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100+ Free Praxis SpEd Foundational Practice Questions
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Sample Praxis SpEd Foundational Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your Praxis SpEd Foundational exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Under IDEA, how many distinct disability categories qualify a child for special education and related services?
A.10
B.13
C.16
D.21
Explanation: The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) identifies 13 disability categories under which a child may be found eligible. A child must be identified within one or more of these categories AND the disability must adversely affect educational performance. The categories range from autism to visual impairment including blindness.
2A child must meet two criteria to be eligible for special education under IDEA. The first is identification within a disability category. What is the second?
A.The parent must request services in writing
B.The child must have a documented medical diagnosis
C.The child must be below the 25th percentile on a standardized test
D.The disability must adversely affect educational performance
Explanation: IDEA eligibility requires both that a child be identified with one of the 13 disabilities AND that the disability adversely affects educational performance, creating a need for specially designed instruction. A medical or category label alone is not sufficient for eligibility.
3Which IDEA disability category is defined by concomitant hearing and visual impairments that cannot be accommodated in programs solely for children who are deaf or solely for children who are blind?
A.Multiple disabilities
B.Other health impairment
C.Deaf-blindness
D.Traumatic brain injury
Explanation: Deaf-blindness is a distinct IDEA category defined by simultaneous hearing and visual impairments whose combination creates communication and developmental needs that programs for deafness alone or blindness alone cannot meet. It is separated from multiple disabilities specifically because of these unique combined needs.
4A student has a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or using language, manifesting as difficulty reading, writing, or doing mathematical calculations. Which IDEA category best fits?
A.Intellectual disability
B.Specific learning disability
C.Emotional disturbance
D.Speech or language impairment
Explanation: Specific learning disability (SLD) is defined as a disorder in one or more basic psychological processes involved in understanding or using spoken or written language, including conditions such as dyslexia and dyscalculia. By definition SLD excludes learning problems primarily resulting from other disabilities or environmental disadvantage.
5ADHD, when it adversely affects a child's educational performance and requires special education, is most commonly served under which IDEA category?
A.Specific learning disability
B.Autism
C.Emotional disturbance
D.Other health impairment
Explanation: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is typically addressed under Other Health Impairment (OHI) because it involves limited alertness due to a chronic or acute health problem that adversely affects educational performance. OHI explicitly lists conditions affecting strength, vitality, or alertness, including heightened alertness to environmental stimuli.
6Which term describes the underlying cause or origin of a disability?
A.Prognosis
B.Prevalence
C.Etiology
D.Comorbidity
Explanation: Etiology refers to the cause or origin of a condition or disability (for example, genetic, prenatal, perinatal, or environmental factors). Understanding etiology helps educators anticipate characteristics and plan supports, though many disabilities have unknown or multiple causes.
7A child whose disability is caused by exposure to alcohol before birth, resulting in growth deficits and central nervous system problems, has a condition with what type of etiology?
A.Postnatal
B.Perinatal
C.Prenatal
D.Genetic
Explanation: Prenatal etiology refers to causes occurring before birth, such as fetal alcohol exposure, maternal infections, or teratogen exposure during pregnancy. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders result from prenatal alcohol exposure affecting the developing fetus.
8Which of the following is a core characteristic commonly associated with autism spectrum disorder?
A.Significantly subaverage intellectual functioning
B.Inability to process auditory information without amplification
C.Persistent difficulties in social communication and restricted, repetitive behaviors
D.Difficulty only with mathematical reasoning
Explanation: Autism spectrum disorder is characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction along with restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. These features appear early and vary widely in severity across the spectrum.
9Emotional disturbance under IDEA requires that characteristics be exhibited in what manner to qualify?
A.For at least one week and to any degree
B.Only when triggered by a specific academic subject
C.Only in the home environment
D.Over a long period of time and to a marked degree, adversely affecting performance
Explanation: IDEA defines emotional disturbance as a condition exhibiting one or more specified characteristics over a long period of time and to a marked degree that adversely affects educational performance. The duration and intensity criteria distinguish it from temporary or situational behavior.
10Intellectual disability under IDEA is characterized by significantly subaverage general intellectual functioning existing concurrently with deficits in which area?
A.Adaptive behavior
B.Gross motor coordination
C.Auditory acuity
D.Visual processing speed
Explanation: Intellectual disability requires significantly subaverage intellectual functioning that exists concurrently with deficits in adaptive behavior, both manifesting during the developmental period. Adaptive behavior includes conceptual, social, and practical skills used in everyday life.
About the Praxis SpEd Foundational Practice Questions
Verified exam format metadata for Praxis Special Education: Foundational Knowledge (5355) is pending. The practice questions above remain available while official exam length, timing, passing score, fee, and administrator details are reviewed.