Praxis Exam 2026: The Complete Guide

The Praxis exam is the teacher certification test series used by many U.S. states and teacher preparation programs to check that future teachers have the academic skills and subject knowledge they need for the classroom. This guide explains what the Praxis exam is, the different Praxis tests, how registration, test day and scoring work, what it costs, and how to study. It also links to our free Praxis practice questions.

What it is	Teacher certification and teacher-program admission tests
Made by	ETS (Educational Testing Service)
Main types	Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators; Praxis Subject Assessments (often called Praxis II)
How it is taken	On a computer, at a test center or at home
Who sets the passing score	Your state or licensing agency, not ETS
Retake rule	Wait at least 28 days before retaking the same test

What Is the Praxis Exam?

Praxis is a group of tests, not a single exam. Colleges and universities use the Praxis Core tests to decide who can enter a teacher preparation program, and many states require Praxis Core and Praxis Subject Assessment scores as part of teacher licensing. Each state or licensing agency decides which Praxis tests you need and what score counts as passing.

What is the Praxis exam for?

The Praxis exam is for anyone who wants to become a teacher, or move into a new teaching subject or grade level, in a state that uses Praxis. Depending on your state, you may take it to get into an education program, to earn your first teaching license, or to add a new endorsement to an existing license. Some school roles outside the classroom, such as school psychologist and speech-language pathologist, also have their own Praxis tests.

Types of Praxis Tests

Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators

Praxis Core measures basic academic skills in reading, writing and math. You can take the three tests separately or all together as the combined Core test (5752). Here are the current Core tests, as listed on the ETS website:

Test	Code	Length	Questions
Core Reading	5713	85 minutes	56 selected-response
Core Writing	5723	100 minutes (40-minute selected-response section + two 30-minute essays)	40 selected-response + 2 essays
Core Mathematics	5733	90 minutes	56 selected-response and numeric-entry

Core Mathematics covers Number and Quantity; Data Interpretation and Representation, Statistics and Probability; and Algebra and Geometry. An on-screen four-function calculator is provided.

Praxis Subject Assessments (Praxis II)

Praxis Subject Assessments, often still called Praxis II, measure your knowledge of the subject and grade level you want to teach. There are tests for elementary education, secondary math, English, science, social studies, special education, world languages, art, music, school psychology, speech-language pathology and many other areas. Common examples:

Test	Code	What it covers
Mathematics	5165	Secondary math: number & quantity, algebra, functions, calculus, geometry, statistics and probability. 66 questions in 180 minutes.
Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT): Grades 7–12	5624	Human development, learning, instruction, diverse learners, educational psychology and professional issues. 70 selected-response + 4 constructed-response questions in 2 hours.
Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects	5001	Reading and language arts, mathematics, social studies and science subtests for elementary teachers.
English Language Arts	Several versions (check your state)	Reading, literature, language use and writing for secondary English teachers.

Test codes and formats change over time, so check the exact test your state requires on the ETS state requirements page before you register.

Praxis 2 vs Praxis Core: what is the difference?

Praxis Core tests general academic skills that every teacher needs, and it is often required to enter a teacher education program. Praxis II (Subject Assessments) tests the specific subject and grade level you plan to teach, and it is usually taken nearer the end of your program, before you apply for your license.

Which Praxis Test Do I Need?

Your state or licensing agency decides which Praxis tests you need and the minimum passing score for each. Requirements are different in every state (for example, New Jersey, Colorado, Louisiana and South Carolina all publish their own lists). Before you register:

• Check your state’s requirements on the ETS state requirements page or your state education department’s website.
• Ask your teacher preparation program which tests and score recipients it requires.
• Confirm the exact test name and test code, because some subjects have more than one version.

When Do You Take the Praxis Exam?

Most candidates take Praxis Core before or early in a teacher preparation program, and take the Praxis Subject Assessments after finishing most of their subject coursework. Leave enough time before any application or licensing deadline to get your scores, and to retake a test if you need to.

How to Register for the Praxis Exam

1. Create a Praxis account on the official ETS Praxis website.
2. Choose your test and decide whether to test at a center or at home.
3. Enter your name exactly as it appears on your ID. If the names do not match on test day, you will not be allowed to test and you will lose your test fee.
4. Select your score recipients (your state agency and/or your college).
5. Pay the test fee and save your confirmation.

Praxis Test Day: Test Center vs At Home

At a test center

Bring a valid, original, physical photo ID with your name and signature. Copies, IDs on your phone and expired or damaged IDs are not accepted.

At home

At-home Praxis tests are the same tests given at test centers, with a live human proctor watching online. They are available seven days a week. You need:

• A desktop or laptop computer running Windows 11+ or macOS 11+. Tablets, Chromebooks and phones are not allowed.
• A working webcam, microphone and speaker, and a stable internet connection.
• The secure browser named in your registration email, and a passed equipment check before test day.
• A quiet, private room that meets the ETS testing-space rules.

See the ETS at-home testing page for the full requirements.

Calculators

Personal calculators are not allowed. If your test permits a calculator, it is built into the test on screen. For example, Mathematics (5165) and other secondary math tests provide a TI-84 Plus CE graphing calculator, several elementary education tests provide a TI-30XS scientific calculator, and Core Mathematics provides a four-function calculator.

How Long Is the Praxis Exam?

It depends on the test. Core Reading is 85 minutes, Core Mathematics is 90 minutes, Core Writing is 100 minutes, PLT Grades 7–12 is 2 hours, and Mathematics (5165) is 180 minutes. Your admission ticket and the ETS page for your test show the exact time.

Praxis Exam Scores

• Passing scores are set by states, not ETS, and they vary by state. Check your state’s score on the ETS Passing Scores by State page.
• Unofficial scores: tests with only selected-response questions usually show an unofficial score at the end of the session. Tests with essays or constructed-response questions do not.
• Report or cancel: before you see your unofficial score, you can choose to report or cancel it. Once you choose to report it, it cannot be canceled.
• Official scores are posted to your Praxis account on Tuesdays and Fridays, according to the ETS score reporting calendar.
• Score report: it shows your score, whether you passed for each recipient, and the raw points you earned in each content category, which tells you what to study if you retake.
• Scores stay valid for ten years and can be sent to new recipients.

How Much Does the Praxis Exam Cost?

The fee depends on the test and can change, so check the current price for your test when you register on the ETS website. Other costs and policies to know:

• Rescheduling costs $40 and must be done at least 3 days before your test date (not counting test day).
• Canceling at least 3 days before your test date may get you a 50% refund.
• Fee waivers are available once per testing year for eligible students receiving financial aid. They can cover up to three Praxis Core tests or one Praxis Subject Test. See the ETS fees and waivers page.

Retaking the Praxis Exam

You must wait at least 28 days before retaking the same Praxis test. This applies even if you canceled your scores. Use your score report’s content-category points to focus your study before the retake.

How Hard Is the Praxis Exam?

How hard the Praxis is depends on the test and on how recently you studied the material. Praxis Core covers high-school-level reading, writing and math, so most candidates who review and practise do well. Subject Assessments like Mathematics (5165) or English Language Arts go deeper and expect college-level content knowledge, and about a quarter of the 5165 questions place the math inside a classroom teaching scenario. The main challenges are:

• Content you have not reviewed in years, especially math formulas and grammar rules.
• Time pressure on long tests.
• Question types such as “select all that apply”, numeric entry and teaching-scenario questions.
• Constructed-response and essay questions that are scored by human raters.

Praxis Exam Study Guide: How to Study

1. Confirm your test and code with your state or program.
2. Download the free ETS Study Companion for your test. It lists every topic covered.
3. Take a timed diagnostic practice set to find your weakest content areas.
4. Make a 4–8 week study plan that spends the most time on your weakest areas.
5. Practise with realistic questions and review every one you miss, not just your score.
6. Learn the test tools, such as the on-screen calculator, flagging questions and the formula Help screen.
7. Finish with a full-length timed practice test one to two weeks before test day.

For a detailed example, see our Praxis Math 5165 study guide and 8-week study plan.

Free Praxis Practice Questions

Use these GradeHustler practice sets to check your readiness by subject:

Practice set	Best for
Praxis Math 5165 Study Guide & Practice Questions	Secondary math teachers: algebra, functions, calculus, geometry, statistics
Praxis Elementary Education: Mathematics Practice Questions	Elementary teachers reviewing number sense, data and basic math
Praxis Elementary Education: Science Practice Questions (2026)	Elementary teachers reviewing earth, life and physical science
Praxis Elementary Education: Teaching Reading Practice Questions	Elementary and reading teachers: literacy instruction and assessment
Praxis English Language Arts Practice Questions	Secondary English teachers: literature, reading and writing

Praxis Exam FAQ

What is the Praxis exam?

The Praxis exam is a series of teacher certification tests made by ETS. It includes Praxis Core (reading, writing and math skills) and Praxis Subject Assessments (subject and grade-level knowledge). Many states and teacher education programs require Praxis scores.

Is the Praxis exam hard?

It depends on the test and your preparation. Praxis Core covers high-school-level skills, while Subject Assessments test deeper content knowledge. With a study plan and timed practice, most candidates can pass.

How long is the Praxis exam?

Each test has its own time limit. Core tests run 85 to 100 minutes each, and Subject Assessments typically run from about 1 to 3 hours. For example, Mathematics (5165) is 180 minutes.

How much is the Praxis exam?

The fee varies by test and can change. Check the current fee for your test on the ETS website when you register. Rescheduling costs $40, and fee waivers are available for eligible students.

Can I take the Praxis exam at home?

Yes. At-home testing is available seven days a week with a live online proctor. You need a Windows or Mac desktop or laptop, a webcam, a microphone and a private testing space.

How soon can I retake the Praxis?

You must wait at least 28 days before retaking the same test.

What score do I need to pass the Praxis?

Passing scores are set by each state or licensing agency, not by ETS. Look up your state’s required score for your specific test before you sit it.

Is Praxis 2 the same as Praxis Subject Assessments?

Yes. “Praxis II” is the older, still widely used name for the Praxis Subject Assessments.

Praxis is a registered trademark of ETS. GradeHustler is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by ETS. Test details on this page are taken from the official ETS Praxis website. Always confirm current fees, formats and requirements with ETS and your state.