Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators 2026: Your Complete Guide
The Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators is an ETS exam required for teacher certification in most U.S. states. This comprehensive assessment measures your foundational academic skills in reading, writing, and mathematics, which are the skills needed to be an effective educator regardless of the grade level or subject you plan to teach.
Whether you are pursuing initial teacher certification, entering a teacher preparation program, or meeting state licensure requirements, passing the Praxis Core demonstrates that you have the essential academic skills to succeed in the classroom.
Exam Format & Structure
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Subtests | 3 (Reading, Writing, Mathematics) |
| Total Time | 5 hours (combined) |
| Combined Test Option | All 3 subtests in one session |
| Cost | $90 per subtest or $150 combined |
| Score Range | 100-200 per subtest |
| Passing Score | Varies by state (typically 150-168) |
| Score Validity | 10 years |
The Praxis Core can be taken as individual subtests or as a combined test:
- Individual Subtests: Schedule each separately, focus on one area at a time
- Combined Test: Take all three in one 5-hour session (saves $120 vs individual)
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Praxis Core Subtests Overview
Reading (5713)
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Questions | 56 selected-response |
| Time | 85 minutes |
| Passing Score | State-specific (typically 156) |
The Reading subtest evaluates your ability to understand, analyze, and evaluate written passages. Questions are based on passages of varying lengths, from 100 to 200 words for short passages up to 600 words for paired passages.
Content Categories:
Key Ideas and Details (35%)
- Identifying main ideas and supporting details
- Making inferences and drawing conclusions
- Summarizing and paraphrasing text
- Understanding relationships within texts
Craft, Structure, and Language Skills (30%)
- Analyzing text structure and organization
- Understanding author's purpose and point of view
- Interpreting vocabulary in context
- Analyzing rhetorical strategies and tone
Integration of Knowledge and Ideas (35%)
- Evaluating arguments and claims
- Analyzing visual information with text
- Comparing and contrasting ideas across texts
- Synthesizing information from multiple sources
Writing (5723)
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Questions | 40 selected-response + 2 essays |
| Time | 100 minutes (40 min multiple-choice, 30 min per essay) |
| Passing Score | State-specific (typically 162) |
The Writing subtest assesses both your knowledge of English grammar and usage AND your ability to write effectively. This is the only subtest with constructed-response (essay) questions.
Content Categories:
Text Types, Purposes, and Production (25%)
- Understanding different writing purposes
- Organizing ideas logically
- Using transitions effectively
- Developing arguments with evidence
Language and Research Skills for Writing (25%)
- Grammar, usage, and mechanics
- Sentence structure and syntax
- Word choice and style
- Research and citation skills
Argumentative Essay (25%)
- 30 minutes to write
- Take a position on an issue
- Support with reasons and examples
- Clear organization and development
Informative/Explanatory Essay (25%)
- 30 minutes to write
- Explain or analyze a topic
- Use evidence effectively
- Clear and coherent structure
Mathematics (5733)
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Questions | 56 questions (selected-response and numeric entry) |
| Time | 90 minutes |
| Passing Score | State-specific (typically 150) |
| Calculator | On-screen calculator provided |
The Mathematics subtest measures your mathematical knowledge and reasoning skills. An on-screen calculator is provided, but you should still be comfortable with mental math and estimation.
Content Categories:
Number and Quantity (30%)
- Number properties and operations
- Ratios, proportions, and percentages
- Absolute value and order of real numbers
- Place value and number systems
Algebra and Functions (30%)
- Linear equations and inequalities
- Quadratic and polynomial expressions
- Functions and their graphs
- Systems of equations
Geometry (20%)
- Properties of shapes and figures
- Perimeter, area, and volume
- Coordinate geometry
- Transformations and symmetry
Statistics and Probability (20%)
- Data interpretation and analysis
- Mean, median, mode, and range
- Probability concepts
- Statistical representations
Free Practice Questions & Study Materials
Each chapter includes:
- Detailed content explanations
- ETS-style practice questions
- Essay writing strategies
- Key takeaways for quick review
State-Specific Passing Scores
Passing scores for the Praxis Core vary by state. Here are the requirements for states that use the Praxis Core:
| State | Reading (5713) | Writing (5723) | Math (5733) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 156 | 162 | 150 |
| Arkansas | 156 | 162 | 150 |
| Colorado | 156 | 162 | 150 |
| Connecticut | 156 | 162 | 150 |
| Delaware | 156 | 162 | 150 |
| Georgia | 156 | 162 | 150 |
| Hawaii | 156 | 162 | 150 |
| Idaho | 156 | 162 | 150 |
| Kansas | 156 | 162 | 150 |
| Kentucky | 156 | 162 | 150 |
| Louisiana | 156 | 162 | 150 |
| Maine | 156 | 162 | 150 |
| Maryland | 156 | 162 | 150 |
| Mississippi | 156 | 162 | 150 |
| Missouri | 156 | 162 | 150 |
| Nevada | 156 | 162 | 150 |
| New Jersey | 156 | 162 | 150 |
| North Carolina | 156 | 162 | 150 |
| North Dakota | 156 | 162 | 150 |
| Ohio | 156 | 162 | 150 |
| Oregon | 156 | 162 | 150 |
| Pennsylvania | 156 | 162 | 150 |
| Rhode Island | 156 | 162 | 150 |
| South Carolina | 156 | 162 | 150 |
| South Dakota | 156 | 162 | 150 |
| Tennessee | 156 | 162 | 150 |
| Utah | 156 | 162 | 150 |
| Vermont | 156 | 162 | 150 |
| Virginia | 156 | 162 | 150 |
| West Virginia | 156 | 162 | 150 |
| Wisconsin | 156 | 162 | 150 |
| Wyoming | 156 | 162 | 150 |
Note: Some states have different requirements or accept alternative assessments. Always verify current requirements with your state's department of education or teacher certification office.
Study Timeline for Praxis Core Success
| Week | Focus | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1-2 | Reading | Main ideas, inference, vocabulary, text analysis |
| Week 3-4 | Writing | Grammar, punctuation, essay structure and practice |
| Week 5-6 | Mathematics | Number operations, algebra, geometry, statistics |
| Week 7-8 | Review & Practice | Full practice tests, essay writing, weak areas |
Recommended: 80-120 hours total study time
Test-Taking Strategies
General Strategies
- Know the format - Familiarize yourself with question types before test day
- Pace yourself - Monitor time for each section
- Answer every question - No penalty for guessing
- Read carefully - Look for keywords in questions and answer choices
- Use process of elimination - Narrow down choices before selecting
Reading Strategies
- Skim the passage first - Get the main idea before reading questions
- Return to the passage - Don't rely on memory; find evidence
- Watch for qualifiers - Words like "always," "never," "sometimes" matter
- Identify author's purpose - Is the passage to inform, persuade, or entertain?
- For paired passages - Note similarities and differences between texts
Writing Strategies
For Multiple-Choice:
- Read the entire sentence - Context affects correct grammar
- Check subject-verb agreement - Common error tested
- Look for pronoun errors - Ensure pronouns match antecedents
- Watch for parallelism - Lists and comparisons need consistent structure
- Trust your ear - If it sounds wrong, it probably is
For Essays:
- Plan before writing - Spend 3-5 minutes outlining
- State your thesis clearly - Make your position obvious
- Use specific examples - Support claims with evidence
- Organize logically - Introduction, body paragraphs, conclusion
- Save time to proofread - Fix obvious errors
- Aim for 4-5 paragraphs - Sufficient depth without rambling
Mathematics Strategies
- Use the calculator wisely - Don't over-rely on it
- Show your work - Use scratch paper to avoid errors
- Estimate first - Eliminate unreasonable answers
- Check your units - Ensure answers have correct measurements
- Read word problems twice - Identify what's actually being asked
- Draw diagrams - Visualize geometry problems
Testing Options
Test Center
- Schedule through ETS at a Prometric testing center
- Bring valid government-issued photo ID
- No personal items in testing room
- Unofficial scores for Reading and Math displayed immediately
- Writing scores available within 2-3 weeks
At-Home Testing
- Available for Praxis Core subtests
- Requires computer with webcam and microphone
- Stable internet connection required
- ProctorU monitoring system
- Same content and time limits as test center
Test Fees
| Option | Cost |
|---|---|
| Single Subtest | $90 each |
| Combined Test | $150 (all three) |
| Score Report | Included (up to 4 recipients) |
| Additional Score Reports | $50 each |
Understanding Your Scores
Score Reports
- Unofficial scores: Reading and Math available immediately; Writing takes 2-3 weeks
- Official scores: Posted to your ETS account within 10-16 days (longer for Writing)
- Score range: 100-200 for each subtest
- Score validity: Scores are valid for 10 years
Score Analysis
Your score report includes:
- Raw score (number correct)
- Scaled score (100-200)
- Performance by content category
- Comparison to state passing scores
Retake Policy
If you don't pass or want to improve your score:
- Waiting period: 28 days between attempts
- No limit: You can retake subtests as many times as needed
- Full fee: Each retake requires paying the full testing fee
- Score choice: You can choose which scores to send
Praxis Core vs. Other Teacher Exams
| Exam | Purpose | When Taken |
|---|---|---|
| Praxis Core | Basic academic skills | Before or during teacher prep program |
| Praxis Subject Assessments | Content knowledge in your subject | During or after teacher prep program |
| Praxis PLT | Pedagogy and teaching skills | After student teaching |
| edTPA | Teaching performance assessment | During student teaching |
Exemptions and Alternatives
Some states and institutions may waive Praxis Core requirements based on:
- SAT/ACT scores: High scores may exempt you (varies by state)
- GRE scores: Some states accept qualifying GRE scores
- Previous degree: Advanced degrees may provide exemption
- GPA: High college GPA may waive requirements in some states
Check with your state education agency or teacher preparation program for specific exemption policies.
Pass the Praxis Core with Confidence
Join thousands of aspiring educators who passed their Praxis Core exam using our comprehensive, 100% FREE study materials. Our course includes:
- Complete coverage of all 3 subtests
- Practice questions with detailed explanations
- Essay writing strategies and sample responses
- AI-powered study assistance for instant explanations
- Regularly updated for 2026 exam content
No credit card required. Start studying today.
Official Resources
- ETS Praxis Core
- Praxis Core Study Companion
- State Licensing Requirements
- ETS Praxis Practice Tests
- Your State Department of Education website