The Praxis 7002 is the Elementary Education: Teaching Reading subtest. It is part of the Praxis 7001 Multiple Subjects exam but can be taken individually.

The test focuses on the science of reading and literacy instruction for kindergarten through sixth grade. It assesses five content areas:

• Phonological and Phonemic Awareness and Emergent Literacy
• Phonics and Decoding
• Vocabulary and Fluency
• Comprehension of Literary and Informational Text
• Written Expression

The exam is designed around research-based reading instruction and evaluates both foundational literacy knowledge and instructional decision-making.

Most states require a scaled score between 150 and 160, but requirements differ depending on your state’s certification standards. Praxis scores are reported as scaled scores. A scaled score adjusts for slight differences in difficulty between test versions, ensuring fairness across administrations. Because of this scaling process, the number of questions you answer correctly does not directly equal your final reported score.

Always check your state’s Department of Education website to confirm the exact passing score you need. You can access information on passing scores by state on the ETS website.

Many candidates consider Praxis 7002 challenging because it is heavily focused on the science of reading and research-based instructional practices. The test requires more than basic literacy knowledge—it expects you to understand how reading develops and how to support struggling readers.

The most difficult areas for many test takers include phonemic awareness distinctions, decoding instruction, and applying assessment data to instructional decisions. However, with structured review of all five literacy domains and consistent practice with selected-response questions, the test is very passable.

The Praxis 7002 is 110 minutes (1 hour and 50 minutes) long. It is a computer-delivered exam made up of approximately 80 selected-response questions.

This gives you a little over 1 minute per question, so time management is important. While some questions can be answered quickly, scenario-based or assessment-focused questions may require more careful reading. Developing efficient pacing and knowing when to move on from a difficult question can help ensure you complete the entire subtest within the allotted time.