Praxis 1 vs Praxis 2: What’s the Difference?
What’s the Difference between the Praxis 1 and Praxis 2 Exams?
The main difference between the Praxis I and Praxis II exams is how each exam is used. The Praxis 1 exam determines how well a teacher understands basic reading, math, and writing concepts. Most states that use Praxis exams require teachers to pass the Praxis 1 exam before receiving their teacher certification.
Praxis 2 exams assess a teacher’s knowledge in the grade level and subject area they want to teach. For example, if a teacher wants to teach high school math, they will take a specific Praxis math test as part of their teacher certification requirements. You can use the Praxis ETS website to determine the exam requirements for your state.
What is the Praxis 1?
The Praxis 1 exam, also known as the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators test, is a test that examines the teacher’s knowledge of basic reading, math, and writing. Most states require prospective teachers to take and pass the Praxis 1 exam to receive a teacher certification.
Breakdown of the Praxis Core exam
The Praxis 1 exam is also known as the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators exam. The Praxis Core exam has three subtests: math, writing, and reading.
- The Reading (5713) subtest has 56 multiple-choice questions with an 85-minute time limit.
- The Mathematics (5733) subtest has 56 multiple-choice questions with a 90-minute time limit.
- The Writing (5723) subtest has 40 multiple-choice and two constructed-response questions. The exam has a 100-minute time limit: 40 minutes for the multiple-choice section and 60 minutes for the two essay questions.
States that Require the Praxis 1 Exam
The following states require prospective teacher to pass the Praxis 1 exam as a part of their teacher certification process:
- Connecticut
- Guam
- Hawaii
- Kentucky
- Maryland
- Mississippi
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- North Dakota
- Oregon
- South Carolina
- Virgin Islands
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
What is the Praxis 2?
The Praxis 2 exams, also known as the Praxis Subjects Assessments, assess a teacher’s knowledge in the specific subject area and grade level they want to teach. Basically, any exam other than the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators exam is a Praxis 2 exam. All states require some type of Praxis 2 exam to receive teacher certifications.
Examples of Praxis 2 Exams:
- Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects (5001)
- Algebra 1 (5162)
- Middle School: English Language Arts (5047)
- English Language Arts: Content Knowledge (5038)
- Mathematics: Content Knowledge (5165)
- Chemistry: Content Knowledge (5246)
- Special Education: Foundational Knowledge (5355)
How do you prepare for your Praxis 1 or Praxis 2 exam?
When preparing for your Praxis 1 or Praxis 2 exam it is important first to understand what will be on the exam. What concepts should you know? What type of questions are featured on the exam? How many questions are on the exam? These are all good things to know before studying for your exam.
Once you have an idea of what will be on the exam and the exam’s format, you can start to seek out study materials. There are many courses for Praxis exams out there, some online as well as physical products. The most important thing to consider when looking for study materials is finding something that works best for you. For example, If you are trying to earn your certification while working a full-time job, you might need something more flexible that allows you to log in and work 24/7. Everyone’s situation is different, so find the right study solution for you.
Once you have found a study program, ensure you study as much as possible and use all the features and information in your study material. Most study programs offer content, flashcards, quizzes, and practice tests. All of these help you make sure you have mastered the concepts that will be on your exam.
After you have finished your study material and taken a few practice tests to make sure you are ready for the exam, the only thing left is to pass your exam!
