What is the Praxis 5003?
The Praxis 5003, officially known as the Praxis Elementary Education 5003 - Mathematics, is a subtest of the Praxis Elementary Education 5001 exam.
The Praxis 5003 is designed to measure the mathematical knowledge and skills that are essential for an elementary school teacher.
If you are trying to become a certified elementary education teacher, you will take the Praxis 5003 or an exam like it. Most states want their teachers to have comprehensive knowledge in the area of foundational mathematics skills for early learners.
What does the Praxis 5003 consist of?
The Praxis Elementary Education 5003 is designed to evaluate the mathematical knowledge and skills of prospective elementary educators. It forms a critical part of the Praxis Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects test.
The Mathematics subtest is divided into three key content categories, each focusing on a specific aspect of elementary-level mathematics. These categories include:
Numbers and Operations
This section assesses your understanding of number sense, properties of number systems, and the operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
Algebraic Thinking
This part focuses on patterns, relationships, functions, and algebraic expressions and equations. It tests your ability to use algebra as a tool for solving problems.
Geometry, Measurement, Data, Statistics, and Probability
For this section, you must have an understanding of shapes, structures, and spatial relationships, along with measurement principles and procedures. This section also measures your skills in statistical analysis and probability, including the interpretation of data, predictions, and inferences.
Each content category plays a vital role in a comprehensive mathematics curriculum for elementary education, making a thorough understanding of these concepts essential for prospective teachers. Preparation and practice within these areas can ensure success on the Praxis 5003 - Mathematics subtest.
What is the passing score for the Praxis 5003?
Most states require at least a 157 to pass this subtest. However, South Dakota and Kentucky require a 146 and 148, respectively.
How many questions are in the Praxis 5003 Math exam?
You will have 65 minutes to complete approximately 50 questions on the Praxis 5003 Mathematics test.
- Numbers and Operations - 20 questions
- Algebraic Thinking - 15 questions
- Geometry, Measurement, Data, Statistics, and Probability - 15 questions
Please understand that you may have several additional questions on your test. ETS, the company that makes the exam, will often field test new items on the exams. You will never know which test items count toward your score and which items are being field tested. You can learn more about this HERE.
Field testing items is common practice in the testing industry. Therefore, if you see a couple more questions on your exam, don’t panic. Just answer all the questions on your test.
Can I use a calculator on the Praxis 5003 Math test?
An on-screen scientific calculator is provided for the computer-delivered test. Please consult the Praxis Calculator Use Webpage for further information.
You are expected to know how and when to use the scientific calculator since it will be helpful for some questions. Become familiar with its functionality before taking the test. The calculator may be used to perform calculations, such as exponents, roots, and percents.
The best ways to pass the Praxis Elementary 5003
Everyone is different in terms of how they want to prepare for the exam. People have different strengths and weaknesses, and it’s important you choose the right program for you. The following are a few resources you can consider when preparing for this test.
The ETS Study Companion
The first and most important thing you can do to pass your Praxis 5003 test is to examine the test structure and content of the exam by reviewing the test specifications in the Praxis 5003 Study Companion. This document is developed by ETS and shows you everything you are responsible for on the exam. It even has practice test questions similar to what you will see on test day.
Study Guides
Beyond that, most people prefer to use a study guide with practice tests to prepare for the exam. Our Praxis 5003 study guide is fully aligned with the test specifications and blueprint outlined in the ETS Study Companion.
It also has hundreds of practice test questions for each subtest and content category, so you are fully prepared for the exam.
Online Courses
For those who need additional support, online courses that come with tutorial videos and practice are helpful. We have a comprehensive, self-paced online course with hours of videos that will help you pass the Praxis 5003 test.
How many questions do you need to get right to pass?
It is difficult to predict exactly how many questions you must get correct to pass the Praxis 5001 because a scale score is used rather than a raw score. This means that your raw score—the number of questions you get correct—is put into a formula to calculate a scale score.
To keep things simple, we recommend scoring at least a 75% on the practice tests before you go in to take the exam. Getting 75% of the questions correct when you practice indicates you are ready to take the actual test.
Remember, each section of the exam is scored separately.
Free resources for the Praxis Elementary Education Math
There are many free resources you can use to pass the exam. Our Math Playlist on our YouTube Channel is packed full of videos to help you with all the foundational skills tested on the exam. You might also want to check out our free Praxis 5001 webinar, which includes prep for the Praxis 5003. It comes with a free study guide, test strategy tips, and more. Just fill out this form and you will gain access to all of that.