KENTUCKY SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY EXAM PRACTICE TEST QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
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Core Domains
Foundations and Professional Practice
Screening, Assessment, Evaluation, and Diagnosis
Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation of Treatment
Speech Sound Production and Fluency Disorders
Voice, Resonance, and Motor Speech Disorders
Receptive and Expressive Language Disorders
Social Communication and Pragmatics
Feeding and Swallowing Disorders
Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Ethics, Legislation, and Evidence-Based Practice
Introduction
,This practice test prepares candidates for the Speech-Language Pathology examination required for licensure in
Kentucky. The exam assesses comprehensive knowledge and skills essential for professional practice, including
foundational theories, assessment procedures, treatment planning, and ethical decision-making. The test
consists entirely of multiple-choice questions featuring both direct knowledge items and scenario-based clinical
situations. Questions emphasize real-world application, requiring candidates to demonstrate critical thinking
and professional judgment in diverse clinical contexts. Mastery of these content areas ensures readiness for
effective service delivery across the lifespan.*
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
A 4-year-old child English Language Learner. The child speaks primarily Spanish at home and has been in U.S.
schools for 6 months. The teacher reports concerns about the child's speech sound production. What is the
MOST appropriate initial action for the speech-language pathologist?
A. Immediately begin speech therapy for articulation deficits
B. Document the concerns and recommend monitoring for 6 more months
C. 🟢 Conduct a differential diagnosis to distinguish between language difference and disorder
D. Refer the child for English language immersion program only
🔴 RATIONALE: When evaluating a bilingual child, the SLP must first determine whether speech sound
differences represent normal second language acquisition patterns or a true disorder. Differential diagnosis
prevents misdiagnosis of language differences as disorders, which is a critical ethical and professional
responsibility.
,Question 2
Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of the Clinical Fellowship (CF) period for speech-
language pathologists?
A. 🟢 To provide supervised professional experience transitioning from graduate education to independent
practice
B. To complete additional graduate coursework required for certification
C. To substitute for the Praxis examination requirement
D. To obtain board certification in a specialized area
🔴 RATIONALE: The Clinical Fellowship is a 9-month (1,260 hours) supervised professional experience
designed to bridge the gap between academic preparation and independent practice, allowing new SLPs to
develop clinical competence under mentorship.
Question 3
A parent requests that their 3-year-old child with cleft palate be evaluated for speech disorders. The child has
not yet had surgical repair. What is the MOST appropriate course of action?
A. Refuse evaluation until surgical repair is completed
B. 🟢 Conduct evaluation focusing on current speech production and oral structure function
C. Recommend only parent education and no formal evaluation
D. Schedule therapy immediately without evaluation
, 🔴 RATIONALE: SLPs should evaluate children with cleft palate regardless of surgical status to establish
baseline speech production, identify compensatory patterns, and inform treatment planning. Early assessment
is essential even before surgical intervention.
Question 4
Which assessment approach is MOST appropriate for evaluating a child with suspected childhood apraxia of
speech?
A. Single-word articulation test only
B. 🟢 Multimodal assessment including consistency of errors, prosody evaluation, and oral mechanism
examination
C. Parent report questionnaire alone
D. Hearing test only
🔴 RATIONALE: Childhood apraxia of speech requires comprehensive assessment examining error
consistency, prosodic abnormalities, and motor speech characteristics. A multimodal approach is necessary for
accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.
Question 5
An SLP is developing treatment goals for a patient with aphasia post-stroke. Which goal is MOST appropriately
written according to best practices?
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
Foundations and Professional Practice
Screening, Assessment, Evaluation, and Diagnosis
Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation of Treatment
Speech Sound Production and Fluency Disorders
Voice, Resonance, and Motor Speech Disorders
Receptive and Expressive Language Disorders
Social Communication and Pragmatics
Feeding and Swallowing Disorders
Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Ethics, Legislation, and Evidence-Based Practice
Introduction
,This practice test prepares candidates for the Speech-Language Pathology examination required for licensure in
Kentucky. The exam assesses comprehensive knowledge and skills essential for professional practice, including
foundational theories, assessment procedures, treatment planning, and ethical decision-making. The test
consists entirely of multiple-choice questions featuring both direct knowledge items and scenario-based clinical
situations. Questions emphasize real-world application, requiring candidates to demonstrate critical thinking
and professional judgment in diverse clinical contexts. Mastery of these content areas ensures readiness for
effective service delivery across the lifespan.*
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
A 4-year-old child English Language Learner. The child speaks primarily Spanish at home and has been in U.S.
schools for 6 months. The teacher reports concerns about the child's speech sound production. What is the
MOST appropriate initial action for the speech-language pathologist?
A. Immediately begin speech therapy for articulation deficits
B. Document the concerns and recommend monitoring for 6 more months
C. 🟢 Conduct a differential diagnosis to distinguish between language difference and disorder
D. Refer the child for English language immersion program only
🔴 RATIONALE: When evaluating a bilingual child, the SLP must first determine whether speech sound
differences represent normal second language acquisition patterns or a true disorder. Differential diagnosis
prevents misdiagnosis of language differences as disorders, which is a critical ethical and professional
responsibility.
,Question 2
Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of the Clinical Fellowship (CF) period for speech-
language pathologists?
A. 🟢 To provide supervised professional experience transitioning from graduate education to independent
practice
B. To complete additional graduate coursework required for certification
C. To substitute for the Praxis examination requirement
D. To obtain board certification in a specialized area
🔴 RATIONALE: The Clinical Fellowship is a 9-month (1,260 hours) supervised professional experience
designed to bridge the gap between academic preparation and independent practice, allowing new SLPs to
develop clinical competence under mentorship.
Question 3
A parent requests that their 3-year-old child with cleft palate be evaluated for speech disorders. The child has
not yet had surgical repair. What is the MOST appropriate course of action?
A. Refuse evaluation until surgical repair is completed
B. 🟢 Conduct evaluation focusing on current speech production and oral structure function
C. Recommend only parent education and no formal evaluation
D. Schedule therapy immediately without evaluation
, 🔴 RATIONALE: SLPs should evaluate children with cleft palate regardless of surgical status to establish
baseline speech production, identify compensatory patterns, and inform treatment planning. Early assessment
is essential even before surgical intervention.
Question 4
Which assessment approach is MOST appropriate for evaluating a child with suspected childhood apraxia of
speech?
A. Single-word articulation test only
B. 🟢 Multimodal assessment including consistency of errors, prosody evaluation, and oral mechanism
examination
C. Parent report questionnaire alone
D. Hearing test only
🔴 RATIONALE: Childhood apraxia of speech requires comprehensive assessment examining error
consistency, prosodic abnormalities, and motor speech characteristics. A multimodal approach is necessary for
accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.
Question 5
An SLP is developing treatment goals for a patient with aphasia post-stroke. Which goal is MOST appropriately
written according to best practices?
