- NES Elementary Education uses test codes 102 and 103, split into two separately scored subtests.
- Subtest I is 1 hour 30 minutes; Subtest II is 1 hour 45 minutes, each with about 75 multiple-choice items.
- Passing score is 220 on each subtest, per the official NES profile.
- A single computer-based subtest costs $85; a combined appointment is $165, and online-proctored subtests are $85 each.
What Is NES?
NES stands for the National Evaluation Series, a group of educator certification exams used by several states as part of their teacher licensure process. This article focuses specifically on NES Elementary Education (102/103), the exam pathway aspiring elementary teachers use to demonstrate content knowledge across reading, social studies, mathematics, science, and the arts, health, and fitness. If you've seen "NES" referenced elsewhere in a different context, note that this article - and this entire site - is exclusively about the National Evaluation Series Elementary Education assessment.
Before registering, confirm with your state's educator licensure office that test codes 102 and 103 are the ones your program requires. States that participate in the NES program list accepted test codes on their certification websites, and using the wrong code can delay your licensure timeline.
Who Develops and Administers NES
Pearson's Evaluation Systems group develops and administers the NES exams. Delivery happens through Pearson VUE test centers, with an online-proctored option available for candidates who prefer to test remotely. This matters practically: your scheduling, identification requirements, and appointment management all run through Pearson VUE's system, not a separate third-party vendor.
Because Pearson VUE handles both the content development and the testing logistics, the exam experience is fairly standardized whether you sit in a physical test center or test online. Either way, no reference materials, calculators beyond what's built into the testing software, or notes are permitted during the exam.
Exam Structure: Two Subtests, Not One
A detail that trips up first-time candidates: NES Elementary Education isn't a single exam - it's two separately scored subtests that together make up the full certification requirement.
- Subtest I covers Reading and English Language Arts plus Social Studies. Candidates get 1 hour 30 minutes and answer approximately 75 multiple-choice questions.
- Subtest II covers Mathematics plus Science plus The Arts, Health, and Fitness. Candidates get 1 hour 45 minutes, also with approximately 75 multiple-choice questions.
You can register for both subtests in one combined appointment or schedule them separately, which gives you flexibility to focus your preparation on one content area at a time. For a full breakdown of timing, format, and pacing strategy, see the NES Study Guide 2026: How to Pass on Your First Attempt.
| Feature | Subtest I | Subtest II |
|---|---|---|
| Content Areas | Reading & ELA, Social Studies | Mathematics, Science, Arts/Health/Fitness |
| Time Allowed | 1 hour 30 minutes | 1 hour 45 minutes |
| Approximate Questions | ~75 multiple-choice | ~75 multiple-choice |
| Passing Score | 220 | 220 |
The Five Domains You'll Be Tested On
Each subtest is further broken down into content domains with specific weightings. Understanding these percentages helps you allocate study time where it actually pays off, rather than spreading effort evenly across topics that carry unequal weight on the exam.
Domain 1: Reading and English Language Arts (62% of Subtest I)
This is the single heaviest domain on either subtest, making up nearly two-thirds of Subtest I's scored content. Candidates should expect deep coverage of literacy development, comprehension strategies, writing instruction, and language structure.
- Prioritize this domain first in any study plan - it carries more weight than any other single area on either subtest.
Domain 2: Social Studies (38% of Subtest I)
Rounds out Subtest I, covering history, geography, civics, and economics content appropriate for elementary instruction.
- Expect application-style questions tying content knowledge to classroom instructional decisions.
Domain 3: Mathematics (50% of Subtest II)
Mathematics is exactly half of Subtest II, making it the dominant domain on that half of the exam. Number sense, operations, algebraic thinking, geometry, and data analysis are all fair game.
- Because it's 50% of the subtest, weak math fundamentals will disproportionately hurt your Subtest II score.
Domain 4: Science (38% of Subtest II)
Covers physical, life, and earth/space science concepts, plus scientific inquiry and process skills relevant to elementary classrooms.
Domain 5: The Arts, Health, and Fitness (12% of Subtest II)
The smallest domain by percentage, but not one to skip entirely - it still represents a meaningful share of Subtest II questions.
- Because it's a smaller slice, budget proportionally less time here relative to Mathematics and Science.
For a domain-by-domain content breakdown with specific topic lists, read the NES Exam Domains 2026: Complete Guide to All 5 Content Areas. If you're trying to gauge how challenging this content mix actually is compared to other certification paths, the How Hard Is the NES Exam? Complete Difficulty Guide 2026 walks through that in detail.
Key Takeaway
Since Reading/ELA (62%) and Mathematics (50%) each dominate their respective subtests, candidates who are weak in either area should start their preparation there rather than spreading time evenly across all five domains.
Registration, Fees, and Retake Rules
Understanding the fee structure before you register helps you plan whether to schedule subtests separately or together.
- A single computer-based subtest costs $85.
- A combined computer-based appointment covering both subtests costs $165.
- Online-proctored subtests are registered separately at $85 each.
Passing score for each subtest, according to the official NES profile, is 220. If you don't pass a subtest, you must wait 30 days before retaking that same subtest - plan your study calendar around that waiting period so you're not scrambling to relearn material right before your retake window opens. For the complete pricing picture, including how combined versus separate registration affects your total cost, see the NES Certification Cost 2026: Complete Pricing Breakdown. To understand exactly what a 220 means in context and how scoring works, check the NES Passing Score 2026: Exactly What You Need to Pass.
Scheduling logistics - including how far in advance you need to book and how testing windows work throughout the year - are covered in the NES Exam Dates 2026: Testing Windows, Deadlines & Scheduling.
Who Takes the NES Elementary Education Exam
Candidates pursuing elementary teacher licensure in states that use the National Evaluation Series take this exam as part of meeting state certification requirements, typically alongside completion of an educator preparation program. Because state adoption of NES varies, it's worth confirming both your state's acceptance of test codes 102 and 103 and any additional requirements - like coursework or a background check - before you register. The NES Requirements 2026: Eligibility, Prerequisites & How to Qualify guide walks through the prerequisites in more detail.
Once certified, candidates use this credential to qualify for elementary classroom teaching positions, and some go on to specialized roles within elementary education. If you're weighing whether pursuing this certification aligns with your career goals and compensation expectations, the NES Salary Guide 2026: Complete Earnings Analysis and Is the NES Certification Worth It? Complete ROI Analysis 2026 articles offer a more complete picture, and NES Jobs covers the kinds of positions this credential opens up.
How to Approach Preparation
Given the domain weights, a practical study sequence follows the point value of each area rather than the order subtests are listed in.
Reading and English Language Arts
- Cover literacy development, comprehension, and writing instruction - this is 62% of Subtest I, so mastery here drives most of your Subtest I score.
Social Studies
- Work through history, civics, geography, and economics content to round out Subtest I preparation.
Mathematics
- Since this is 50% of Subtest II, allocate the largest block of Subtest II prep time to math fundamentals and problem-solving.
Science, then Arts/Health/Fitness
- Finish with Science (38%) and a lighter review pass of Arts, Health, and Fitness (12%) before taking full-length practice questions under timed conditions.
Whatever timeline you use, build in timed practice that mirrors the actual constraints: 1 hour 30 minutes for roughly 75 questions on Subtest I, and 1 hour 45 minutes for roughly 75 questions on Subtest II. Since no reference materials are allowed during the exam, your practice sessions should also be closed-book to build accurate self-assessment of what you actually know versus what you'd need to look up. For a condensed reference you can review in the final days before your test date, the NES Cheat Sheet 2026: One-Page Review of Must-Know Facts summarizes must-know facts in one page. If you want a broader look at how other candidates have fared and what that means for your own prep intensity, the NES Pass Rate 2026: What the Data Shows is worth reading before you finalize your schedule.
Structured practice tests that mimic the actual multiple-choice format and domain distribution are one of the most direct ways to prepare - you can start working through realistic questions on our practice test platform to get a feel for pacing before test day. Using full-length practice exams that match the 75-question, single-subtest format helps you calibrate timing so you're not caught off guard by the clock during the real Subtest I or Subtest II session.
Frequently Asked Questions
It's two separately scored subtests - Subtest I (Reading/ELA and Social Studies) and Subtest II (Mathematics, Science, and Arts/Health/Fitness) - registered under test codes 102 and 103.
A combined computer-based appointment covering both subtests costs $165. Taking them separately costs $85 per subtest, and online-proctored subtests are also $85 each, registered individually.
The NES profile lists 220 as the passing score for each subtest, scored independently.
You must wait 30 days before retaking the same subtest, so build that gap into your study and registration timeline.
No. No reference materials are provided or permitted, so all preparation should be done under closed-book, timed conditions to match the real testing experience.