Ace the NCE: Free Full-Length Practice Exam
Quick Overview of the NCE
- 200 total questions
- 160 scored + 40 unscored (you won’t know which are which)
- Time limit: 3 hours, 45 minutes
- Computer-based, multiple choice
- Content covers 8 CACREP domains
For more information about the NCE, see The National Counselor Examination (NCE) Content Outline.
This NCE practice exam reflects the types of questions and domains you’ll see on test day.
This NCE practice exam is based on Mometrix Test Preparation NCE Flashcards as well as Encyclopedia of Counseling, 3rd Edition and the DSM-5-TR. It has 175 questions.
How to Use This Practice Exam
To get the most out of this, treat it like the real thing:
- Complete in one sitting
- No phone / no notes
- Answer every question
- Use a timer (3h 45m)
- Skip difficult items—return later
- After finishing, review every incorrect answer and categorize it:
Error Categories:
- Didn’t know the content
- Misread the question
- Chose too quickly
- Overthought / second-guessed
Your goal is not just a score — it’s identifying your weak content areas.
This exam does not measure your ability to help people. It measures recall under stress. Every point you improve is progress. You’re training your brain to think like a test-taker—not a therapist.
You’re building skill.
You’re moving forward.
You’ve got this.
Consider viewing the free NCE Study Guide Series (videos with question and answer slides):
How Is the NCE Scored?
The Modified Angoff Method is the standard-setting process used to determine the passing score on the NCE. It’s how the exam decides what score counts as “passing” for that specific test form.
How It Works
- A panel of licensed counseling experts reviews each test question before the exam is given.
- For every question, each expert estimates the percentage of minimally competent entry-level counselors who would answer that question correctly.
- Not struggling counselors.
- Barely-qualified-but-acceptable counselors.
- Not good counselors.
- Those percentage ratings across all questions are averaged and totaled.
- That total becomes the cut score (aka the minimum passing score).
- The final passing score may be slightly adjusted for fairness depending on exam difficulty.
Why This Matters
- The passing score is not a fixed number like “You need 70%.”
- Different test versions can have slightly different cut scores.
- This ensures the exam is fair, even if one version is harder than another.
NCE Content Breakdown
| CACREP Domain | Approx % on Exam |
|---|---|
| Professional Orientation & Ethics | 10–12% |
| Human Growth & Development | 12–14% |
| Social & Cultural Diversity | 10–12% |
| Helping Relationships | 14–16% |
| Group Work | 9–10% |
| Career Development | 12–14% |
| Assessment | 10–12% |
| Research & Program Evaluation | 5–7% |
When you review missed questions, match them back to these domains.
For this practice NCE, a 70% is required to pass.
Test-Day Strategy Tips
1. Don’t spend more than 60–90 seconds on a single question
2. Trust your first instinct unless you misread the question
3. Look for what the question is actually asking—many are about ethics + least restrictive + client safety
4. If stuck, eliminate two answers first, then choose
Common NCE Trick Question Patterns (How to Outsmart Them)
When two answers are correct, choose the one that is least restrictive and most client-centered.
If safety is involved, stabilize before insight.
On ethics questions, consult + document is almost always there for a reason.
If one answer is judgmental, harsh, or punitive → it’s wrong. Counseling answers prioritize rapport, safety, and dignity.
When in doubt, choose the answer that builds the relationship. Connection first, intervention second.
The “too obvious” answer is usually (but not always) a trap. The correct answer often includes one clarifying detail.
Don’t overthink pharmacology questions. Keep it surface-level: purpose + side effect = enough.
Download and print the free cheat sheet below.
Words the NCE Uses to Signal Correct Answers
| Look for These (Good) | Avoid These (Often Wrong) |
|---|---|
| Explore | Tell |
| Assess | Advise |
| Support | Direct |
| Collaborate | Persuade |
| Validate | Interpret immediately |
| Client-centered | Counselor-driven |
Disclaimer: This practice exam is an independently created study aid and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the National Counselor Examination (NCE), NBCC, or any commercial test preparation publisher. All questions have been paraphrased, reworded, and/or newly created based on general counseling knowledge and do not reproduce proprietary test questions. This resource is for educational purposes only and should be used as a supplemental study tool—not as a replacement for official preparation materials.
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Before You Leave!
Identify your weakest domain.
Download a printable version of the practice exam below:
Print and complete the Incorrect Answer Sheet to guide your studies.
Schedule your next practice session.
Bookmark this page to review later.
**ANSWER KEY (WITH FULL EXPLANATIONS) COMING SOON!**
