Praxis-Teacher Certification Exams
The Praxis Exams are assessments used by the Pennsylvania Department of Education as part of the teacher licensure and certification process. The following information is provided to help students determine which exams they are required to take and how best to prepare.
Praxis I and Praxis II
To qualify for teacher certification, there are two sets of Praxis exams
that must be passed.
The Praxis I (Pre Professional Skills Test- PPST) consists of three
individual tests, PPST-Reading, PPST-Writing and PPST-Mathematics. All
undergraduate students in the College of Education must successfully pass
the Praxis I Exam series prior to acceptance into Certification
Level courses (Candidacy).
The Praxis II exams focus on knowledge specific to your desired
area(s) of certification, Scores on the Praxis I and II exams need to meet
the set PA state qualifying score. Qualifying scores must be met prior to
applying for Teacher Certification.
Praxis Requirements for Undergraduate Education Majors
Major |
Test Code |
Test |
|
ALL MAJORS |
10710 20720 10730 |
PPST Reading PPST Writing PPST Mathematics |
PPST |
Elementary Education/Special Education |
10011 20353 20511 |
Elementary Education: Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessment Education of Exceptional Students: Core Content Knowledge Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge |
Praxis II Exams |
Elementary Education/Early Childhood Education |
10011 10020 20511 |
Elementary Education: Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessment Early Childhood Education Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge |
|
Secondary Education/Social Studies |
10081 |
Social Studies: Content Knowledge |
|
Secondary Education/English |
10041 |
English Language, Literature, & Composition: Content Knowledge |
|
Secondary Education/Mathematics |
10061 |
Mathematics: Content Knowledge |
|
Secondary Education/Biology |
20235 |
Biology: Content Knowledge |
|
Secondary Education/Chemistry |
20245 |
Chemistry: Content Knowledge |
|
Secondary Education/Earth & Space |
20571 |
Earth & Space Sciences: Content Knowledge |
|
Secondary Education/General Science |
10435 |
General Science: Content Knowledge |
|
Secondary Education/Natural Science |
10435 |
General Science: Content Knowledge |
|
Secondary Education/Physics |
10265 |
Physics: Content Knowledge |
|
Secondary Education/French K-12 |
20173 20511 |
French: Content Knowledge** Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge |
|
Secondary Education/German K-12 |
20181 20511 |
German: Content Knowledge** Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge |
|
Secondary Education/Spanish K-12 |
10191 20511 |
Spanish: Content Knowledge** Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge |
|
Business, Computer, Information Technology Education |
10100 20511 |
Business Education Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge |
|
Marketing Education |
10561 20511 |
Marketing Education (new test code/score as of 1/10/09) Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge |
|
Career and Technical Education |
N/A |
No Praxis II exams required; students must meet Praxis I requirements as listed above. |
Foreign language French, German and Spanish candidates have the option of taking the Praxis or ACTFL . All other language candidates should take the ACTFL. Learn more about test registration, fees and deadlines at www.actfl.org.
Visit www.ets.org/praxis/pa to view a list of the most current test requirements and qualifying scores for Pennsylvania state teacher certification.
**Praxis requirements are periodically revised. Students are held to the state requirements in place at the time of their application for certification.
Preparing for the Praxis Exam
It is essential that you begin to prepare for your certification exams as soon as you enter the program. As a future educator, this early and consistent preparation is beneficial to you, but most importantly to the students you will soon make the commitment to serve. The following are some recommended strategies to prepare for the Praxis.
PLATO
The PLATO Simulated Test System PLATO is an Internet accessible tool that scores practice (Praxis I) tests allowing you to become familiar with test content and identify strengths and weaknesses. PLATO can be accessed from any computer with an Internet connection; registration forms for PLATO are available in the Student Resource Center, 150 Ritter Annex.
Study Guides
Review all Praxis information including test content, requirements, scoring methods, testing dates and registration procedures. Official ETS Study Guides are available for purchase on their website. Printed and electronic study guides are also available through the Temple University Library .
Preparation Workshops
Praxis I preparation workshops are offered throughout the fall, spring and summer semesters at both main and Ambler campuses. The times, dates and subject areas for these workshops are announced via the Undergraduate Education Listserv.
Tutoring
For students needing additional assistance for the Math and Writing Praxis I subtests, individual tutoring is available on main campus at the Math and Science Resource Center and The Writing Center.
Math and Science Resource Center, MSRC
17 Curtis Hall (038-16); (215) 204-8489
www.temple.edu/MSRC
The Writing Center
Tuttleman Learning Center, room 201; (215)-204-0700
www.temple.edu/writingctr
Get More Help
For further information concerning the Praxis exams, including registration for Plato and/or the Praxis Preparation Workshops, contact: Amy Kimball, (215) 204-6010 kimball@temple.edu
State Testing Requirements
Testing requirements and qualifying scores are subject to change. Please adhere to the information found in the Praxis registration materials that can be obtained on Main campus in the Office of Student Services or at the Ambler campus Advising Center located in West Hall. Requirements can be verified through both the ETS PRAXIS Information web site and the Pennsylvania Department of Education.