Praxis testing involves multiple exams that aim to measure an education student's abilities to progress as a teacher. These tests are meant for students engaged with education programs or students seeking a teaching certification as required by colleges, universities, and state departments of education. Depending on your state or US territory, you may need to take individual or multiple Praxis tests. How do you know which is the right exam for you? Within this article, there are details to guide your choice, as figuring out which tests are necessary for licensure can be tricky. There are specific Praxis exam categories which include the following:
Praxis Core Tests (Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators)
Praxis Subject Tests (Praxis Subject Assessments)
Praxis Elementary Education: CKT Tests (Praxis Elementary Education: Content Knowledge for Teaching Assessments)
The Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators Exam covers the broadest material and are crucial for those planning to become teachers for any grade level. Think of this exam as a pre-requisite for admission into the teaching field. Access to college-level teacher education programs requires the test to be taken as well. If you plan to enter a teacher education program, a large majority of states will require the Praxis Core Test.
The Praxis Core Writing exam contains two parts: the essay with 60 minutes allotted for completion and the multiple-choice section with 45 minutes allotted. Topics for the essay will include argumentative writing and informative writing. The multiple-choice section will look at strategies for improving text and editing proficiency.
The Praxis Core Reading exam contains 56 questions with 85 minutes to complete the test. Students respond to an assortment of passages using critical analysis as well as select in-passage questions.
The Praxis Core Math exam contains 56 questions over the span of 90 minutes. An on-screen calculator will be provided. Problems will test mathematical logic by selected-response (multiple-choice, true/false, etc.) and numerical entry questions.
The exam will assess academic writing, reading, and mathematical comprehension in three separate tests. It will be held in one of the many networked testing centers on a computer. International testing centers can be found with Prometric networks, universities, and other locations. Due to the nature of the pandemic, health and safety precautions are currently being implemented. A negative COVID-19 test or proof of vaccination may be required for certain Praxis testing centers. If needed, at-home testing options and extended test times are also available for those eligible. The tests are written in English, but Praxis test accommodations can be arranged.
Testing fees for the Core exam are easy to grasp. The individual tests are 90 USD, but when taken all at once, they are discounted in bulk down to 150 USD.
Praxis Subject Assessments are meant to evaluate future K-12 educators on their knowledge of the specific subjects that they will be teaching. When seeking professional teaching licensure, most organizations will require the exam to be taken. Depending on your state, the Subject Assessments will often have the Core Exam as a requisite alongside it.
Subject Assessments span over 90 different subjects and are intended to test specific subject knowledge and teaching ability. Subjects range widely and have their own associated codes, from Audiology (5343) and Algebra (5162) to Spanish (5195) and Sociology (5952). Selected-response and constructed-response questions are involved with each subject test.
The PLT (Principles of Learning and Teaching) tests cover the subject of pedagogy, exploring one's comprehension of learning theory, classroom management, and activity planning. They test the teacher's pedagogical skills through four different exams: Early Childhood, K-6, 5-9, and 7-12. Developmental psychology will be tested frequently in the early childhood exam and K-6 exams, in contrast to more complex subject matter questioned in the 5-9 and 7-12 grade range. This differs from other Subject Assessments and the Core tests because it covers actual teaching ability throughout grade levels as opposed to content mastery. Additionally, the Core exams usually require all three subjects (writing, reading, and math) to be tested, while only one grade level is usually needed for the PLT.
Every exam, except Braille Proficiency - (0633), is taken on a computer. Much like the Praxis Core Exams, exams will be held in a designated testing center, with international access through a network of locations.
The Praxis test cost depends on the type of test you take. If it is an easy grading process, with the test consisting of multiple-choice questions that can be scored using technology, the fee is 120 USD. If the exam is more complex and features constructed-response questions, the fee is 146 USD. Foreign language exams are more costly as their grading requirements use more resources, so the fee comes out to 160 USD.
The Praxis Elementary Education: Content Knowledge for Teaching (CKT) exam is for applicants who are looking to get an elementary schooling license.
The CKT tests both subject matters as well as application in a young classroom environment. There are four tests involved which cover Reading & Language Arts, Social Studies, Math, and Science. Please note that all questions are selected-response for the CKT.
The Reading & Language Arts subsection has 63 questions to be completed in 90 minutes, reviewing content in communication skills, English language and grammar, and literature comprehension.
The Social Studies subsection has 60 questions to be answered in 50 minutes, covering subjects like human geography, history, and government.
The Mathematics subsection has 52 questions to be completed in 80 minutes, asking questions regarding simple equations and working with fractions and whole numbers. An onscreen calculator is provided.
The Science subsection has 47 questions with 60 minutes of testing time, with topics overviewing physics (matter and energy), geology (earth systems), and biology (organisms and anatomy).
Akin to the previously mentioned exams, the CKT will be offered on a computer in a testing center.
Testing fees for the CKT can be individual or combined. Individually, the Reading & Language Arts and Mathematics sections are 78 USD, while the Science and Social Studies are 64 USD. When taken together, the fee is 209 USD.
Praxis used to identify the Core and Subject Assessment exam types as Praxis I for the Core and Praxis II for the Subject Assessments. One of the tests associated with the Praxis II, the Praxis Professional School Counselor (5421), is required for those seeking to earn a school counselor license.
The exam is broken down into four separate subjects, including:
22 questions about Foundations, focusing on ethics, the roles of a counselor, and student development.
26 questions about Accountability, focusing on understanding the state of accountability, goal setting and achievement, student results, and data analysis.
18 questions about Management, focusing on using technology to evaluate students, and referrals/resources for struggling students.
54 questions about Delivery of Services, focusing on collaboration, attitude, and analysis of student behavior.
Because the Praxis School Counseling exam is a type of Praxis II/Subject Assessment exam, the same computerized testing center qualifications apply.
The fee for the Professional School Counselor (5421) exam is 130 USD.
If you're looking to enter the teaching career field, Praxis is bound to be an exam that you will be required to take. There are many branches of instruction, and Praxis has designed many exams to help one find the right path of learning education. In most cases, the Praxis Core and Praxis Subject Assessment exams are required for teaching licensure, but be sure to check your exact state's requirements before registration. The Core Exams are essential for entering any teacher licensing program, and the Subject Assessments test your knowledge of the subject you wish to teach. With over 90 subjects to choose from, the Subject Assessment can help you land in the subject you want to teach. PLT, or Principles of Learning and Teaching, exams are specific to testing pedagogy and classroom understanding, and the Praxis Elementary Education: Content Knowledge for Teaching (CKT) Assessment is specific to testing elementary educational and nurturing skills. If you are looking to become a school counselor and help students develop, the Praxis II (Subject Assessment) Professional School Counselor Exam revolves around student interaction, accountability, and mental health.
Becoming a teacher is an honorable journey and carving the right path can be difficult, but with the assistance of Praxis evaluation and diligent work, you are only a few steps away from being an amazing teacher.
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Praxis Exam registration can feel daunting, but the steps are simple. Before registration, you want to know the tests you are taking as well as the exam fees involved.
You can make an account on ETS.org using your email address so they may contact you with important updates. Within your account, you may access your exam choices and schedule a test. eCheck, PayPal, and debit/credit cards may be used to pay. After registration, you will be given an admission ticket; be sure to print it out and bring it with you on Praxis test day.
You may register by mail by completing their required Test Authorization Voucher Request Form (found on the ETS.org website). Once processed, a voucher will be sent to you within a 3-week window along with registration instructions. Your admission ticket will be produced online with your ETS account, it will not be mailed to you.
Once you've made an online account with ETS.org, you may call 1-800-772-9476 to register. Note that there is a 35 USD charge when using this service. This must be done four days before your scheduled test.
On the day of testing, you may need to bring a mask (cloth or medical, masks with vents are not permitted) and/or rubber gloves depending on the requirements of your testing center. Depending on the exam you are taking, you may also need to bring a calculator. You will need your admission ticket and a valid photo ID including a name, signature, and photograph. Personal items like jewelry, phones, watches, and other technology are prohibited from the testing area. Food, drink, and medication may be accessed during the breaks.
Nadim Tabsch is an adjunct English professor with over 15 years of experience. He has deep expertise in Literacy and Social Sciences and has been an educator at the elementary, middle school, high school, and collegiate level. Nadim graduated with a B.S. in Elementary Education from Barry University and a Master's degree in Literacy from the University of New England.
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Although you may attempt to register for any Praxis exam, it is best to determine which Praxis exam best suits your educational or professional goals. The information in the article above can help you determine which Praxis exam is correct for you.
This will depend on which state you are seeking a teaching license in. Some states do not require/accept Praxis testing, while others accept and require it. Please refer to your state's guidelines for up-to-date information. You can visit ETS.org to find resources on your state's requirements.
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