What Is the NES Special Education K–12 (602) Exam?
The NES Special Education K–12 (602) is a certification exam that measures the knowledge and skills required of an entry-level special education teacher. The test includes 100 multiple-choice questions and you have 2 hours of testing time, with a total appointment time of 2 hours 15 minutes (including a 15-minute tutorial and nondisclosure agreement). No reference materials are permitted.
The exam covers four content domains:
- Domain I: Foundations of Special Education (approx. 20%) — legal frameworks (IDEA, Section 504, ADA), UDL principles, IEP/IFSP components, accommodations vs. modifications, human development and disability characteristics
- Domain II: Assessment, the Learning Environment, and Individualized Planning (approx. 30%) — assessment types and terminology, FBA, IEP development, co-teaching models, classroom environment design, vocational awareness
- Domain III: Instruction, Social-Emotional Learning, and Communication (approx. 30%) — evidence-based instructional strategies, PBIS, self-determination, language development, AAC systems
- Domain IV: Collaboration and Professional and Ethical Practices (approx. 20%) — stakeholder collaboration, transition planning, family communication, professional ethics
Key Concepts You Need to Know
IDEA and the Legal Foundation
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the primary federal law governing special education. You need to understand these core principles:
- Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) — every eligible student is entitled to special education and related services at no cost
- Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) — students with disabilities should be educated with non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate
- Individualized Education Program (IEP) — a legally binding document that outlines a student's present levels of performance, annual goals, services, and accommodations
- Due Process — parents have the right to participate in decisions about their child's education and to dispute decisions through formal proceedings
- Nondiscriminatory Evaluation — assessments must be administered in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner
Accommodations vs. Modifications
This is a high-frequency test topic. Accommodations change how a student accesses the curriculum without changing what is expected (extended time, preferential seating, text-to-speech). Modifications change what is expected of the student (reduced number of problems, alternative assignments, simplified content).
Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
UDL provides a framework for designing instruction that is accessible to all learners from the start. The three principles are:
- Multiple Means of Engagement — provide options for motivation and sustained effort
- Multiple Means of Representation — present information in varied formats
- Multiple Means of Action and Expression — allow students to demonstrate learning in different ways
Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA)
An FBA is a systematic process for identifying the function (purpose) a behavior serves for a student. The key steps include:
- Define the target behavior in observable, measurable terms
- Collect data using ABC recording (Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence)
- Identify patterns and determine the function (attention, escape, tangible, sensory)
- Develop a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) that teaches replacement behaviors serving the same function
PBIS and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support
Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is a three-tiered framework:
- Tier 1 (Universal) — schoolwide expectations, consistent routines, positive reinforcement for all students
- Tier 2 (Targeted) — small-group interventions for students who need additional support (e.g., Check-In/Check-Out, social skills groups)
- Tier 3 (Intensive) — individualized interventions based on FBA data for students with persistent behavioral challenges
Study Tips for the NES 602
- Focus on Domains II and III — together they account for approximately 60% of the exam
- Know the legal acronyms cold — IDEA, FAPE, LRE, IEP, IFSP, FBA, BIP, AAC, UDL, ADA, Section 504
- Understand the IEP process from start to finish — referral, evaluation, eligibility, IEP development, placement, progress monitoring
- Practice applying concepts to scenarios — the exam tests application, not just recall
- Review co-teaching models — one teach/one observe, station teaching, parallel teaching, alternative teaching, team teaching, one teach/one assist
Get Your Free Study Guide
Download a free partial study guide covering Domains I and II of the NES Special Education K–12 (602) exam. Includes detailed coverage of legal foundations, assessment terminology, IEP processes, and classroom environment strategies.