Speech-Language Impaired K–12
For Testing until 6/30/2023

Test Format and Sample Questions

The Speech-Language Impaired K–12 subject area test consists of approximately 80 multiple-choice questions.The Speech-Language Impaired K to 12 subject area test consists of approximately 80 multiple-choice questions. You will have two and one-half hours to complete the test.

Each question will contain four response options, and you will indicate your answer by selecting A, B, C, or D.

The table below presents types of questions on the exam and directs you to examples of these formats among the sample items that follow.

Table of Question Formats

Type of Question	Sample Question
Sentence Completion Select the response option that best completes the sentence.	Question 1
Direct Question Choose the response option that best answers the question.	Question 3
Command Select the best response option.	Question 4
Data Analysis Examine and analyze data from an experiment or study. Then answer a question by selecting the best response option.	Question 9
Scenario Examine a situation, problem, or case study. Then answer a question, make a diagnosis, or recommend a course of action by selecting the best response option.	Question 11

Sample Questions

The following questions represent both the form and content of questions on the examination. These questions will acquaint you with the general format of the examination; however, these sample questions do not cover all of the competencies and skills that are tested and will only approximate the degree of examination difficulty.

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Competency 1—Knowledge of basic communication processes

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

The space between the vocal folds is called the

Choose an answer

1. fauces.
2. glottis.
3. hyoid.
4. larynx.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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Competency 1—Knowledge of basic communication processes

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

What cranial nerve is responsible for adduction of the vocal cords?

Choose an answer

1. hyoglossus
2. vagus
3. glossopharyngeal
4. auditory

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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Competency 1—Knowledge of basic communication processes

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

Which muscle is responsible for lip rounding?

Choose an answer

1. playtisma
2. masseter
3. frontalis
4. obicularis oris

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: D.

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Competency 1—Knowledge of basic communication processes

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

Given the following sounds, /f/, /s/, /l/, /r/, select the appropriate articulatory term.Given the following sounds, slash f slash , slash s slash , slash l slash , slash r slash , select the appropriate articulatory term.

Choose an answer

1. liquid
2. glide
3. continuant
4. nasal

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 1—Knowledge of basic communication processes

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

The following data have been collected for a 7-year-old child:

part-word repetitions

two to three dysfluencies per minute

lack of struggle behavior

The data are indicative of

Choose an answer

1. moderate stuttering.
2. mild stuttering.
3. normal fluency development.
4. severe stuttering

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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Competency 1—Knowledge of basic communication processes

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

Echolalia is appropriate during the developmental ages of

Choose an answer

1. birth to three months.
2. three to six months.
3. six to nine months.
4. nine to twelve months.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 1—Knowledge of basic communication processes

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

Which error reflects a dialectical difference rather than a communication disorder in a child from a Spanish-speaking home?

Choose an answer

1. substitution of w/rsubstitution of w slash r
2. use of adjectives before nouns
3. omission of /s/ in plurals and possessivesomission of slash s slash in plurals and possessives
4. use of  start italics thunk end italics  instead of  start italics thought end italics 

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 2—Knowledge of the assessment process for students served in the school population

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

Which assessment measure allows for comparison of an individual's performance to the performance of others with similar demographic characteristics?

Choose an answer

1. norm-referenced tests
2. criterion-referenced evaluations
3. developmental scales
4. behavioral observations

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: A.

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Competency 2—Knowledge of the assessment process for students served in the school population

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

A 5-year-old student has the following test scores:

Preschool Language Scale 4

Auditory Comprehension Standard Score: 102

Expressive Communication Standard Score: 61

Expressive One-Word Picture Vocabulary Test-2000 Ed

Standard Score: 65

Receptive One-Word Picture Vocabulary Test-2000 Ed

Standard Score: 100

Which disorder is indicated by the test data?

Choose an answer

1. receptive language
2. expressive language
3. auditory processing
4. mixed receptive-expressive language

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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Competency 2—Knowledge of the assessment process for students served in the school population

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

John is a 17-year-old high school senior who can be classified as a severe stutterer. He is above average academically for his chronological age. John is proficient in using controls for dysfluencies for a limited amount of time, both within and outside the therapy setting. However, he prefers not to use the controls in most daily speaking situations. What assessment strategy should be used to help determine why John is having difficulty transferring the control techniques?

Choose an answer

1. Conduct a complete language battery involving higher level language processing and written language skills.
2. Conduct a complete examination of the speech mechanism and a comprehensive phonological process evaluation.
3. Conduct an evaluation of his self-concept by using attitude scales, measures of stuttering severity, and self-ratings of reactions to speech situations.
4. Conduct an evaluation of pitch, loudness, and respiration, including diadochokinetic rate.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 2—Knowledge of the assessment process for students served in the school population

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

A 4-year-old boy is being seen for a speech evaluation. The diagnostic information indicates a severe articulation disorder involving multiple phoneme errors at the single-word level and a significant breakdown of articulation at the conversational level of speech. Overall intelligibility is judged to be 10–15%. An appropriate diagnostic procedure for obtaining more information isOverall intelligibility is judged to be 10 to15 percent. An appropriate diagnostic procedure for obtaining more information is

Choose an answer

1. assessment of motor speech skills for determination of apraxia of speech.
2. articulation test for determination of sound errors.
3. appraisal of rate and fluency for determination of phonological processes.
4. assessment of diadochokinetic rate for whole-word accuracy.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: A.

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Competency 2—Knowledge of the assessment process for students served in the school population

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

Juan is a 16-year-old Hispanic student who has been referred for formal evaluation for a possible speech disorder. Juan speaks Spanish in most instances and is having difficulty being understood at school. An important consideration when testing Juan is

Choose an answer

1. speech assessment in native language.
2. syntactic differences.
3. performance in ESOL classes.performance in E S O L classes.
4. phonological awareness.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: A.

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Competency 2—Knowledge of the assessment process for students served in the school population

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

Mr. Warren, a school speech-language pathologist, has received a call from a speech-language pathologist in private practice who wants to discuss a student's therapy plan. Mr. Warren should first

Choose an answer

1. talk with the private speech-language pathologist about the student's IEP goals.talk with the private speech-language pathologist about the student's I E P goals.
2. obtain approval from the principal to talk with the private speech-language pathologist.
3. discuss student progress with the private speech-language pathologist.
4. request that the private speech-language pathologist provide a release of information form signed by the parent(s).request that the private speech-language pathologist provide a release of information form signed by the parent or parents.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: D.

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Competency 3—Knowledge of intervention techniques for students served in the school population

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

Which therapy procedure is appropriate for treating a student experiencing dysfluencies and a marked inability to control his breath stream?

Choose an answer

1. systematic desensitization techniques
2. cancellation techniques
3. air flow techniques
4. pull-out techniques

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 3—Knowledge of intervention techniques for students served in the school population

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

A 2^nd-grade student has been evaluated and found to be eligible for articulation therapy.A second grade student has been evaluated and found to be eligible for articulation therapy. However, the student's parents have not responded to the request for permission to assign the student to the speech-language program. The most appropriate course of action for the speech-language pathologist would be to

Choose an answer

1. enlist the teacher's help in reaching the parents.
2. initiate due process proceedings.
3. drop the student from consideration for placement.
4. refer the student to the school guidance counselor.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: A.

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Competency 3—Knowledge of intervention techniques for students served in the school population

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

A teacher has requested assistance from the speech-language pathologist to increase the communication skills of a nonverbal student. What is an appropriate strategy to recommend in this situation?

Choose an answer

1. using augmentative communication
2. implementing a visual schedule
3. allowing more time for the student to respond
4. using preferential seating

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: A.

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Competency 3—Knowledge of intervention techniques for students served in the school population

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

A 7-year-old student has multiple nondevelopmental articulation errors. Which of the following is the most appropriate service delivery model for remediation?

Choose an answer

1. a separate class designed for speech-impaired students
2. monthly consultation between the speech-language pathologist and the parent
3. a class co-taught by a speech-language pathologist and a general education teacher
4. direct therapy by the speech-language pathologist

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: D.

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Competency 3—Knowledge of intervention techniques for students served in the school population

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

In an initial eligibility meeting for hearing-impaired services, which of the following is a collaborative strategy that would most benefit the family of a 3-year-old child with a newly diagnosed hearing loss?

Choose an answer

1. providing a list of community resources
2. discussing the benefits of oral versus total communication
3. providing counseling regarding the effects of hearing loss
4. discussing in detail the anatomy and physiology of hearing

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 3—Knowledge of intervention techniques for students served in the school population

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

A nonverbal quadriplegic student requires an augmentative communication device. Which of the following devices is appropriate?

Choose an answer

1. foot switch-activated voice output device
2. eye gaze board
3. communication picture exchange system
4. keyboard-activated voice output device

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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Competency 3—Knowledge of intervention techniques for students served in the school population

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

A 3^rd-grade student has been identified as language impaired both in his native language (Spanish) and in English.A third grade student has been identified as language impaired both in his native language of spanish and in English. Which strategy would be appropriate to use in therapy with this student?

Choose an answer

1. increasing visual supports
2. increasing speaking rate
3. requiring rapid responses
4. increasing oral directions

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: A.

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Competency 4—Knowledge of professional and legal issues

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

A 6-year-old child failed a speech screening. Before proceeding with the referral for evaluation, the speech-language pathologist must first ensure that

Choose an answer

1. an initial eligibility meeting has been scheduled.
2. auditory discrimination has been assessed.
3. parental consent for evaluation has been obtained.
4. psychological testing has been requested.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 4—Knowledge of professional and legal issues

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

A 5-year-old kindergarten student was referred by the classroom teacher for difficulty in listening and following directions. The student's performance on standardized measures indicated deficits in receptive language skills. If this student were eligible for a speech-language program, what would be an appropriate annual goal?

Choose an answer

1. By the IEP review date, the student will correctly produce /k/ and /g/ in sentences with 80% accuracy over 3 consecutive sessions.By the I E P review date, the student will correctly produce slash k slash and slash g slash in sentences with 80 percent accuracy over 3 consecutive sessions.
2. By the IEP review date, the student will correctly follow multiple step directions during classroom activities with 80% accuracy over 3 consecutive sessions.By the I E P review date, the student will correctly follow multiple step directions during classroom activities with 80 percent accuracy over 3 consecutive sessions.
3. By the IEP review date, the student will improve auditory discrimination skills with 80% accuracy over 3 consecutive sessions.By the I E P review date, the student will improve auditory discrimination skills with 80 percent accuracy over 3 consecutive sessions.
4. By the IEP review date, the student will improve expressive morphology with 80% accuracy over 3 consecutive sessions.By the I E P review date, the student will improve expressive morphology with 80 percent accuracy over 3 consecutive sessions.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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Competency 4—Knowledge of professional and legal issues

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

An IEP goal states that a student will produce a target phoneme with 80% accuracy. Which data collection procedure would best document attainment of the goal?An I E P goal states that a student will produce a target phoneme with 80 percent accuracy. Which data collection procedure would best document attainment of the goal?

Choose an answer

1. anecdotal records
2. baseline assessment
3. work sample
4. a tally sheet

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: D.

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Competency 4—Knowledge of professional and legal issues

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

A 6-year-old child has been referred to the speech-language pathologist by her classroom teacher for evaluation of her articulation skills. The pathologist's initial action should be to

Choose an answer

1. assess the student's articulation skills.
2. assess the student's auditory discrimination.
3. obtain consent for evaluation from the student's parents.
4. refer the student for psychological testing.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 4—Knowledge of professional and legal issues

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

A 2^nd-grade student has been evaluated and found eligible for articulation therapy.A second grade student has been evaluated and found eligible for articulation therapy. The student's parents did not attend the eligibility meeting. The speech-language pathologist should

Choose an answer

1. confer with appropriate school personnel about the next step.
2. begin due process proceedings.
3. drop the student from consideration for placement.
4. place the student on consultative status.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: A.

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Competency 4—Knowledge of professional and legal issues

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

A teacher refers a 3^rd-grade student to the clinician for an evaluation, stating that the student stutters.A teacher refers a third grade student to the clinician for an evaluation, stating that the student stutters. Evaluation results indicate a moderate to severe stuttering problem. The clinician, who has a heavy workload, wants to enroll the student but cannot find any available time. Which action would be considered appropriate?

Choose an answer

1. referring the student to a private practitioner for therapy without holding an eligibility meeting
2. following an eligibility meeting, scheduling the student for therapy with the most appropriate group
3. following an eligibility meeting, enrolling the student in therapy after regular school hours
4. informing the teacher that the student does have a problem, but there is no room for the student in the therapy schedule at this time

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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Competency 4—Knowledge of professional and legal issues

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

Select the item that best reflects a role or responsibility of the speech-language pathologist in a public school setting.

Choose an answer

1. providing prevention and intervention strategies to the general education teacher
2. providing initial content area instruction to students receiving services
3. providing the general education teacher with grades for students receiving services
4. recommending diploma options to students receiving speech-language services

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: A.

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Competency 5—Knowledge of research and theory

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

A 2^nd-grade student who is 7 years, 2 months old has failed a language screening.A second grade student who is 7 years, 2 months old has failed a language screening. Which criterion is most important to consider in choosing a global assessment instrument to administer to the student?

Choose an answer

1. availability of test
2. cost of test
3. time it takes to administer the test
4. age appropriateness of test

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: D.

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Competency 5—Knowledge of research and theory

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

The principle of phonological process analysis has been extensively researched by

Choose an answer

1. Noam Chomsky.
2. Lois Bloom and Margaret Lahey.
3. Barbara Hodson.
4. Ron Goldman and Maralyne Fristoe.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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