Foundations of Reading 890
What is the Foundations of Reading 890?
The Foundations of Reading (890) is a teacher licensure exam administered by Pearson through the National Evaluation Series (NES). It replaced the NES 190 in states that transitioned to the NES in [State] registration portal. The test content is identical to the 190 — same questions, same format, same timing. The only difference is the test code and where you register.
If you are searching for a Foundations of reading 890 pdf to study from, keep reading. This guide covers the full test framework, and we have a Foundations of reading 890 pdf free download at the bottom of this page.
Test at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Test Code | 890 — Foundations of Reading |
| Administered By | Pearson Foundations of Reading (890) through the NES program |
| Format | 100 multiple-choice questions + 2 open-response written assignments |
| Testing Time | 4 hours |
| Appointment Time | 4h 15m (testing center) · 4h 30m (online proctored) |
| Fee | $139 |
| Online Proctoring | Available — 15-min break between MC and written sections |
| Score Scale | 100–300 |
| Retake Policy | 30-day wait · No limit on attempts |
Passing scores by state
The 890 uses different passing scores depending on your state. Confirm yours before you register.
| State | Passing Score |
|---|---|
| Alabama | 233 |
| Arkansas | 233 |
| Connecticut | 240 |
| Mississippi | 240 |
| New Hampshire | 240 |
| North Carolina | 240 |
| Ohio | 220 |
| Rhode Island | 240 |
| Utah | 240 |
| Wisconsin | 240 |
| National Benchmark | 240 |
890 vs. 190 — what changed?
| Feature | NES 190 | NES 890 |
|---|---|---|
| Test content | 100 MC + 2 written | Identical |
| Timing | 4 hours | Identical |
| Scoring | 100–300 scale | Identical |
| Registration | Standard NES site | NES in [State] portal |
| Test code | 190 | 890 |
If you studied for the 190, you are already prepared for the 890. Same test, different code.
The five subareas
| Subarea | Name | Weight | Objectives | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | Foundations of Reading Development | 35% | 1–4 | 43–45 MC |
| II | Development of Reading Comprehension | 27% | 5–7 | 33–35 MC |
| III | Reading Assessment and Instruction | 18% | 8–9 | 21–23 MC |
| IV | Foundational Reading Skills | 10% | 10 | 1 written |
| V | Reading Comprehension | 10% | 11 | 1 written |
Subarea I: Foundations of Reading Development (35%)
This is the largest section. It covers four objectives and makes up more than a third of your score.
Objective 1 — Phonological and Phonemic Awareness
| Concept | What to know |
|---|---|
| Phonological Awareness | Hearing and manipulating sound structures — words, syllables, onset-rime |
| Phonemic Awareness | Specific type: individual phonemes (smallest sound units) |
| Key Tasks | Isolation, blending, segmentation, deletion, substitution |
| Alphabetic Principle | Letters represent sounds in a predictable way |
| Concepts of Print | Directionality, spacing, word boundaries, print carries meaning |
Objective 2 — Phonics and Spelling
| Concept | What to know |
|---|---|
| Systematic Explicit Phonics | Logical sequence, directly taught — not discovered |
| CVC / CVCe / Vowel Teams | cat → make → rain — common word patterns |
| Digraphs vs. Blends | Digraph = one sound (sh, ch). Blend = each letter sounds (bl, str). |
| High-Frequency Words | Taught for automatic recognition (the, was, said) |
| Encoding ↔ Decoding | Spelling reinforces phonics. Analyze spelling to assess phonics. |
Objective 3 — Word Analysis and Morphemic Analysis
| Concept | What to know |
|---|---|
| Morphemes | Smallest units of meaning: base words, roots, prefixes, suffixes |
| Inflectional Suffixes | Don't change part of speech: -s, -ed, -ing |
| Derivational Suffixes | Change part of speech: -tion (verb→noun), -able (verb→adj) |
| Six Syllable Types | Closed, open, vowel team, CVCe, r-controlled, consonant-le |
Objective 4 — Reading Fluency
| Concept | What to know |
|---|---|
| Three Indicators | Accuracy, rate, prosody |
| Prosody | Phrasing, stress, intonation — bridge between fluency and comprehension |
| Automaticity | Word recognition without conscious effort |
| Build Fluency With | Repeated reading, modeled reading, echo reading, wide reading |
Subarea II: Development of Reading Comprehension (27%)
Objective 5 — Academic Language and Vocabulary
| Tier | Type | Example | Instruction Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Everyday words | cat, run, happy | Low — learned through conversation |
| Tier 2 | Academic words | analyze, significant, contrast | Highest — teach these explicitly |
| Tier 3 | Domain-specific | photosynthesis, denominator | Teach in context as needed |
Objective 6 — Literary Text
Narrative elements: character, setting, plot, theme, point of view. Literary devices: foreshadowing, symbolism, metaphor. Three comprehension levels: literal, inferential, evaluative.
Objective 7 — Informational Text
Five text structures: chronological, compare-contrast, cause-effect, problem-solution, description. Text features: headings, captions, diagrams, indexes. Disciplinary literacy across subject areas.
Subarea III: Reading Assessment and Instruction (18%)
Assessment Types
| Type | Purpose | When |
|---|---|---|
| Screening | Identify at-risk students | Beginning of year, all students |
| Diagnostic | Pinpoint specific strengths/needs | After screening flags a concern |
| Progress Monitoring | Track response to instruction | Ongoing, frequent |
| Formative | Guide daily instruction | During instruction |
| Summative | Evaluate mastery of standards | End of unit or year |
MTSS / RTI Tiers
| Tier | Description |
|---|---|
| Tier 1 | High-quality core instruction for all students |
| Tier 2 | Small-group targeted intervention |
| Tier 3 | Intensive, individualized support |
Subareas IV and V: Written Assignments (20%)
Two written assignments, each scored 1–4. Subarea IV focuses on foundational reading skills. Subarea V focuses on reading comprehension.
The 4-Step Response Template
| Step | What to write |
|---|---|
| 1. Strength | One significant strength with specific evidence from the student data |
| 2. Need | One significant need with specific evidence |
| 3. Strategy | Name one specific instructional strategy that addresses the need |
| 4. Rationale | Explain why this strategy works for this particular student |
Use professional terminology: phonemic awareness, miscue analysis, prosody, morphemic analysis, scaffolding, gradual release of responsibility.
Foundations of Reading (890) practice test
We offer a free Foundations of Reading (890) practice test with 25 questions covering all three multiple-choice subareas. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Take the free practice test →
Our full prep program includes additional practice tests with 100 questions each, AI-graded written response practice, flashcards, and a complete study guide.
Study tips
| Tip | Why |
|---|---|
| Start with Subarea I | It is 35% of your score — the biggest section by far |
| Learn the terminology | The exam tests whether you know the names, not just the ideas |
| Practice written responses | The two essays are 20% of your score and require a specific structure |
| Choose the most structured answer | The exam favors explicit, systematic, evidence-based instruction |
| Avoid "always" and "never" | Answer choices with absolutes are almost always wrong |
| Budget 90 sec per MC question | Leaves 45–50 min per written assignment |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 890 the same as the 190?
Yes. Same content, same format, same timing. The 890 is the test code used when registering through the NES in [State] portal instead of the standard NES site.
Where do I register for the 890?
Through the National Evaluation Series in [Your State] page on the Pearson Foundations of Reading (890) registration site. Not the standard NES 190 page.
Is there a free study guide PDF?
Yes. We offer a Foundations of reading 890 pdf free reference guide that covers the test format, all five subareas, and the open-response template. Enter your email below to download it.
What is the passing score?
Depends on your state. Ohio is 220. Alabama and Arkansas are 233. Most other states require 240.
Can I take it online?
Yes. Online proctoring is available with a 15-minute break between the MC and written sections. You need a private room, webcam, microphone, and stable internet.
How do I prepare?
Start with Subarea I (35% of the score). Use our free Foundations of reading 890 pdf free download to cover the key concepts, then take the free 25-question practice test to identify your weak areas.