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RICA Written Examination

There are two RICA assessment options:

  • RICA Written Examination
  • RICA Video Performance Assessment

Passing either assessment represents successful completion of the RICA requirement.

The RICA Written Examination consists of two sections that, together, permit a broad and deep assessment of the candidate's knowledge about effective reading instruction in the five RICA domains and the candidate's ability to apply that knowledge.

Format
Computer-based test (CBT) only:
  • 70 multiple-choice questions
  • 4 focused educational problems and instructional tasks
  • 1 case study
Content
Review the RICA test structure: HTML | PDF links to a PDF
Dates
By appointment, year-round, Monday through Saturday (excluding some holidays).
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Session Length
4 hours
15 additional minutes are provided to complete a nondisclosure agreement and tutorial. Any time taken for breaks is considered part of your available testing time.
Locations
Locate a test center opens in a new window.
Fees
$171
Review complete fee and payment policy information.
Passing Score
220
Test Results
Test results are available within 4 weeks of your test date.
Review test results release dates.
Policies and Rules
When you register, you agree to abide by all testing policies and rules. Read them now.
Before you test, review the list of materials that are prohibited at the test center.
Preparation
View the RICA preparation materials.



Tests may include questions that are evaluated for future administrations and do not affect a candidate's score.

Multiple-Choice Questions

The multiple-choice section of the RICA Written Examination includes 70 multiple-choice questions. The multiple-choice questions include both content questions, in which knowledge about reading and reading instruction is directly assessed, and contextualized questions that assess the candidate's ability to apply specific knowledge, to analyze specific problems, or to conduct specific tasks related to reading instruction.

Focused Educational Problems and Instructional Tasks

Focused Educational Problems and Instructional Tasks (4 essays, one each for Domains 2, 3, 4, and 5)
In these assignments, the candidate is presented with a problem or task relating to a class, a group of students, an individual student, or an instructional situation. The candidate is asked to consider this information and provide explanations related to appropriate instructional strategies or assessment approaches. The assignments for Domains 3 and 4 each require a typed response of approximately 75–125 words, and those for Domains 2 and 5 each require a typed response of approximately 150–300 words.

Case Study

Case Study (1 essay)

For this assignment, candidates receive substantial background information about a student and samples of materials illustrating the student's reading performance. Candidates are asked to assess the student's reading performance, describe appro­priate instructional strategies, and explain why these strategies would be effective. The examination includes one case study, which includes content related to all five domains of the revised RICA Content Specifications and requires a typed response of approximately 300–600 words.


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