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Sample Praxis School Counselor Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the Praxis School Counselor exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 241+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1According to Erikson's stages of psychosocial development, an elementary school student's successful resolution of the 'Industry vs. Inferiority' stage leads to a sense of:

A.Trust

B.Autonomy

C.Initiative

D.Competence

Explanation: Erikson's fourth stage, Industry vs. Inferiority (ages 6-12), is when children develop a sense of competence by mastering new skills. Success leads to feelings of adequacy and capability.

2A high school counselor is working with a student who is unsure about their post-secondary plans. The counselor helps the student explore their interests, values, and skills to identify potential career paths. This approach aligns with which career development theory?

A.Holland's Theory of Career Choice

B.Super's Life-Span, Life-Space Theory

C.Bandura's Social Cognitive Career Theory

D.Krumboltz's Happenstance Learning Theory

Explanation: Super's theory emphasizes the importance of self-concept and how it evolves over time, influencing career choices. The counselor's approach of helping the student explore personal attributes to guide career decisions is a core component of this theory.

3A school counselor is obligated to report suspected child abuse to the appropriate authorities. This is an example of a(n):

A.Ethical dilemma

B.Legal mandate

C.Professional standard

D.Personal value

Explanation: School counselors are mandated reporters, meaning they are legally required to report any suspicion of child abuse or neglect to Child Protective Services or a similar agency. This legal obligation overrides confidentiality.

4A student discloses to the school counselor that they are being bullied online. The counselor's first step should be to:

A.Contact the parents of the alleged bully

B.Report the incident to the school principal

C.Ensure the student's immediate safety and well-being

D.Gather evidence of the cyberbullying

Explanation: The primary responsibility of the school counselor is the safety and well-being of the student. Before taking any other action, the counselor must assess the student's physical and emotional state and take steps to ensure they are safe.

5Which of the following is an example of an indirect student service provided by a school counselor?

A.Individual counseling

B.Small group counseling

C.Classroom guidance lessons

D.Consultation with a teacher

Explanation: Indirect student services are provided on behalf of students, rather than directly to them. Consultation with teachers, parents, or administrators is a key indirect service that helps create a supportive learning environment for students.

6When developing a comprehensive school counseling program, the ASCA National Model recommends that the first step should be to:

A.Establish a vision statement

B.Conduct a needs assessment

C.Set program goals

D.Create an advisory council

Explanation: The ASCA National Model's 'Define' component emphasizes the importance of first creating a vision statement that describes a future world where the school counseling program's goals and strategies have been successfully implemented.

7Which of the following is NOT a component of the ASCA National Model?

A.Define

B.Manage

C.Deliver

D.Advocate

Explanation: The four components of the ASCA National Model are Define, Manage, Deliver, and Assess. While advocacy is a key role for school counselors, it is not one of the four main components of the model.

8A school counselor wants to evaluate the effectiveness of a small group intervention for students with anxiety. Which of the following would be the most appropriate data to collect?

A.Attendance records

B.Pre- and post-intervention self-report surveys

C.Teacher observations

D.All of the above

Explanation: To get a comprehensive view of the intervention's effectiveness, the counselor should use multiple data sources. Self-report surveys can measure changes in students' feelings of anxiety, teacher observations can provide insight into behavioral changes, and attendance records may show if the intervention has had an impact on school avoidance.

9The primary purpose of sharing school counseling program results with stakeholders is to:

A.Demonstrate the program's effectiveness

B.Advocate for additional resources

C.Promote the school counseling profession

D.All of the above

Explanation: Sharing program results is a form of advocacy that demonstrates the value and impact of the school counseling program. This can lead to increased support, resources, and a better understanding of the school counselor's role.

10A middle school student is struggling with organization and time management. A school counselor could best support this student by:

A.Referring them to a school psychologist for testing

B.Teaching them specific study skills and strategies

C.Meeting with their parents to discuss the issues

D.Recommending a lighter course load

Explanation: Directly teaching the student practical skills for organization and time management is a proactive and empowering approach. This falls under the 'direct student services' component of a comprehensive school counseling program.

About the Praxis School Counselor Exam

The Praxis Professional School Counselor (5421) exam is used for school counselor licensure in many states. It covers foundations of school counseling, program delivery, accountability, and professional practice aligned to the ASCA National Model.

Exam sponsor: ETS. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

120 questions

Time Limit

2 hours

Passing Score

Varies by state (typically 156-162)

Exam / Certification Fees

$120

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

ETS Praxis School Counselor (5422) Page

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

25%

Foundations of School Counseling

Counseling theories, human development, ethical and legal standards, multicultural competence, and the ASCA National Model framework.

35%

Delivery of Services

Individual and group counseling, classroom guidance, crisis intervention, academic advising, career development, and social-emotional learning.

20%

Planning, Management, and Accountability

Needs assessments, program planning, data analysis, outcome evaluation, and using data to drive program improvements.

20%

Professional Practice

Consultation, collaboration with stakeholders, referral processes, advocacy, leadership, and professional development.

Preparing for the Praxis School Counselor Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Varies by state (typically 156-162)
Exam length: 120 questions
Time limit: 2 hours
Exam / certification fees: $120 Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

Work through all 241 available questions
Review every answer and explanation
Track weak areas and revisit them
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Praxis School Counselor: Suggested Study Strategy

1Study the ASCA National Model thoroughly — it forms the foundation for many exam questions

2Review major counseling theories (person-centered, CBT, solution-focused) and their application in schools

3Focus on ethical scenarios involving confidentiality, mandated reporting, and duty to warn

4Practice interpreting data for program accountability and needs assessments

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the Praxis School Counselor exam?

The Praxis Professional School Counselor (5421) contains 120 selected-response questions with a 2-hour testing time.

What is the passing score for Praxis 5421?

Passing scores vary by state, typically ranging from 156 to 162. Check your state's requirements at the ETS website.

How much does the Praxis School Counselor exam cost?

The current registration fee is $120. Additional fees may apply for late registration or score verification.

Free Practice Questions for Praxis School Counselor

Praxis School Counseling

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