FORT Practice Test

What the FORT is and how it works

According to Connecticut State Department of Education, “Computer-based test (CBT) and online-proctored test: 100 multiple-choice questions, 2 constructed-response assignments”^[1]

The Foundations of Reading Test (FORT) is required for Connecticut candidates applying for the Elementary Education endorsement (#013 or #305), the Integrated Early Childhood/Special Education N–K, Elementary Education Grades 1–3 endorsement (#113), and the special education endorsement (#165). The Connecticut State Department of Education sets the requirement and the passing score.

The test is computer-based. You can sit it at a test center, with sites located nationwide, or take it online-proctored from home. Appointments are available by appointment, year-round, on a first-come, first-served basis.

It contains 100 multiple-choice questions and 2 constructed-response assignments. Testing time is 4 hours. If you take all five testlets in a single session, the appointment runs 4 h 30 min and includes a 15-minute break. The fee is $140 for all five testlets, which works out to $28 per testlet.

Scores are reported on a scale of 100–300, and the passing score is 240.

If you do not pass, you must wait 30 days before retaking, and there is no limit on the number of retakes. After three failed attempts at the same test, you can re-register for free.

Requirements and policies can change, and your endorsement route may add conditions. Check the Connecticut State Department of Education certification pages and the official registration site before you book.

FORT Exam at a Glance

What changed for FORT in 2026

• Oct 1, 2026: Connecticut adopted the NES Foundations of Reading (702) test on October 1, 2026, in place of test 890. The questions are the same in both versions, and CSDE still accepts 890 scores from candidates already registered for it.^[5]

FORT content outline and where to practise each area

The content areas below are copied from the official FORT content outline published by Connecticut State Department of Education, with the share of the exam each area carries. The right-hand column shows which of our practice sets covers it.

Worked examples: how to reason through FORT questions

These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.

Example 1

Question: In the word 'cake,' the final 'e' signals that the vowel is:

1. Long
2. Short
3. Silent
4. R-controlled

Answer: A. Long

Explanation:

The correct answer is A, long. In a word like 'cake', the final 'e' is not pronounced, but it tells the reader that the vowel before it says its own name. That is the silent-e, or CVCe, pattern.

Short is wrong because a short vowel is what you would expect without the final 'e', as in 'cak'. Silent is wrong because the 'e' is the silent letter, while the vowel 'a' is clearly heard. R-controlled is wrong because that pattern needs an 'r' after the vowel, as in 'car', and 'cake' has none.

Rule to remember: when a single vowel, a consonant and a final 'e' appear together, the first vowel is usually long and the 'e' stays silent.

Example 2

Question: A teacher claps once for each syllable in 'elephant.' What phonological skill is being practiced?

1. Syllable segmentation
2. Phoneme blending
3. Onset-rime manipulation
4. Phoneme deletion

Answer: A. Syllable segmentation

Explanation:

The correct answer is A, syllable segmentation. Clapping once for each beat of 'elephant' splits the spoken word into its syllables, and that is exactly what segmentation means at the syllable level.

Phoneme blending is wrong because blending joins separate sounds into a word, the reverse of splitting, and it works at the sound level rather than the syllable level. Onset-rime manipulation is wrong because it deals with the part of a syllable before the vowel and the part from the vowel onward, which clapping does not show. Phoneme deletion is wrong because nothing is being removed from the word.

Rule to remember: identify the size of the unit being worked with, whether syllable, onset-rime or phoneme, and then the action, whether segmenting, blending or deleting.

Example 3

Question: What is the MOST effective way to stay current with developments in parent & community partnerships for Connecticut Foundations of Reading?

1. Participating in professional development, industry events, and peer collaboration
2. Reading only internal communications
3. Relying on experience gained early in career
4. Following a single expert opinions

Answer: A. Participating in professional development, industry events, and peer collaboration

Explanation:

The correct answer is A, participating in professional development, industry events and peer collaboration. Together these bring in research, current practice and colleagues' experience, which gives the broadest and most balanced view of a topic that keeps changing.

Reading only internal communications is wrong because it limits you to what your own workplace already says. Relying on experience gained early in a career is wrong because it becomes outdated as practices and research develop. Following a single expert's opinion is wrong because it depends on one viewpoint and offers no way to check it against others.

Rule to remember: on questions about staying current, the best answer usually draws on several varied, ongoing sources rather than one source or past habits.

How to use these practice tests

Start with the official material. Read the Connecticut State Department of Education certification pages and the test's official content outline so you know which endorsement requires the test and what each content area covers. Then use the practice sets to find where you are weakest.

Take a short set from each content area and note what you miss. For every wrong answer, write down the rule behind the correct option in your own words, not only the letter. Foundations of Reading Development is a good place to begin, because the phonological awareness and phonics sets reward careful vocabulary: learn the exact names of the skills so you can tell blending from segmenting and onset-rime from phonemes.

Next, work through the vocabulary and assessment sets, and ask of each item which skill is being taught or measured and what a teacher should do next. Keep a running list of terms you confuse and review it before each session.

The test also includes constructed-response assignments, so practise writing short, organised answers that name a skill, give a reason and suggest an instructional step. Compare your answers with the official sample material if the registration site provides it.

Near your test date, do mixed sets under timed conditions, rest the day before, and check the rules for your testing method, whether test center or online-proctored.

Sources & last verified

1. Connecticut State Department of Education — number of questions, time limit, exam fee, delivery (official source). “Computer-based test (CBT) and online-proctored test: 100 multiple-choice questions, 2 constructed-response assignments” Verified Oct 22, 2026.
2. portal.ct.gov — passing score (official source). “Pearson National Evaluation Services 702 Foundations of Reading Test 240” Verified Oct 22, 2026.
3. ct.nesinc.com — retake fee, retake policy (official source). “For test dates on or after August 19, 2024, candidates who have taken the same National Evaluation Series™ test with the same test code three…” Verified Oct 22, 2026.
4. ct.nesinc.com — eligibility (official source). “Teacher candidates in Connecticut applying for an Elementary Education Endorsement (endorsement #013 or #305), an Integrated Early Childhood/Special Education N–K, Elementary Education Grades 1–3 Endorsement…” Verified Oct 22, 2026.
5. Connecticut State Department of Education — other (official source). “As of October 1, 2026, the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) has adopted the Foundations of Reading (702) assessment. The CSDE will continue to…” Verified Oct 22, 2026.
6. Connecticut State Department of Education — other (official source). “foundations of reading development 0001-0004 35%” Verified Oct 23, 2026.

How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.