Connecticut Foundations of Reading (890) Practice Tests
Prepare for the Connecticut Foundations of Reading (890): 100 multiple-choice questions and 2 written assignments in 4 hours, covering 4 content areas: Foundations of Reading Development (35%), Development of Reading Comprehension (27%), Reading Assessment and Instruction (18%) and Integration of Knowledge and Understanding (written responses) (20%).
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1 / 10Connecticut Foundations of Reading (890): Test at a Glance
Facts as published by the official test program.
The Foundations of Reading test (code 890) is a National Evaluation Series (NES) test from Pearson that Connecticut uses to check knowledge of reading instruction. It has 100 multiple-choice questions and 2 written assignments, with 4 hours of testing time.
The questions fall into four subareas: Foundations of Reading Development (about 35%), Development of Reading Comprehension (about 27%), Reading Assessment and Instruction (about 18%) and Integration of Knowledge and Understanding, which is the written responses (about 20%).
Code 190 was replaced by code 890 on September 1, 2025, with no changes to the framework or content.
Passing scores are set by each state, so confirm your Connecticut requirement with the state licensing agency before you register.
Passing score: A scaled score of 240 for Connecticut.
Connecticut Foundations of Reading (890): Exam Blueprint
Content categories and approximate weighting from the official test framework.
1. Foundations of Reading Development
35%Foundations of Reading Development makes up about 35% of the Foundations of Reading score. It is tested with multiple-choice questions.
- Phonological and phonemic awareness: Know the difference between phonological and phonemic awareness, the skill levels from rhyming to segmenting, blending, deleting and substituting sounds, and how to teach them.
- Concepts of print and the alphabetic principle: Review print awareness, book handling, letter knowledge and letter-sound correspondence.
- The role of phonics: Study explicit phonics instruction, decoding single-syllable and multisyllable patterns, and the link between decoding and encoding.
- Word analysis: Review morphemes, prefixes, suffixes, Latin and Greek roots, syllabication and context clues.
2. Development of Reading Comprehension
27%Development of Reading Comprehension makes up about 27% of the Foundations of Reading score. It is tested with multiple-choice questions.
- Vocabulary development: Study oral and written vocabulary, systematic and contextual vocabulary strategies, and academic and content-area vocabulary.
- Literary text comprehension: Review literal, inferential and evaluative comprehension, story elements, figurative language and comprehension strategies such as visualizing and self-monitoring.
- Informational text comprehension: Review text structures such as chronological order, compare and contrast, and cause and effect, plus text and graphic features.
3. Reading Assessment and Instruction
18%Reading Assessment and Instruction makes up about 18% of the Foundations of Reading score. It is tested with multiple-choice questions.
- Formal and informal assessment: Know standardized, criterion-referenced and norm-referenced tests, validity and reliability, and informal tools such as running records, miscue analysis and informal reading inventories.
- Approaches to reading instruction: Review planning and differentiating instruction, grouping, text complexity, selecting materials and instructional technology.
4. Integration of Knowledge and Understanding (written responses)
20%Integration of Knowledge and Understanding (written responses) makes up about 20% of the Foundations of Reading score. It is the written-response part: two assignments scored by trained educators.
- Written responses: Two written assignments draw on the other three subareas. Practice organized, developed analysis of a reading instruction topic, with specific examples.
- Choose a focus and support it: Plan your response, address every part of the prompt, and support your points with specific instructional examples.
Study Guide by Content Category
Use this section to plan your study time. Each topic comes from the official content categories for Connecticut Foundations of Reading (890).
Category 1 · Foundations of Reading Development
About 35% of the exam- Phonological and phonemic awareness Know the difference between phonological and phonemic awareness, the skill levels from rhyming to segmenting, blending, deleting and substituting sounds, and how to teach them.
- Concepts of print and the alphabetic principle Review print awareness, book handling, letter knowledge and letter-sound correspondence.
- The role of phonics Study explicit phonics instruction, decoding single-syllable and multisyllable patterns, and the link between decoding and encoding.
- Word analysis Review morphemes, prefixes, suffixes, Latin and Greek roots, syllabication and context clues.
Category 2 · Development of Reading Comprehension
About 27% of the exam- Vocabulary development Study oral and written vocabulary, systematic and contextual vocabulary strategies, and academic and content-area vocabulary.
- Literary text comprehension Review literal, inferential and evaluative comprehension, story elements, figurative language and comprehension strategies such as visualizing and self-monitoring.
- Informational text comprehension Review text structures such as chronological order, compare and contrast, and cause and effect, plus text and graphic features.
Category 3 · Reading Assessment and Instruction
About 18% of the exam- Formal and informal assessment Know standardized, criterion-referenced and norm-referenced tests, validity and reliability, and informal tools such as running records, miscue analysis and informal reading inventories.
- Approaches to reading instruction Review planning and differentiating instruction, grouping, text complexity, selecting materials and instructional technology.
Category 4 · Integration of Knowledge and Understanding (written responses)
About 20% of the exam- Written responses Two written assignments draw on the other three subareas. Practice organized, developed analysis of a reading instruction topic, with specific examples.
- Choose a focus and support it Plan your response, address every part of the prompt, and support your points with specific instructional examples.
Registration, Test Day and Scoring
- Test format
- 100 multiple-choice questions and 2 written assignments
- Testing time
- 4 hours
- Appointment length
- 4 hours 15 minutes at a test center
How to Register
- 1Confirm what your state requires
Connecticut lists the Foundations of Reading test for Early Childhood Education (#113), Elementary Education (#305) and Special Education (#165) certification. Confirm your requirements with the Connecticut State Department of Education.
- 2Register on the NES site
Register through nestest.com/state/ct, choose a computer-based or online-proctored appointment, and pay the fee when you register.
- 3Prepare with the official study guide
The NES study guide for Foundations of Reading lists every objective and includes sample items for the multiple-choice questions and the written assignments.
Fees
$139 (listed on the Connecticut NES test page; confirm when you register). Fees can change, so confirm the amount when you register on your state's NES site.
Test day
For a computer-based test at a test center, the appointment is 4 hours and 15 minutes, which includes 15 minutes for the tutorial and nondisclosure agreement and 4 hours of testing. Restroom breaks count toward testing time.
For an online-proctored test, the appointment is 4 hours and 30 minutes: 15 minutes for the tutorial and nondisclosure agreement, 2 hours 30 minutes for the multiple-choice questions, an optional 15-minute break, and 1 hour 30 minutes for the written assignments.
Identification and arrival rules are set out in the registration information on your state's NES site, so read them before your appointment.
Scoring
The passing score is set by each state or licensing agency, and the same Foundations of Reading test is used in several states with different required scores.
Check your state's NES site for score reporting dates and how to view your score report.
Who Takes the Connecticut Foundations of Reading test (890)?
Candidates for Early Childhood Education (#113). Connecticut lists Foundations of Reading for this certification, together with the Early Childhood Test.
Candidates for Elementary Education (#305) and Special Education (#165). The Connecticut State Department of Education lists it as an option for these certifications. Confirm which assessments apply to you.
How to Prepare for Connecticut Foundations of Reading (890)
- 1Start with the official preparation materials
Read the official NES study guide for Foundations of Reading. It lists every objective and includes sample items.
- 2Study by weight
Give the most time to Foundations of Reading Development (about 35%), but cover every category.
- 3Phonics and phonological awareness are the largest topics
Subarea I is about 35% of the score, so review it first, then comprehension and assessment.
- 4Practice the written responses under time
The two written assignments count for about 20% of the score. Practice organized, developed analysis of a reading topic.
- 5Plan your timing
The test is a long 4-hour session, and restroom breaks count toward testing time, so practice working through a full set of multiple-choice questions and both written assignments in one sitting.
Connecticut Foundations of Reading (890): Frequently Asked Questions
What is the passing score for the Connecticut Foundations of Reading test (890)?+
A scaled score of 240 for Connecticut.
What is on the Connecticut Foundations of Reading test (890)?+
100 multiple-choice questions and 2 written assignments, in 4 hours.
How much does the Connecticut Foundations of Reading test (890) cost?+
$139 (listed on the Connecticut NES test page; confirm when you register). Fees can change, so confirm the amount on the official site.
Where do I register for the Connecticut Foundations of Reading test?+
Register through nestest.com/state/ct. Registration for this test is no longer on the older state NES sites that some pages still link to, so use the link on your state's page.
Is the test code 190 or 890?+
Code 190 was replaced by code 890 on September 1, 2025. Pearson states this is a code change only, with no changes to the framework or content, so older study materials for 190 still apply.
Is the Connecticut passing score the same as other states?+
No. Passing scores are set by each state. Connecticut lists 240.
Why does a Connecticut page show code 702?+
The Connecticut State Department of Education assessments page lists Foundations of Reading as code 702 with a passing score of 240, while the Connecticut NES test page lists code 890 with a passing score of 240. Register under the code shown on the NES site and confirm with the Department if you are unsure.
How much of the score is the written part?+
The two written assignments make up about 20% of the score and draw on the other three subareas.
Can I take the test online?+
The NES test page lists an online-proctored option with a total appointment of 4 hours 30 minutes, in addition to computer-based testing at a test center. Check your state's NES site for availability.
Did the test code change?+
Yes. Foundations of Reading code 190 was replaced by code 890 on September 1, 2025, with no changes to the framework or content.
Ready to practice for Connecticut Foundations of Reading (890)?
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Start Practice Free →Sources: Connecticut NES: Foundations of Reading (890) test page; Foundations of Reading study guide (objectives and subarea weights); Connecticut State Department of Education: assessments required for CT educators. Always confirm current requirements, fees and passing scores with the official program before you register.
ApexTeachersPrep is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Pearson National Evaluation Series (NES). Last reviewed: October 31, 2026.
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