Understanding the PRAXIS Exam

The Praxis tests measure the knowledge and skills you need to prepare for the classroom. Whether you're entering a teacher preparation program or seeking your certification, these tests will help you on your journey to become a qualified educator.

By Dr. Gwendolyn Maria Parrish — November 8, 2022

Tags: disability accommodations, exam, qualifications, study guide, study smart, study tools, studying, teaching career, test results, testing, testing site, tutoring

Completing your degree program is exciting but may also come with a few challenges if you are not prepared. Knowing what exams you must take as part of your certification is important to ensure that you are job ready after graduation. Many professions require a specific state assessment that will demonstrate your proficiency in the skills mastered during your college journey. For example, when you enter the field of education, the Praxis series will be a required part of your certification process. Similarly, you'll take this exam when applying for a teaching position, counseling, administration, or any other type of school instru ctional staff.

Teachers

To begin your teaching career, you must take the right assessment for your instruction level. If you want to work in an elementary school, you will take the assessment that covers all core subjects for all elementary grade levels. The test will cover math, reading, and writing skills. Middle school teachers must take a subject-specific assessment that encompasses all aspects of that topic, such as math, history, or science. The same is true for high school teachers since they are departmentalized, meaning they typically teach one or two subjects. School leaders will request your test scores when you apply for employment.

Counselors

To qualify for a counseling position within a school, you must first pass the required Praxis, which will cover the following topics:

Ethics
The role of a counselor
Student foundations
Student behavior and student results
Accountability
Management

The list above is not all-inclusive, so you must review all the major points highlighted during your college courses. Remember that most of your assignments were aimed at gaining insights that would help you to excel as a school counselor most effectively. Use this as a framework to study for the exam before scheduling your testing date.

School Leaders (Principals or Superintendents)

The Praxis for school leadership requires those testing to complete more than 100 selected response questions in about 2 ½ hours. The assessment is divided into six categories which include:

Strategic leadership skills
Instructional leadership skills
School culture and climate
Student behavior and student results
Ethical school leadership
Organizational leadership
Community engagement

Preparing for the Praxis Exam

Although you can retake the exam if you receive a score that is not passing, most assessments are costly. Therefore, you will want to ensure that you have reviewed all categories and taken the time to know each concept extensively. If you are a student with a disability, you can request testing accommodations. You will want to have your accommodation letter from your school handy since it will describe your specific instructional modification needs. Accommodations for the Praxis may include the following:

Oral interpreter
Extended time for testing
Printed and verbal directions
The listening section of the test omitted
Testing in Braille
Testing by audio rather than text

You can click here to learn more about requesting accommodations for your Praxis exam.

There are many options available for getting practice materials without spending a lot of money, such as Khan Academy Official Praxis Core Prep, Praxis Learning Paths Program, Praxis Exam Strategies and Tips, and several other online study guides that are free for download.

Where Can I Take the Praxis?

There are a few testing options depending on your location. You may also qualify to test from home. Click here to find a testing site nearest you or to find out if you are eligible for home testing.

Checking Your Praxis Scores

Once you have completed the required Praxis exams, you may want to check your scores. Knowing whether you have met your state's score requirements will help you plan whether you need to schedule a retake or not. Remember that your scores may take several weeks to show up on the Praxis site; however, some scores, such as math and reading, will be shown on your computer screen at the time of completion. Questions that require a constructed response will take longer to process. Click here to learn more about checking your scores and sending them to your preferred recipients. Typically your scores will be sent to your employer and your college or university. Once scores are available online, you can access them at any time. You may also want to download and print a copy for your records.

I know you want to be successful when taking the Praxis; you will need to showcase those stellar study skills you have mastered during your college journey. There are many tips and tricks to studying efficiently to demonstrate mastery of the core elements of the assessment. To get more in-depth guidance on effective study habits, click here. Most importantly, relax! You have had lots of practice with each of the needed skills as you complete each course in your program. Use the resources provided to prepare and know that you can do it.

Additional Praxis Resources

Free Praxis study guide Use the link to find the free practice test for your required exam.

One-on-One Praxis Tutoring Use the link to schedule your virtual live session.

Note: (In-person sessions are temporarily unavailable due to COVID 19 safety guidelines)

Dr. Gwendolyn Maria Parrish

Dr. Gwendolyn M. Parrish is a graduate of MSU, where she received a BA in Elementary Education and an MS in Educational Leadership. Maria has more than ten years of experience in the classroom and two years as a high school vice-principal. She is a graduate of Capella University, where she completed a Ph.D. program in Curriculum and Instruction and Administration. Maria has also been a writing consultant for Capella for the past three years and enjoy working with learners of all ages.

View all posts by Dr. Gwendolyn Maria Parrish