Praxis tests and how to prepare for them
Written by Elizabeth Exline
This article was reviewed by Raelene Brooks, Dean, College of Nursing.
What are Praxis tests used for?
Facilitated by the nonprofit educational assessment and research organization , Praxis tests are used to assess educator preparedness for licensure. That鈥檚 basically a fancy way of saying that听these tests are one key factor to help determine if someone is qualified to become a licensed teacher.
Anyone can take Praxis tests, even if without a听bachelor鈥檚 degree. Technically,听 candidates don鈥檛 even have to be听enrolled in a bachelor鈥檚 program. But since the tests measure knowledge and readiness to teach, and since aspiring teachers likely need to achieve a minimum score to be eligible for licensure, preparation is important.
The most commonsense way may be to pursue an听educational degree, but future teachers can still successfully take these tests with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in another subject and a听solid review process.
Which tests should an aspiring teacher take?
Just as there are different types of teachers, there are different types of Praxis tests. They are:
Core tests
Core tests consist of one test each in math, reading and writing.听State licensing boards will nearly always require teachers to take all three exams.听
Subject tests
With more than 90 tests in this category, the subject assessments are generally required by states and professional associations for licensure and certification. These exams measure a candidate鈥檚 knowledge of specific subjects taught in K鈥12 education as well as general and subject-specific teaching skills.
This means aspiring history teachers might be tested differently than language teachers, but all aspiring teachers will be evaluated on how effectively they teach.
Content Knowledge for Teaching (CKT) tests for elementary school teachers
These tests are for individuals seeking a generalist elementary school license. They evaluate a candidate鈥檚 content knowledge for reading and language arts, math, science and social studies.
Additionally, CKT tests assess how a candidate can apply content knowledge to identify and effectively respond to content problems that crop up in day-to-day teaching.
Outside of these three categories, there are still more options for tests. School administrators and support staff have their own set of exams, as do teacher aides, and school-employed speech language pathologists, audiologists, psychologists, guidance counselors and librarians. There is, in other words, a test for everyone.
To determine which tests are the best choice visit the , scroll down to the 鈥淪tate Testing Requirements鈥 section, then select the state to teach in from the drop-down menu.
Some states, like Colorado, require Subject Tests but not Core Tests. Other states (such as Pennsylvania, Virginia and Kentucky) offer their own state-specific exams. And still other states accept some comparable Praxis exams but have other main exams. Arizona, for example, requires NES/AEPA, not Praxis tests. So, do some state-specific research on which requirements pertain.
Required by most states, Praxis Core tests are administered electronically at designated testing centers as well as at home for test takers in the U.S. and Canada. They can be taken all at once or over several days. Minimum required scores vary by state.
The three components are:
1. Reading
Questions require understanding and analyzing multiple texts.
- Format: Multiple choice and alternate response type (e.g., 鈥淪elect the sentence in the passage that 鈥︹)
- Number of questions: 56
- Time to complete: 85 minutes
2. Mathematics
Candidates are permitted to use an on-screen calculator.
- Format: Numeric entry and multiple choice
- Number of questions: 56
- Time to complete: 90 minutes
3. Writing
This test is designed to assess argumentative and informative writing skills with an essay for each type. It also includes a series of questions pertaining to research and strategies for editing and improving texts.
- Format: Multiple choice and essay
- Number of questions: 40 plus two essays
- Time to complete: 40 minutes for the questions, 60 minutes for the essays
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Studying for Praxis tests
Just as students must review formulas and sample questions ahead of an algebra test, so too much aspiring teachers invest the time and brainpower into properly preparing for the Praxis.听
In addition to having a solid foundational knowledge in education and subject matter, candidates can choose to explore the following resources while preparing for the Praxis.
- : This complimentary and downloadable selection of resources includes study companions, study plans and interactive practice tests.
- : With upward of 70 study guides and Praxis courses, plus more than 32,000 practice questions, Study.com offers a comprehensive approach to test prep. Some of these resources are free, but to access everything requires a fee-based membership.
Get a degree before taking Praxis tests
While getting on the other side of Praxis tests may seem daunting, it鈥檚 really just a matter of breaking the process down into doable steps. In fact, the path to Praxis success 鈥 research, study and test 鈥 dovetails nicely with education itself.
If you need more information about how to plan or pay for Praxis exams, ETS offers testing accommodations and even financial support if you qualify. For information on education degree programs offered at 爱污传媒, visit the UOPX education degree page.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Elizabeth Exline has been telling stories ever since she won a writing contest in third grade. She's covered design and architecture, travel, lifestyle content and a host of other topics for national, regional, local and brand publications. Additionally, she's worked in content development for Marriott International and manuscript development for a variety of authors.
ABOUT THE REVIEWER
Dr. Raelene Brooks, dean of the College of Nursing, has been a registered nurse for more than 25 years and practiced extensively in the areas of ICU, trauma and critical care.听Her publications include a focus on nursing education, critical care, and organizational wellness and engagement. She is a leader in creating, guiding and launching innovative curriculum.
This article has been vetted by 爱污传媒's editorial advisory committee.听
Read more about our editorial process.