Praxis Core Practice test

The moment you decide to become a licensed teacher, the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators becomes one of the first real checkpoints on your journey. This foundational exam, covering Reading (5713), Writing (5723), and Mathematics (5733), is required for teacher certification in dozens of states, and it tests the core academic skills you'll need to support students in your classroom every day. Before you build your full study plan, take a free practice test to see exactly where you stand. Whether you're fresh out of college or returning to education after years in another career, this guide breaks down everything you need to know to prepare strategically and pass with confidence.

What Is the Praxis Core?

The Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators is a suite of three standardized tests developed by ETS (Educational Testing Service) to assess the foundational academic proficiency of aspiring teachers. Unlike the Praxis Subject Assessments, which test what you know about a specific content area, the Praxis Core tests how well you read, write, and reason mathematically. Think of it as the academic baseline every educator must meet before earning their teaching credential.

Most states require Praxis Core scores as part of their teacher certification or educator preparation program admission process. Some states set minimum score requirements for entry into teacher education programs; others require passing scores before a candidate can receive a full teaching license. Because the requirement varies by state, it's important to check your state's specific passing score thresholds through your state department of education.

The Three Praxis Core Subtests: An Overview

The Praxis Core is administered as three separate subtests, each with its own registration, scheduling, and scoring. You can take all three on the same day (as a combined session) or schedule them individually. Here's what each subtest covers:

Praxis Core Reading (5713)

The Reading subtest measures your ability to analyze and interpret written passages across a range of genres and topics. You will encounter literary texts, informational texts, and arguments, and you'll need to demonstrate skills like identifying main ideas, drawing inferences, evaluating evidence, and recognizing logical relationships between ideas.

• Format: 56 selected-response questions
• Time: 85 minutes
• Score Scale: 100–200; most states require a score of 156 or higher

The passages range from a single sentence to multi-paragraph excerpts, and some questions ask you to compare two related texts. Strong test-takers don't just read for content; they read for structure, purpose, and the relationships between ideas. The Praxis Core Reading 5713 Digital Study Guide is built around exactly these skills, with annotated practice sets that teach you how to approach every question type.

Praxis Core Writing (5723)

The Writing subtest has two distinct components: selected-response questions that assess your knowledge of grammar, usage, and mechanics, and two essay tasks that require you to construct and support an original argument. Many test-takers underestimate the essay section, but it accounts for a significant portion of your final score.

• Format: 40 selected-response questions + 2 essays (Argumentative + Informative/Explanatory)
• Time: 100 minutes
• Score Scale: 100–200; most states require a score of 162 or higher

The selected-response questions test your ability to identify errors and weaknesses in sentences and short passages. The essays are scored by both a human rater and an automated scoring engine. A strong score requires clear organization, a compelling thesis, relevant evidence, and clean sentence-level writing. The Praxis Core Writing 5723 Digital Study Guide walks through every grammar rule you need to know and includes scored essay models so you can see exactly what a passing response looks like.

Praxis Core Mathematics (5733)

The Math subtest covers a wide range of topics from number and quantity to algebra, geometry, statistics, and probability. The questions are designed to assess not just computation, but mathematical reasoning, your ability to interpret data, set up equations, and solve problems in context.

• Format: 56 selected-response and numeric-entry questions
• Time: 85 minutes
• Score Scale: 100–200; most states require a score of 150 or higher

Unlike a college math course, the Praxis Core Math subtest does not require calculus or advanced algebra. The content is anchored in foundational mathematics, but the questions require real reasoning, not just memorized formulas. A scientific calculator is available on-screen for part of the exam. The Praxis Core Math 5733 Digital Study Guide breaks down each content category with clear explanations, worked examples, and targeted practice sets.

Who Needs to Take the Praxis Core?

The Praxis Core is required in approximately 40 states and U.S. territories for one or more stages of teacher licensure or educator preparation program admission. Common scenarios include:

• Undergraduate students applying to a college of education or teacher preparation program
• Post-baccalaureate candidates pursuing initial teacher certification
• Career changers entering alternative certification pathways
• Candidates applying for professional teaching licenses after completing student teaching

Some states have moved away from the Praxis Core and replaced it with their own basic skills assessments: for example, California uses the CBEST, and Florida uses the General Knowledge Test (GK). Always verify requirements through your specific state's department of education before registering, as requirements can change. You can also find state-by-state score requirements on the ETS Praxis state requirements page.

Praxis Core Scoring: What You Need to Know

Each subtest is scored on a scale of 100 to 200. You receive a separate score for each of the three subtests. Some states accept a combined score (the sum of all three), while others require each subtest to meet its own minimum threshold individually, meaning you can't compensate for a low Math score with a high Reading score.

Scores are typically available within two to three weeks of your test date. You can request that your scores be sent directly to your state education agency, teacher preparation program, or both. Official score reporting is done through your ETS account. There is no limit to the number of times you can retake a Praxis Core subtest, though ETS does require a waiting period of 21 days between attempts for the same test.

How to Build a Winning Praxis Core Study Plan

Effective Praxis Core preparation is not about memorizing facts; it's about building and sharpening skills. Because the test measures reading comprehension, writing clarity, and mathematical reasoning, your study plan should emphasize active, applied practice over passive review. Here are the most effective strategies for each phase of your preparation.

1. Start With a Diagnostic Assessment

Before you open a study guide or watch a single tutorial video, take a full-length diagnostic practice test for each subtest you're preparing for. This gives you a realistic picture of your current performance level and reveals exactly which content areas need the most attention. Don't study in the dark; let your diagnostic results drive your study priorities from day one.

2. Use Study Materials Designed Specifically for the Praxis Core

The Praxis Core has a specific format, a specific vocabulary, and specific question types that generic test prep books simply don't reflect. You need materials aligned to the actual ETS blueprints, resources that speak the language of the exam and give you practice under realistic conditions. The Praxis Core Complete Digital Study Guide by Kathleen Jasper covers all three subtests in one comprehensive resource, with hundreds of practice questions, clear content explanations, and proven test-taking strategies.

3. Invest in Structured, Video-Based Instruction

Reading a study guide is valuable, but watching an expert walk through the content in real time takes comprehension to a different level. If you want a fully guided preparation experience, the Praxis Core All Subtests Online Course delivers video instruction for every content area across all three exams, with strategies, worked examples, and the Think Like a Test Maker® approach that helps you understand why the right answer is right, not just what it is.

4. Practice Essays Every Single Week

Many Praxis Core candidates focus almost entirely on the multiple-choice sections and then scramble to write their essays under pressure on test day. Don't let this happen to you. Set aside time each week to write full timed essays under exam conditions. Practice both the argumentative and informative/explanatory formats. Review your essays against the ETS scoring rubric: ask yourself whether your thesis is clear, your evidence is relevant, and your response is organized. Writing is a skill that improves with deliberate, repeated practice.

5. Target Your Weakest Math Topics Relentlessly

The Praxis Core Math subtest covers a broad range of topics, and most candidates have specific areas of weakness. Common trouble spots include proportions and ratios, probability and statistics, coordinate geometry, and interpreting data displays. Once you've identified your weakest areas from your diagnostic results, attack them systematically, one topic at a time, until your accuracy improves. Don't just redo the same questions; seek out new practice sets so you're testing genuine understanding, not pattern recognition.

6. Simulate Real Test Conditions

As your test date approaches, shift from topic-by-topic practice to full-length timed simulations. Take each subtest in one sitting, under timed conditions, without pausing or looking things up. This builds the mental stamina and time management skills you'll need on test day. After each simulation, conduct a thorough review, especially of any question you answered incorrectly or guessed on.

Praxis Core Study Timeline

Most candidates benefit from 4–8 weeks of focused preparation, depending on how close their diagnostic scores are to their target passing scores. Here is a general week-by-week framework:

• Week 1: Download the official ETS test frameworks, take full-length diagnostics for all three subtests, and identify your priority content areas
• Weeks 2–3: Work through your study guide and/or online course by content domain; spend extra time on your lowest-scoring areas while maintaining the others
• Week 4: Begin writing timed practice essays twice per week; continue targeted math and reading practice
• Weeks 5–6: Take full-length timed practice tests for all three subtests; review every incorrect answer in detail and identify lingering weaknesses
• Weeks 7–8: Focus exclusively on remaining weak spots; do final essay reviews; revisit test-taking strategies and mental preparation

If your diagnostic scores are already close to the passing threshold, a 3–4 week focused sprint may be all you need. If you're significantly below target, give yourself at least 6–8 weeks to build skills systematically.

Top Test-Day Strategies

The preparation is done; now it's time to perform. Keep these strategies front of mind as you sit down for each subtest.

• Read actively, not passively. On the Reading subtest, don't read a passage and then go to the questions hoping something sticks. Read with purpose: identify the main idea, the author's tone, and the structure of the argument as you go.
• Eliminate, don't just select. For every question, work to eliminate the clearly wrong answers before selecting your final choice. On a four-option question, eliminating two wrong answers turns a guessing scenario into a coin flip, which improves your odds dramatically.
• Write your thesis first. On the Writing essays, spend the first two to three minutes planning your argument before you write a single sentence. A clear outline produces a more organized, higher-scoring essay than diving in blindly.
• Don't abandon a math question too quickly. If a math question seems unfamiliar, try working backwards from the answer choices or drawing a diagram to visualize the problem. Many questions that look complex resolve quickly with the right approach.
• Watch your pacing and flag strategically. Never get stuck on a single question. Answer what you can, flag what's difficult, and come back with fresh eyes. Running out of time without answering questions you could have answered is avoidable.
• Trust your preparation. You put in the work. When test anxiety creeps in, redirect your energy toward the question in front of you, not the ones you haven't seen yet.

Final Thoughts: The Praxis Core Is the Beginning, Not the Barrier

The Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators isn't designed to stop you from teaching; it's designed to confirm that you have the foundational skills to help your future students succeed. Passing this exam is your first step toward the classroom, and it's well within your reach. With a smart study plan, the right resources, and consistent practice, candidates at every academic background and experience level clear this exam every day.

Whether you're just starting out or gearing up for a retake, Kathleen Jasper's Praxis Core test prep resources are built to get you there. Study with purpose, practice with intention, and walk into that testing center knowing you've prepared the right way.