test day.

1
Confirm what your state requires
Your state licensing agency decides which licenses need Foundations of Reading and what score you must reach.
2
Register on your state NES site
Choose a computer-based or online-proctored appointment and pay the fee when you register. Registration is on the National Evaluation Series website.
3
Study the framework
Use the four subareas and ten objectives as a checklist, giving the most time to Subarea I and the written assignments.
4
Take the test
Arrive for the 4 hour 15 minute appointment (or 4 hour 30 minute online-proctored appointment).

Test Day, Scoring & Fees

Figures below come from the NES test pages for Connecticut, North Carolina and Wisconsin.

Format

Multiple choice100 questions
Written assignments2 open-response
Testing time4 hours
DeliveryTest center or online proctored

Appointment Length

Test center4 hrs 15 min
Online proctored4 hrs 30 min
Multiple choice (online)2 hrs 30 min
Written (online)1 hr 30 min

Passing Scores

Connecticut240
North Carolina233
Wisconsin233
Other statesSet by each state

Fee & Registration

Fee (CT, NC, WI)$139
Code890 (was 190)
Register atnestest.com
Official guidenc.nesinc.com study guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything candidates need to know about the NES Foundations of Reading test (890).

What is the NES Foundations of Reading test (890)?+
The Foundations of Reading test (code 890) is a National Evaluation Series (NES) test from Pearson. It checks knowledge of how reading develops and how it is taught: phonological and phonemic awareness, phonics and word analysis, vocabulary, comprehension, assessment, and instruction. It has 100 multiple-choice questions and 2 written assignments.
Is Foundations of Reading (890) the same exam in every state?+
For the states that use the NES test, yes: it is the same Pearson test with the same framework and format. The Connecticut, North Carolina and Wisconsin NES test pages all list 100 multiple-choice questions, 2 written assignments, and a $139 fee. What differs is each state's passing score and which licenses require it. We cannot say that candidates in different states see identical questions, because Pearson does not publish its test forms. Massachusetts uses its own MTEL Foundations of Reading test, which is a different exam.
What happened to code 190?+
Code 190 was replaced by code 890 on September 1, 2025. Pearson states that this is a code change only, with no changes to the framework or content, so study materials written for 190 still apply. Registration for the 890 test is on the National Evaluation Series website.
How many questions are on the test and how long is it?+
100 multiple-choice questions and 2 written (open-response) assignments, with 4 hours of testing time. A computer-based appointment at a test center is 4 hours 15 minutes, including a 15-minute tutorial and nondisclosure agreement. An online-proctored appointment is 4 hours 30 minutes: 15 minutes for the tutorial, 2 hours 30 minutes for the multiple-choice questions, an optional 15-minute break, and 1 hour 30 minutes for the written assignments.
What are the four subareas and their weights?+
I. Foundations of Reading Development (about 35%, objectives 0001 to 0004); II. Development of Reading Comprehension (about 27%, objectives 0005 to 0007); III. Reading Assessment and Instruction (about 18%, objectives 0008 and 0009); and IV. Integration of Knowledge and Understanding (about 20%, objective 0010, the written assignments).
What are the passing scores?+
Passing scores are set by each state. The NES test pages list 240 for Connecticut, 233 for North Carolina and 233 for Wisconsin. For any other state, confirm the score with its licensing agency.
How much does the test cost?+
The Connecticut, North Carolina and Wisconsin NES test pages each list a fee of $139. Fees can change, so confirm the amount when you register.
Can I take it online?+
Yes. The NES test pages list two options: computer-based testing at a test center, scheduled by appointment, and online proctoring from home, which requires you to review the system and testing-environment requirements first.
What are the written assignments?+
Two open-response assignments make up about 20% of the score. They draw on the content of objectives 0001 to 0009, and objective 0010 asks you to prepare an organized, developed analysis on a topic related to foundations of reading development, development of reading comprehension, or reading assessment and instruction. Practice planning, then answering every part of the prompt with specific examples.
Which states use Foundations of Reading?+
Pearson's list of educator-licensure programs names Foundations of Reading for Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Utah and Wisconsin, and Connecticut offers it through NES as well. Requirements change and not every state requires it for every license, so confirm with your state's licensing agency. We publish full pages for Connecticut, North Carolina and Wisconsin.
Where can I find official preparation materials?+
The NES Foundations of Reading study guide lists every objective and the subarea weights, and your state's NES site has the test page with the fee, format and registration steps.

Ready to Pass Foundations of Reading?

Practice for all four subareas: reading development, comprehension, assessment and instruction, and the written assignments. Choose your state above to start.

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Sources: NES Foundations of Reading study guide — nc.nesinc.com; NES test pages — Connecticut, North Carolina, Wisconsin; Pearson educator-licensure states list — pearsonassessments.com.