What is the Praxis 7811 Content Knowledge for Teaching (CKT)?
The Praxis Elementary Education 7811 is also known as the Elementary Education Content Knowledge for Teaching exam.
This is one of several elementary subject area exams designed to assess whether a prospective teacher has the knowledge and skills necessary to teach in an elementary school setting.
The subtests of the 7811 are:
Each of these subjects is considered crucial for an elementary education teacher, as they encompass the fundamental curriculum of elementary education.
Our proven Praxis 7811 study guides
Is the Praxis 7811 what I need to take to teach Elementary Education?
Many states use the Praxis Elementary Education Content Knowledge for Teaching (CKT) 7811 test to certify their elementary education teachers. However, it's important to note that the requirement can vary depending on your state's licensure regulations.
Some states might have different tests or additional requirements for prospective teachers.
That’s why it's crucial to check with your state's Department of Education or the ETS website to confirm the exact requirements for becoming an elementary education teacher in your state.
In general, the Praxis 7811 is widely recognized and accepted across many states in the U.S. as a standard measure of competence for elementary education teaching.
How hard is the Praxis 7811 to pass?
While the Praxis 7811 is an elementary education test, the exam is rather large and complicated.
Fewer than 50% of people pass their Praxis exams the first time, so it’s very important you do not underestimate the test.
This test can be difficult for new teachers because of their lack of experience in the classroom. The reading and language arts section (Praxis 7812) contains teaching scenarios, and you’ll have to identify best practices for educating young readers.
The mathematics section (Praxis 7813) covers everything from basic number sense to algebra and geometry. In addition, you will have to identify student errors in math and even identify ways to improve student processes.
The science section (7814) has questions covering physical, earth and space, and life sciences. You will also have to evaluate teaching scenarios and identify best practices in science instruction.
The social studies section (Praxis 7815) requires you to answer questions on U.S. history, world history, and economics. You will also have to identify best practices in social studies instruction.
Therefore, you’ll need to brush up on content you may have forgotten and skills you haven’t used in quite some time.
What happens if I fail one or more of the subtests?
Because the subtests are scored separately, you can pass all or some sections of the exam. Therefore, if you pass some sections but not others, you can retake just the sections you were unsuccessful in.
For example, if you pass the reading and language arts, social studies, and science sections but fail the math section, you will retake just the math the next time.
Remember, you must pass all subtests of the Praxis 7811 to pass the entire exam.
What does the Praxis Elementary Education CKT test consist of?
The Praxis 7811 consists of four subtests, which are scored separately. The following is the estimated number of questions you will receive on each subtest.
The entire exam is 4 hours and 45 minutes. You will also need to pass all of the subtests to pass the Praxis Elementary Education CKT 7811 exam.
Praxis Elementary Education 7812 - Reading and Language Arts
The Praxis 5002 has approximately 63 questions; you will have 90 minutes to complete this subtest.
Passing scores are determined by each state that uses the Praxis 7811. The range of passing scores is 157-161.
The Reading and Language Arts subtest of the Praxis Elementary Education exam is designed to test your knowledge and understanding of child development during elementary school years as it relates to reading, writing, and speaking.
The assessment is not aligned to a particular grade or course, but it is aligned to the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.
The Reading and Language Arts subtest is divided into the following three categories:
- Foundational Literacy Skills
- Language
- Constructing Meaning
Within these two main content categories are several other key components too:
- Reading Foundational Skills
- Reading Literature and Informational Text
- Writing
- Speaking & Listening
- Language
You can read my full overview and breakdown of the Praxis 7812 and our best tips to pass the Praxis Reading Language Arts exam HERE.
Praxis Elementary Education 7813 - Mathematics
The Praxis 7813 has approximately 52 questions; you will have 85 minutes to complete this exam.
Passing scores are determined by each state that uses the Praxis 7811. The range of passing scores is 143-150.
The Praxis Elementary Education 7813 subtest is designed to evaluate prospective elementary educators' mathematical knowledge and skills. The 7813 is a critical component of the Praxis Elementary Education: Content Knowledge for Teaching. In this section, you will not only have to work through math problems, but you will also be required to identify student errors and best practices in helping students acquire necessary math skills.
The Mathematics subtest is divided into four key content categories, each focusing on a specific aspect of elementary-level mathematics. These categories include:
- Counting and Operations with Whole Numbers
- Place Value and Decimals
- Fractions, Operations with Fractions, and Ratios
- Early Equations and Expressions, Measurement, and Geometry
You can read our complete overview and breakdown of the Praxis 7813 and our best tips to pass the Praxis Elementary Education 7813 Math HERE.
Praxis Elementary Education 7814 - Science
The Praxis 7814 has approximately 47 questions; you will have 60 minutes to complete this subtest.
Passing scores are determined by each state that uses the Praxis 7811. The range of passing scores is 144-154.
The Praxis Elementary Education 7814 subtest is designed to evaluate prospective elementary educators' science knowledge and skills.
The Science 7814 subtest is categorized into four main content domains, each targeting a unique facet of social studies. These domains include:
- Earth and Space Sciences
- Life Sciences
- Physical Sciences
- Engineering, Technology, and the Application of Science
Praxis Elementary Education 7815 - Social Studies
The Praxis 7815 has approximately 60 questions; you will have 50 minutes to complete this exam.
Passing scores are determined by each state that uses the Praxis 7811. The range of passing scores is 153-162.
The Praxis Elementary Education 7815 - Social Studies subtest is an integral component of the Praxis Elementary Education: Content Knowledge for Teaching and is used to measure potential elementary educators' knowledge and competencies in social studies.
The subtest comprises four main content categories, each addressing a specific domain of science. These categories include:
- History
- Government and Citizenship
- Human and Physical Geography
- Economics
A comprehensive understanding and practicing these content categories are critical for success on this subtest.
You can read our complete overview and breakdown of the Praxis 7815 and our best tips to pass the Praxis Elementary Education Social Studies HERE.
What are the passing scores for the Praxis 7811?
Each state sets the passing score for the 7811 and its subtests. Therefore, we recommend locating your state’s specific requirements for this exam.
The following is a range of scores for each subtest. Because each subtest is scored separately, there are different score requirements for each of the four subtests.
- Passing score for the Praxis 7812 - 157 to 161
- Passing Score for the Praxis 7813 - 143-150
- Passing Score for the Praxis 7814 - 144-154
- Passing Score for the Praxis 7815 - 153-162
It is important to note that the Praxis 7811 is scored using a scale score. This is much different than a raw score.
Scale scores are determined by taking your raw score (how many you got correct) and configuring it into a scale score based on question complexity, form of the test, and other measures.
To learn more about this, check out this blog: How to Calculate Your Praxis Score.
How many questions are on each of the Elementary Education subtests?
Each section is scored separately. Therefore, you can think of the following as their own individual tests. If you pass one or more of these subtests but are unsuccessful on another, you do not have to take the entire test again. You only have to retake the subtest you did not pass.
However, you must pass all four subtests to pass the full Praxis 7811 exam.
Praxis 7812 Reading and Language Arts
You will have 90 minutes to complete approximately 63 questions.
- Foundational Literacy Skills - 19 questions
- Language - 9 questions
- Constructing Meaning - 35 questions
Praxis 7813 Mathematics
You will have 85 minutes to complete approximately 52 questions.
- Counting and Operations with Whole Numbers - 16 questions
- Place Value and Decimals - 13 questions
- Fractions, Operations with Fractions, and Ratios - 13 questions
- Early Equations and Expressions, Measurement, and Geometry - 10 questions
Praxis 7814 Science
You will have 60 minutes to complete approximately 47 questions.
- Earth and Space Sciences - 11-15 questions
- Life Sciences - 13-17 questions
- Physical Sciences - 13-17 questions
- Engineering, Technology, and the Application of Science - These questions are embedded in all the other questions on the exam.
Praxis 7815 Social Studies
You will have 50 minutes to complete approximately 60 questions.
- History - 16 questions
- Government and Citizenship - 16 questions
- Human and Physical Geography - 14 questions
- Economics - 14 questions
Why did my test have more questions than it was supposed to?
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.
The best ways to pass and study for the Praxis Elementary 7811
Everyone is different in how they want to prepare for the exam. People have different strengths and weaknesses, and you must choose the right program for you.
The following are a few tried and tested 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 7811 test is to examine the test structure and content on the exam by reviewing the test specifications in the Praxis 7811 Study Companion.
ETS develops this document 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 Elementary education study guides are fully aligned with the test specifications and blueprint outlined in the ETS Study Companion.
They also have hundreds of practice test questions for each subtest and content category, so you are fully prepared for the exam.
How many questions do you need to get correct to pass?
To keep things simple, we recommend scoring at least a 75% on the practice tests before you take the exam.
However, realistically It is difficult to predict precisely how many questions you must get correct to pass the Praxis 7811 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.
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 7811
There are many free resources you can use to pass the exam. Our YouTube channel has tons of videos for this exam and its individual subtests.
You might also want to check out our free Praxis 7811 webinar. 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 free material!
Praxis 7811 Exam and Pass Scores at a Glance
| Praxis Exam | Passing Score | Number of Questions | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Praxis 7812 | 157 - 161 | 63 | 90m |
| Praxis 7813 | 143-150 | 52 | 85m |
| Praxis 7814 | 144-154 | 47 | 60m |
| Praxis 7815 | 153-162 | 60 | 50m |