The Praxis tests are a series of standardized exams developed by Educational Testing Service (ETS) and used by most U.S. states as part of the teacher certification and licensure process. There are two main categories of Praxis exams: Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators (commonly called Praxis Core) and Praxis Subject Assessments (formerly called Praxis II). Understanding which tests you need depends on your state's requirements and your teaching certification pathway.
Praxis Core tests foundational academic skills in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics — the basic academic competencies expected of all teacher candidates regardless of their subject area. Many states require passing Praxis Core as a condition of admission to teacher preparation programs or as a requirement for initial certification. Praxis Core is typically taken by teacher candidates early in their preparation program.
Praxis Subject Assessments test content knowledge in specific subject areas — Elementary Education, Secondary Mathematics, Biology, English Language Arts, Social Studies, Special Education, and many others. These tests verify that teacher candidates have the subject matter knowledge required to teach their intended grade level and subject area. Praxis Subject Assessments are typically taken later in the preparation program, often as a graduation or certification requirement. The specific tests required vary significantly by state — some states use Praxis Core, others have replaced it with state-developed basic skills tests, and subject area requirements differ as well.
Praxis Core consists of three separate tests: Reading (56 questions, 85 minutes), Writing (two essays plus 40 selected-response questions, 100 minutes), and Mathematics (56 questions, 85 minutes). Each test is scored separately on a scale of 100 to 200. Tests can be taken separately — you do not have to take all three on the same day.
The Reading test assesses comprehension of academic texts in two categories: key ideas and details (the most common question type — identifying what the passage says, implied meanings, and relationships between ideas) and craft, structure, and language skills (evaluating how the author organizes information, uses evidence, and employs specific language choices). Reading questions are tied to passages — you cannot prepare for specific factual content, but you can develop the reading speed and comprehension strategies needed to process dense academic text efficiently. Practice with challenging non-fiction passages from academic, scientific, and humanities sources builds the comprehension fluency needed for the timed reading test.
The Writing test includes two essays and selected-response grammar questions. The Argumentative Essay (30 minutes) asks you to take a position on an issue and support it with evidence and reasoning. The Source-Based Essay (30 minutes) asks you to read and analyze provided source materials and write an essay synthesizing information from them. The selected-response portion tests grammar, usage, and sentence structure — identifying errors and selecting improved versions of sentences. Strong performance on the Writing test requires both essay writing competency and grammar knowledge. Practice writing timed essays and study the specific grammar conventions tested on Praxis Core: subject-verb agreement, pronoun reference, comma usage, parallel structure, and modifier placement.
The Mathematics test covers number and quantity (arithmetic, number relationships, estimation), algebra and functions (linear equations, systems, functions, quadratic concepts), geometry (lines, angles, triangles, circles, coordinate geometry), statistics and probability (data interpretation, measures of center and spread, basic probability), and data interpretation and representation (tables, graphs, and charts). On-screen scientific calculator is available. The math tested on Praxis Core is at approximately the high school algebra level — candidates who struggle significantly may need to rebuild foundational math skills before testing.
Praxis Subject Assessments are content-area tests that vary significantly in structure, length, and content depending on the subject and level. Preparing effectively requires understanding your specific test's content specifications and using materials aligned to that test.
Praxis Elementary Education tests are among the most widely taken Praxis Subject Assessments. The most common configuration is the Praxis Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects (5001) test, which tests knowledge across Reading and Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Science in a single exam. Elementary Education candidates must demonstrate broad content knowledge across multiple subjects at the elementary school curriculum level. Many teacher preparation programs require passing this test for graduation. ETS provides detailed content specifications for each Praxis Subject Assessment on their website — study the content specifications document for your specific test before selecting study materials.
Secondary Praxis Subject Assessments test content knowledge at the level expected of a beginning teacher in that subject area. Secondary Mathematics tests algebra, geometry, statistics, calculus, and number theory. Secondary English Language Arts tests literature, composition, reading, and language skills. Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Social Studies, History, and many other subjects each have dedicated assessments. Content specifications and score requirements vary by test and by state. Candidates who have strong undergraduate preparation in their subject area often find Subject Assessments less difficult than Core, while those with weaker subject backgrounds may need significant content review.
ETS provides official study guides and practice tests for each Praxis Subject Assessment through their website at ets.org/praxis. For most Subject Assessments, an ETS official study guide and one or two official practice tests are available. Third-party test prep publishers including Mometrix, 240 Tutoring, and Pearson offer Praxis-specific study materials. For content-heavy exams (Science, Mathematics), comprehensive textbook review of the tested content is often necessary in addition to test-format practice. For skills-based exams (Reading, Writing), practice with the specific question formats and timed writing is the primary preparation need.
The most valuable Praxis practice resources come directly from ETS — the company that creates the Praxis tests. Using official ETS practice materials ensures the questions match the actual test format, difficulty, and content coverage.
ETS provides official Praxis practice materials at ets.org/praxis. Resources include: free sample questions for each test (available without purchase — search for your specific test and select 'Sample Questions' or 'Preparation Materials'); official interactive practice tests (full-length tests available for purchase, typically $40 to $55 per test, with immediate scoring and answer explanations); and official study guides (printed and digital guides that include content review and practice questions for specific tests). For most Praxis tests, taking at least one full official practice test before your actual exam is strongly recommended — it provides accurate difficulty calibration and helps you identify specific content areas that need more review.
ETS official practice tests provide scaled scores after completion. Use these scores to estimate your readiness compared to your state's required passing score. Your state's minimum passing score is listed on your state's Department of Education website and on ETS's score requirements page. If your practice score is above your state's minimum, you are likely ready. If your practice score is below or near the minimum, identify which content areas contributed most to your errors and invest additional study time there before scheduling your actual test.
In addition to paid official materials, free resources include: ETS's free sample questions for each test on their website; Khan Academy's academic content for Praxis Core Mathematics and Reading preparation; and teacher preparation program study groups and resources provided by your institution. Some states provide free Praxis prep resources for teacher candidates — check your state's Department of Education website.
Praxis passing scores are set by individual states — not by ETS. This means the same test may have a different required passing score in Virginia than in Georgia or Pennsylvania. Knowing your state's specific required score is essential for setting a study target.
Your state's Praxis passing scores are listed on your state's Department of Education or teacher certification office website. ETS also maintains a database of state score requirements at ets.org — search for your state and your specific test to find the required score. Teacher preparation programs typically know their state's requirements and can advise candidates on the required passing scores for their certification pathway.
Praxis scores are valid for 10 years from the test date. This means if you take and pass a Praxis test during your teacher preparation program, that score remains valid for a decade — relevant if you plan to add endorsements or certify in additional states later. Some states accept Praxis scores from other states' certification requirements if the score meets their own minimum — verify with your state's teacher certification office whether scores from your home state transfer to a state where you plan to teach.
If you do not pass a Praxis test, you can retake it after 21 days. ETS does not limit the number of attempts, though individual state certification agencies may have rules about repeated failures. Some states require candidates who have failed multiple times to complete additional preparation or coursework before retesting. Analyze your score report after a failure to understand which content areas contributed most to your score — targeted preparation in those areas is more effective than general review.