Everything You Need to Know About Praxis Test Scores

Everything You Need to Know About Praxis Scores

If you’re planning to take the Praxis, there is no such thing as over-preparing. One of the best ways to prepare and build confidence for your upcoming Praxis exam is to understand how it is scored. This widely used exam series tests preliminary knowledge for teacher certification programs. Both the Core skills exams and subject assessments are used by state boards and education agencies to determine readiness in specific areas.

When it comes to Praxis test scores, the first thing to understand is that there is no definitive passing score — each state or agency sets its own standard for passing. The good news, though, is that for many Praxis exams, you will have a very good idea of whether you passed or failed before you walk out of the testing center because for those exams you get your unofficial score at the end of the test. We will cover all of this in this article, including what score you need to pass a Praxis test, how long it takes to get your official scores, and how to interpret your score report.

Ready to learn more about Praxis scores? Let’s get started!

What Kinds of Questions Are on the Praxis and How Are the Praxis Tests Scored?

Praxis exams are scored between 100 and 200 points. Tests may contain selected-response (SR) questions, constructed-response questions (CRQs), or a mix.

Selected-response test scoring

SR questions are scored automatically by a machine. Each correct answer is worth one raw point, and there is no penalty for incorrect answers, so making an educated guess is better than leaving a question blank.

The total raw score is the sum of your test’s correct answers. The scaled score is computed from the total raw-point number to adjust for question difficulty.

In exams with both selected-response and constructed-response questions, the raw score is the sum of the SR and CRQ ratings.

Constructed-response test scoring

CRQs are scored independently by at least two people with expertise in education and the content area.

In some subjects, the CRQ ratings are weighted depending on difficulty, and the raw score for SR and CRQ components may be scaled. Scaling ensures that test form differences do not affect the final score. Because test forms and subject assessments vary in the number of total questions, it is impossible to know how many questions you need to answer correctly to pass.

Pretest questions

Some tests may include pretest questions: one or more new questions being evaluated for possible use in future test editions.

Pretest questions are not identified to assess the test-taker’s responses under actual testing conditions.

Pretest questions do not count toward the score.

Praxis Unofficial Scores vs. Official Scores

The unofficial score is the ratio of correct answers to questions, adjusted to the grading scale. The official score, released in the score report, is calculated the same way as the unofficial score but may be scaled for differences between test forms.

The official score may also differ from the unofficial score if a test center error or miscalculation is fixed, but this is rare. In most cases, the unofficial Praxis score you receive for math and reading exams at the end of the test should be very close to your official score.

Note that official Praxis scores are scaled only between different forms of the same test, not between other subjects.

How to view unofficial Praxis scores?

If your exam includes an unofficial score, you will be able to see the unofficial score report after you complete your exam.  Usually the Praxis 1 (Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators) exams have a unofficial score report at the end of the Reading and Math subtests.

When Will I Get My Praxis Scores?

For the Praxis Core exam, unofficial scores for SR-only tests Reading and Math are calculated immediately after the exam. You may also receive a raw score at this time. If you wish to cancel your scores, you must do so before viewing any unofficial or official score reports. (There are major potential impacts of canceling your scores, so consider this carefully.)

How Long Does It Take to Get Praxis Scores?

After a score is reported at the testing center, you will receive an official score report within three weeks. Score reports will appear automatically in your online account and be sent to your predetermined score recipients. Specific reporting dates for each test window can be found on the ETS website. Continuously given SR-only tests generally release official scores within one week. You can check when your score will be available based on your testing date here.

Praxis Score Release Dates

Your Praxis score release date will depend on the date you took your exam, so each exam has the potential to have a different score release date. You can use the ETS score report checker to determine when your score report will be available.  You can check your official score in your Praxis account. Once the score report is available you will receive and email notification from ETS.

What Score Do You Need to Pass the Praxis Test?

As mentioned above, ETS does not have a standard for Praxis passing scores, and different states/agencies vary in their passing requirements. A majority of the passing scores range from 130 to 160 depending on the state. We have full article that breakdowns all the passing Praxis scores by state! 

How Do You Interpret a Praxis Score Report?

Praxis score reports provide a numeric score and passing status, the score range, raw points from each category, the average performance range, and your high scores for previous tests. You can use the ratio of “raw points earned” to “raw points available” in different categories to evaluate your strengths and weaknesses for different content areas. If you don’t pass your exam, you could use that information to help you better prepare for the areas you are weak in.

Your scaled score is compared to the qualifying score for your state agency, and PASSED or NOT PASSED is clearly indicated on the score report. Be aware that the official scores account for partial credit from questions with multiple correct answer choices. In contrast, the raw score gives each correctly answered question one point, regardless of the number of correct answer choices. Examples of sample score reports are available on the ETS website.

How Long Do You Have To Wait Before You Can Retake a Praxis Exam?

There is a 28-day waiting period before you can retake a Praxis exam. This period also applies to retaking an exam subtest and retakes after canceling the scores from a previous test date. If you fail the Praxis by just a few points, we recommend you double down on your weak areas and retake the exam as soon as you can. If you fail by a lot, then we recommend you really buckle down and give yourself a few months of studying. If you really want the confidence to pass, get a subscription to our Praxis Study Guide. We offer a money-backed guarantee you will pass. Plus, we offer a 48-hour, no-questions-asked refund policy if you just want to check it out.

How Hard Is It to Pass a Praxis Exam?

These exams range in difficulty. They are not easy and require extensive preparation. Most states do not make their first-time Praxis pass rates available, and the pass rate data is only reported for people who complete the test. Those who cancel their scores are not counted, according to an National Council on Teacher Quality report. Additionally, for people who take the same test multiple times, only their final score is counted.

The best preparation for Praxis exams involves making a study plan and sticking to it. An effective study plan should include learning about the test, collecting study materials, managing your time, and understanding scoring. We offer comprehensive, free resources and Praxis practice tests that will provide a free overview. Test information, engaging study guides, and practice questions are all conveniently located in one place to help you prepare for test day. If you want complete confidence you will pass your Praxis exam, get our Praxis study guide.