About the Early Childhood Education Praxis
The Early Childhood Education Praxis exam, or Praxis 5025 exam, is one of several Praxis Subject Assessments that some states use for teacher certification or licensure in the field of early childhood education. This Praxis test for early childhood education (ECE) is designed to test the knowledge and skills of aspiring early childhood teachers. Questions are based on various standards used in the field, such as standards from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Test takers are evaluated in multiple subject areas and their understanding of how children learn. Here, we will examine the Praxis 5025 in greater detail.
Early Childhood Education Praxis Study Guide
The following information can serve as a sort of ECE Praxis study guide to help candidates understand the format and content of the Praxis 5025. This study guide will discuss the types of questions that test-takers will encounter and the different content areas and topics that the exam may cover.
The Early Childhood Education Praxis exam is computer-based and must be completed in 2 hours. During this time, aspiring teachers must answer 120 selected-response, or multiple-choice, questions. These questions may require candidates to:
- Type an answer in an entry box
- Checkboxes
- Click on graphics
- Click on sentences
- Drag and drop answers
- Choose an answer from a drop-down menu
- Select more than one oval
Subjects Covered in the Early Childhood Education Praxis
Since early childhood education teachers typically teach young children in a range of content areas, the Early Childhood Education Praxis exam includes questions on several topics found in five main content categories. These categories are designed to assess test takers' skills and knowledge in some of the main concepts of the subject area. These different subject areas are consistent with the areas that children will continue to be taught throughout their education. The Praxis 2 Early Childhood exam is broken up into the following content categories:
- Language and Literacy
- Mathematics
- Social Studies
- Science
- Health and Physical Education; Creative and Performing Arts
Read more about each content category below.
Language and Literacy
The Language and Literacy section consists of 36 questions, making it the most significant portion; that accounts for about 30% of the total exam. Testers may need to click on sentences and select answers in this exam section. This content area is broken up into six different subcategories:
- Emergent Literacy: Foundational Skills
- Reading: Foundational Skills
- Reading: Literature and Informational Text
- Writing
- Speaking and Listening
- Language
Within each subcategory, test-takers will answer questions about a range of topics. Some specific topics covered on the exam include the stages of language acquisition, phonics and word analysis, using key ideas, common types of writing, characteristics of quality oral presentations, and conventions of standard English.
Mathematics
The Mathematics content category makes up approximately 25% of the exam, which makes it the second-largest section. Test takers will answer around 30 questions, some of which may require them to type an answer in an entry box or drag and drop answers. The questions in this section are usually written in the context of children's learning and will not be computational math problems. Candidates may answer questions on concepts and topics such as:
- Patterns
- Sequencing
- Counting
- Whole numbers
- Fractions
- Basic algebra
- Geometry
- Measurement
Candidates should understand how young learners develop in solving problems and applying appropriate strategies given the student's age.
Social Studies
The Social Studies content area contains about 17 questions, making it around 14% of the total exam. Test takers may need to click on graphics or choose answers from a drop-down box while answering questions. The Social Studies section is broken up into the following subcategories:
- Identity, Social, and Emotional Development
- Culture and Cultural Identity
- People, Places, and Environments
- Time, Continuity, and Change
- Civics and Government
Within these different subcategories, candidates may need to answer questions about methods for analyzing identity, the components of culture, geographic perspectives, chronological thinking, and civic participation. Testers will also need to understand specific concepts associated with these different topics. For example, test takers may be asked about civics concepts like justice and the rule of law.
Science
The Science section of the exam also has around 17 questions, which is about 14% of the exam. These questions may require candidates to select the correct answers or drag and drop answers. Test takers will need to answer general questions about scientific inquiry and the application of science and technology and questions on specific scientific disciplines, including life science, physical science, and Earth and space science. The exam may cover topics like:
- The scientific process
- Forms of energy
- Properties of Earth materials
- Life cycles of organisms
- Technology used for scientific inquiry
The final section, Health and Physical Education; Creative and Performing Arts, makes up about 17% of the total exam with around 20 questions. Test takers may need to click on graphics or select one or more answers to questions. Health-related questions may ask test-takers about topics such as disease prevention, harmful effects of drugs, and the need for a nutritious diet. Physical education-related questions may cover topics including motor development, how physical education affects learning, and components of fitness. The creative and performing arts section is divided into topics on the functions of art and the processes of art. Aspiring teachers may need to answer questions about the connections between visual and performing arts, terminology of art, and materials used in art.
Early Childhood Praxis Test Dates, Locations, Registration, and Cost
Once test takers know that they need to take the Early Childhood Praxis, they must complete the registration process. This includes finding Early Childhood Praxis test dates, choosing a testing location, and paying for the exam. Here, we discuss these aspects of the exam in greater detail.
- Test Dates. Praxis Test dates are available throughout the year on every day of the week. Test dates determine Praxis score report dates, so test takers should plan accordingly. Prospective teachers can use the ETS website's 'Find a Test Date' tool to select the Praxis 5025 and explore their options.
- Test Locations. Praxis testing centers are available throughout the United States and even abroad. Test takers can use the ETS website's 'Find a Test Center' to search for available test sites nearest to them by using their zip code or city name. Taking Praxis at home is also an option.
- Registration. Candidates can register online, by phone, or through the mail. Users can complete Praxis registration online through their Praxis account. Registering by phone costs an additional $35, and registration through the mail can take up to 3 weeks, as the ETS must process the request and send back a voucher.
- Cost of the Exam. During registration, test-takers will need to pay the Praxis registration fee of $130 for taking the Praxis 5025 exam. Should test-takers need to request for Praxis test reschedule or change exam location, they will be charged an additional $40.
Praxis Early Childhood Education Study Tips
Candidates need to study and be prepared for test day. Test takers should be sure first to use an ECE Praxis study guide to understand how the exam is formatted, the types of questions that will be presented, and the content of the test. Using this information, candidates can figure out their areas of strength and weakness and begin to format a study plan. For example, testers may think about dedicating more study time to larger sections of the exam and sections they feel less comfortable with. Many additional study resources are available to test takers as they begin the studying process. For instance, test takers may make flashcards to remember key points, read through textbooks, study with a friend, or utilize a Praxis tutor.
Praxis Early Childhood 5025 Practice Test
Another great tool for studying is a Praxis Early Childhood 5025 practice test. Praxis practice exams allow test takers to get familiar with the format of the exam and the types of questions they may see on test day. Taking a practice test can help candidates practice managing their time while taking the exam and evaluate areas where they still need to study. The ETS offers a practice Praxis test for early childhood education that simulates the actual exam for a fee.
Passing Scores for the Early Childhood Education Praxis
The Praxis Early Childhood passing score can vary by state, as each state sets its own qualifying score for the exam. This passing score must be met or exceeded for teacher certification in the field. In the case of the Praxis Early Childhood exam, most states have set a passing score of 156 or higher. The only exception is the state of Iowa. Iowa requires a Praxis Early Childhood passing score of 152 or higher. Praxis passing scores for each state can be subject to change, so test takers should be sure to check with their state's education department to see the current required passing score for certification.
Expert Contributor
Bryan McMahon
Bryan McMahon, M.A. is a high school biology and special education teacher in New Jersey with over 14 years of experience. He has hundreds of hours of experience tutoring aspiring teachers to take the CSET/CBEST exam suite. He has successfully passed the science and special education Praxis exams. Bryan completed a B.S. in Education from Seton Hall University and an M.A. in Teaching from Mangrove College.
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The passing score for the Early Childhood Education Praxis exam varies by state. However, most states that require the exam have a passing score of 156, except for Iowa, which requires a score of 152.
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The Praxis 5025 is the Early Childhood Education Praxis exam. It is a Praxis Subject Assessment that some states require as part of the teacher certification process for the field.
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The Praxis 5025 exam consists of 120 selected-response questions. Test takers have 2 hours to answer all of these multiple-choice questions.