Praxis is a series of standardized tests that help assess the strengths and skills of prospective teachers.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) requires that candidates for Pennsylvania Instructional I teacher certification pass the appropriate Praxis tests as part of the state’s teacher-certification process.
For another state’s requirements for teacher certification, students should contact that state’s department of education.
For initial PA certification, all candidates must take and pass the Praxis I series—reading, writing, and mathematics—based on content areas of up to and including the senior year of high school.
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Candidates, except for Secondary Education students, must also take the Fundamental Subjects Praxis, which includes content from early college courses.
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All candidates are required to take a Praxis II test, which focuses on a specialty.
Cabrini students should take the Praxis I series during or before their first semester of course work.
Praxis testing is readily available at a variety of sites and on a variety of dates during the year. Cabrini provides information, but students are required to make their own testing arrangements and pay their own testing fees.
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Students may take Praxis exams as often as they like.
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Praxis scores are valid for ten years.
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Praxis I testing may be a part of some admissions criteria.
Teacher candidates should meet with their advisors regularly to stay on schedule toward certification.
ETS, the administrator for Praxis testing, offers free test preparation materials at www.ets.org/praxis/testprep, including sample questions, a virtual tour of a test day, and study tips and plans.
ETS also offers study guides and practice tests and other materials for purchase at www.ets.org/praxis/store.