100+ Free NBPTS EMC PE Practice Questions
Pass your NBPTS Physical Education: Early and Middle Childhood (Component 1: Content Knowledge) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.
A kindergarten student travels by walking, galloping, and hopping. These are examples of which skill category?
Explore More National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
Continue into nearby exams from the same family. Each card keeps practice questions, study guides, flashcards, videos, and articles in one place.
Key Facts: NBPTS EMC PE Exam
45 + 3
Component 1 Items
NBPTS Components Overview; EMC/Physical Education Component 1 Sample Items
60 min
PE SRI Time
NBPTS Component 1 Assessment Center Policy and Guidelines
35%
Exercise Science SRI Weight
NBPTS EMC/PE Component 1; Component 1 At-a-Glance
35%
Motor Learning SRI Weight
NBPTS EMC/PE Component 1; Component 1 At-a-Glance
30%
Wellness/Safety SRI Weight
NBPTS EMC/PE Component 1; Component 1 At-a-Glance
$475
Initial Per-Component Fee
NBPTS Paying for Certification; Candidate FAQs
$75
Annual Registration Fee
NBPTS Paying for Certification; Candidate FAQs
110
Total Weighted Scaled Score Requirement
NBPTS Candidate FAQs
71%
Cumulative Certification Rate
NBPTS Assessment Data, February 2026; not EMC PE-specific
NBPTS EMC Physical Education requires four components for National Board Certification. Component 1 is the assessment-center content knowledge component: approximately 45 selected-response items plus 3 constructed-response exercises. The official EMC/Physical Education selected-response blueprint is 35% Exercise Science, 35% Motor Development/Motor Learning/Movement Forms, and 30% Physical Activity and Wellness/Legal and Safety Issues. Initial component purchases are $475 each, with a $75 annual registration fee. Certification requires meeting Component 1 and portfolio section average minimums and a total weighted scaled score of at least 110.
Sample NBPTS EMC PE Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your NBPTS EMC PE exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1During a lesson on kicking, students identify the main muscle group used to extend the knee before contacting a ball. Which muscle group is primarily responsible?
2A third-grade student holds a wall-sit position for 20 seconds. Which type of muscle action is most emphasized in the quadriceps?
3Which activity most directly develops cardiorespiratory endurance in an elementary physical education class?
4After two minutes of moderate tag play, one child returns toward resting heart rate faster than peers doing the same activity. What does this most likely indicate?
5Which cue best supports safe landing mechanics after a jump?
6Which body position generally makes a balance task more stable for a young child?
7Which activity is the clearest example of muscular endurance for upper-body muscles?
8What is the main purpose of a dynamic warm-up before a vigorous elementary PE activity?
9A teacher asks students to compare their pulse before and after a locomotor game. Which body system response is being monitored most directly?
10Which statement best describes the overload principle for children in a safe fitness lesson?
About the NBPTS EMC PE Exam
NBPTS Physical Education: Early and Middle Childhood is the National Board advanced-teacher certification area for accomplished physical education teachers of students ages 3-12. Component 1 is the computer-based content knowledge assessment and asks candidates to demonstrate developmentally appropriate physical education content knowledge and pedagogical practices. Official selected-response emphases are Exercise Science (35%), Motor Development, Motor Learning, and Movement Forms in Context (35%), and Physical Activity and Wellness; Legal and Safety Issues (30%), with constructed-response exercises on exercise science, motor learning and movement forms, and physical activity and wellness.
Assessment
Component 1 consists of approximately 45 selected-response items plus 3 constructed-response exercises. This practice bank focuses on selected-response content knowledge.
Time Limit
60 minutes for Physical Education selected-response items, a 10-minute break, and 30 minutes for each of 3 constructed-response exercises
Passing Score
Component 1 and portfolio section average minimums of 1.75 plus a total weighted scaled score of at least 110 across all four components
Exam Fee
$475 per component for the initial attempt plus a $75 annual registration fee (National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS))
NBPTS EMC PE Exam Content Outline
Exercise Science
Major muscle groups and functions, biomechanical principles, effects of physical activity on the human body, exercise heart rate, recovery heart rate, energy systems, training principles, exercise intensity, and safe movement analysis.
Motor Development, Motor Learning, and Movement Forms in Context
Beginning-to-mature motor patterns, fine and gross motor skills, developmentally appropriate movements and progressions, critical elements for skill acquisition, feedback, practice design, movement concepts, dance and rhythmic movement, games skills, and scope and sequence of movement forms.
Physical Activity and Wellness; Legal and Safety Issues
Health- and skill-related physical activity components, FITT guidelines, basic nutrition, comprehensive fitness, hypokinetic conditions, behavior choices, wellness planning, legal and safety issues, emergency response, privacy, and participation of students with exceptionalities.
Exercise Science
Use health-related fitness components and principles of exercise science to plan a developmentally appropriate physical education activity.
Motor Learning and Movement Forms
Apply knowledge of motor skills and movement concepts to teach movement patterns associated with a physical activity.
Physical Activity and Wellness
Analyze a student scenario involving physical activity or daily activities and make wellness-program recommendations appropriate to the student's needs, situation, and age.
How to Pass the NBPTS EMC PE Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: Component 1 and portfolio section average minimums of 1.75 plus a total weighted scaled score of at least 110 across all four components
- Assessment: Component 1 consists of approximately 45 selected-response items plus 3 constructed-response exercises. This practice bank focuses on selected-response content knowledge.
- Time limit: 60 minutes for Physical Education selected-response items, a 10-minute break, and 30 minutes for each of 3 constructed-response exercises
- Exam fee: $475 per component for the initial attempt plus a $75 annual registration fee
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
NBPTS EMC PE Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is NBPTS Physical Education: Early and Middle Childhood?
It is the National Board certificate area for accomplished physical education teachers working with students in early and middle childhood, commonly ages 3-12. Certification requires four components: Component 1 Content Knowledge and three portfolio components focused on differentiation, teaching practice and learning environment, and effective reflective practice.
What is on Component 1 for NBPTS EMC Physical Education?
The official selected-response blueprint lists three areas: Exercise Science at about 35%, Motor Development, Motor Learning, and Movement Forms in Context at about 35%, and Physical Activity and Wellness; Legal and Safety Issues at about 30%. Component 1 also includes constructed-response exercises on exercise science, motor learning and movement forms, and physical activity and wellness.
How many questions are on NBPTS Component 1?
NBPTS states that Component 1 includes approximately 45 selected-response items and 3 constructed-response exercises. This practice bank provides 100 selected-response practice questions aligned to the EMC Physical Education Component 1 content scope.
How much time is allowed for NBPTS EMC Physical Education Component 1?
The NBPTS Assessment Center Policy and Guidelines allocate 60 minutes for selected-response items for certificate areas not listed as 75-minute exceptions. Candidates then receive a 10-minute scheduled break and 30 minutes for each of the three constructed-response exercises.
How much does NBPTS EMC Physical Education cost?
NBPTS lists the initial cost of each component as $475 and the annual registration fee as $75. Completing all four initial component purchases totals $1,900 before annual registration fees or any retake fees.
What score do I need to certify?
NBPTS Candidate FAQs state that candidates must meet both section minimums and an overall score requirement: at least 1.75 average on Component 1, at least 1.75 average on Components 2-4, and a total weighted scaled score of at least 110.
Does this practice bank cover portfolio writing?
No. This bank is scoped to Component 1 content knowledge and selected-response practice. Portfolio Components 2, 3, and 4 require classroom evidence, student work, video or assessment artifacts, and written commentary under official NBPTS instructions.