Visually Impaired K–12Visually Impaired K to 12

Test Format and Sample Questions

The Visually 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
Direct Question Choose the response option that best answers the question.	Question 2
Command Select the best response option.	Question 7
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 philosophical, historical, and legal foundations regarding students with visual impairments

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

A student has been determined eligible for special education services under the category of visually impaired. As defined by Rule 6A-6.03014, Florida Administrative Code, Exceptional Student Education Eligibility for Students who are Visually Impaired, the team must ensure that the student meets which two criteria?

Choose an answer

1. failure of the vision screening at school and evidence of difficulty meeting on-level academic standards
2. parent or guardian–reported medical history of the student and documentation for response to intervention for reading
3. prescription for eye glasses from a medical doctor presented to the school nurse and current IEP I E P  in place to meet learning needs
4. medically identified visual impairment and need for specialized instruction in the areas known to be impacted by visual impairment

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: D.

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Competency 1—Knowledge of philosophical, historical, and legal foundations regarding students with visual impairments

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

Which of the following statements best describes why Louis Braille's system emerged as the most appropriate and longest-lasting literacy medium for those with visual impairments?

Choose an answer

1. Louis Braille's system had cells containing two rows of six dots each.
2. Louis Braille's system enjoyed popularity from teachers from the very beginning.
3. Louis Braille's system was characterized by its functionality and noticeable simplicity.
4. Louis Braille's system was the first original system for literacy for individuals with visual impairments.

Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 1—Knowledge of philosophical, historical, and legal foundations regarding students with visual impairments

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

Which of the following describes a violation of ethical behavior on the part of a teacher of students with visual impairments?

Choose an answer

1. commenting on a given student's behavior to another teacher
2. looking up the test results of a student with visual impairments
3. removing a student's cumulative folder from school property without authorization
4. looking up psychological scores of a student being considered for entry into the visually impaired program

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 2—Knowledge of the visual system and the impact of visual impairments on development

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

The crystalline lens of the eye performs accommodation to accomplish which of the following functions?

Choose an answer

1. improving eye alignment
2. focusing light on the retina
3. increasing peripheral vision
4. maintaining adequate pressure

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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Competency 2—Knowledge of the visual system and the impact of visual impairments on development

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

The conversion of light into electrical impulses occurs in the photoreceptors located in which of the following structures in the eye?

Choose an answer

1. iris
2. lens
3. retina
4. Vitreous

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 2—Knowledge of the visual system and the impact of visual impairments on development

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

Which of the following has the greatest impact on concept development for students with deafblindness?

Choose an answer

1. providing extended school year services
2. developing a primary mode of communication
3. engaging in peer interactions in the classroom
4. adjusting to the demands of schedule transitions

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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Competency 3—Knowledge of compensatory skills for students with visual impairments

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

Identify the correctly brailled Nemeth code translation for the following expressions.

[x], [y], {24}, ||7||

Choose an answer

1. 

   In order to access the contracted braille in this item, please contact our Customer Service department to request a brailled copy of this page.

2. 

   In order to access the contracted braille in this item, please contact our Customer Service department to request a brailled copy of this page.

3. 

   In order to access the contracted braille in this item, please contact our Customer Service department to request a brailled copy of this page.

4. 

   In order to access the contracted braille in this item, please contact our Customer Service department to request a brailled copy of this page.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: A.

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Competency 3—Knowledge of compensatory skills for students with visual impairments

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

Identify the correctly brailled Nemeth code translation for the following statement.

$4.50 × 8 = $36.00

Choose an answer

1. 

   In order to access the contracted braille in this item, please contact our Customer Service department to request a brailled copy of this page.

2. 

   In order to access the contracted braille in this item, please contact our Customer Service department to request a brailled copy of this page.

3. 

   In order to access the contracted braille in this item, please contact our Customer Service department to request a brailled copy of this page.

4. 

   In order to access the contracted braille in this item, please contact our Customer Service department to request a brailled copy of this page.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: D.

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Competency 3—Knowledge of compensatory skills for students with visual impairments

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

Identify the correctly brailled Nemeth code translation for the following statement.

5a × 4c = 20ac

Choose an answer

1. 

   In order to access the contracted braille in this item, please contact our Customer Service department to request a brailled copy of this page.

2. 

   In order to access the contracted braille in this item, please contact our Customer Service department to request a brailled copy of this page.

3. 

   In order to access the contracted braille in this item, please contact our Customer Service department to request a brailled copy of this page.

4. 

   In order to access the contracted braille in this item, please contact our Customer Service department to request a brailled copy of this page.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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Competency 3—Knowledge of compensatory skills for students with visual impairments

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

For a 3^rdthird-grade student with stage 5 ROP, which of the following scenarios is the best example of pre-teaching a classroom theme involving baking?

Choose an answer

1. The student attends classroom activities, then the teacher of students with visual impairments assists the student in doing all the steps to bake a cake.
2. The student independently reads a book about baking, discusses the book with the teacher of students with visual impairments, and then the student attends classroom activities.
3. The teacher of students with visual impairments assists the student in doing all the steps to bake a cake, the student is given time to discuss the activity, and then the student attends classroom activities.
4. The teacher of students with visual impairments assists the student in doing some of the steps to bake a cake while describing everything, the student is given time to discuss the activity, and then the student attends classroom activities.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 3—Knowledge of compensatory skills for students with visual impairments

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

A 6^thsixth-grade student who is legally blind has difficulty organizing materials during class. As a result, the student is unable to complete assignments independently. Which of the following strategies would be most effective to support the student's development in this area?

Choose an answer

1. modifying independent assignments to require limited activities to increase the student's task completion
2. advising the student to create a list of activities to complete and materials needed prior to beginning any assignments
3. providing an assignment schedule with regular checkpoints to the student for the teacher to determine the student's progress
4. working with the student to establish a system that can be used in school and home to manage multiple assignments and materials

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: D.

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Competency 4—Knowledge of assessment, screening, and evaluation procedures for determining eligibility, program planning, and progress monitoring of students with a medical diagnosis of visual impairment

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

A teacher of students with visual impairments is meeting with the parent of a new student who is entering kindergarten. The student's last eye report states that the student has NLP OU due to ROP. The student's mother states that at home the student often prefers toys with lights and sounds and that the student enjoys turning pages of books read during reading time.

Based on this information, which of the following actions is most appropriate for the teacher of students with visual impairments to take next?

Choose an answer

1. suggesting that the student be taken to another eye specialist for a second opinion
2. advising the mother to avoid buying toys with lights because they can cause seizures
3. recommending the mother stop buying toys with lights based on the results of the eye report
4. determining the student's ability to perceive light by conducting a functional vision assessment

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: D.

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Competency 4—Knowledge of assessment, screening, and evaluation procedures for determining eligibility, program planning, and progress monitoring of students with a medical diagnosis of visual impairment

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

A teacher of students with visual impairments wishes to determine the ability of a student to adjust to changing levels of lighting. Which of the following methods should the teacher use for this purpose?

Choose an answer

1. keeping the student after school and walking around the school campus once the sun goes down
2. entering an office or classroom with the student and repeatedly and rapidly turning the lights on and off
3. observing the student exiting the school from a dimly lit hallway on a sunny day to locate the playground
4. asking the student to wear sunglasses during the school day in order to be observed completing academic and functional tasks

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 4—Knowledge of assessment, screening, and evaluation procedures for determining eligibility, program planning, and progress monitoring of students with a medical diagnosis of visual impairment

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

In a learning media assessment, use of sensory channels of a student with visual impairments can most appropriately be determined by completing which of the following steps?

Choose an answer

1. administering to the student an informal reading inventory
2. observing the student in a variety of learning environments
3. interviewing the student, parents or guardians, and teachers
4. reading the recommendations in the student's medical eye report

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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Competency 4—Knowledge of assessment, screening, and evaluation procedures for determining eligibility, program planning, and progress monitoring of students with a medical diagnosis of visual impairment

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

When conducting a functional vision assessment with a student who has severe multiple disabilities, which is the first consideration to ensure accurate results?

Choose an answer

1. whether the stimuli require the student to use more than one modality
2. whether the testing format is one that measures acuity rather than perception
3. whether the types of visual tasks used require various kinds of motor responses
4. whether the response modality is compatible with the student's general functioning

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: D.

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Competency 5—Knowledge of the ECC

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

A 5^thfifth-grade physical education teacher is planning a unit involving yoga. Which of the following areas of the ECC would be most appropriate to integrate within these lessons?

Choose an answer

1. Compensatory Skills and Assistive Technology
2. Orientation and Mobility and Sensory Efficiency
3. Social Interaction Skills and Self-Determination
4. Independent Living Skills and Career Education

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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Competency 5—Knowledge of the ECC

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

A middle school student has expressed interest in careers related to cooking. In the career exploration process, which of the following activities would be the most appropriate next step for the student to take?

Choose an answer

1. applying for a postsecondary culinary program
2. participating in a part-time work experience at a cafeteria
3. visiting a restaurant to learn about job duties, wages, and tools used
4. seeking information about postsecondary institutions offering programs in culinary arts

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 5—Knowledge of the ECC

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

The physical education teacher has requested support from the teacher of students with visual impairments to identify strategies to increase the participation and engagement in group activities for a student who is totally blind. Which of the following activities would likely be the most effective for the teacher of students with visual impairments to recommend for this student?

Choose an answer

1. using larger-sized paddles to play ping-pong with another student
2. using a jump rope in place to build muscle tone and increase target heart rate
3. using a beeping ball to build muscle coordination and object/sound localization skills
4. using a flashing ball to play group baseball on the field with their peers without disabilities

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 5—Knowledge of the ECC

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

A student who is blind is learning how to play goalball and is experiencing difficulty with body positioning. Which of the following instructional strategies is likely to be most effective in helping the student learn the skill?

Choose an answer

1. peer tutoring
2. task analysis
3. mentor guidance
4. backward chaining

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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Competency 5—Knowledge of the ECC

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

A middle school student with legal blindness sits at the back of the classroom and has difficulty seeing writing on the whiteboard. Which of the following self-determination skills would support the student in addressing this situation?

Choose an answer

1. self-esteem
2. self-directed
3. self-advocacy
4. self-awareness

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 6—Knowledge of specialized learning related to literacy media, assistive technology, and access for students with visual impairments

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

Based on data gathered during a student's learning media assessment, the student uses a consistent focal distance of approximately 3 inches for all materials presented. Which of the following non-optical devices would best support this student's needs?

Choose an answer

1. line guide
2. reading stand
3. enlarged print copies
4. colored acetate overlay sheets

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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Competency 6—Knowledge of specialized learning related to literacy media, assistive technology, and access for students with visual impairments

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

A 4^thfourth-grade student with high myopia is asked to read from the board in class. The student should receive instruction in using which of the following devices to complete this task efficiently?

Choose an answer

1. bifocals
2. monocular
3. dome magnifier
4. handheld magnifier

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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Competency 6—Knowledge of specialized learning related to literacy media, assistive technology, and access for students with visual impairments

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

Which of the following statements best describes the difference between optical and non-optical devices?

Choose an answer

1. Optical devices are more easily obtainable.
2. Non-optical devices are not used for individuals with visual impairments.
3. Optical devices can be acquired without a prescription from an ophthalmologist.
4. Non-optical devices do not use lenses to visually enhance the reading text or graphics.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: D.

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Competency 6—Knowledge of specialized learning related to literacy media, assistive technology, and access for students with visual impairments

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

A 5^thfifth-grade student with high myopia is unable to access mathematics problems written on the whiteboard. Which of the following accommodations would be most effective in providing this student greater independent access to the content presented on the whiteboard?

Choose an answer

1. paper copies
2. screen reader
3. peer assistant
4. optical device

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: D.

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Competency 6—Knowledge of specialized learning related to literacy media, assistive technology, and access for students with visual impairments

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

A 5^thfifth-grade student who is blind will be transitioning to middle school next year. To best facilitate this transition, the teacher of students with visual impairments should arrange for which of the following activities to occur first?

Choose an answer

1. requesting that the guidance counselor identify the classes that are taught by teachers who will adjust curriculum expectations
2. meeting with the physical education teacher to discuss the student's ability to participate in the class and safety considerations
3. placing a CCTV in every classroom in which the student will be enrolled so that the student will have access to visually presented material
4. scheduling O&M trainings at the new school to support the student's ability to navigate the campus and find classes and key locations with ease

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: D.

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Competency 7—Knowledge of instructional strategies and methods for teaching students with visual impairments

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

A teacher of students with visual impairments is working with a 3-year-old with low vision due to ROP. The child demonstrates moderate cognitive and language delays and is just beginning to utter sounds. A recent assessment indicates delayed receptive language skills. In order to facilitate development of emergent language and speech skills, which of the following actions would best support incidental learning of language skills for the child?

Choose an answer

1. encouraging the parents or guardians to provide access to picture books and read to the child often
2. informing the parents or guardians of local activities and events for young children to attend to encourage language and speech
3. preparing several labels in braille for the parents or guardians to place throughout the home environment for the child to explore
4. making a home visit to identify the child's daily activities to support the parents or guardians inclusion of language development in the natural setting

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: D.

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Competency 7—Knowledge of instructional strategies and methods for teaching students with visual impairments

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

A 4^thfourth-grade student who is a braille reader will be introduced to xy coordinate planes in a general education mathematics class in the upcoming weeks. Which of the following pre-teaching strategies would most appropriately support the student's attainment of the mathematics content?

Choose an answer

1. teaching the student the mathematics chapter on xy coordinates in a one-on-one setting using braille materials
2. requesting that the mathematics teacher cover enclosed lists first so that the student is prepared to participate
3. extending each mathematics session, with one-on-one instruction, to cover concepts that were difficult for the student
4. providing direct instruction in a unit on how to identify the graphic title and axis labels and how to use both hands to identify points

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: D.

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Competency 7—Knowledge of instructional strategies and methods for teaching students with visual impairments

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

A teacher of students with visual impairments needs a talking scientific calculator to help a student who is blind take the statewide end-of-course examination. Which of the following resources is most likely to provide access to the talking calculator?

Choose an answer

1. Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
2. Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired
3. Florida Instructional Materials Center for the Visually Impaired
4. Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 7—Knowledge of instructional strategies and methods for teaching students with visual impairments

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

A high school student with visual impairments has limited use of both hands and wants to independently take notes during teacher lectures. Which of the following types of AT would most appropriately support this student's ability to independently take notes during lectures in class?

Choose an answer

1. using a computer with screen-reading software and a head wand
2. using a computer with screen-reading and voice-recognition software
3. using an oversized mouse with a computer with screen-reading software
4. using a high-contrast keyboard with a computer with screen-reading software

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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Competency 7—Knowledge of instructional strategies and methods for teaching students with visual impairments

DIRECTIONS: Read the item and select the best response.

Which of the following examples would be the most accurate description of refreshable braille technology?

Choose an answer

1. visually presented cells on a digital video device
2. electronic method of activating a fixed display of cells
3. system of converting tactual symbols into an audio format
4. electronic method of converting a voice format into a tactual display

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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