NES General Science (311) Practice Test

The NES General Science exam is used to assess the readiness of prospective teachers who wish to teach general science in elementary schools that follow the NES standards.

Click “Start Test” above to take a free NES General Science practice test, and check out our premium-quality NES test prep resources by clicking the links below!

NES General Science Exam Outline

The NES General Science exam contains 150 multiple-choice questions, and you will be given a time limit of 3 hours.

The exam is split into four content domains.

I. Nature of Science (19%)

The questions in this domain cover the following:

• The principles and procedures of scientific inquiry
• The history and nature of science
• The relationships between science, technology, mathematics, society, and engineering

II. Physical Science (37%)

The questions in this domain cover the following:

• The properties and characteristics of matter
• Chemical bonding
• Different types of chemical reactions
• Stoichiometry
• The characteristics of energy transformations in physical and chemical systems
• Force, motion, and energy
• The characteristics and properties of mechanical and electromagnetic waves
• Electricity and magnetism

III. Life Science (25%)

The questions in this domain cover the following:

• The characteristics, processes, and organization of cells
• The classification and characteristics of organisms
• Concepts and principles related to genetics and evolution
• The characteristics of different biomes
• Relationships among organisms
• The flow of matter and energy through ecosystems

IV. Earth and Space Science (19%)

The questions in this domain cover the following:

• Physical geology
• Characteristics of the hydrosphere, weather, and climate
• Characteristics of the solar system and the universe

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NES General Science Exam Registration

To register for the NES General Science exam, you must first create an online account on the NES website. You may then register for your examination appointment with Pearson VUE.

The testing fee for this exam is $95.

Test Day

You should arrive at the Pearson VUE testing center 15-30 minutes before the exam is scheduled to begin. This will give you enough time to complete the check-in process. Once you arrive, you must sign in and present your photo ID to the proctor. You will be photographed and asked to sign a roster and other rule forms.

Personal items are not allowed in the testing room, so they should be left at home or in your car. This includes your phone and any accessories.

Just before the exam starts, you will be given a brief tutorial on the testing system. You will also be given everything you need to work out any calculations by hand (no calculator will be provided).

How the NES General Science Exam is Scored

Your NES General Science score is determined using a scaled scoring method. This method takes your raw score, which is the number of questions you answered correctly, and converts it to a numerical score on a scale of 100 to 300. To pass, your final score must be at least 220.

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By Eric Richter

Eric is the Product Development Manager responsible for developing and updating the Mometrix Teacher Certification and K-12 products. Eric has a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a master’s of education in Teaching ESOL.