NPC Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield NPC facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which is an example of proactive classroom management? → Setting clear routines
2. What does PBIS stand for in a school context? → Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports
3. What is a key component of early reading instruction? → Phonemic awareness
4. What does the term 'duty of care' mean for a paraprofessional? → The legal obligation to take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable harm to students
5. Which best describes a sight word? → Words recognized instantly
6. A student consistently acts out right before math class. A paraprofessional who understands behavior function would first consider: → Whether the behavior is escape-motivated to avoid a difficult task
7. Which developmental theorist proposed that children progress through stages of cognitive development, including sensorimotor and preoperational stages? → Jean Piaget
8. A student has a seizure during class. After ensuring the student is safe and has not been injured, a paraprofessional should: → Time the seizure, stay calm, keep others away, and report to the nurse
9. Active listening in a school setting means: → Fully concentrating, understanding, and responding thoughtfully to what is being said
10. What action shows respect for diversity in the classroom? → Valuing diverse backgrounds
11. What is the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) as defined by Vygotsky? → The gap between what a learner can do alone and what they can do with guidance
12. When writing notes or documentation about a student, a paraprofessional should: → Use objective, behavioral language and avoid labeling
13. The role of the paraprofessional during a student behavior crisis is PRIMARILY to: → Follow the BIP, support the supervising teacher, and ensure student safety
14. A student's family observes a religious holiday that falls on a school testing day. The paraprofessional should: → Inform the teacher so appropriate accommodations or make-up options can be arranged
15. What is a critical ethical guideline when working with students? → Treating all students fairly
16. Which behavior demonstrates professionalism in the classroom? → Arriving on time
17. Which strategy BEST supports a student who acts out to gain peer attention? → Teaching the student to appropriately request attention and reinforcing that skill
18. De-escalation techniques for an agitated student PRIMARILY involve: → Using a calm voice, reducing demands, and giving space
19. Which of the following is an example of a communication barrier a paraprofessional should be aware of? → Using too much jargon or technical language with a parent who may not understand it
20. Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences suggests that paraprofessionals should: → Recognize that students have diverse strengths across different intelligence types
21. Collaborative teaming between paraprofessionals, teachers, and specialists is most effective when: → Roles, responsibilities, and student goals are clearly communicated and shared
22. Which action aligns with professional boundaries? → Referring discipline issues to supervising teacher
23. Which practice best supports positive communication with students who have anxiety? → Providing predictable routines and advance notice of transitions or changes
24. A student uses an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device. A paraprofessional's role includes: → Supporting and encouraging the student's use of the device as their communication method
25. Erik Erikson's stage theory suggests that school-age children (ages 6–12) face the psychosocial conflict of: → Industry vs. Inferiority
26. Social learning theory (Bandura) emphasizes that students learn by: → Observing and imitating others in a social context
27. Self-monitoring as a behavior strategy teaches students to: → Observe and record their own behavior to build self-regulation
28. Behavioral momentum is a strategy that involves: → Presenting a series of easy, high-success requests before asking for a more difficult task
29. How can paraprofessionals support student engagement? → Use interactive activities
30. The three tiers of PBIS represent: → Universal, targeted, and intensive levels of support