The Praxis® Core Academic Skills for Educators Exam (aka Praxis® Core) and the Praxis® II exam are required for all students who wish to earn an endorsement for teacher licensure. Successful completion of the Praxis® Core is typically required before the end of the sophomore year, while the Praxis® II exam is required by the end of the senior year. Please check with your program regarding the exact deadlines.
How Do I Register For A Praxis Exam?
To register for the Praxis Core, or the Praxis II exam, you need to set up an account in ETS
Official ETS Website: Official Praxis Test Distributor
What is the Praxis® Core Exam?
The Praxis® Core Academic Skills for Educators Exam (aka Praxis® Core) tests academic proficiency in reading, writing, and math studies for students pursuing state licensure as education professionals. All students who are looking to gain endorsement for state licensure are expected to complete the exam, with the exception of those who have fulfilled this requirement with competitive SAT/ACT/GRE scores.
What is the Praxis II Exam?
The Praxis® II Exam covers more subject-specific information and is required of students seeking endorsement for licensure.
For more information on the Praxis II exam required for your area of endorsement, please refer to the Vermont Agency of Education (please confirm that all information is current with the Vermont Agency of Education).
ETS provides study guides for each Praxis® II Exam
What if I Need Accommodations To Take The Exam?
ETS provides accommodations for test takers with disabilities or health-related needs who meet ETS requirements. Your accommodation request must be approved by ETS Disability Services before you can register for your test. Reviews of accommodation requests take approximately six weeks, so be sure to plan in advance. Here you can find more information on disability accommodations.
If you would like assistance fillling out accommodation request paperwork, please schedule an appointment with the CESS Student Services Office by calling (802) 656-3468 or emailing cessstsv@uvm.edu.
What are the Qualifying SAT/ACT/GRE Scores for the Praxis Core Exam?
Students who have received the following scores in at least one exam will have satisfied the educational requirement and are therefore exempt from the Praxis® Core Exam.
- Qualifying SAT Scores: Combined 1100, Verbal 500, Math 500, if taken after April 1, 1995. If taken after March 1, 2016: Combined score of 1100 and minimum Verbal (480) and Math (530).
- Qualifying ACT Scores: English 18, Math 18
- Qualifying GRE Scores: Combined 300, Verbal 153, Quantitative 144 if taken after August 1, 2011
How Do I Prepare for the Exam?
Learn what information the test covers. You can find exam specifications for your test(s) in the free ETS Study Companion. Each Study Companion includes a comprehensive overview of the test, with detailed test descriptions and sample questions with answers and explanations to help you prepare.
Collect study materials. Obtaining and organizing your materials for review are critical steps in preparing for the Praxis tests. Consider the following reference sources as you plan your study:
- Did you take a course in which the content area was covered? If yes, do you still have your book(s) or your notes?
- Howe Library has a good introductory college-level textbooks in this area.
- Additional test preparation resources are available for many Praxis tests. Check the Prepare for a Test page to see what materials are available for your test.
Plan and organize your time. You can begin to plan and organize your time while you are still collecting materials. Allow yourself plenty of time to review so you can avoid "cramming" new material at the end.
Develop a study plan. A study plan provides a roadmap to prepare for the Praxis tests. It can help you understand what skills and knowledge are covered on the test and where to focus your attention. A written study plan can help you organize your efforts.
Where Can I Find Praxis Core and Praxis II Study Resources?
UVM’s Howe Library is equipped with resources to help students prepare for all Praxis® Exams, including hard copies of Praxis study guides and free access to Mometrix Test Prep. Browse the Howe Library's online website or ask a librarian today!
Other helpful resources include:
Where Can I Receive Help Studying for the Exam?
Assistance is available for students seeking help with coursework at several locations on campus, visit the UVM's Tutoring or Writing Centers.
I Have More Questions, Who Can I Contact?
If you have additional questions, please contact the CESS Student Services Office:
- 528 Waterman Building
- Email: cessstsv@uvm.edu
- Phone: (802) 656-3468
- Hours: 8:30 am to 12:30 pm; 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm (Monday-Friday)