NES SPECIAL EDUCATION EXAM 601 TEST
PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
⩥ In what grade do most typically developing children form an
understanding of the difference between reality and make-believe?
A. Preschool (Age 3)
B. Prekindergarten (Age 4)
C. Kindergarten (Age 5)
D. First Grade (Age 6) Answer: Answer: C
Typically developing kindergartners generally develop an understanding
of the difference between reality and make-believe.
⩥ Tristan is a third grader who's struggling with identification of sight
words and letter-sound correspondence. What can be said about Tristan?
A. His cognitive development is typical of his age and grade.
B. He is ready to begin the transition from learning to read to reading to
learn.
C. He could benefit from further practice on distinguishing cause-and-
effect relationships.
D. He could be targeted for interventions as his development is atypical.
Answer: Answer: D
,By third grade, Tristan should definitely have mastered letter-sound-
correspondence and recognition of most sight words.
⩥ Mrs. Howard gives a math activity to her pre-k class in which she
asks them to write the different addition equations that lead to an answer
of ten (Ex: 9+1, 8+2, etc). What will be the likely result?
A. Most students in this class will not be able to complete this activity as
it is not developmentally appropriate.
B. Assessment tool to enable a screen for developmental delays.
C. Typically developing children will be able to complete this activity
independently.
D. " with some scaffolding. Answer: Answer: A
This is more appropriate for an elementary school class, not a
prekindergarten class.
⩥ Marcus' a 1st grader in Mrs. Hyatt's class who very rarely speaks. She
notices that he's unable to answer the following question: "When's your
birthday?" What would her most likely reaction be?
A. She would not be concerned since a 1st grader wouldn't be expected
to know this answer.
B. She would likely be concerned about a possible speech or language
problem.
C. She would assume his family doesn't celebrate birthdays.
D. She would have concerns about a possible emotional disturbance.
Answer: Answer: B
,Marcus's inability to respond to a simple "when" question and his
uncommunicativeness are concerning and might indicate a speech or
language problem.
⩥ Zack, a 2nd grader, is overhead by his teacher using a mildly profane
word. What would be her best response?
A. To call his parents to express concern that he likely had an emotional
disturbance.
B. To meet with his parents to discuss his TV and internet use habits.
C. To speak with Zack about the word and explain how it is not a nice
word to use.
D. To provide immediate punitive consequences. Answer: Answer: C
Zack is likely experimenting with "bad" words and needs to understand
that the word he used is not appropriate.
⩥ Fauzia's parents come to her 1st grade teacher to ask if they should be
concerned that Fauzia is unable to dress herself to use the bathroom
without help. What should the teacher's response be?
A. Tell Fauzia's parents that she has an intellectual disability.
B. Suggest screening for ASD.
C. Advice Fauzia's parents to consult her pediatrician about her physical
development.
D. Tell Fauzia's parents that her development is on course with set
milestones. Answer: Answer: C
, Fauzia is behind most physical development milestones and needs to be
seen by a pediatrician.
⩥ A pre-k teacher uses observational notes to track the physical
development of her students. She's concerned about one student who
seems to lack interest in drawing and coloring. What activities are most
useful for her to observe, to collect more data along this same line?
A. Child's interactions with other students at the dramatic play center.
B. How the child feeds herself at lunch and snack time.
C. Which centers the child is most drawn toward.
D. How fast the child runs during outside ti Answer: Answer: B
Using utensils also pertains to the development of fine motor skills with
which the child seems to be struggling.
⩥ Which of the following theorists would NOT be considered a
constructivist?
A. Jean Piaget
B. Lev Vygotsky
C. John Dewey
D. John Watson Answer: Answer: D
John Watson was a behaviorist. He is often considered to be the one who
coined the term behaviorism.
PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
⩥ In what grade do most typically developing children form an
understanding of the difference between reality and make-believe?
A. Preschool (Age 3)
B. Prekindergarten (Age 4)
C. Kindergarten (Age 5)
D. First Grade (Age 6) Answer: Answer: C
Typically developing kindergartners generally develop an understanding
of the difference between reality and make-believe.
⩥ Tristan is a third grader who's struggling with identification of sight
words and letter-sound correspondence. What can be said about Tristan?
A. His cognitive development is typical of his age and grade.
B. He is ready to begin the transition from learning to read to reading to
learn.
C. He could benefit from further practice on distinguishing cause-and-
effect relationships.
D. He could be targeted for interventions as his development is atypical.
Answer: Answer: D
,By third grade, Tristan should definitely have mastered letter-sound-
correspondence and recognition of most sight words.
⩥ Mrs. Howard gives a math activity to her pre-k class in which she
asks them to write the different addition equations that lead to an answer
of ten (Ex: 9+1, 8+2, etc). What will be the likely result?
A. Most students in this class will not be able to complete this activity as
it is not developmentally appropriate.
B. Assessment tool to enable a screen for developmental delays.
C. Typically developing children will be able to complete this activity
independently.
D. " with some scaffolding. Answer: Answer: A
This is more appropriate for an elementary school class, not a
prekindergarten class.
⩥ Marcus' a 1st grader in Mrs. Hyatt's class who very rarely speaks. She
notices that he's unable to answer the following question: "When's your
birthday?" What would her most likely reaction be?
A. She would not be concerned since a 1st grader wouldn't be expected
to know this answer.
B. She would likely be concerned about a possible speech or language
problem.
C. She would assume his family doesn't celebrate birthdays.
D. She would have concerns about a possible emotional disturbance.
Answer: Answer: B
,Marcus's inability to respond to a simple "when" question and his
uncommunicativeness are concerning and might indicate a speech or
language problem.
⩥ Zack, a 2nd grader, is overhead by his teacher using a mildly profane
word. What would be her best response?
A. To call his parents to express concern that he likely had an emotional
disturbance.
B. To meet with his parents to discuss his TV and internet use habits.
C. To speak with Zack about the word and explain how it is not a nice
word to use.
D. To provide immediate punitive consequences. Answer: Answer: C
Zack is likely experimenting with "bad" words and needs to understand
that the word he used is not appropriate.
⩥ Fauzia's parents come to her 1st grade teacher to ask if they should be
concerned that Fauzia is unable to dress herself to use the bathroom
without help. What should the teacher's response be?
A. Tell Fauzia's parents that she has an intellectual disability.
B. Suggest screening for ASD.
C. Advice Fauzia's parents to consult her pediatrician about her physical
development.
D. Tell Fauzia's parents that her development is on course with set
milestones. Answer: Answer: C
, Fauzia is behind most physical development milestones and needs to be
seen by a pediatrician.
⩥ A pre-k teacher uses observational notes to track the physical
development of her students. She's concerned about one student who
seems to lack interest in drawing and coloring. What activities are most
useful for her to observe, to collect more data along this same line?
A. Child's interactions with other students at the dramatic play center.
B. How the child feeds herself at lunch and snack time.
C. Which centers the child is most drawn toward.
D. How fast the child runs during outside ti Answer: Answer: B
Using utensils also pertains to the development of fine motor skills with
which the child seems to be struggling.
⩥ Which of the following theorists would NOT be considered a
constructivist?
A. Jean Piaget
B. Lev Vygotsky
C. John Dewey
D. John Watson Answer: Answer: D
John Watson was a behaviorist. He is often considered to be the one who
coined the term behaviorism.
