If you need help studying for the NES General Science test or just want some more information about what the test is like, you’ve come to the right place!
Click below to take a free NES General Science practice test!
What’s on the Test?
The NES General Science exam contains 150 multiple-choice questions, and you’ll be timed at three hours.
The test is split into four sections:
1. Nature of Science
19% of the exam
- Principles and procedures of scientific inquiry
- The history and nature of science
- The relationships between science, engineering, mathematics, technology, and society
2. Physical Science
37% of the exam
- Properties and characteristics of matter
- Chemical bonding
- Chemical reactions
- Stoichiometry
- Energy transformations in chemical and physical systems
- Force
- Motion
- Energy
- Mechanical and electromagnetic waves
- Electricity and magnetism
3. Life Science
25% of the exam
- Organization and processes of cells
- Classification of organisms
- Genetics and evolution
- Characteristics of different biomes
- Relationships among organisms
- The flow of energy and matter through ecosystems
4. Earth and Space Science
19% of the exam
- Physical geology
- The history of Earth
- The hydrosphere
- Weather and climate
- The solar system and the universe
How to Register
To get started with the registration process, you’ll need to create an NES account on their website. You can then register for the exam via your account.
The testing fee is $95.
NES General Science Study Guide and Flashcards
Get practice questions, detailed study lessons, and complex subjects broken down into easily understandable concepts.
How the Exam is Scored
The exam is scored using a scaled scoring method. Here’s how it works:
For every question you answer correctly, you get one point added to your raw score. At the end of the test, your final raw score will be converted to a scaled score. This scaled score will range somewhere between 100 and 300.
The reason your raw score is converted to a scaled score is because everyone that takes the test is given a slightly different set of questions. Since everyone has a different arrangement of questions, and because some questions are harder than others, converting your raw score to a scaled score ensures a more even playing field.
FAQs
How many questions are on the NES General Science exam?
The exam contains 150 questions.
What is the time limit for the NES General Science exam?
The exam is timed at 3 hours.
What is the passing score for the NES General Science exam?
You’ll need to get a final scaled score of at least 220 to pass.
How much does the NES General Science exam cost?
The testing fee is $95.