School of Education
Praxis Tests
As part of the elementary teacher education program, students are required to take two Praxis tests before they graduate, the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators Test and the Praxis II Tests.
For information on the teacher certification process and the testing requirements in Delaware and the surrounding regions, visit the Center for Excellence and Equity in Teacher Preparation’s Office of Certification and Accreditation.
ETE students must pass the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators tests in reading, writing, and mathematics according to the State of Delaware guidelines for Upper Division Clearance. Students can take a test an unlimited number of times in order to achieve a passing score.
Passing Scores
| Core Test | Code | DE Passing Score |
| Reading | 5713 | 156 |
| Mathematics | 5733 | 150 |
| Writing | 5723 | 162 |
Exemptions
Students who earn ACT or SAT scores at or above the following levels established by the State of Delaware are exempt from taking the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators test. Students who are not exempt from one of the sections of the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators test should register for the individual test(s) that they need to pass.
- SAT Evidence-Base Reading/Writing score at or above 480 – exemption from the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators test in reading and writing.
- SAT Math score at or above 530 – exemption from the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators test in mathematics.
- ACT Reading score at or above 22 – exemption from the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators test in reading.
- ACT English Composition score at or above 18 – exemption from the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators test in writing.
- ACT Mathematics score at or above 22 – exemption from the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators test in mathematics.
The Praxis Subject Assessments are required for State of Delaware teacher certification in elementary education and certification in the area of the student’s concentration (for example, special education).
Students must pass these Praxis Subject Assessments according to the State of Delaware guidelines in order to earn institutional recommendation for teacher certification. This institutional recommendation is noted on students’ transcripts and is needed to apply for teacher certification in Delaware and other states.
Passing Scores
| Praxis Subject Assessment | Code | DE Passing Score |
| Elementary Education | 5001 | Mathematics (5003): 157, Reading and ELA (5002): 157, Science (5005): 159, Social Studies (5004): 155 |
| Middle School English | 5047 | 164 |
| Middle School Mathematics | 5169 | 165 |
| Middle School Science | 5422 | 152 |
| Middle School Social Studies | 5089 | 164 |
| Special Education | 5354 | 151 |
| English as a Second Language | 5362 | 149 |
Students can register for the Praxis tests on the Educational Testing Service (ETS) website. They can take the tests wherever there is a testing location that administers them; they do not have to take the tests in Delaware. The test can be taken at the UD Computer Based Testing Center (CBTC) at 218 Alison Hall or at a location listed on the ETS website.
When students register for the test, they can designate where they want their test scores sent. They can have scores sent to four places for free. UD students must designate the University of Delaware (5811) as one of their score recipients. In addition to UD, they should designate as score recipients three other states where they may want to teach and that require the test.
ETE students should take the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators test by January of their sophomore year. All UD teacher education candidates should take the Praxis II tests by February of their senior year. The ETS website provides information on when students will receive their scores.
ETE students are prepared to take the Praxis Subject Assessment Elementary Education test after they complete their block of elementary education curriculum (methods) courses. Students in the special education concentration are prepared to take the Praxis Subject Assessment Special Education test after they complete their special education courses. Students in the ESL and middle school concentrations are prepared to take their area-specific Praxis Subject Assessments after they have completed most or all of their concentration area coursework.
Students can download free test preparation materials from the ETS website, including the Study Companions that describe the content of the tests and provide sample test questions. They can also purchase a more complete study guide at a bookstore or review guides available in the Educational Resource Center at 015 Willard Hall. In addition, the links below lead to additional support materials.
- ETS Preparation site
- ETS study plan
- ETS store, where you can purchase ebooks and interactive practice test subscriptions
- Database where you can take timed practice tests and download a test prep book
- Test preparation webinars
- Test familiarization
- Tips for taking the test
- Computer-delivered testing demonstration
- What to expect on the day of your computer-delivered test
- Resources for reducing test anxiety