NCE Research and Program Evaluation Practice Questions
Original NCE practice questions on research and program evaluation, with an explanation for every answer
200 questions in 3 hours 45 minutes, drawn to NBCC’s domain counts, with a score for research and program evaluation and an explanation for every answer.
Free research and program evaluation drillWhat does an effect size, such as Cohen’s d, tell a counselor that a p value does not?
Research and Program Evaluation on the NCE
The Professional Practice and Ethics domain includes understanding statistical concepts and methods in research, and the outline lists using pre- and post-test measures and evaluating counseling effectiveness. Research questions are short and rule-based, which makes them reliable points once you learn the rules.
- On the exam
- Not counted separately; NBCC scores the NCE by six domains and aligns its questions with all eight CACREP areas
- Our drill
- 10 questions from 30 research and program evaluation questions, untimed, an explanation after every answer; one free attempt, unlimited with a pass
What research and program evaluation questions test
- Experimental, quasi-experimental, correlational, qualitative and single-subject designs
- Variables, hypotheses, sampling, internal and external validity and threats to each
- Choosing a test: t-test, ANOVA, chi-square, correlation and regression
- Significance, Type I and Type II errors, power and effect size
- Needs assessment, formative and summative evaluation, outcome measures and research ethics
Sit the full exam under the real clock
200 questions in 3 hours 45 minutes, drawn to NBCC’s domain counts, with a score for research and program evaluation and an explanation for every answer.
Free research and program evaluation drillHow to study it
- Make a one-line rule for each statistical test: how many groups, what kind of data.
- Remember that alpha is the chance of a Type I error, a false positive.
- Take the research and program evaluation drill until you score 80% or better.
Common questions
How many research and program evaluation questions are on the NCE?
NBCC publishes question counts by its six domains, not by CACREP area. The outline says the NCE’s questions are aligned with all eight CACREP core areas, so expect this area across several domains.
How much math is on the NCE?
Little arithmetic, and no calculator is allowed. Research questions ask which design or test fits, what a result means, or which error was made.
200 questions in 3 hours 45 minutes, drawn to NBCC’s domain counts, with a score for research and program evaluation and an explanation for every answer.
Free research and program evaluation drillMore NCE and NCMHCE practice
- NCMHCE
- Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice
- Social and Cultural Diversity
- Human Growth and Development
- Career Development
- Counseling and Helping Relationships
- Group Counseling and Group Work
- Assessment and Testing
- NCE practice exam (200 questions, 3 h 45 min)
- NCMHCE practice exam (11 case studies, 225 min)
Sources
- NBCC: National Counselor Examination (NCE) page
- NBCC: NCE Content Outline (domains, scored items, 200 questions in 3 hours 45 minutes)
- NBCC: NCE State Licensure Candidate Handbook (revised September 24, 2024): session timing, scoring, retakes
- NBCC: NCE Examination Specifications effective July 1, 2027
- NBCC: National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) page
- NBCC: NCMHCE Content Outline (revised October 8, 2025): case-study format and scoring
- NBCC: NCMHCE State Licensure Candidate Handbook (revised November 20, 2025)
- NBCC: NCMHCE format comparison chart (case-study format for licensure candidates from November 2022)
- NBCC: NCMHCE Examination Specifications effective July 1, 2027
- NBCC: National Certified Counselor (NCC) application fees
Original practice questions for exam preparation, written to NBCC’s NCE and NCMHCE content outlines in force, not NBCC exam questions. Independent practice, not affiliated with or endorsed by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), the Center for Credentialing & Education or Pearson VUE. NCE and NCMHCE are marks of NBCC.