The Reading Instruction Competence Assessment® (RICA®) is a state of California test given to new primary and secondary school teachers. To work in special education programs or teach multiple subjects in school, individuals must pass the RICA® test. The primary goal of the test is to ensure that teachers have the necessary skills to effectively teach reading and to assess students’ comprehension abilities. The RICA® includes 70 multiple-choice questions as well as five different-length essay responses.
The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing developed the RICA® test in 1997, and it has been updated several times since then. Its purpose is to assess a teacher’s ability to instruct students in five different areas. A teacher must be capable of assisting students in planning, word analysis, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension in order to pass the RICA® test. A test taker is thought to be capable of implementing a variety of detailed strategies and lesson plans to help students improve their reading skills.
A test taker will be given 70 multiple-choice questions, 60 of which will be chosen test officials ahead of time to count toward the final score. The questions test a person’s understanding of basic reading instruction procedures as well as their ability to apply that knowledge in a variety of scenarios. Two 50-word questions, two 150-word questions, and a final 300-word case study response comprise the essay portion of the test. The final essay requires a test taker to examine several pages of information about a hypothetical student, including grades, attitudes, and struggles, as well as comments from teachers and parents. It is designed to help a teacher figure out how to help a student in a difficult situation.
Test takers can prepare for the RICA® exam studying test prep materials and taking practice exams. The RICA® website provides an overview of the test content as well as test-taking tips. Teachers can also take online practice tests for the multiple-choice portion of the exam, where they can submit their answers and receive instant results. Sample essay questions from previous exams are available on the website so that test takers can get a sense of the types of questions they might face on test day. Unofficial test preparation publications with more detailed information and tips can be found in bookstores, libraries, and online retailers.