Praxis^® Score Report Info

What Is the Praxis?

The Praxis examinations are a series of tests that many states use to make sure teachers are prepared to lead a classroom. The Praxis Core test measures aptitude in reading, writing and mathematics, there are the Content Knowledge for Teaching (CKT) tests, which are designed for elementary school teachers, and there are the subject assessments, which are taken by educators who want to teach in areas like art, foreign languages or the sciences. There are over 90 subject assessments. If you are on the journey to becoming an educator, taking Praxis examinations on specific content knowledge, subject areas, or grade levels is an important step to becoming certified. Below, we'll cover how Praxis scoring works, how long it takes to get your results, how to interpret your scores and some of the requirements for each state.

How Is the Praxis Scored?

The Praxis test is made up of one or a combination of selected-response (multiple choice) and constructed-response (self-entered or essay) questions. Selected response questions are worth 1 raw point per question and are graded by a computer. After determining your total score, it is converted to a sliding scale based on test difficulty.

Constructed-response questions are graded by two or more professional educators practicing in the field of the tests' content. The educators are supervised and trained to use ETS grading practices. Your constructed-response scores will never be graded by a single individual. To ensure fairness and accuracy there are two grading models:

1. In the first model, two educators independently score your exam. If their grading differs too much, a third educator will grade your exam. Then, their ratings are added together to determine your total raw score.
2. In the second grading model, each question is graded by a different educator. For example, if there were 5 constructed-response questions, 5 different educators would score your test. In this case, grades are multiplied by a predetermined score weight, and the weighted grades are added together to determine your total raw score.

On tests that combine select-response and constructed-response questions, your total raw score is the addition of your select-response raw score and constructed-response raw score. Most tests will also include ungraded pretest questions to familiarize you with the testing format and introduce potential questions to add to later versions of the test.

How Are Praxis Results Reported?

In most instances, a copy of your Praxis test results and passing scores are required by your certifying institution/agency. During Praxis registration, you will have the option to select up to 4 institutions or agencies that will automatically receive your test results when they are released at no charge. Any changes to the recipients of your test scores must be made at least 3 days prior to testing.

For 10 years, your Praxis test scores will be valid and available on your Praxis account. However, it is recommended to download and save your score report for your personal records. At any point during the 10-year validity period, you can have your scores sent to an institution or agency for a nonrefundable fee of $50. You can request the score report to be sent online, by phone, or by mail/fax. Once requested, it will take ETS 5 calendar days to issue online/phone requests and 7 business days to issue mail/fax requests.

How Long Does it Take to Get Praxis Scores?

Generally, you can expect to receive your Praxis score 10-16 days after the final day of the testing window. ETS, the company that administers the Praxis exams, has a helpful online tool that allows you to enter the date you took the exam, then shows you when your results will become available. On the score release date, your Praxis test results can be viewed on your Praxis account, the scores will then be stored for up to 10 years from that date.

Understanding the Praxis Score Report

Some test-takers find it intimidating to decipher the Praxis score report, so we'll break it down here. A score report first includes the most important elements: your score and if your score is considered passing. It then shows you data on the range of potential scores, raw points in content categories, and the middle 50% of all scores on that particular test (average performance range). The Praxis score report will also include your personal data on Praxis exams you have taken in the past and the schools/state agencies you predetermined your scores to be sent to. Looking over an example Praxis score report can help you visualize what your personal report will look like.

Your overall score is expressed on a scale of 100-200 points where 100 is considered 0% and 200 is considered 100%. Data on your highest score, required minimum score, and qualifying score are listed to express if the passing Praxis score was met. If an exam had a qualifying score of 163/200 and you received a 170/200, you would pass the exam.

Most Praxis tests are broken down into general content categories with each category assigned a set of specific questions. On your Praxis test results, the raw points earned in each category's questions will be listed out of how many available raw points you could have earned. For example, if you were interpreting your Praxis test results on the core math test and looking at the content category Algebra, there are 18 questions in this category. If you earned 15 raw points, then your score would show 15 raw points earned versus 18 raw points available in this category.

Praxis Passing Score Requirements

Each state has the right to determine the qualifications required to be a certified educator. Because Praxis tests and Praxis passing scores by state vary, it is important to check with your state institution or agency to guarantee you are taking the correct exams and meeting certification requirements, either through the typical route to certification or via an approved alternative pathway.

While every exam has different raw passing scores, the final scores will always be listed on a 100-200 point scale with 100 equaling a 0% and 200 being the highest possible score. Generally, a passing score is between 150-160 points, but it is important to find the specifications of the test you are taking and your state/agency requirements.

Praxis Scoring Policies

The Praxis scoring policies are intended to protect the test taker, administrator, and ETS to ensure that your Praxis test results are fair, accurate, and void of irregularities/discrepancies. As a test taker, your personal information and score reports are protected from unauthorized disclosure, except when used in anonymous research/data analysis, under legal compulsion, or at the request of branch institutions or officials whose main office already possesses a copy of your reports.

ETS reserves the right to cancel or invalidate your scores if any of the following occur: there is either a problem with the administration of the test, a discrepancy in your identification, or suspected misconduct (cheating, plagiarism, or unusual/ inconsistent performance).

During your Praxis registration, you are afforded certain rights, one of which is the ability to cancel your scores and request a retest. The option to cancel your scores will appear at the end of your test, but you should carefully consider this option as you will not receive a refund, cannot reinstate your scores, and cannot report scores to any institution/agency. You can also quit the test before finishing to automatically cancel your scores.

On constructed-response tests, you have the right to have your score reviewed. To request a score review, fill out the form provided by ETS, pay the $65 service fee, and submit it within 3 months of taking the exam.

For test question inquiries, you can tell the administrator at the testing site or write as soon as possible to:

ETS Praxis | Test Question Inquiries | P.O. Box 6667 | Princeton, NJ 08541-6667

For test center complaints, you must submit a written statement no later than 7 business days after the date of administration. You can send them by fax/mail at:

• Fax: 1-609-530-0581
• Mail: ETS Praxis | CBT Complaints | P.O. Box 6051 | Princeton, NJ 08541-6051

Expert Contributor

Wilson Hatcher

Wilson Hatcher, M.Ed. has worked in education for over 16 years as a teacher, tutor, academic advisor, and test prep expert. He has over a decade of experience teaching strategic test preparation for the SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, and TOEFL iBT. Wilson earned an M.Ed. in Leadership from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and a B.A. in Legal Studies from American Public University. He passed the Praxis Core exam with near-perfect scores, receiving a 200 in Reading, 200 in Math, and 198 in Writing.