How to Pass the Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT)

The Praxis PLT test is made of 70 selected-response questions and four constructed-response questions (short answer). To prepare for the test, you will need to study up on the following categories:

1. Students as Learners
2. Instructional Process
3. Assessment
4. Professional Development, Leadership, and Community
5. Analysis of Instructional Scenarios

The multiple-choice portion of the exam covers content categories I-IV. The constructed response portion of the exam is content category V. Analysis of Instructional Scenarios.

Praxis PLT Tests Available

You will be required to take the PLT that aligns to the grade level you are planning to teach. The following PLT testing areas are available:

• Early Childhood – Praxis PLT 5621
• Grades K-6 - Praxis PLT 5622
• Grades 5-9 - Praxis PLT 5623
• Grades 7-12 - Praxis PLT 5624
• All Grades - Praxis PLT 5625

So, what can you do to ensure you pass the Praxis PLT test?

Create A Praxis PLT Test-Taking Strategy

The odds of passing the Praxis PLT without prior knowledge or preparation are pretty slim. If you want to give yourself the best chance of passing, you may want to take a refresher course or

To give yourself the best chance of passing, you need to develop a fool-proof strategy for success. If you aren’t sure where to start, don’t worry. We are going to give you the tools you need to pass the Praxis PLT – it is up to you to implement them.

Tool #1 – The ETS Praxis PLT Study Companion

This is a document ETS—the makers of the Praxis tests—publishes for every test. In this document is everything tested on the exam. The best part, it has practice test questions with detailed answer explanations, so you know why something is correct or incorrect. It also has a TON of exam language, content and concepts laid out explicitly for you to study.

Check out the ETS study companions for the PLT below: 

• Early Childhood – Praxis PLT 5621
• Grades K-6 - Praxis PLT 5622
• Grades 5-9 - Praxis PLT 5623
• Grades 7-12 - Praxis PLT 5624

Tool #2 – Kathleen Jasper's Resources

I have a variety of free Praxis PLT resources including a webinar that comes with a study guide and practice test questions for the exam.

Access the webinar here.

Learn What the Test Covers

The specific Praxis PLT test that you take on test day will cover the format that corresponds with the grade level you are seeking certification for. Also, be sure to use the ETS Study Companion for more details on this.

Your test’s questions will also be different than anyone else’s test. Why do they make tests with different questions?

Just like good teachers do not give the same test in first period as they do in fifth period because students will share the test, testing companies change their tests for test security purposes.

Determine How Well You Know Your Praxis PLT Material

How do you determine how well you know the Praxis PLT? Take a practice test.

Use the free practice test in the back of the ETS Praxis PLT study companion as a pretest and analyze the questions you missed. Ask yourself:

1. What content category are these questions from?
2. What type of preconceptions or misconceptions do I have about this material?

Once you have an idea from practice tests of what you need to work on, you can focus on those areas with our Praxis PLT resources.

Use Your Time Wisely

Your time is important, and you are likely multitasking before taking your Praxis PLT. Finding the time to study might seem impossible, but it is essential for your teaching certification. Cramming the night before the test is not a logical study plan for you to have with this test.

What can you do to create a schedule that uses your time wisely, allowing you to study and do the things you need to do?

When you schedule your Praxis PLT at a testing location, set it up to give yourself time to adequately study. We recommend 2 weeks to study. We also recommend incremental practice over those 2 weeks. Once you have the date, you can break up the material you need to cover into the number of days you have before the test. Here is a suggested Praxis PLT study schedule:

Pay Attention to Directions

A solid piece of advice – pay attention to the directions for each set of questions! Sometimes the most logical answer is not what is wanted. If you see questions that use words like NOT, EXCEPT, and LEAST, these are indicators that answer is not a reasonable solution.

For example, say you have this question:

All of the following are examples of scaffolding EXCEPT:

1. Using differentiated centers to support struggling learners.
2. Reducing the number of questions on student’s math homework.
3. Using leveled books to accommodate different reading levels.
4. Working with a small group of students on targeted interventions.

Correct Answer: A

Sometimes if you are moving too quickly, you may forget the word EXCEPT and choose the first answer choice rather than choosing the EXCEPT answer.