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Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Test Format and Sample Questions

The Developmental Knowledge subtest contains approximately 50 multiple-choice questions. You will have 70 minutes to complete the subtest.

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 2
Direct Question
Choose the response option that best answers the question.
Question 3
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 5

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.


Question 1

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 1—Knowledge of child growth, child development, and relationships with families and the community

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following teacher strategies would be most effective in maintaining communication with families whose home language is not English?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: A.

Question 2

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 1—Knowledge of child growth, child development, and relationships with families and the community

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

In the United States, poverty or sudden loss of income affects the development of children primarily through

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: D.

Question 3

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 1—Knowledge of child growth, child development, and relationships with families and the community

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Object permanence is a milestone of cognitive development that typically is functionally in place by what age?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: B.

Question 4

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 1—Knowledge of child growth, child development, and relationships with families and the community

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Based on research, by the age of 6, children can typically be expected to have a vocabulary of approximately

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: C.

Question 5

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 1—Knowledge of child growth, child development, and relationships with families and the community

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A second grader is aggressive and has trouble getting along with other students. The teacher notices that this child is less popular, has lower grades, and is less cooperative than other students. Which factor has most likely influenced this child’s development?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: C.

Question 6

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 1—Knowledge of child growth, child development, and relationships with families and the community

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Expectant mothers who abuse drugs may deliver low-birth-weight babies with behavioral and medical problems, including

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: A.

Question 7

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 1—Knowledge of child growth, child development, and relationships with families and the community

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A teacher's class includes many students whose families are facing challenges and do not have support from extended family. The teacher can best help these families by

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: D.

Question 8

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 2—Knowledge of the profession and foundations of early childhood (PreK–3) education

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

In the "nature versus nurture" controversy, the term nature refers to

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: C.

Question 9

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 2—Knowledge of the profession and foundations of early childhood (PreK–3) education

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Who is credited with originating the operant learning theory?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: B.

Question 10

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 2—Knowledge of the profession and foundations of early childhood (PreK–3) education

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

This person believed development occurs through unfolding; he compared the child to a seed that, once planted, germinates, brings forth a new shoot, and grows from a young, tender plant to a mature, fruit-producing one. He likened the role of the educator to that of a gardener and envisioned education of the young as occurring in a "garden of children." This description refers to

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: C.

Question 11

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 2—Knowledge of the profession and foundations of early childhood (PreK–3) education

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following is an element of Maria Montessori's program for educating young children?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: A.

Question 12

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 2—Knowledge of the profession and foundations of early childhood (PreK–3) education

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

According to Jean Piaget's theory of intellectual development, children in the preoperational level engage in transductive reasoning. Which of the following is an example of how a child thinks during this stage?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: B.

Question 13

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 2—Knowledge of the profession and foundations of early childhood (PreK–3) education

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

The belief that basic needs must be met before higher level needs can develop is generally associated with the theories of

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: A.

Question 14

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 2—Knowledge of the profession and foundations of early childhood (PreK–3) education

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following was an early proponent of the idea that young children learn best through active engagement with developmentally appropriate materials?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: A.

Question 15

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 2—Knowledge of the profession and foundations of early childhood (PreK–3) education

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Children need to experience the physical representation of numbers before they can understand the symbolic representation, according to the theory of

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: D.

Question 16

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 2—Knowledge of the profession and foundations of early childhood (PreK–3) education

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

The "hundred languages of children" is a basic philosophy of which curriculum model?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: A.

Question 17

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 2—Knowledge of the profession and foundations of early childhood (PreK–3) education

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which organization has advocacy for children and families as its primary goal?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: A.

Question 18

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 2—Knowledge of the profession and foundations of early childhood (PreK–3) education

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

The organization that specifically states its commitment to promoting quality care and education for young children and their families is the

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: A.

Question 19

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 2—Knowledge of the profession and foundations of early childhood (PreK–3) education

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Identifying children's speech and language disorders is the responsibility of

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: A.

Question 20

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 3—Knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A primary teacher wants the students to transition to the next activity. Which of the following is the best strategy for accomplishing this goal?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: C.

Question 21

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 3—Knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A kindergarten teacher is developing a unit on weather. Which of the following strategies should be utilized first when planning the unit?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: B.

Question 22

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 3—Knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Mrs. Kern is finding it difficult to teach her first graders how to pronounce words correctly when reading aloud in leveled texts during guided reading groups. The best basic approach would be to have the children

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: D.

Question 23

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 3—Knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following first-grade activities best describes a developmentally appropriate practice?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
Correct Response: C.

Question 24

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 3—Knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following practices by a kindergarten teacher would best facilitate students' transition from one activity to another?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: C.

Question 25

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 3—Knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

If a 3-year-old child is having difficulty working with and completing puzzles, what materials are most appropriate to help this child acquire the skill?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: D.

Question 26

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 3—Knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Mr. Reed notices that some of his kindergarten students always go to the block center during free choice time. To encourage them to spend time at other centers, he should

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: A.

Question 27

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 3—Knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A second-grade teacher observes that several students are having difficulty with rhyming patterns. Which of the following would be the most effective grouping strategy to ensure that all students master this objective?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: C.

Question 28

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 3—Knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following is the most accurate statement about daily schedules for 3- to 5-year-old students?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: B.

Question 29

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 3—Knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Kevin and Jill are prekindergarten students. During play, Kevin plans, shares, and organizes members of the group in play scenarios around themes or goals. Jill follows other children and imitates their play behavior, but she does not interact with the other children. From these descriptions, it can be inferred that Kevin is in the cooperative stage of play and Jill is in the

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: C.

Question 30

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 3—Knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following is the best approach for adults to use in order to build nurturing and trusting relationships with pre-kindergarten students?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: A.

Question 31

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 3—Knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A student struggling in math is receiving intensive, individualized interventions. Which of the following documents provides the most reliable evidence that these interventions are effective?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: C.

Question 32

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 4—Knowledge of developmentally appropriate curricula

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Third graders are writing stories about their family members. Which of the following accommodations would be most beneficial for several beginner-level English language learners in the class?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
Correct Response: C.

Question 33

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 4—Knowledge of developmentally appropriate curricula

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Listening skills are best achieved through which of the following activities?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: B.

Question 34

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 4—Knowledge of developmentally appropriate curricula

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A first-grade class is having difficulty with reading comprehension. Which of the following centers would be best for developing comprehension skills?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: B.

Question 35

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 4—Knowledge of developmentally appropriate curricula

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following activities would best improve preschoolers' hand-eye coordination and development of finger muscles?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: D.

Question 36

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 4—Knowledge of developmentally appropriate curricula

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A first-grade teacher used an approach in which she focused instruction on students' internalizing regular patterns of spelling-sound correspondence. This approach is known as

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: D.

Question 37

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 4—Knowledge of developmentally appropriate curricula

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A first grader is reading a self-selected story about trucks. She easily comprehends the story, but she stumbles on the word tire and asks her teacher for help. The teacher should respond by

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: D.

Question 38

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 4—Knowledge of developmentally appropriate curricula

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Mrs. Bunker, a prekindergarten teacher, is planning a unit for Fire Safety Week. Which activity would be most developmentally appropriate for teaching her students fire safety concepts?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: A.

Question 39

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 5—Knowledge of developmentally appropriate intervention strategies and resources available to meet the needs of all students

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following components of effective co-teaching is most likely to positively impact student learning?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
Correct Response: A.

Question 40

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 5—Knowledge of developmentally appropriate intervention strategies and resources available to meet the needs of all students

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A kindergarten student with cognitive delays due to prenatal drug exposure would likely benefit most from a(an)

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
Correct Response: A.

Question 41

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 5—Knowledge of developmentally appropriate intervention strategies and resources available to meet the needs of all students

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

According to most research on second language acquisition, kindergarten students who speak a language other than English should receive reading instruction

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: A.

Question 42

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 6—Knowledge of diagnosis, assessment, and evaluation

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following is the most appropriate approach for facilitating preschool students’ pretend play in the classroom?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: A.

Question 43

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 6—Knowledge of diagnosis, assessment, and evaluation

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Students and teachers would collect samples of the students' best work to create a

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: A.

Question 44

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 6—Knowledge of diagnosis, assessment, and evaluation

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

At the beginning of the year, a third-grade teacher should use what information to plan for her students' reading instruction?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: A.

Question 45

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 6—Knowledge of diagnosis, assessment, and evaluation

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A third-grade teacher has given several 10-item mathematics tests. The test scores do not seem to be consistent from one test to another. To improve the reliability of the tests, which change should the teacher make?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: C.

Question 46

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 6—Knowledge of diagnosis, assessment, and evaluation

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

The most effective type of assessment for determining first-grade students' ability to recognize high frequency words is

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: C.

Question 47

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 6—Knowledge of diagnosis, assessment, and evaluation

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A second-grade teacher wants to involve students in the assessment process. She asks the students to help select samples of their best work to document their progress throughout the year. The teacher then compiles samples of each child's work, records of teacher observations, the child's self-evaluations, and all other information that aided in assessment during the year. This is an example of a(an)

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: B.

Question 48

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 6—Knowledge of diagnosis, assessment, and evaluation

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A second-grade class is using portfolios during its creative writing workshop. The most instructionally effective portfolio considering the purpose of the workshop includes

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: C.

Question 49

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 6—Knowledge of diagnosis, assessment, and evaluation

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following statements describes how anecdotal records are different from running records?

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Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: A.

Question 50

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 6—Knowledge of diagnosis, assessment, and evaluation

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following types of assessment instruments would be the most appropriate to use when measuring the skills and knowledge children have learned in first grade?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
Correct Response: A.

Question 51

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 6—Knowledge of diagnosis, assessment, and evaluation

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following is the first step in the response to intervention process?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: C.

Question 52

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 7—Knowledge of child guidance and classroom behavioral management

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A teacher can best develop children's self-confidence and positive feelings toward learning by providing activities that

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
Correct Response: D.

Question 53

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 7—Knowledge of child guidance and classroom behavioral management

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

To foster self-guidance and self-control skills in children, a teacher should provide children with

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: A.

Question 54

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 7—Knowledge of child guidance and classroom behavioral management

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

When a teacher observes a child displaying appropriate behavior and responds positively to that child, what is most likely to occur?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: A.

Question 55

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 7—Knowledge of child guidance and classroom behavioral management

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

It is time for students to put away materials and return to their seats. One student does not like to help with this task. What strategy can the teacher employ to improve the student's behavior?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: A.

Question 56

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 7—Knowledge of child guidance and classroom behavioral management

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following teacher strategies is most effective for guiding children's behavior and responding to challenging behaviors?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: C.

Question 57

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 7—Knowledge of child guidance and classroom behavioral management

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Two kindergarten students get into an argument during playtime and do not want to play with each other any longer. It is important for the teacher to

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: C.

Question 58

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 7—Knowledge of child guidance and classroom behavioral management

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Two second graders are arguing while waiting in line. The confrontation becomes physical as the students push each other. The best way for the teacher to manage this situation would be to

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: D.

Question 59

Developmental Knowledge Subtest

Competency 7—Knowledge of child guidance and classroom behavioral management

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A child has been identified as a victim of abuse. The child subsequently was removed from her home. The teacher should help in this situation by

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: D.