Praxis Exam Prep: Quiz Strategies for Teacher Certification

The Praxis Tests: What Teachers Need to Know

Becoming a licensed teacher requires passing standardized tests — and in most states, those tests are from the Praxis series published by ETS. The tests you need depend on your state and the grade level/subject you want to teach.

Main Praxis tests:

Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators

Required in most states as an admission-to-teacher-education or certification requirement. Three tests:

Praxis Subject Assessments

Content-specific tests for the subject you want to teach: Elementary Education, Middle School, High School (Biology, History, Math, English, etc.).

Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT)

Tests pedagogical knowledge for grade-band certification (early childhood, K–6, 5–9, 7–12).

Praxis Core: Strategies by Section

Core Reading

Core Reading tests key ideas and details, craft and structure, and integration of knowledge and ideas across literary and informational texts.

Question types:

Quiz strategy: Generate reading comprehension quizzes from educational articles, academic essays, and literary passages. Practice identifying what the author's primary purpose is, what can be inferred vs. what is explicitly stated, and which answer choice is most supported by the passage.

Time management: 85 minutes / 56 questions = ~1.5 minutes per question. Eliminate obvious wrong answers quickly and move on.

Core Writing

Core Writing tests usage, sentence correction, revision, and essay writing.

Selected response (multiple choice): Grammar, punctuation, and usage questions — similar to ACT English or SAT Writing sections.

Essays:

Quiz strategy:

Core Mathematics

Core Math covers Number and Quantity (36%), Algebra and Functions (30%), Geometry (20%), and Statistics and Probability (14%).

Quiz strategy:

Calculator: On-screen calculator is provided for most questions. Know when to use it efficiently.

Praxis Subject Assessments: Content + Pedagogy

Subject assessment quizzes should cover two areas:

Content knowledge: The specific subject matter you'll teach. For Elementary Education, this spans reading, writing, math, science, and social studies at an integrated level. For secondary subjects, it goes deeper into the discipline.

Pedagogical knowledge: How to teach the subject. Questions ask which instructional strategy is appropriate for a given learning objective, how to assess a specific skill, or what accommodation would support a particular learner.

Quiz strategy:

Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT)

The PLT tests four categories:

Quiz strategy:

Bloom's Taxonomy: Essential for PLT

Understanding Bloom's Taxonomy is essential for PLT and appears in almost every teacher certification exam:

Generate quiz questions asking which level of Bloom's is targeted by various learning objectives and assessment tasks.

Praxis Score Requirements by State

Passing scores vary by state. Most states require:

Check your state education agency website for your specific requirements. Some states accept alternatives to Praxis Core (GRE, SAT/ACT scores above thresholds).

Study Resources

Related reading: [Free Quiz Maker With AI](/blog/free-quiz-maker-with-ai) · [AI Tools for Teachers](/blog/ai-tools-for-teachers) · [Certification Exam Prep](/blog/certification-exam-prep)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Praxis exam and who needs to take it?

The Praxis exam series is a set of standardized tests for prospective teachers in the United States. Most states require Praxis Core (basic skills) and one or more Praxis Subject Assessments for teacher certification.

How do I prepare for Praxis Subject Assessments?

Content mastery is the foundation. Review the official ETS study guide for your specific subject test, then use practice quizzes to identify and fill knowledge gaps. The subject tests assess deep content knowledge.

What is a passing Praxis score?

Passing scores vary by state and by specific Praxis test. ETS provides state-by-state passing score requirements on their website. Generally, scores range from 100-200 depending on the test.

Can SimpleQuizMaker help with Praxis prep?

Yes. Upload your content area study materials and generate practice questions across all tested topics. Use weekly quiz sessions to track improvement across the 8-12 weeks before your exam. Start studying