Everything You Need to Know About the Praxis Subject Test

If you want to be a teacher, you've probably heard that you need to take the Praxis Subject Assessment. In fact, more than 40 states mandate you to take the Praxis Subject test before or shortly after beginning your teaching career.  

Is the prospect of taking an exam intimidating? You're not by yourself. You worked so hard to get into the program that another test may seem insignificant. But let's take it one step at a time. We'll go over anything Praxis related here. Subject - what the test entails, who the test is intended for, and what resources are available to help you prepare to ace the test.

What is Praxis Subject?

The Praxis Subject Test is a computer-based test administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS)  for future K-12 teachers. ETS also administers the SAT, so you may have heard of them! The Praxis Subject test measures both your general teaching skills and your knowledge of the subject you want to teach.  

Your specific Praxis Subject test will depend on your state and program requirements. According to ETS, each state has determined its own specific requirements and passing scores (2). To determine what test you need to take, contact your educator prep program and check out your state requirements on the ETS Praxis State Requirements page.

What Subjects are on the Praxis Subject Test?

The test you take depends on the subject you are planning to teach. For example, if you are planning to become a middle school math teacher, your program may require you to take the middle school mathematics test. We suggest that you speak directly with your teaching program before registering for the Praxis Subject test, this ensures you are taking the right test and meeting the correct requirements.  

How is this different from Praxis Core?

Each of the Praxis tests are an important part of completing your program, however, each test serves a different purpose. The Praxis Subject test is designed to show that you know your subject well enough to teach it. You may take it when you graduate with your bachelor’s, when you begin a teaching program, or after you begin teaching. If your degree is in your subject, you may not have to take it at all.  
The Praxis Core is more of a college entrance test, like the SAT. Most colleges consider the Praxis Core an eligibility requirement before beginning a teaching program. The Praxis Core is a general skills test covering math, reading, and writing. The purpose of the Praxis Core is to evaluate and measure your knowledge and skill levels in areas that are deemed important for being able to lead a classroom successfully.  

Who Needs to Take the Test and Why?

If you are planning to become a K-12 teacher you will most likely be required to take the Praxis Subject test before completing your teaching program. The test helps your program measure your level of knowledge in your subject area. Programs want to ensure that you have reached a certain level of understanding in your subject area before starting your in-classroom teacher training.  

I already have a degree; will I still need to take the test?

For career changers who are considering becoming a teacher, whether or not you need to take the Praxis Subject test will depend on the requirements in your state. For example, in some states, if you already have a degree and coursework related to the subject you want to teach, you may be exempt from the test. For more information, visit the ETS Praxis State Requirements page.

What to Expect on a Praxis Test

The Praxis Subject test currently consists of two sets of assessments:  

• Subject Assessment: Measures your general skills and subject area knowledge. The test includes multiple-choice questions along with essay questions.
• Principles of Learning (PLT): Measures your teaching skills and grade-level specific knowledge. This includes Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle School, and High School. The test includes multiple-choice questions along with short answer questions.

What is a passing Praxis Subject test score?

The Praxis Subject test is scored on a 100-200 scale. The average score for most subject areas ranges between 165-179. The specific “passing score” will vary depending on where you live. For a better understanding of scoring and test results.

What happens if I don’t pass the test?

If you don't pass the Praxis Subject test the first time around, it is not the end of the world.  According to Forbes, over 75% of those who take the Praxis test will pass the test. There is always time to study more, prepare longer, and give it another try. According to the Praxis Test Retake Policy, test takers are allowed to retake the test 29 days after the previous test date.  

Request a score review

If you fail the Praxis Subject test and feel that your test was not properly scored, you are allowed to request a score review. Only short answers and essay questions are allowed to be reviewed. The cost of a score review is $65. You must pay the fee and submit a Score Review Form within three months of your original test date.  

How many times can I take the test?  

You can take the Praxis Subject Test as many times as you need to but you’ll need to wait at least 29 days between testing dates. Although there is no limit to the number of times you can take the test, you will be required to register again along with paying a new registration fee.  

Reporting your scores

When you register for your Praxis Core test, you can request that your scores get sent to your teaching program when they are available. There is no fee associated with reporting your scores. For some states, your test scores will automatically be sent to the state’s teacher credentialing agency.

How to register for the Praxis Subject Test

Before registering for your Praxis Subject test, it is important to be mindful of your teaching program deadlines. You want to ensure that you are allowing yourself plenty of time to prepare for the test. In order to register, you must first create an online account. Once you have created the account you can move forward with selecting your desired subject test, date, and location. ETS also offers the option to register by mail or phone. (There may be additional fees for these options) Visit the ETS Registration page to learn more about registering.

Registration fees

The cost of your Praxis Subject Test will vary depending on the subject area and the number of tests you are planning to take. The test fees range from $50-$209.  

Fee waiver

Currently, ETS offers a fee waiver for students who meet the following criteria:  

• Enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program that requires the Praxis Subject Test
• Receiving financial aid along with a FAFSA report that shows an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $3,000 or less.

In order to fully qualify for the fee waiver, you must submit the required forms prior to your test dates. You are only allowed one fee waiver per year. Fee waivers are limited each year and issued on a first come first serve basis.  

Where can I take the test?

ETS offers two options for taking the test. You can currently take the test at an official testing center or at home via a remote testing proctor. Both the home and in-person tests cover the same information. Visit the Praxis Location page to find a testing center near you.  

If you are planning to take the test on-site, be sure to register for your desired test date in advance. Also, arrive a few minutes early to ensure you aren’t rushing in right before the test start time. The testing center Administrator (TCA) will provide you with all the necessary test equipment and instructions.  

Can you take the test online?

Yes, you can take the test online. If you are taking the test online (from home) your process will be slightly different. In order to qualify for at-home testing, you must live within the United States, U.S. Territory, or Canada and meet the in-home equipment requirements.  

Preparing for the Praxis Subject Test

A sure way to guarantee yourself great results on any test is preparation. According to the Princeton Review, studying a little each day will help you identify tough concepts or weak areas in your knowledge in advance. Advance preparation not only helps you to better retain information, but it also helps you to feel more confident. Check out a few key study tips below.

Best ways to study for the Praxis Subject Test

Start Early: The earlier you start the more time you have to study. Once you have decided on your test date, you should begin to study soon after. Because the Praxis Subject test covers one key subject area. You want to ensure you fully understand the subject material.  

Create a study schedule: Implementing a study schedule helps to create structure and guidance as you prepare for the test. Whether you are studying for 30 minutes or 1 hour per day. You should carve the time out in advance.  

Identify your learning style: In general, there are four types of learning styles (4). This means your brain may retain and comprehend information better, based on it being presented a certain way. See the four learning styles and what study method may work best for your style.  

1. Visual (seeing) Learners: Using flashcards, graphs, and charts.  

2. Auditory (hearing) Learners: Audio study material, reading aloud, and in-person study prep courses.  

3. Kinesthetic (physical) Learners: Study simulations, using highlighters, and group study.  

4. Reading/Writing Learners: Taking notes, re-writing the questions, and re-reading answers.  

Break bigger areas into little areas: It’s easy to get overwhelmed when looking at the “big picture”, therefore it’s best to divide the subject matter into small parts. The Association for Psychological Science suggests that people learn better when a complex continuous lesson is broken into separate segments.  For example, if you are taking the Praxis Subject test for Elementary Reading, you could break the subject into the following sections:  

• Week 1 Literacy
• Week 2 Phonics
• Week 3 Vocabulary
• Week 4 Comprehension
• Week 5 Writing
• Week 6 Overall Review

What to expect on test day

After weeks and weeks of studying, you don't want to forget to prepare for the big day. On the ETS Test Center Testing and At Home Testing pages they have provided a detailed outline of how to prepare for and what to expect on test day. Along with this, we suggest getting plenty of rest the night before, arriving early, and having a quality breakfast.

Do you need more help along the way? We’re here to help you see it all the way through, into a classroom of your own. Once you have passed your Praxis Subject test, you’re on the way to completing your teaching program.  

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