The Praxis Series

Contact ETS Praxis series for testing dates, locations, registration, and additional information.

Also see the Praxis I Essay Writing Test.

Computer-based tests are available for the Praxis I tests (PPST Reading, Math, and Writing). Please note that you may not take a computerized PPST test more than once in any given calendar month.  If you do so, the scores from your second or subsequent testing will not be reported and your test fees will not be refunded.

Students majoring in Elementary Education are required to pass the following tests before they will be recommended for certification by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

IUP Test Code R2652 (Must be listed in number-one position as a score recipient.)

PPST Required before Junior Year

Tests Required before Student Teaching

How to Qualify for Teacher Certification in Pennsylvania

All candidates for initial certification in Pennsylvania must have earned at least a baccalaureate degree, completed an approved program of teacher education, and passed the appropriate tests. The Pennsylvania Department of Education will recognize scores for five years from the date of the test administration. Qualifying scores may be subject to change.  Individuals applying for an Instructional I initial certificate in Elementary Education are required to take the Praxis I Pre-Professional Skills Tests (PPST) in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics and Praxis II Subject Assessments called “Elementary Education: Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment,” and “Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge.”

Praxis Exams

Successful completion of the Praxis exams is a required and crucial step to obtaining teacher certification in Pennsylvania.  The Praxis Series is an Educational Testing Service (ETS) program that provides tests and other services for states to use as part of the teacher certification process. A candidate for certification must pass all required Praxis examination tests in order to receive Pennsylvania certification. Also, IUP students will not be admitted into the IUP Teacher Education Program until they have successfully completed the Praxis I Academic Skills Series (PPST). IUP students must pass the Praxis II Subject Assessments before they may student teach.

Financial and Time Commitments

Successfully completing the Praxis Series can be an expensive, time-consuming process, encompassing ten hours of tests at a total cost of at least $335. Each Elementary Education major should plan for this process to take many months and begin saving money toward Praxis fees. This will be an expensive endeavor, and a serious, thorough, and intense attitude must be undertaken throughout the whole process. Each test has a particular minimum passing score, known as the qualifying score. You must have attained the current qualifying score on each test when you apply for certification. If you did not attain the qualifying score on a portion of the Praxis I, you may retake the test once before applying to IUP’s Teacher Education Program.

Praxis I: Academic Skills Assessments (Pre-Professional Skills Test or PPST)*

These assessments are designed to be taken early in the student’s college career to measure reading, writing, and mathematical skills vital to all teacher candidates. The assessments are available in two formats, paper based and computer based. The paper-based tests are given six times a year while the computer-based tests can be taken year round.

The Pre-Professionals Skills Test (PPST)* consists of three exams, each one hour in length. The content areas include reading, writing, and math. All three tests may be scheduled for a single test day, if desired.

Two Praxis Passing Score Methods

• Traditional method  
  • Reading: 172
  • Writing: 173
  • Math: 173
• Composite score method
  • Minimum Reading: 170
  • Minimum Writing: 171
  • Minimum Math: 171

With a combined score of 521

If taking PPST test by means of standardized paper format, the test codes are as follows:

• PPST Reading: 10710
• PPST Writing: 20720
• PPST Mathematics: 10730

If taking PPST test by means of the computer, the test codes are as follows:

• Computerized PPST Reading: 5710
• Computerized PPST Writing: 5720
• Computerized PPST Mathematics: 5730

*Praxis I: Successful completion is required before making application to the IUP Teacher Education Program at the end of the sophomore year. CCAC/IUP students will not be permitted to register for IUP junior level courses unless they have been admitted into the Teacher Education Program.

Praxis II: Subject Assessments**

These assessments measure candidates’ knowledge of pedagogy as well as the subjects they will teach. The tests are regularly updated and can only be taken in a paper and pencil format.

The Specialty Area Test**: For Elementary Education professionals, the exact name is Elementary Education Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment. This test is two hours in length.

Test Code: 10011

Qualifying Score: 168

Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge**: This is also a two-hour exam. 

Test Code: 30511

Qualifying Score: 150

**=Praxis II: Successful completion is required prior to student teaching

Dates and Deadlines

There are only six days during the year in which paper and pencil Praxis exams are administered. These are the only days these tests will be given. Each date has a corresponding deadline for registration (for an additional $40, late registrations will be accepted). Computer testing for the PPST is available at area sites and may be taken year-round. See the ETS website for additional information.

Note: You may not take a PPST more than once in any given calendar month and no more than six times during any twelve-month period. If you do, the scores from your additional testing will not be reported, and your test fees will not be refunded.

Registration and Preparation

To register for any of the Praxis Series examinations, the candidate must obtain a registration bulletin (The Praxis Series) or go on line to the Praxis Series website.

Praxis tests are challenging, and students should plan to spend several months preparing for the exams. The best way is to get a “Tests at a Glance” booklet, which is free of charge and can be obtained by calling ETS at 609-771-7395 or going to the website.

Thorough examination of the Praxis Series website is recommended prior to taking any Praxis exam. Extensive information is available, including

• Registration information
• Information regarding the test format, length, and permitted materials (i.e. calculators, etc.)
• How the assessments are used
• Test preparation materials such as “Tests at a Glance”
• Score interpretation
• Requirements of other states in the U.S.

Register early! Each testing site has a specific number of spaces available, so if you don’t register early enough, you may not be able to take the test at your preferred location.

The address, website, and phone number for the Praxis Series:

Teaching and Learning Division
Educational Testing Service
P.O. Box 6051
Princeton, NJ  08541-6051
609-771-7395
praxis@ets.org

ETS website 

Very important: So that IUP can receive your Praxis scores and process your certification, you must list IUP (R2652) in the Number 1 position as a score recipient. This is extremely important!

Approximate Costs

Each time a student registers for a Praxis examination, a $40 nonrefundable fee per test date is assessed, so it is in the best (financial) interest for the candidate to take multiple examinations when he/she chooses to enroll for a specific test date. 

Each one-hour PPST exam (10710, 20720, 10730 ) is $35.

Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge exam (30511) is $75.

Elementary Education: Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment (10011) is $75.

Fee Waivers

If you are receiving financial aid and are an enrolled undergraduate or graduate student and meet the income guidelines, you may be eligible for a fee waiver. To be considered for a fee waiver, submit a completed Fee Waiver Request Form (from The Praxis Series Registration Booklet), to the Financial Aid Office, Clark 213, IUP, Indiana, PA 15705. Include a self-addressed envelope so that the office can complete a portion of the form and return it to you quickly. The Fee Waiver Request Form and registration form must be received at ETS by the appropriate deadline (see back cover of Praxis Series Book). If you qualify, your $40 registration fee and the cost of one day of testing may be waived. However, special service fees, such as late fees, cannot be waived.

A limited number of waivers are available per test date and per institution. All fee waivers requests are processed on a first-come, first-serve basis. You are eligible for a fee waiver only once during a testing year. If your waiver is approved, your registration form will be processed and you will receive an admission ticket. If funds are not available for the test date requested, you may indicate on the form the action to be taken.

Additional Questions

If you need further information, please contact Dr. Moran (173 Student Services, 412-237-4501) or Mrs. Deb Stanley, associate director of Career Services, (Pratt Hall, Room 302, IUP, Indiana, PA 15705, 724-357-2235). 

Adapted from J.B. Smith, IUP Health and Physical Education Department

• CCAC Office
• 173 Student Services Center
  CCAC—Allegheny Campus
  808 Ridge Avenue
  Pittsburgh, PA 15212
• Phone: 412-237-4501

• IUP Office
• Davis Hall, Room 125A
  570 South Eleventh Street
  Indiana, PA 15705-1087
• Phone: 724-357-2400