NBPTS EXCEPTIONAL NEEDS SPECIALIST
PRACTICE PAPER 2026 QUESTION SERIES
◉ Can separate from parents , takes turns, can dress/undress/feed
self Answer: Age 3, social-emotional
◉ Enjoys make-believe, recognizes unsafe behavior Answer: Age 4,
social-emotional
◉ Knows the difference between real and make believe, initiates
play Answer: Kindergarten, social-emotional
◉ Can solve some conflicts independently, changing circle of friends,
understands rules Answer: First grade, social-emotional
◉ Develops empathy, spends most social time with peers Answer:
Second and third grades, social-emotional
◉ Develop a first crush, have a best friend Answer: Fourth and fifth
grade, social-emotional
,◉ Can identify some colors/shapes/numbers, knows same vs.
different, before and after, basic stories, copy letters, use scissors
Answer: 4 years old, cognitive
◉ Count to twenty, largest vs smallest, print name, focus for 15
minutes Answer: Kindergarten, cognitive
◉ Decoding and sight words, passing of time, logical reasoning, add
and subtract Answer: First grade, cognitive
◉ In-depth questions, plan ahead, predict, cause and effect, reading
to learn Answer: Second and third grade, cognitive
◉ In-depth connections, complicated cause and effect, seeks new
information Answer: Fourth and fifth grade, cognitive
◉ Follow 2-3 step directions, name most objects, say name, speak 2-
3 sentences, simple conversations Answer: 3 years old, language
◉ Pronouns and verbs, recite a familiar song, first and last name,
answer who/what/when/where/why Answer: 4 years old, language
◉ Future and past tense, tell a story, name/phone number/address,
purposeful language Answer: Kindergarten, language
, ◉ Past and present events, express verbally and in writing Answer:
First grade, language
◉ Understand language that is not literal, purposeful writing
Answer: Second grade and third grade, language
◉ Proficient oral language, more advance writing Answer: Fourth
grade and fifth grade, language
◉ Appropriate bites of food, run, walk stairs, climb, pedal, towers of
six blocks, draw, start potty training Answer: 3 years old, physical
◉ Use a spoon and fork, pour liquids, cup and straw, done potty
training Answer: 4 years old, physical
◉ Tiptoe, jump rope, catch a ball, wash hands, use eating utensils,
hand dominance Answer: Kindergarten, physical
◉ Kick, catch, tie shoelaces, legible handwriting, writing stamina
Answer: First grade, physical
◉ Fasten buttons/zippers/snaps, run and play without resting, ride
a bike, lose baby teeth Answer: Second and third grade, physical
PRACTICE PAPER 2026 QUESTION SERIES
◉ Can separate from parents , takes turns, can dress/undress/feed
self Answer: Age 3, social-emotional
◉ Enjoys make-believe, recognizes unsafe behavior Answer: Age 4,
social-emotional
◉ Knows the difference between real and make believe, initiates
play Answer: Kindergarten, social-emotional
◉ Can solve some conflicts independently, changing circle of friends,
understands rules Answer: First grade, social-emotional
◉ Develops empathy, spends most social time with peers Answer:
Second and third grades, social-emotional
◉ Develop a first crush, have a best friend Answer: Fourth and fifth
grade, social-emotional
,◉ Can identify some colors/shapes/numbers, knows same vs.
different, before and after, basic stories, copy letters, use scissors
Answer: 4 years old, cognitive
◉ Count to twenty, largest vs smallest, print name, focus for 15
minutes Answer: Kindergarten, cognitive
◉ Decoding and sight words, passing of time, logical reasoning, add
and subtract Answer: First grade, cognitive
◉ In-depth questions, plan ahead, predict, cause and effect, reading
to learn Answer: Second and third grade, cognitive
◉ In-depth connections, complicated cause and effect, seeks new
information Answer: Fourth and fifth grade, cognitive
◉ Follow 2-3 step directions, name most objects, say name, speak 2-
3 sentences, simple conversations Answer: 3 years old, language
◉ Pronouns and verbs, recite a familiar song, first and last name,
answer who/what/when/where/why Answer: 4 years old, language
◉ Future and past tense, tell a story, name/phone number/address,
purposeful language Answer: Kindergarten, language
, ◉ Past and present events, express verbally and in writing Answer:
First grade, language
◉ Understand language that is not literal, purposeful writing
Answer: Second grade and third grade, language
◉ Proficient oral language, more advance writing Answer: Fourth
grade and fifth grade, language
◉ Appropriate bites of food, run, walk stairs, climb, pedal, towers of
six blocks, draw, start potty training Answer: 3 years old, physical
◉ Use a spoon and fork, pour liquids, cup and straw, done potty
training Answer: 4 years old, physical
◉ Tiptoe, jump rope, catch a ball, wash hands, use eating utensils,
hand dominance Answer: Kindergarten, physical
◉ Kick, catch, tie shoelaces, legible handwriting, writing stamina
Answer: First grade, physical
◉ Fasten buttons/zippers/snaps, run and play without resting, ride
a bike, lose baby teeth Answer: Second and third grade, physical
