VCLA Practice Test

What the VCLA is and how it works

According to Virginia Department of Education, “Writing subtest (092): approximately 40 multiple-choice items, 3 short-answer items, 1 written summary assignment, and 1 written composition assignment”^[1]

The VCLA measures reading and writing skills and is administered under the Virginia Department of Education. It has a Reading subtest (091) and a Writing subtest (092). You can take either subtest alone or both together.

Format. The Reading subtest has about 40 multiple-choice items. The Writing subtest has about 40 multiple-choice items, 3 short-answer items, 1 written summary and 1 written composition.

Delivery. You can test at a test center, in Virginia or nationwide, or online-proctored from home. Test center appointments are available year-round, Monday through Saturday, excluding some holidays. Online testing runs in one-week windows each month. A test center session allows 4 hours of testing time (a 4 h 15 min appointment) for one or both subtests.

Fees. It costs $40 per subtest or $80 for both, plus a $50 registration processing fee.

Scoring. The passing score is 235 per subtest, or 470 for both.

Retakes. You must wait 30 days before retaking a subtest, and your highest subtest score counts.

Who must take the VCLA, and which score your school or licensing office accepts, depends on your situation. Check the official Virginia testing site before you register. Our practice questions are written by us and are not real exam questions.

VCLA Exam at a Glance

What changed for VCLA in 2026

• Oct 25, 2026: Retake policy changed to Wait 30 days; highest subtest score counts (previously Wait 30 days; re-register; highest subtest score counts).^[2]
• Oct 25, 2026: Delivery changed to Test center (Virginia and nationwide) or online-proctored from home (previously Computer-based at test centers (in Virginia and nationwide) or online-proctored from home).^[1]
• Oct 25, 2026: Exam fee changed to $40 per subtest, $80 for both, plus $50 registration processing fee (previously $40 per subtest, $80 for both, plus a $50 registration processing fee).^[1]
• Oct 25, 2026: Time limit changed to 4 hours testing time (4 h 15 min appointment) at a test center, for one or both subtests (previously 4 hours of testing time for one or both subtests (test center)).^[1]

VCLA content outline and where to practise each area

The content areas below are copied from the official VCLA content outline published by Virginia Department of Education. The right-hand column shows which of our practice sets covers it.

Worked examples: how to reason through VCLA 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: What does the prefix 'mis-' mean in words like 'misinform' and 'misplace'?

1. Below or under
2. Wrongly or badly
3. Again or anew
4. Before or earlier

Answer: B. Wrongly or badly

Explanation:

The prefix 'mis-' means wrongly or badly, so 'misinform' is to inform incorrectly and 'misplace' is to place something in the wrong spot. 'Below or under' describes prefixes like 'sub-', which is why that option is wrong. 'Again or anew' describes 're-', as in 'rewrite'. 'Before or earlier' describes 'pre-', as in 'preview'. Each wrong option is a real prefix with a different meaning, so they are easy to confuse if you guess from familiarity alone.

Rule to remember: when a prefix is unfamiliar, test its meaning in the two example words. If 'wrongly' fits both, you have your answer.

Example 2

Question: The word 'excerpt' in a VCLA passage most likely refers to:

1. A complete novel or book
2. A short passage taken from a longer work
3. An original writing prompt
4. A list of vocabulary words

Answer: B. A short passage taken from a longer work

Explanation:

An excerpt is a short passage taken from a longer work, so that option is correct. 'A complete novel or book' is wrong because an excerpt is only a part, never the whole. 'An original writing prompt' is wrong because an excerpt is existing text, not an instruction asking you to write. 'A list of vocabulary words' is wrong because an excerpt is connected prose, not a word list.

Rule to remember: when a passage is introduced as an excerpt, expect that it starts or ends in the middle of a larger piece. Do not look for information that the passage does not give you.

Example 3

Question: A VCLA passage includes the phrase 'on the other hand.' This phrase signals that the author is about to present:

1. An additional supporting example
2. A contrasting viewpoint or idea
3. A definition of a key term
4. A chronological next event

Answer: B. A contrasting viewpoint or idea

Explanation:

'On the other hand' signals a contrasting viewpoint or idea, so that option is correct. 'An additional supporting example' is wrong because additions are signalled by words like 'also' or 'in addition'. 'A definition of a key term' is wrong because definitions usually come with phrases like 'that is' or 'means'. 'A chronological next event' is wrong because sequence is signalled by words like 'then' or 'afterward'.

Rule to remember: transition phrases tell you the direction of the argument. Learn which group each one belongs to, such as contrast, addition, example or sequence, and you can predict what comes next before you read it.

How to use these practice tests

Start with the official outline for the VCLA and note which of the Reading and Writing areas feels weakest. Then work through our sets in that order.

1. Take the Reading Comprehension Skills set and the Vocabulary and Word Analysis set. For every miss, write down the rule behind the right answer, not just the answer.
2. Move to Written Expression and Grammar and Writing Mechanics and Style. Group your errors by type, such as punctuation, agreement or sentence structure.
3. Use Critical Thinking and Text Analysis and Research and Information Literacy to practise judging how strong a source or argument is.
4. Practise the written tasks by hand or on a keyboard. Read a short passage, write a summary in your own words, then write a composition on a topic you choose. Reread both for clarity and errors.
5. Near test day, run a mixed set from the practice test under timed conditions, and rest the day before.

Check the official Virginia testing site for the current candidate guide and sample material, and compare it with what you practised.

Sources & last verified

1. Virginia Department of Education — time limit, exam fee, number of questions, passing score (official source). “4 hours testing time, for one or both subtests” Verified Oct 25, 2026.
2. Virginia Department of Education — retake policy (official source). “You must wait 30 days before retaking a subtest.” Verified Oct 25, 2026.
3. Virginia Department of Education — other (official source). “reading comprehension and analysis” Verified Oct 28, 2026.

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