Praxis Core and Subject Assessments

120 flashcards by MentisLibrary

What the Praxis tests and how it is scored: Core reading, writing and mathematics, the subject assessments, the Principles of Learning and Teaching, and the certification requirements that differ by state.

What is the Praxis?
A family of teacher licensure tests developed and administered by ETS and used by many US states and licensing authorities as part of certification.
What are the three Praxis Core tests?
Core Academic Skills for Educators in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics.
How does Praxis Core differ from a Praxis Subject Assessment?
Core measures general reading, writing, and mathematics skills; a Subject Assessment measures the content knowledge of the field you will teach.
Who sets the passing score for a Praxis test?
Each state, territory, or licensing authority sets its own qualifying score; ETS reports the scaled score but does not decide who passes.
What is a Test at a Glance document?
The free ETS publication for a specific Praxis test that lists its content categories, approximate question counts, timing, and sample items.
On what scale are most Praxis tests reported?
On a scaled score range of 100 to 200.
Is there a penalty for a wrong answer on the Praxis?
No. Nothing is subtracted for an incorrect answer, so every question should be answered.
How soon may you retake a Praxis test?
ETS allows a retake of the same test after a 28 day waiting period; states or programs may add their own limits.
What do the Principles of Learning and Teaching tests measure?
Pedagogical knowledge: how students learn and develop, instructional design and delivery, assessment, and professional responsibilities.
Which grade bands does the PLT series cover?
Early Childhood, Grades K to 6, Grades 5 to 9, and Grades 7 to 12.
How is a PLT case history question structured?
A short scenario describes a class, a teacher, and student work; constructed-response questions then ask you to analyze it using pedagogical principles.
How are Praxis constructed responses scored?
Trained raters read each response against a published scoring guide that describes what earns each score point.
What are the four subtests of Praxis Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects?
Reading and Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Science.
What is Content Knowledge for Teaching?
A Praxis format that tests the specialized content knowledge teachers use in practice, such as judging why a student's method works, not only whether an answer is right.
How do you know which Praxis Subject Assessment to take?
Match the test code your state or preparation program lists for the license you are seeking; several tests carry similar names.
Do Praxis Subject Assessments include written responses?
Some do and some are entirely selected-response; the Test at a Glance for that specific test states the format.
What is different about a World Language Subject Assessment?
It tests the language itself, including listening and spoken responses recorded at the computer, alongside reading and writing.
How are Praxis tests delivered?
On computer at a test center or, for many tests, at home with a remote proctor and a checked workspace.
How do you get testing accommodations for a Praxis test?
Request them from ETS with documentation and receive approval before you register for a test date.
What is a selected-response question?
A question that asks you to choose one or more answers from provided options.
What is a select-all-that-apply question?
A selected-response item with more than one correct choice, where partial answers usually earn no credit.
What is a numeric entry question?
A mathematics item where you type the answer instead of choosing it, so no options exist to check your work against.
What calculator is available on Praxis Core Mathematics?
An on-screen calculator is provided; what is allowed differs by test, and the Test at a Glance for your test states the rule.
Can a state accept something other than Praxis Core?
Yes. Some states and preparation programs waive Core for candidates whose SAT, ACT, or GRE scores exceed a set threshold, but the rules vary by state.
Do Praxis scores automatically transfer to another state?
No. Scores are reported to the states you designate, and each state decides which tests and which qualifying scores it accepts.
Where should a candidate confirm current testing requirements?
On the state department of education or licensing board website, together with the preparation program's own admission requirements.
What is the difference between a program admission requirement and a licensure requirement?
A program requirement gates entry into teacher preparation; a licensure requirement gates the certificate itself, and the two lists are often different.
What does a Core Reading item mean by the main idea?
The central point the whole passage supports, stated broadly enough to cover the passage but no broader.
How do you tell a main idea from a supporting detail?
The main idea is what the passage argues; a supporting detail is evidence, an example, or a statistic offered to prove it.
What is an inference question asking for?
A conclusion the passage supports but does not state outright.