- NES Elementary Education has two subtests: Subtest I (102) and Subtest II (103), each ~75 questions.
- Subtest I runs 1 hour 30 minutes; Subtest II runs 1 hour 45 minutes - no reference materials allowed.
- Passing score is 220 on each subtest, scored separately.
- Combined computer-based registration costs $165; single subtests are $85 each ($85 each for online-proctored).
Quick Facts Snapshot
This page is built for the candidate who already knows the basics and just needs the numbers confirmed one more time before test day. If you're still learning what NES Elementary Education (102/103) is or how the certification works overall, start with What Is NES Certification? or the broader NES Certification overview first. Everyone else, keep scrolling - this is the condensed, print-it-and-tape-it-to-your-wall version.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Test codes | 102 (Subtest I), 103 (Subtest II) |
| Format | Multiple-choice, approximately 75 questions per subtest |
| Subtest I time | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Subtest II time | 1 hour 45 minutes |
| Passing score | 220 per subtest |
| Reference materials | None permitted |
| Retake wait | 30 days for the same subtest |
| Single subtest fee (computer-based) | $85 |
| Combined appointment fee (computer-based) | $165 |
| Online-proctored fee | $85 per subtest, registered separately |
Subtest Breakdown at a Glance
Elementary Education is deliberately split into two separately scored subtests rather than one long exam. That matters for how you study and how you schedule, because you can register for, prepare for, and even retake each subtest independently.
- Subtest I covers Reading and English Language Arts and Social Studies, with roughly 75 multiple-choice questions in 1 hour 30 minutes.
- Subtest II covers Mathematics, Science, and The Arts, Health, and Fitness, with roughly 75 multiple-choice questions in 1 hour 45 minutes.
Because the two subtests are scored independently, a strong performance on one does not offset a weak one on the other - each must clear 220 on its own. For a full walk-through of what each content area actually tests, see NES Exam Domains 2026: Complete Guide to All 5 Content Areas.
Domain Cheat Sheet
These are the five domains you're actually being measured against, grouped by subtest. Memorize the percentages - they tell you exactly where your study hours should go.
Domain 1: Reading and English Language Arts - 62% of Subtest I
This is the single largest domain on either subtest, so it deserves the largest share of your prep time. Expect items on foundational literacy skills, comprehension strategies, writing process instruction, language conventions, and how to support students at different reading development stages.
- Phonemic awareness, phonics, and fluency progression
- Comprehension strategies for literary and informational text
- Writing instruction, grammar, and vocabulary development
Domain 2: Social Studies - 38% of Subtest I
Covers history, geography, civics/government, and economics as taught at the elementary level, plus how to integrate social studies with literacy instruction.
- Historical thinking skills and use of primary sources
- Map skills, regions, and human-environment interaction
- Civic participation, government structure, and economic basics
Domain 3: Mathematics - 50% of Subtest II
Exactly half of Subtest II, making it the other must-master domain alongside Reading/ELA. Expect number sense, operations, algebraic thinking, geometry, measurement, and data analysis, all through the lens of how elementary students build mathematical understanding.
- Place value, operations, and fraction/decimal reasoning
- Early algebraic patterns and problem-solving strategies
- Geometry, measurement, and interpreting data displays
Domain 4: Science - 38% of Subtest II
Life, physical, and earth/space science concepts, plus scientific inquiry and the practices used to help young learners think like scientists.
- Scientific method, inquiry, and safe investigation practices
- Life science: organisms, ecosystems, and life cycles
- Physical and earth/space science fundamentals
Domain 5: The Arts, Health, and Fitness - 12% of Subtest II
The smallest domain by weight, but not one to skip entirely since it's still tested. Covers visual and performing arts concepts, health education, and physical fitness/movement principles for elementary-age children.
- Elements of visual art and music appreciation basics
- Health literacy, nutrition, and safety concepts
- Motor skill development and physical education principles
Key Takeaway
Reading/ELA and Mathematics together make up the heaviest single-domain weights on their respective subtests - 62% and 50%. If your study time is limited, protect time for these two domains first, then layer in Social Studies, Science, and Arts/Health/Fitness.
Fees, Codes, and Retake Logistics
Registration mechanics trip up more candidates than the content does. Before you pay anything, confirm your state or program actually accepts test codes 102 and 103 - requirements vary by state, and paying for the wrong combination wastes money and time.
- Single computer-based subtest: $85
- Combined computer-based appointment (both subtests same day): $165
- Online-proctored subtests: $85 each, registered as separate appointments
- Retake wait period: 30 days before you can retake the same subtest
If you fail one subtest but pass the other, you only need to retake the one you missed - the subtests are independent, so a passing score on record doesn't expire before you retest the other half. For a complete pricing breakdown, including how the combined appointment compares to registering separately, see NES Certification Cost 2026: Complete Pricing Breakdown. If you're unsure whether you even meet the prerequisites to register, check NES Requirements 2026: Eligibility, Prerequisites & How to Qualify before you pay a fee.
Scoring and What 220 Really Means
Each subtest is scored on the NES scale, and the passing score is 220 for both Subtest I and Subtest II. Because scoring is separate, your Subtest I result has no bearing on your Subtest II score - you must clear 220 on each independently. The scaled score isn't a raw percentage of questions answered correctly, so don't try to reverse-engineer "how many I can miss" from the passing threshold alone. For a deeper explanation of how the scale works and how to interpret a score report, read NES Passing Score 2026: Exactly What You Need to Pass.
If you want a broader sense of how difficult candidates typically find each subtest, and how the domain weighting affects perceived difficulty, How Hard Is the NES Exam? Complete Difficulty Guide 2026 and NES Pass Rate 2026: What the Data Shows both dig into that question without relying on invented statistics.
The Week-Before Review Plan
A cheat sheet works best paired with a short, focused final push rather than a full re-study of everything you've already learned. Use the domain weights above to allocate your last stretch of prep time deliberately instead of reviewing every topic equally.
Reading & ELA + Mathematics
- Review your weakest sub-skills in Domain 1 (62% of Subtest I) and Domain 3 (50% of Subtest II)
- Time yourself on 15-20 practice questions per session to build pacing for the 1:30 and 1:45 windows
Social Studies + Science
- Skim condensed notes on Domain 2 and Domain 4 topics
- Focus on vocabulary and concept recognition rather than deep new learning
Arts, Health, and Fitness + Full Review
- Quick pass over Domain 5 terminology (12% of Subtest II, but still scored)
- Re-read this cheat sheet and confirm your test appointment, ID requirements, and testing location
For a longer-horizon study plan that builds toward this final week - including how to sequence content review across several weeks - see NES Study Guide 2026: How to Pass on Your First Attempt. If you'd rather practice under realistic timed conditions before test day, our full-length practice tests mirror the multiple-choice format and pacing of both subtests.
Who This Certification Is For
Elementary Education (102/103) exists to verify that a candidate has the content knowledge needed to teach general elementary classrooms - the exam's five-domain structure (Reading/ELA, Social Studies, Mathematics, Science, and The Arts/Health/Fitness) mirrors what an elementary generalist is expected to teach across a school day. Because of that breadth, it's typically relevant to candidates pursuing elementary teacher licensure in states that accept test codes 102 and 103.
If you're weighing whether pursuing this credential fits your career goals, Is the NES Certification Worth It? Complete ROI Analysis 2026 and NES Salary Guide 2026: Complete Earnings Analysis look at the bigger picture beyond the exam itself. And once you're certified, NES Jobs covers where the credential is typically put to use. For general background on the acronym and how it's used across different contexts, NES Meaning and What Does NES Stand For? are useful starting points - just remember this article and the credential it describes refer specifically to National Evaluation Series (NES) Elementary Education, test codes 102 and 103.
FAQ
Each subtest - Subtest I (code 102) and Subtest II (code 103) - contains approximately 75 multiple-choice questions.
Subtest I allows 1 hour 30 minutes, and Subtest II allows 1 hour 45 minutes. No reference materials are provided during either subtest.
You need a scaled score of 220 on each subtest. The subtests are scored separately, so you must reach 220 on both Subtest I and Subtest II independently.
A single computer-based subtest costs $85, and a combined computer-based appointment covering both subtests costs $165. Online-proctored subtests are registered separately at $85 each.
You must wait 30 days before retaking the same subtest. Since the subtests are scored independently, you only need to retake the one you didn't pass.
Keep this page bookmarked as your quick-reference sheet, and pair it with a deeper prep resource like NES Study Guide 2026: How to Pass on Your First Attempt or a round of timed practice questions to turn these facts into exam-day confidence.