Tests for Program Admission

All teacher education programs at the undergraduate level require that candidates take and pass the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators. Candidates with earned bachelor’s degrees are exempt from this exam.

The Praxis Core measures reading, writing, and math skills to determine a candidate’s readiness to enter a teacher education program. Passing scores for each section are:

Reading Test: 156
Writing Test: 162
Math Test: 150

Candidates can pass the Praxis Core with a combined score of 468, even if all individual sections are not passed. The Praxis Core may be taken multiple times if needed. The best section scores from all testing attempts are combined to create the highest possible overall score.

For additional information about Praxis Core including how to best prepare, how to register, understand test scores, and more, check out this video!

An exemption from Praxis Core may be given based on the candidate’s SAT or ACT scores. Minimum scores for Praxis Core exemption are:

PRE-MARCH 2016 SAT

Reading and Writing Tests only:550 Critical Reading
Math Test only:550 Math
All Praxis Core Tests:1100 Critical Reading/Math combined

NEW (POST-MARCH 2016) SAT

Reading and Writing Tests only:600 Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
Math Test only:570 Math
All Praxis Core Tests:1170 Critical Reading/Math combined

ACT

Reading and Writing Tests only:24 English
Math Test only:24 Math
All Praxis Core Tests:24 Composite

It is strongly recommended that candidates prepare before taking the Praxis Core. ETS offers a number of preparation resources, some free and some for purchase, on the Praxis Core website. Students should begin by using the free Study.com Free Praxis Core Prep. This resource provides personalized learning plans, video lessons catered to different learning styles, AI-powered guidance that identify areas for improvement, interactive quizzes, and differentiated learning options for English Language Learners. Study.com also has a comprehensive guide on How to Pass the Praxis Core Math Exam (5733).

Information regarding registration, costs, fee waivers, and score reporting is available in the Praxis Core FAQ document.