RICA Written Examination

• Scores from the RICA Written Examination administered prior to July 26, 2021, cannot be used in combination with the redesigned three subtest RICA Written to pass the RICA.
• Online proctoring is available for this test. You may test remotely, including from home.
  Is online proctoring right for me? Read more about online proctoring, including important polices and requirements.

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 three subtests 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.

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.

Taking Multiple Subtests in a Single Test Session at a Test Center

If you register to take more than one subtest in a single session at a CBT test center, you will be presented with one subtest at a time. Subtests are individually timed and are administered in consecutive order beginning with Subtest 1. After you complete a subtest, you will not be able to return to a subtest.