Praxis Study Guide 2026–2026 — How to Study for Praxis Core and Subject Tests
Praxis study guide 2026–2026: how to study for Praxis Core Academic Skills and Praxis Subject Assessments, study schedule, highest-yield content areas, and passing score requirements by state.
Praxis Core Academic Skills — What to Study
The Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators exam has 3 separately scored tests: Reading (5712), Writing (5722), and Mathematics (5733). You can take them individually or combined. Each is computer-delivered at a Praxis testing center. Here is what each test covers and where to focus your study effort.
Praxis Core Reading (5712): 56 questions, 85 minutes. Tests comprehension of single and paired literary and informational texts. The 2 major categories are Key Ideas and Details (approximately 35–40% of questions) and Craft, Structure, and Language Skills (approximately 30–35%). High-yield skills: identifying main idea and author's purpose, understanding how text evidence supports claims, inferencing from context, and vocabulary in context. Reading comprehension improves slowly — start here first if you are weak.
Praxis Core Writing (5722): Part 1 is 40 selected-response questions (40 minutes) covering grammatical relationships, structural relationships, and word choice. Part 2 is 2 essay tasks (30 minutes each). For selected-response: focus on subject-verb agreement, pronoun-antecedent agreement, parallel structure, and comma usage — these account for approximately 60% of grammar questions. For essays: the Argumentative Essay requires a clear thesis with evidence from your own knowledge; the Informative Essay responds to a provided reading and requires summarizing the source's argument.
Praxis Core Mathematics (5733): 56 questions, 85 minutes. Calculator allowed for some sections (an on-screen calculator is provided for most questions). The 4 content categories: Number and Quantity (approximately 30%), Algebra and Functions (approximately 30%), Geometry and Measurement (approximately 20%), and Statistics and Probability (approximately 20%). High-yield topics: fractions and percentages, linear equations, interpreting graphs, area and perimeter, and basic probability. Most teacher candidates find math the most challenging Praxis Core component — budget more study time here if you have not used algebra recently.
Praxis Study Guide at a Glance
- Reading (5712): 56 questions, 85 min
- Writing (5722): 40 SR + 2 essays, 100 min
- Math (5733): 56 questions, 85 min, calculator
- Range: English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Special Ed
- Format: Content-specific, 1.5–3.5 hours
- Prep: Study content outlines from ETS for your specific exam
- Praxis Core Reading: Typically 156–168 depending on state
- Praxis Core Math: Typically 150–162 depending on state
- Subject Assessments: Set by each state's licensing board
- Praxis Core (all 3): 8–12 weeks, 10 hrs/week
- Subject Assessment: 4–8 weeks for candidates with content background
- Diagnostic first: Take a full practice test before planning study
Praxis Subject Assessment — How to Prepare for Your Content Area
There are more than 90 Praxis Subject Assessment exams covering every major teaching field. Unlike the Praxis Core, which has standardized content across all test-takers, Subject Assessments are highly specific to your field. Here is how to approach preparation.
Step 1 — Obtain the official ETS test content outline: ETS (Educational Testing Service) publishes a detailed Test Content Outline (sometimes called a Study Companion) for every Praxis Subject Assessment. This document lists every topic that can be tested, with approximate weightings. It is free at ets.org. This is your study blueprint — every study session should map to the content outline. Do not study from generic sources without first reading ETS's official outline.
Step 2 — Identify your strongest and weakest content areas: Use the content outline to self-assess. For your weakest areas, budget 60–70% of your study time. For areas where you already have strong subject knowledge, focus primarily on the question format rather than content review.
Step 3 — Use official ETS practice tests: ETS sells official practice tests for most Subject Assessments. These are the most accurate representation of actual exam format and difficulty. Third-party prep materials vary in quality — for Subject Assessments, official materials are always the priority.
Commonly tested Subject Assessments and their focus areas:
- Praxis 5001 (Elementary Education): Math content knowledge (heavy emphasis on fractions, ratios, data analysis), ELA (phonics, reading comprehension, grammar), social studies, and science — all at the elementary teaching level. Most commonly required in the US.
- Praxis 5038 (Middle School English Language Arts): Literature, grammar, language development, and writing instruction. Requires knowledge of literary devices and basic linguistics.
- Praxis 5161 (Mathematics: Content Knowledge): High school and some college-level mathematics. Algebra, geometry, statistics, trigonometry, calculus basics. One of the more challenging subject tests.
- Praxis 5354 (Special Education Core): Disability categories, IEP process, instructional strategies, legal requirements (IDEA). Required for most special education teaching licenses.
Take a full-length Praxis practice test to benchmark where you stand before committing to a study schedule. Use our full Praxis practice tests library organized by subject area to target your specific exam, and review our Praxis test video answers for worked explanations of complex questions.
Praxis Passing Scores — What Your State Requires
Praxis passing scores are not set by ETS — they are set by each state's department of education or licensing board. This means a score that passes in one state may not be sufficient in another. Always verify your state's required passing score before you schedule the exam.
Examples of state passing score requirements (Praxis Core):
- Texas: Praxis Core Reading: 156 | Writing: 162 | Math: 150
- Georgia: Praxis Core Reading: 156 | Writing: 162 | Math: 150
- New York: Uses edTPA and state-specific exams (NYS Teacher Certification Exams), not Praxis Core
- Ohio: Praxis Core Reading: 156 | Writing: 162 | Math: 150
- Florida: Florida uses FTCE (Florida Teacher Certification Examinations), not Praxis
- California: Uses CBEST and CSET, not Praxis Core
Note: Not all states require Praxis Core. Many states have moved to state-specific teacher certification exams. Check your state's department of education website to confirm which exams are required for your specific teaching license and grade level.
How Praxis scores are reported: ETS reports scaled scores on a range specific to each exam (e.g., Praxis Core Reading is scored 100–200). Your score report shows your scaled score, the national average, and whether you met your state's passing score. Score reports are released approximately 2–3 weeks after your test date via your Praxis account.