SLLA 6990 & Praxis 5412 Certification Exam
8 min read

SLLA 6990 & Praxis 5412 Practice Test

If you're on the path to becoming a school principal or district leader, you've likely heard of the SLLA 6990 and the Praxis 5412. These two school leadership licensure exams are required in many states for aspiring educational administrators, and passing them is a critical step toward earning your leadership certification. Before diving into your full study plan, try the SLLA 6990 & Praxis 5412 free practice test to see where you stand. Whether you're just starting your test prep journey or looking to fine-tune your strategy, this guide has everything you need to know.


What Is the SLLA 6990?

The School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA 6990) is a Praxis exam developed by ETS (Educational Testing Service) and is used by many states to assess the knowledge, skills, and competencies required of entry-level school principals. It is designed to measure whether a candidate has mastered the professional standards for educational leadership, specifically the PSEL (Professional Standards for Educational Leaders). Explore all SLLA 6990 study resources at Kathleen Jasper to get started.

The SLLA 6990 is a rigorous, scenario-based exam. Rather than simply testing content recall, it asks you to apply leadership knowledge to real-world situations: the kind of complex decisions a principal makes every day.

SLLA 6990 Exam Format & Content Areas

The SLLA 6990 consists of 100 selected-response (multiple-choice) questions and covers the following major content categories:

  • Student Learning: Curriculum, instruction, assessment, and student support systems
  • Leading School Improvement: Vision, mission, strategic planning, and change leadership
  • Management and Operations: School resources, facilities, human capital, and legal compliance
  • Family and Community Engagement: Partnerships, communication, and community relations
  • Ethics and Integrity: Professional norms, ethical decision-making, and equity

The exam is timed at 2 hours and 30 minutes and is scored on a scale of 100–200. Most states require a passing score of 162 or higher, though you should always verify the passing score required in your specific state.

What Is the Praxis 5412?

The Praxis Educational Leadership: Administration and Supervision (5412) exam is another ETS-designed assessment used to certify school and district-level educational leaders. While it shares many similarities with the SLLA 6990, the Praxis 5412 is used by a different set of states and is designed to assess readiness for a broader range of administrative roles, including both principal and superintendent-level positions. See Kathleen Jasper's Praxis 5412 prep resources to find the right study tools for your goals.

Like the SLLA, the Praxis 5412 is scenario-based and requires you to think like a leader: analyzing complex situations, weighing priorities, and selecting the best course of action based on best practices in educational leadership.

Praxis 5412 Exam Format & Content Areas

The Praxis 5412 includes 120 selected-response questions across the following content categories:

  • Visionary Leadership: Developing and sustaining a shared school vision
  • Instructional Leadership: Supporting high-quality instruction, curriculum design, and data-driven decision-making
  • Managing Organizational Systems and Safety: Operations, fiscal management, safety, and compliance
  • Collaborating with Key Stakeholders: Families, communities, and external partnerships
  • Ethical Leadership and Professional Norms: Acting with integrity, equity, and professionalism

Test takers have 2 hours to complete the exam. The passing score varies by state, but typically falls around 157–162. Check with your state's Department of Education for the exact requirement. You can review official exam details on the ETS official Praxis 5412 preparation page.

SLLA 6990 vs. Praxis 5412: What's the Difference?

Both exams test similar content because they are both based on the Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium (ISLLC) standards and the PSEL framework. However, there are key differences worth noting. The answer to which exam you need depends entirely on your state's certification requirements. Some states require the SLLA 6990, others require the Praxis 5412, and a few may accept either. Always confirm with your state's Department of Education or your university's educator preparation program before registering. You can also verify requirements on the ETS state requirements page.

The content categories overlap significantly, which means that high-quality study materials, like those created by Kathleen Jasper, are designed to cover the competencies tested on both exams effectively. Browse the full School Leadership exam prep collection to find the right fit for you.

How to Study for the SLLA 6990 and Praxis 5412

Success on either of these exams comes down to understanding the thinking framework of educational leadership, not just memorizing facts. Here are the most effective strategies for your test prep.

1. Understand the Exam Blueprint

Before you crack open any study guide, download the official test specifications from ETS. These blueprints outline exactly what percentage of the exam comes from each content category. Focus more time on the high-weight categories; you'll earn the most points there.

2. Think Like a School Leader, Not a Test Taker

These exams are scenario-based, which means multiple answers may seem correct. The key is choosing the best answer: the one that aligns with research-backed best practices in school leadership. This is exactly the approach Kathleen Jasper teaches in her SLLA 6990 Online Course, training you to think like the test maker.

3. Use a Comprehensive Study Guide

A good study guide does more than summarize content; it teaches you the language of educational leadership and gives you hundreds of practice questions that mirror the real exam. Kathleen Jasper's SLLA 6990 Digital Study Guide and Praxis 5412 Digital Study Guide are fully aligned to the exam blueprints and packed with practice test questions and expert test-taking strategies.

4. Watch Tutorial Videos for Each Content Category

Visual learners benefit enormously from video-based instruction. Online courses that break down each content category with examples, strategies, and test tips can transform confusing material into manageable concepts. The Praxis 5412 Online Course by Kathleen Jasper includes hours of tutorial videos covering every section of the exam, plus the digital study guide is included with every purchase.

5. Study on the Go with Audio Courses

Busy educators know that study time isn't always at a desk. Audio courses are perfect for commutes, workouts, or household chores. Structured like podcasts, Kathleen Jasper's audio courses walk you through every content category, highlight key vocabulary, and share insider tips on selecting and eliminating answer choices. Check out the SLLA 6990 & Praxis 5412 Audio Courses available for both exams.

6. Practice, Review, and Practice Again

Don't just complete practice questions; review every wrong answer. Understanding why an answer is wrong is just as powerful as knowing why the correct answer is right. This process sharpens your critical thinking and helps you recognize patterns in how the exam is written.

How Long Should You Study?

Most candidates benefit from 4–8 weeks of focused study, dedicating at least 1–2 hours per day. If you're working full-time (which most educational leadership candidates are), 6–8 weeks gives you ample time to cover the content without burning out. Here's a general roadmap:

  • Weeks 1–2: Review exam format and all content categories using your study guide
  • Weeks 3–4: Work through online course videos and take notes on high-priority topics
  • Weeks 5–6: Complete practice tests, review wrong answers, and listen to audio courses during commutes
  • Weeks 7–8: Focus on weak areas, complete final practice tests, and review key test-taking strategies

Top Tips for Test Day

Even the best-prepared candidates can struggle if they walk into the exam without a clear test-taking strategy. Keep these tips in mind:

  • Read every scenario carefully. The context matters: a detail in the scenario often eliminates one or two answer choices immediately.
  • Watch for "best" and "first." These words signal that more than one answer might be partially correct; you must pick the most appropriate one.
  • Eliminate wrong answers. Cross out choices that are reactive, punitive, short-sighted, or that skip collaboration with stakeholders.
  • Trust your preparation. Your instinct, built through weeks of studying real leadership scenarios, is your best tool.
  • Manage your time. Don't spend too long on any single question; flag it and come back.

The Best Study Resources for SLLA 6990 & Praxis 5412

Choosing the right study materials makes a significant difference in your outcome. At Kathleen Jasper, every resource is designed to be strategic, research-aligned, and educator-friendly. You can also verify official exam content and test specifications on the ETS Praxis 5412 official preparation page to stay up to date with any changes.

Here are the top recommended resources:

Final Thoughts: You've Got This

Earning your school leadership certification is a meaningful achievement, and passing the SLLA 6990 or Praxis 5412 is a milestone on that path. These exams are challenging, but they are absolutely passable with the right preparation strategy and the right resources.

The key is to study smart: understand the exam framework, practice with realistic questions, learn to think like a leader, and use study materials that are truly aligned to what will be on the test. Kathleen Jasper's mission is to help every educator succeed, and that means giving you the tools, strategies, and confidence to walk into that testing center ready to pass.

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