- NES Elementary Education is split into Subtest I (75 questions, 1 hour 30 minutes) and Subtest II (75 questions, 1 hour 45 minutes).
- Reading and English Language Arts makes up 62% of Subtest I; Mathematics makes up 50% of Subtest II.
- Passing score is 220 on each subtest, and no reference materials are allowed during testing.
- A single computer-based subtest costs $85; a combined appointment costs $165.
What Is a NES, Exactly?
"NES" stands for National Evaluation Series, a group of educator licensure exams developed and administered by Pearson's Evaluation Systems group. When people ask what is NES in the context of teacher certification, they're usually asking about one specific exam within that series: NES Elementary Education, tracked under test codes 102 and 103. This article focuses exclusively on that exam and its two subtests - not on any other credential that happens to share the same three-letter acronym.
If you're prepping for an elementary teaching license and your state uses the NES system, you'll register through Pearson VUE, sit for the exam either at a physical test center or via online proctoring, and receive two separate subtest scores rather than one combined score. That structural detail - two subtests, two scores - is the single most important thing to understand before you start studying.
The Two-Subtest Structure of Elementary Education (102/103)
Unlike single-session licensure exams, NES Elementary Education is broken into two separately scored subtests, each with its own test code, its own time limit, and its own passing requirement.
- Subtest I (test code 102): approximately 75 multiple-choice questions, 1 hour 30 minutes.
- Subtest II (test code 103): approximately 75 multiple-choice questions, 1 hour 45 minutes.
Because the two subtests are scored independently, you can pass one and not the other - and if that happens, you only need to retake the subtest you failed, not the entire exam. Pearson requires a 30-day waiting period before you can attempt the same subtest again, so plan your registration calendar accordingly. For a full breakdown of how these dates and windows work, see NES Exam Dates 2026: Testing Windows, Deadlines & Scheduling.
Key Takeaway
Treat Subtest I and Subtest II as two distinct exams with two distinct study plans - they cover completely different content and are scored on completely different timelines.
What Each Domain Actually Tests
Every question on the NES Elementary Education exam falls under one of five domains, and the domain weighting is calculated within its respective subtest - not across the whole exam. That distinction matters when you're deciding where to spend your study hours.
Subtest I - Reading and English Language Arts (62%)
This is the dominant domain of the entire exam. Expect questions on foundational literacy skills, comprehension strategies, writing process instruction, language conventions, and how to support diverse learners in developing reading fluency.
- Phonemic awareness and phonics progression
- Vocabulary and comprehension instruction across text types
- Writing process, grammar, and language structure
Subtest I - Social Studies (38%)
Covers history, geography, civics, and economics as taught at the elementary level, along with how to integrate social studies concepts into cross-curricular lessons.
- Civic participation and government structures
- Geographic reasoning and map-based skills
- Historical inquiry appropriate for young learners
Subtest II - Mathematics (50%)
Half of Subtest II is math, making it the single largest content block in that subtest. Number sense, operations, algebraic thinking, geometry, and data interpretation all appear, typically framed around how a teacher would present the concept to elementary students.
- Place value, operations, and number relationships
- Early algebraic reasoning and patterns
- Measurement, geometry, and data analysis
Subtest II - Science (38%)
Life science, physical science, earth and space science, and scientific inquiry practices, with an emphasis on how these ideas are scaffolded for young students.
- Scientific method and inquiry-based instruction
- Life systems, ecosystems, and physical properties
- Earth, weather, and space science basics
Subtest II - The Arts, Health, and Fitness (12%)
The smallest domain by weight but still a scored portion of Subtest II. Covers visual and performing arts fundamentals, health education, and physical fitness concepts as part of a well-rounded elementary curriculum.
- Elements of visual art and music appreciation
- Personal health, nutrition, and safety concepts
- Movement, fitness, and physical education fundamentals
For a domain-by-domain study breakdown with more detail on subtopics and question framing, see NES Exam Domains 2026: Complete Guide to All 5 Content Areas.
Registration, Test Codes, and Fees
Before you register, confirm with your state's licensure office that it accepts test codes 102 and 103 - some states use different exam configurations for elementary licensure, and registering for the wrong code wastes both time and money.
| Registration Option | What's Included | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Single computer-based subtest | Either Subtest I or Subtest II only | $85 |
| Combined computer-based appointment | Subtest I and Subtest II in one sitting | $165 |
| Online-proctored subtest | Registered separately per subtest | $85 each |
Note that combining both subtests into one appointment is less expensive than paying for two separate single-subtest sessions, but it also means a longer testing day and less flexibility if you'd rather focus your prep time on one subtest first. A full cost comparison, including how retakes factor in, is covered in NES Certification Cost 2026: Complete Pricing Breakdown.
No reference materials - no formula sheets, calculators unless provided on-screen, or notes - are permitted during either subtest. Everything you need to solve a problem has to be committed to memory or derived from the question itself.
Scoring and the Passing Standard
Each subtest is scored independently, and the NES profile lists 220 as the passing score for each one. There's no combined or averaged score across Subtest I and Subtest II - you need to clear 220 on both, separately, to complete the certification requirement.
Because there are no reference materials allowed, the passing threshold rewards recall speed and pattern recognition as much as raw content knowledge. If you're unsure how the 220 benchmark translates into a practical number of correct answers, or how scaled scoring works, NES Passing Score 2026: Exactly What You Need to Pass walks through it in more depth.
If you fail a subtest, the 30-day retake waiting period applies specifically to that subtest - you don't need to wait to schedule the other one if it hasn't been attempted yet.
Who Takes the NES and Why It Matters
NES Elementary Education is typically required by state education agencies as part of the licensure pathway for candidates seeking to teach elementary grades. School districts and hiring committees generally treat a passing score on both subtests as proof that a candidate has the content knowledge to teach reading, math, science, social studies, and the arts at the elementary level - it's a credential check, not a teaching-skills evaluation on its own.
Because the exam is content-heavy rather than pedagogy-heavy, it tends to draw candidates who are already deep into a teacher preparation program or alternative certification pathway and need this exam as one of the final steps before applying for licensure. If you're weighing whether pursuing this credential fits your career plans, Is the NES Certification Worth It? Complete ROI Analysis 2026 and NES Salary Guide 2026: Complete Earnings Analysis break down the practical career considerations, while NES Jobs looks at where this credential opens doors.
Eligibility requirements - including any prerequisite coursework or program enrollment your state may require before you can even register - are outlined in NES Requirements 2026: Eligibility, Prerequisites & How to Qualify.
Building a Subtest-Aware Prep Timeline
Because Subtest I and Subtest II are graded separately and cover entirely different domains, the most efficient prep plans schedule study time by subtest rather than trying to review everything simultaneously. A candidate who is strong in literacy instruction but rusty on math, for example, should weight their calendar accordingly instead of splitting hours evenly by default.
Subtest I Foundations
- Drill Reading and English Language Arts concepts, since they represent 62% of Subtest I's questions
- Layer in Social Studies review afterward at a lighter pace
Subtest II Foundations
- Prioritize Mathematics, which accounts for half of Subtest II
- Review Science concepts, then finish with Arts, Health, and Fitness given its smaller 12% weight
Timed Practice and Recall Drills
- Since no reference materials are allowed, practice recalling formulas and facts from memory under time pressure
- Run full-length timed sets matching each subtest's actual time limit
This kind of weighted scheduling - spending more time on higher-percentage domains without ignoring smaller ones - is the core methodology behind NES Study Guide 2026: How to Pass on Your First Attempt, which expands on specific resources and practice materials for each domain. If you want a fast reference to keep nearby during review sessions, NES Cheat Sheet 2026: One-Page Review of Must-Know Facts condenses the domain weights and key numbers into a single page.
To gauge realistically how much prep time you need, it helps to understand exam difficulty and outcomes ahead of time. How Hard Is the NES Exam? Complete Difficulty Guide 2026 and NES Pass Rate 2026: What the Data Shows both offer useful context before you lock in a study timeline. Running full-length practice questions on our practice test platform is one of the most direct ways to simulate the actual timed conditions of Subtest I and Subtest II before test day.
Key Takeaway
Study by subtest, not by a flat weekly calendar - weight your hours toward Reading/ELA and Mathematics first, since together they represent the largest domain shares on each subtest.
Frequently Asked Questions
In this context, NES refers to National Evaluation Series Elementary Education (test codes 102 and 103), a two-subtest exam developed by Pearson's Evaluation Systems group and used by certain states as part of elementary teacher licensure. See What Is A NES? for a broader explanation of the term.
No. You can register for a single computer-based subtest for $85 each, or book a combined appointment covering both subtests for $165. Online-proctored subtests are registered and paid for separately at $85 each.
The NES profile lists 220 as the passing score on each subtest. Subtest I and Subtest II are scored independently, so you need to reach 220 on both to satisfy the requirement.
No reference materials of any kind are provided or permitted during either subtest. You'll need to rely entirely on memorized knowledge and on-screen tools if any are built into the testing platform.
You must wait 30 days before retaking the same subtest. This waiting period applies individually to Subtest I or Subtest II, whichever you need to retake.
Not necessarily. Requirements vary by state, so confirm with your licensure agency that it accepts NES Elementary Education test codes 102 and 103 before you register through Pearson VUE.