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How To Study For (And Pass) The RICA

The RICA is a teacher certification exam in California that assesses your ability to teach reading to elementary-age students.

Preparing for the RICA is extremely important because this is a challenging test. You need to know how to pass the exam and what resources you should use to prepare. You will also need to know how to use the resources and how much to study. This article will answer all your questions and help you on the path to passing the RICA written exam.

So, are you ready to learn how to prepare for the RICA? Great! Let’s get started.

How Hard is the RICA?

The RICA written exam is a focused test that covers reading instruction and had a 71.9% cumulative passing rate for 2019-2020, but the passing rate for first-time examinees is only 60.3%. This test is hard, and preparation is key!

How Do You Pass the RICA?

In order to pass the RICA, you need to earn a score of 220 on each of the three subtests. Each subtest is scored separately. Passing status is based on total subtest performance. Subtest I and II each include 35 multiple-choice questions and 2 constructed-response questions. Subtest III includes 25 multiple-choice questions and 1 constructed-response question.

Check out this article for more scoring information.

Where Do You Find Resources for the RICA?

The RICA written exam offers fewer resources than most certification exams. There are some online resources, such as the testing website, and then there are study guides that cover the actual test material, such as 240 Tutoring. When looking at study guides, make sure that they prepare you for both the multiple-choice questions and the essays. The RICA Practice Test and Prep Page is a great place to start!

What Are the Best Resources to Use for RICA?

The best resources for the RICA written exam cover two different things: testing logistics and test material. The testing website covers logistics such as registration, test scores, and brief information about the essay questions. The best resource for study material is 240 Tutoring . This site covers all you need to know by starting with a free practice test and then providing information to study along with flashcards and practice questions.

Where Do You Find Study Guides for the RICA?

There are study guides and online tips for the RICA test. The best study guide will provide two things: a pretest to determine what topics you already know and information about the essay questions. 240 Tutoring covers both of these. The pretest will help guide your studying and the essay questions will be easier if you are prepared.

How Do You Use Study Guides to Study for the RICA?

The best way to use a study guide is to review the provided information and study the flashcards. After you feel confident with the material, answer the practice questions. If you do well on those, you’ve mastered the material. 240 Tutoring has worked hard to develop clear, step-by-step CSET study guides to help you prepare. Check out this video to learn more about the process.

How Do You Study for the RICA?

The best way to study for the RICA is to plan ahead. You need time to review the material, complete practice questions, and write sample essays. You must first study the material, as it plays a part in both types of questions.

There’s a lot to cover as you study for this exam! Five different domains, 15 competencies, and five constructed-response questions . Plan for plenty of time to cover it all!

When Should You Start Studying for the RICA?

You should start studying for the RICA about two months before the exam. This will give you a week or two to study each domain plus time to review. If you spend a week on each of the five domains, two weeks preparing for the essays, and one week reviewing all the material, you will be prepared.

How Much Should You Study for the RICA?

The RICA is difficult and will demand some serious study time. You should plan on spending an hour or two every day for about eight weeks to fully prepare. Taking a diagnostic test before you begin will help you know how much time you should spend studying. Head to 240 Tutoring’s website to take their practice test for free and begin your studying.

Check out all of our free CTC, CBEST, and CSET study resources now!

About the author: Kayman McIver

Kayman is a science teacher with 13 years of experience. She loves the world of education and is thrilled to help others join the field. Her other loves include running, hand lettering, and quirky middle schoolers.

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RICA Written Exam Subtest 1

What is rica written exam subtest 1.

The RICA written exam contains subtest 1, as well as subtests 2 and 3. “RICA” stands for Reading Instruction Competency Assessment.

RICA subtest 1 assesses teaching skills and strategies in the subject area of reading. There are 35 multiple-choice questions in subtest 1, in addition to two open-response style questions.

The multiple choice questions will cover concepts like phonetic and phonemic awareness, knowledge of words and syllables, alphabetic and letter recognition, sight words, and word analysis.

What does subtest 1 assess?

The RICA written exam subtest 1 tests your pedagogical skills in understanding how children learn how to read.

Which of the following words are homophones?

A. sea and sea

B. sight and smell

C. able and table

D. command and submit

Homophones are words that sound the same, but are spelled differently and have different meanings.

The correct answer is A. See and sea have the same sound and the same phonetic units. However, one refers to a human sense and the other refers to a body of water.

Which one of the words below does not contain a digraph?

A digraph is a combination or vowels or consonants that form a single sound.

You should choose answer D. The word shy has the “sh” digraph, the word church has the “ch” digraph” and the word think has the “th” digraph. The word hat can be pronounced phonetically, letter by letter.

Which one of the following best describes words that are learned through memorization, without phonics or other decoding strategies?

A. academic language

B. semi-phonetic words

C. functional language

D. sight words

The use of flashcards is particularly effective when teaching this type of vocabulary.

The correct answer is D. Sight words include some of the most commonly-used words in the English language. A child should learn these words by sight and be able to recognize them within a few seconds.

Teaching Methods

Pronunciation.

Certain students in a second grade class are doing very well with sounding out letters and blending words. The words that they do best with are those that have simple individual-vowel phonics patterns. The teacher wants the whole class to start to develop whole-word reading of these types of words. Which approach would be the best to help achieve this goal?

A. have the children practice reading silently at home under parental supervision

B. have the teacher read aloud from a list and have students repeat certain words which the teacher models individually

C. have the teacher read the children’s favorite stories aloud, followed by a choral reading of segments of the story by the entire class

D. the teacher provides modeling, then helps students sound out words quietly on an individual basis, before students begin to read the words aloud

Remember that students will need to work alone at some point to build their confidence and phonetic awareness.

The correct answer is D. The pronunciation of words sub-vocally by each individual student will be most effective in achieving the goal of whole-word reading.

Which of the following would best support students learning to read aloud with the correct intonation and pronunciation?

A. have each student take turns reading parts of a story aloud

B. have the students listen to a recording of the text as they follow along in their books

C. have the students listen to the teacher read the story

D. have the students listen to brief excerpts of the text and then echo read them with the teacher

Which of the above strategies would give the child the most confidence, while making them feel least exposed to the embarrassment of making mistakes?

The correct answer is D. Echo reading with the teacher will give the students the chance to pronounce new words within the confidence of a group setting.

Which of the words below best describes the stage of language learning in which a child begins to add rules and patterns to their knowledge of spelling as they get progress through school?

A. literacy

B. phonetic

C. transitional

D. communicative

Bear in mind that in this stage, the child is getting ready to take on new challenges and move on towards the next level.

The correct answer is C. This stage is called the transitional stage because the child is less reliant upon phonetics to pronounce words, and the child begins to make progress with relating sounds to letters by means of visual cues.

RICA Constructed Response Questions on Subtest 1

The constructed response section of the RICA exam is quite different to the multiple choice part.

In the constructed response part, you will have to answer a question in your own words.

The question will present a teaching scenario, and you will need to say what you would do in that particular situation.

A first-grade teacher reads aloud to a group of ten children every day. As she reads the story for each day, she points to the first letter of each word and encourages children to repeat the sound with her as a group. She them has each individual student repeat the sound on their own.

Based on your knowledge of teaching reading skills, write a response in which you indicate:

• what aspect of reading skills the teacher is focusing on
• the purpose and effectiveness of her strategies

Essay writing practice

RICA Subtest 2

Rica Subtest 2 assesses the domains of academic language, vocabulary, background knowledge, and reading comprehension. Vocabulary, Academic Language, Background Knowledge, and Comprehension. It contains 35 multiple choice questions and two essays, one of which is a short 150-word response piece, and the other of which is a longer 2200-word piece.

What’s on RICA Subtest 3

You will need to know how to plan, organize, and manage reading instruction based on ongoing assessment for subtest 3, so be sure to brush up on assessment methodologies for this subtest.

More RICA written exam subtest 1 practice

For the free official practice test for the RICA written exam, please click on the link below.

Official RICA Subtest 1 Sample

RICA and the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment are trademarks of the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) and Pearson Inc, which are not affiliated with nor endorse these practice tests.

• RICA: Understanding the Case Study Section
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For this last and longest essay, you will be given six to eight pages of information about a student, including background, samples and assessments, worksheets, and teacher and parent comments and evaluations. You will use this information to write a 300-word case study in which you assess the student's reading performance, describe and prescribe instructional strategies and activities, and explain why your prescribed strategies and activities would be effective.

Keep these tips in mind as you prepare for this section of the exam:

Give yourself at least an hour to look through the materials, make notes, and write the essay.

Answer all the tasks given. It's easy to skip a part under the time pressure — for example, describing activities but forgetting to explain why they will be effective.

Refer to the tasks to make sure that your answer is focused. Marking the tasks will help in maintaining focus.

Using specific assessments, activities, materials, and key words ("buzzwords") that are used in the field can help display your knowledge of a subject.

Keep track of your time. Pace yourself. Leave time to briefly scan your essay to make sure you've answered the given tasks.

Look for major errors in focus. Don't be overly concerned with minor spelling or grammatical errors.

When you get down to actually writing the essay, keep this strategy in mind to create a well-constructed case study that touches on all the necessary topics:

When you write your analysis of the case study, first describe the student's strengths and cite the pieces of data that led you to the conclusion that those were strengths.

Next, do the same for the weaknesses: Explain what the weaknesses are and cite the data that showed that they were weaknesses.

Finally, write your recommendations for instructional strategies and activities to meet the student's strengths and weaknesses. Describe what the strategy and/or activity is and how it works. Give your rationale for why you selected that specific strategy or activity for that student. You want to answer the questions, "What would you do about it?" and "How would you do it?"

Important note: The more specific you can be, the better your score will be. If you can name specific programs or assessments that address the student's weaknesses, you should. It is also helpful to give the names of specific types of materials or titles of books to use as examples. If you aren't sure that a specific program or assessment actually addresses the specific need, then don't mention it; it's better to be general than to be inaccurate.

Which of the following inequalities will have a closed half‐plane with shading above and to the right of the boundary?

2 x + 3 y ≤ 6

2 x – 3 y < 6, 2 x – 3 y ≤ 6.

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📑 Rica Flashcards

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Subtest 1 Study Guide

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Rica Subtest 1 Overview

Phonological and Phonemic Awareness

Phonological and Phonemic Awareness Quiz

Concepts About Print, Letter Recognition, and the Alphabetic Principle

Concepts About Print, Letter Recognition, and the Alphabetic Principle Quiz

Phonics and Sight Words: Terminology and Concepts

Phonics and Sight Words: Terminology and Concepts Quiz

Phonics and Sight Words: Instruction and Assessment

Phonics and Sight Words: Instruction and Assessment Quiz

Syllabic Analysis, Structural Analysis, and Orthographic Knowledge

Syllabic Analysis, Structural Analysis, and Orthographic Knowledge Quiz

Fluency: Role in Reading Development

Fluency: Role in Reading Development Quiz

Fluency: Instruction and Assessment

Fluency: Instruction and Assessment Quiz

Subtest 1 Essay Introduction

Subtest 1 Short Essay Workshop

Subtest 1 Long Essay Workshop

Subtest 1 Multiple-Choice Practice Test

Subtest 1 Practice Essay Questions

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💡 Rica Subtest 2 Prep

Subtest 2 Study Guide

Rica Subtest 2 Workbook

Rica Subtest 2 Overview

Vocabulary, Academic Language, and Background Knowledge: Role in Reading Development

Vocabulary, Academic Language, and Background Knowledge: Role in Reading Development Quiz

Vocabulary, Academic Language, and Background Knowledge: Instruction and Assessment

Vocabulary, Academic Language, and Background Knowledge: Instruction and Assessment Quiz

Comprehension: Concepts and Factors

Comprehension: Concepts and Factors Quiz

Comprehension: Instruction and Assessment

Comprehension: Instruction and Assessment Quiz

Comprehension: Narrative Texts

Comprehension: Narrative Texts Quiz

Comprehension: Informational Texts

Comprehension: Informational Texts Quiz

Subtest 2 Essay Introduction

Subtest 2 Short Essay Workshop

Subtest 2 Long Essay Workshop

Subtest 2 Multiple-Choice Practice Test

Subtest 2 Practice Essay Questions

💡 Rica Subtest 3 Prep

Subtest 3 Study Guide

Rica Subtest 3 Workbook

Rica Subtest 3 Overview

Planning, Organizing, and Managing Reading Instruction

Planning, Organizing, and Managing Reading Instruction Quiz

Reading Assessment

Reading Assessment Quiz

Subtest 3 Case Study Introduction

Subtest 3 Case Study Map

Subtest 3 Case Study Workshop

Subtest 3 Multiple-Choice Practice Test

Subtest 3 Practice Case Study

🎧 Rica Test Podcast!

Rica Subtest 1 Podcast

Rica Subtest 2 Podcast

Rica Subtest 3 Podcast

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RICA Exam Practice Test 2023

Reading Instruction Competence Assessment is a written exam that measures an educator’s understanding of teaching reading to students. It is administered by National Evaluation Systems, a division of Pearson Education. The test covers several domains, including content standards.

Syllabic analysis is the study of syllable types and division patterns. This knowledge helps students decode words. It also helps readers access meaning while reading.

Free RICA Practice Test Online

How to pass the rica exam.

The RICA exam is a difficult test that requires significant study time. Luckily, there are many resources available for students who want to prepare to pass the test. Many of these are free, including the practice tests on 240 Tutoring. The practice tests will help you understand what to expect on the actual exam and identify your weak areas.

The first subtest of the RICA is the multiple-choice section, which includes 35 questions. This section is the most difficult part of the test. It can be very hard for new teachers to pass this section, especially if they aren’t familiar with the reading strategies and methods that they should use in their classrooms.

Another important factor is understanding how to prepare for the constructed-response questions. These questions are similar to essay questions and require an extended response. In order to successfully complete this section, you should know how to teach the various reading skills to young children. To do this, you should understand the principles of balanced and comprehensive instruction. This teaching strategy is based on the gradual release of the responsibility model, where students learn a skill in a series of lessons before they are ready to take it on independently.

How to Study for the RICA Exam

The RICA exam is a requirement for teachers seeking to obtain licensure in California. It assesses candidates’ ability to teach children reading and writing. It includes multiple-choice questions and two written-response essays. Those who do not pass the exam will be unable to earn their license.

The sad truth is that thousands of people fail the RICA test each year and get ‘banned’ from pursuing their teaching passion. They put their career on hold for months, years or even forever!

Unlike big name, generic study guides sold at Amazon and Barnes and Noble, this program covers ALL the framework the official website clearly outlines is tested (with razor sharp precision). The filler content and ‘throat-clearing’ jibber-jabber that avalanches most fail candidates was completely removed.

More than 10 hours of engaging videos and deconstructed multiple-choice practice questions are designed to make difficult content easy to absorb. The course also offers numerous classroom activities and strategies that can be applied to the case study and writing-response sections of the RICA test.

RICA Exam Prep

RICA is a difficult exam and you need to prepare thoroughly for it. It is also important to understand the test-taking strategies that are necessary for success on this exam. This course teaches you the latest test-taking tips and helps you master all of the concepts needed for passing RICA. It contains over 10 hours of engaging videos that make the content easy to absorb and practice. Moreover, it includes multiple-choice practice questions and detailed explanations of answers.

The first step to preparing for the RICA is studying the domains and learning the vocabulary terms you will encounter on the exam. You should also focus on reading the case study sections and writing the constructed-response questions. To ensure that you are ready to take the RICA, it is a good idea to enroll in a RICA preparation class offered by a reputable provider.

The CSUB Extended Education program offers a one-day, five-hour review session for teacher credential candidates to support Intern success on the RICA written examination. The workshop is designed to provide guidance on how to best prepare for the multiple-choice questions and the short and long answer essays.

RICA Exam Results

The RICA is the California teacher credentialing exam that tests a candidate’s knowledge of reading instruction. It is offered year round in a computer based format and is administered by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) and the Evaluation Systems group of Pearson. The exam consists of a written test and a video performance assessment. Applicants have 3 hours and 45 minutes to complete the test.

During the RICA exam, students are tested on five domains. Each domain contains multiple choice questions. The first two domains cover phonics and phonological awareness , while the other three focus on fluency. In order to pass the exam, candidates must score 220 or higher.

In the phonics domain, students are assessed on their ability to decode words by recognizing speech sounds and understanding the syntax of the sentences in which these sounds appear. This is important because if the reader takes too long to decode a word, they may lose the meaning of the passage. This is why it is important for readers to practice their phonics skills in various settings.

RICA Exam Study Guide

The RICA exam is a written examination that requires teachers to demonstrate their knowledge of reading instruction and how to teach it. It covers five domains and includes both multiple choice questions and a case study. The exam is available online and can be taken in either English or Spanish. A passing score on the RICA is required to become a certified teacher in California.

Domain 4 of the RICA written exam covers strategies for teaching reading skills , such as decoding, phonics, and sight word automaticity. It also covers comprehension and vocabulary development. It tests the test taker’s ability to use vocabulary, academic language, and background knowledge to promote reading development. This subtest also includes a 30- to 60-word written response to a case study.

To prepare for the RICA written exam, 240 Tutoring offers a comprehensive study guide that contains all of the content necessary to pass. It includes practice tests, review material, and test-taking tips. It also includes detailed answer explanations to help the test taker understand why they missed a question. This helps them improve their study habits and avoid common mistakes.

Schedule RICA Exam

If you’re planning to take the RICA exam, you should know that you can schedule your test online. You can do this from your California Educator Credentialing Assessments account. You can also find information online about submission deadlines for the written and video exams.

The RICA exam is required for candidates who want to obtain a Multiple Subject teaching credential or an Education Specialist Instruction credential. Its purpose is to ensure that these teachers have the knowledge needed to teach reading to students. Its content focuses on various aspects of reading instruction, including comprehension, vocabulary, and fluency.

The exam has three subtests, each of which contains 25 multiple-choice questions and one case study. The first, Domain 1, focuses on the impact of language development on reading achievement. It also covers phonological awareness and phonemic awareness. It also covers the use of research-based, systematic, explicit instruction to meet students’ needs. The second subtest, Domain 2, focuses on the role of vocabulary, academic language , and background knowledge in student reading comprehension. It also addresses the importance of scaffolding.

RICA Exam Registration

The RICA exam is a requirement for California teachers seeking Multiple Subject and Education Specialist Instruction Credentials. The test measures a candidate’s knowledge of the content-pedagogy of reading instruction at various levels. The RICA is administered via written examination or video performance exam. Testing dates and score reporting vary between the two methods. Applicants can register for the RICA by visiting the California Educator Credentialing Assessments website.

Passage rates for the RICA are low, which is troubling because the state needs more teachers to meet the demands of students in California schools. The RICA exam is a difficult one to pass and it’s important to prepare adequately for the test. There are many ways to prepare for the RICA, including a review course and practice tests.

The test is composed of three subtests, each with 35 questions and a constructed-response question. The first subtest focuses on word analysis and fluency. The second subtest covers vocabulary, academic language and background knowledge. The third subtest contains a case study and is worth 20 percent of the total score.

RICA Exam Tips

The RICA exam is a written test for teachers who are seeking to become certified in California. It is designed to ensure that candidates for Multiple Subject Teaching Credentials and Education Specialist Instruction Credentials possess the knowledge and skills necessary for providing effective reading instruction to students. The examination contains both multiple-choice and constructed-response questions. The exam is scored using a focused  holistic scoring  system. The answers to the constructed-response questions are scored by qualified California educators. The RICA Exam has five domains, each of which is covered by a different section of the exam. It is recommended that examinees familiarize themselves with the Content Specifications for each of these sections in order to better understand the material and the question types that are likely to be included on the exam.

The first step in preparing for the RICA exam is to identify the areas on which you need to focus your studies. You can do this by studying the content in your school’s textbooks, teacher guides and other resources. It is also a good idea to read articles from local, state and national professional organizations.

Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) Questions and Answers

You must achieve a score of 220 on each of the three subtests in order to pass the RICA. Each subtest receives a unique score. Based on overall subtest results, a test is considered passed.

Making a plan is the most effective way to study for the RICA. It takes time to go over the course material, finish practice exercises, and draft sample essays. The subject matter must be studied initially because it is a factor in both types of questions.

The RICA exam assesses—the candidate’s proficiency in teaching reading for the Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and Education Specialist Instruction Credential.

The RICA is difficult and will require a significant amount of study time.

The format and quantity of subtests you take will determine how long the RICA written exam lasts. If you take the test that is online-proctored, you must complete each subtest separately, which takes an hour and fifteen minutes for the first two subtests and an hour and thirty minutes for the final subtest, in addition to the fifteen minutes required for the tutorial and nondisclosure agreements. You can select to take one, two, or all three subtests in a single session if you take the computer-based test at a testing facility. Each subtest has the same time limit as the online-proctored test, but if you take more than one, you get a 15-minute break in between them. Therefore, if you take all three subtests at once, the maximum test time for the RICA written examination is 4 hours and 15 minutes. More details on the RICA exam can be found in various sources or on the official website.

You must register for a free MyNCIDQ account on the official website before you can take the RICA exam. The written examination and the video performance assessment are your two assessment alternatives. You must fulfill the prerequisites for education and job experience for both selections, as well as pay a registration fee. The cost of registering for the written test is $57 per subtest, and the cost of registering for the video performance evaluation is $752.

You can re-register and retake the written exam if you failed the first time. You can also sign up for and complete the RICA Video Performance Assessment.

Anyone may take the RICA exam at any time; however, teachers should make sure they have a passing score before they complete their Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential Program in order to prepare to obtain a full-time teaching post.

The RICA requirement typically applies to candidates who complete programs for a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential or an Education Specialist Instruction Credential at authorized California colleges or universities or through district intern programs.

Pass RICA Subtest 1

Everything you need to ace your exam.

Welcome to RICA Subtest 1!

If you need to pass RICA Subtest 1, you’re in the right place!

To begin, let’s examine the structure of Subtest 1.

The table below shows that Subtest 1 is comprised of reading

Domain 2: Word Analysis

• Domain 3: Fluency.

Between these two domains, there are a total of seven reading competencies to know that will be covered with 35 multiple-choice questions.

Subtest 1 also includes a total of two essays, or constructed-response questions, that you’re asked to compose a 150- to 300-word response for Domain 2’s question and a 75- to 125-word response for Domain 3’s question, respectively.

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Master rica test topics by starting with our free practice test, how to study for subtest 1.

You’ve landed on this page because you need to take and pass the RICA Subtest 1, right? Great! If you need to get 100% prepared, enroll into our full test prep now .

This site is dedicated to helping you pass your RICA Test on your next try, and in this article, we’ll breakdown the topics that you can expect to see in Subtest 1.

By the end of this article, you will have a firm grasp for the content that you’ll need to know in order to pass. Then, at the bottom, we present our test preparation material to help you get started studying the right material.

Quick Overview

Scroll through the images below to better understand Subtest 1. Then, keep reading below for an in-depth look at what to expect to see on your exam, and how to pass it.

Subtest 1 - About

Purpose : The purpose of Subtest 1 is to make certain that California educators are trained in and capable of providing students with the knowledge and skills to learn the important skills of reading. Teachers need to be well versed in providing effective reading instruction.

Multiple-choice questions : All multiple-choice questions are designed with four possible answers, but only one is the best choice. It is important to read all of the available options and to select the best option, as there is no penalty for guessing. Some multiple-choice questions include graphs, tables, charts, journal entries and other illustrations or diagrams, and you will want to quickly, but carefully review all the information to select the best possible answer.

Constructed-response questions : The typical format of the constructed-response, or essay questions includes the given information pertaining to and about a student’s reading ability using a real-life situation, along with supplementary information in the form of charts and/or diagrams. The test taker is then asked to discuss, describe, analyze, explain, or evaluate the given information and present a logical response, based on best practices for reading instruction.

Reaching a score of 220 is considered a pass for each RICA subtest.

• For multiple-choice questions: scored electronically and tallied based on the number of questions answered correctly.
• For constructed-response questions: A trained person judges the overall effectiveness of the response, according to the characteristics of reading instruction practices, teacher modeling, and student practice.

What Do You Need To Study?

• Competency 3 : Phonological and Phonemic Awareness
• Competency 4 : Concepts About Print, Letter Recognition, and the Alphabetic Principle
• Competency 5 : Phonics and Sight Words: Terminology and Concepts
• Competency 6 : Phonics and Sight Words: Instruction and Assessment
• Competency 7 : Syllabic Analysis, Structural Analysis, and Orthographic Knowledge
• Competency 8 : Fluency: Role in Reading Development and Factors That Affect The Development of Fluency
• Competency 9 : Fluency: Instruction and Assessment

Subtest 1 - Best Strategy

Subtest 1 - overview.

Below, you will find the competencies that make up each of the domains that you must  know to pass subtest 1:

Competency 3 : Understand the role of phonological and phonemic awareness in reading development and how to develop students’ phonological and phonemic awareness skills.

Competency 4 : Understand the role of concepts about print, letter recognition, and the alphabetic principle in reading development and how to develop students’ knowledge and skills in these areas.

Competency 5 : Understand important terminology and concepts involved in phonics instruction and recognize the role of phonics and sight words in reading development.

Competency 6 : Understand how to develop students’ phonics knowledge and skills and recognition of sight words to promote accurate word analysis that leads to automaticity in word recognition and contributes to spelling development.

Competency 7 : Understand the role of syllabic and structural analysis and orthographic knowledge in reading development and how to develop students’ knowledge and skills in these areas to promote accurate word analysis that leads to automaticity in word recognition and contributes to spelling development.

Domain 3: Fluency

Competency 8 : Understand the role of fluency in reading development and factors that affect students’ development of fluency.

Competency 9 : Understand how to promote students’ fluency development.

How Long Should You Study For?

Essay question study guide.

Subtest 1 includes a total of two essays, or constructed-response questions, that you’re asked to compose a 150- to 300-word response for Domain 2’s questions and a 75- to 125-word response for Domain 3’s question, respectively.

Understanding a student’s strengths and/or needs and being able to present instructional strategies and the benefits of the instructional strategies to support the student’s reading development will be a major advantage in your writing successful essays.

Subtest 1 Essay Introduction

Learn more about the two essay prompts that you will receive while taking Subtest 1 by flipping through the pages shown below.

Keep in mind, these are only a short bit about the essays. These slides are taken from our test preparation course that provides you with a complete step-by-step explanation for how to write a passing response for this section.

How To Pass The Essay Section

The written response section of Subtest 1 is often times the most feared part of the exam.

Many people feel they don’t have the confidence to write an outstanding essay response while taking a stressful exam, and others simply don’t know what to write about.

Don’t worry, because we have passing the RICA® Test down to a science.

Knowing What To Write About

Your RICA Test will present you with essays consisting of

• one focused educational problem and
• one instructional task

Make sure to read each essay prompt carefully, and think about how you will organize your responses.

According to the CTC Exams website :

“Written responses will be evaluated based on the extent to which they demonstrate knowledge and skills important for effective delivery of a balanced, comprehensive reading program.”

Finally, the administrator’s evaluation is based on performance characteristics that includes:

• Purpose : The examinee fulfills the prompt using relevant content and pedagogical knowledge.
• Application of Content : The examinee accurately and effectively applies this relevant content and pedagogical knowledge.
• Support : The examinee supports the written response with appropriate examples, evidence, and rationales based on the relevant content and pedagogical knowledge.

Essay Response Strategy

Now, let’s get into the most important section of answering your essay- creating a airtight response strategy.

You want to prepare for test day with 100% confidence that you will pass on your next try, and you will NOT have to take the time to restudy, repay, and retake this exam. It is too expensive, too time consuming, and much too important for your teaching career.

Let’s shoot for passing on your next try!

To help, we are laying out the brief, yet important, aspects to beginning to design your essay response strategy.

As we have mentioned above, these slides are taken from our on-demand online RICA® Test Prep Program, so these slides alone won’t get you to pass, but if you’re reading this, you are stepping in the right direction!

View the slides below, and let’s keep reading!

Mastering The Mindset

When writing your written response for Subtest 1, you’ll need to put your feet in the shoes of the RICA Test scorers.

• Imagine what they want to see.
• Imagine how they want you to write your essay.
• Think about what kind of formatting will make performing their job easier.

Continuing from the slides above:

Let’s begin by considering the view point of your RICA test scorers.

Remember that the RICA Test scorers are looking for your ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills for providing effective delivery using a balanced, comprehensive reading program.

Remember that balanced instruction uses reading, writing, listening and research.

Also, comprehensive instruction uses the four key components from balanced instruction to implement the gradual release of responsibility instructional strategy, which is the framework where the teacher splits a skill up in multiple lessons in order to first demonstrate how the task is most appropriately performed.

Then, the teacher and the students complete the same kind of task together,

where on the third lesson, the student’s demonstrate their ability to achieve the standard independently.

Lastly, don’t forget that these are only the first 3 steps in a cycle, where after a student completes a task independently, the teacher needs to analyze it. Then, the teacher will place the student’s score among a benchmark of meeting, not meeting, or exceeding expectations for that standard.

Use a balanced and comprehensive framework while implementing the gradual release of responsibility model for your essays.

Next, let’s discuss the mindset you should be in while writing your essay.

Your values and the RICA Test scorer values need to align.

Write using the frame of mind that you also believe reading instruction needs to be balanced.

Use RICA Test buzz words like, direct and explicit teaching that meets the needs of all learners.

And also, make it apparent that you believe and understand that the more exposure and time given to children for reading, the better.

Each of your essay prompts will be focused on real-life reading needs, and your RICA Test scorer is evaluating your written response based on your instructional strategy.

When writing your response, keep in mind that the test scorer is in the process of evaluating many other RICA Test takers essay responses.

This means write clearly, and concisely.

Use bullet points or subtitles to clearly label key points of your response.

Be direct, eliminate fluff words, and demonstrate your knowledge for reading instruction by using the actual names of the reading strategies and key words, found in the video lessons of this corresponding online test prep course.

Finally, remember to answer each part of the essay prompt!

Subtest 1 - Best Practices

Taking the RICA Written Exam is challenging, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

One of your best bets is to manipulate the things you can control to help you succeed. We recommend the following tips:

• Dress comfortably
• Get plenty of sleep the night before
• Eat a healthy meal before taking the test
• Use the bathroom before beginning the test
• Bring a bottle of water, if taking the test remotely
• Be confident in yourself, as this really matters
• If you feel yourself getting too nervous, take deep breaths to calm yourself
• Read the directions carefully and look at each word in both the question and solutions for the multiple-choice section, as well as the supplemental information for the essay questions
• Double check your answers

Written RICA Test Types

Computer-based testing.

Taken in person at a designated testing center

Breaks : You may take bathroom breaks, but the time taken during the break is considered part of the testing time

Results: Received within four weeks

Online Proctoring

Taken online with an appointed online proctor

Breaks : No breaks are allowed

Results: Received within three weeks

Pass the RICA Test

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Free RICAS Practice Test & Sample Questions – Rhode Island State Test

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This RICAS diagnostic test definitely helped to pinpoint deficiencies so I knew what to review with my child.

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RICAS Practice Test & Sample Questions for Grades 3-8 and High School

Check out Lumos Rhode Island State Test practice resources. Our expert teachers have designed hundreds of grade-specific questions in Math and English Language Arts, all aligned with the Rhode Island academic standards.

Our updated 2023-2024 RICAS practice test and sample questions include standards-aligned tech-enhanced questions that closely mirror Rhode Island State Assessment Program items, ensuring your child or student is well-prepared for the upcoming Rhode Island State assessment.

Take advantage of our FREE RICAS online practice test, which can assess your child’s or student’s Rhode Island State Assessment Program readiness in just 5 minutes! With instant results and feedback, you’ll be able to identify strengths and areas for improvement quickly. Give it a try now and help your child or student succeed.

3rd Grade RICAS Practice Tests

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2nd Grade Practice Tests

High school math courses, high school english language arts (ela) courses.

Resources To Help Students Succeed On Rhode Island State

Rhode Island State Online Test Prep Program

Standards-aligned RICAS Printed Workbook

RICAS Online Test Prep Program

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ricas test.

The RICAS, or Rhode Island Statewide Assessment Program, is a standardized test administered to students in grades 3-8 and high school in the state of Rhode Island. It measures student proficiency in English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies aligned with the Rhode Island Common Core State Standards.

How long is the RICAS test?

The duration of the RICAS test varies by grade level and subject. For example, the grade 3 ELA test is 60 minutes long, while the high school Algebra I test is 110 minutes long.

What types of questions are on the RICAS test?

The RICAS test includes a variety of question formats, including:

• Multiple-choice
• Constructed-response prompts
• Open-ended responses
• Technology-enhanced items
• Performance-based assessments (high school only)

The specific types of questions vary by grade level and subject.

How is the RICAS test scored?

The RICAS test scores are reported on a scale of 1-4, with 4 being the highest score. The score reports also include scaled scores on various subtests and performance levels based on the Rhode Island Department of Education’s established standards.

What other resources are available to help students prepare for the RICAS test?

In addition to the RICAS practice test, Lumos Learning provides a range of resources to support students in their RICAS preparation: RICAS test prep blended and online program.

Where can I find more information about the Rhode Island RICAS test?

Several resources offer detailed information about the RICAS Test:

• Rhode Island Department of Education website: https://ride.ri.gov/
• Lumos Learning website: https://www.lumoslearning.com/llwp/lumos-resources.html
• Your child’s school or district website: Frequently updated information and resources specific to your child’s school or district

When is the RICAS test administered?

The RICAS testing window typically occurs in the spring of each year, usually spanning from March to May. The specific dates vary by grade level and subject.

What are the benefits of taking the RICAS practice test?

Taking the RICAS practice test offers several advantages for students:

• Improved familiarity: Students gain familiarity with the test format, question types, and difficulty level, reducing test anxiety.
• Enhanced self-assessment: Practice tests help students identify areas of strength and weakness, allowing them to focus their study efforts effectively.
• Skill development: Students can practice answering different question formats, improve reading comprehension, critical thinking, and writing skills.

How can I access the RICAS practice test?

The RICAS practice tests are available for free on the Lumos Learning website. Students can access the online practice tests by using your Email address.

What are some tips for doing well on the RICAS test?

Here are some tips for students to achieve optimal results on the RICAS test:

• Develop a study plan: Create a personalized study plan that allocates sufficient time to review key concepts and practice different question types.
• Utilize available resources: Take advantage of practice tests, study guides, and online learning programs to maximize your preparation.
• Focus on areas of weakness: Identify areas of weakness through practice tests and self-assessment, and focus your study efforts on those areas.
• Manage time effectively: Practice time management skills during the practice tests to ensure efficient time allocation during the actual test.
• Get a good night’s sleep: Prior to the test day, ensure adequate sleep to maintain focus and optimal cognitive performance.
• Stay calm and positive: Approach the test with a positive attitude and confidence in your abilities to manage test anxiety and perform your best.