In this blog post, we’re going to tackle a common but stressful situation: failing your teacher certification exam. If this has happened to you, take a deep breath—you are not alone. Many future educators face this setback, and while it feels discouraging in the moment, it does not define your teaching career. What matters most is what you do next.
You’re Not Alone
First-time pass rates for major teacher certification exams—like the Praxis Core, Elementary Education, or Praxis 7811—hover around 50%. That means half of all test-takers must retake the exam. This is not a reflection of your ability to become a great teacher; it simply shows that the test requires targeted preparation.
Step 1: Process the Experience
After any exam, especially one you didn’t pass, take some time to reflect. Ask yourself:
-
Which sections or question types felt the hardest?
-
Were there terms, strategies, or formulas you hadn’t encountered before?
-
Did nerves or time management play a role?
Write these down while the experience is still fresh. This will give you a roadmap for your next study plan.
Step 2: Review Your Score Report
Your official score report is more than just a pass/fail notice—it breaks down performance by content categories. For example, a Teaching Reading exam may show sections such as:
-
Phonological Awareness (13 questions)
-
Phonics and Decoding (18 questions)
-
Vocabulary and Fluency (21 questions)
-
Comprehension (22 questions)
-
Writing/Constructed Response (3 prompts, scored by human graders)
If you scored low in one area (say, comprehension or writing), you now know where to focus your study time. Even improving by just a few points in multiple sections can push you over the passing threshold.
Step 3: Target Weak Areas Immediately
Don’t wait weeks before revisiting tough concepts. If slope-intercept form tripped you up on the math section, or if you struggled with think-aloud strategies on the reading test, review those concepts right away. Use:
-
Study guides tailored to your specific exam
-
Free online resources (YouTube, education websites)
-
Tools like ChatGPT to clarify tricky terms and provide examples
Proactive review prevents those same weaknesses from holding you back next time.
Step 4: Practice Writing if Required
Some certification exams include a constructed-response or essay component. Because these are graded by both a computer and a human scorer, strong writing is essential. Aim for clear, well-structured responses with specific examples. Even moving from a “1” to a “2” in each writing task can add several points to your score.
Step 5: Stay Consistent with Strong Areas
It’s easy to focus only on weaknesses, but don’t neglect your strengths. Continue practicing in areas you scored well on—you don’t want to lose ground there. Balance is key.
Step 6: Build Your Next Study Plan
-
Set a timeline: Decide when you’ll retake the exam and work backward to create a weekly study schedule.
-
Use quality resources: Consider study guides, prep courses, or free webinars.
-
Simulate the test: Practice under timed conditions so you’re ready for test-day pacing.
Failing your certification exam isn’t the end—it’s just one step in the process. By analyzing your score report, targeting weak areas, and practicing consistently, you’ll walk into your next test more confident and better prepared. Remember, countless certified teachers have been exactly where you are right now. The difference is, they didn’t give up—and neither should you.
🎥 Watch the full video now to learn exactly how to bounce back and pass your teacher certification exam 🎥