Praxis IStudents in a Teacher Education Transfer Program must submit scores from a required basic skills test to the Social Sciences Division prior to the completion of the 30th credit hour. Scores from the basic skills tests are used for admission to four-year Teacher Education programs and are required for teacher certification in Maryland and most other states.
Basic skills test options and Maryland passing scores are:
· Praxis I – 177 in Math, 177 in Reading, 173 in Writing or total composite score of 527* -OR-
· SAT – composite score of 1100 in Math and Verbal (prior to 4/95, the SAT score equivalent is 1000) -OR-
· ACT – composite score of 24
* It is possible to fail one section of the Praxis I exam if you have a high enough score on another section to give you a total score of 527 or higher.
HCC offers two review classes.
- EDUC 101: Praxis Review Course Reading/Writing Tests (1 credit)
- EDUC 102: Praxis Review Course Math Test (1 credit)
Praxis I Review books are available for purchase at the HCC bookstore, and review pretests are available in the school library.
More information is available.
Call 410-772-4266 for more information.
For students who take Praxis I to fulfill the basic skills test requirement, it is recommended that each component of the Praxis I be taken once the general education requirements in English, math and reading are satisfied.
It is the student’s responsibility to request (from the Educational Testing Service) Praxis I scores be sent to Howard Community College, Maryland State Department of Education, and to the selected transfer college/universities.
A Praxis I information session is held in the fall and spring semesters.
Praxis I – Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Praxis I?
Praxis I is a combination of high-school level reading, writing and math skills tests administered by Educational Testing Service in two different formats.
a. Computer-based Pre-Professional Skills Tests
b. Paper-based Pre-Professional Skills Tests
2. Who should take Praxis I?
The MD State Department of Education requires all beginning teachers in all content areas to pass the Praxis I if they have not previously passed a basic skills test*. Also, most 4 year colleges require students to pass Praxis if they have not passed a basic skills test before admission to a Teacher Education Program. All students earning an Associate of Arts in Teaching degree at HCC must pass a basic skills test to receive their degree. Also, career changers who are working on initial certification from MD State Department of Education must have passing scores on a basic skills test.
*Basic skills test options and Maryland passing scores are:
Praxis I: 177 in Math, 177 in Reading, 173 in Writing or total composite score of 527-OR-
SAT: taken after 3/05, Math and Critical Reading composite score of 1100 –OR-
SAT taken between 4/95 and 2005, Math and Verbal composite score of 1100-OR-
SAT taken prior to 4/95, Math and Verbal composite score of 1000 –OR-
ACT: composite score of 24 –OR-
GRE: Math and Verbal composite score of 1000.
3. When can I take Praxis I?
Praxis I is given in paper-pencil format several times a year at selected sites. Visit www.ets.org/praxis or see the back of the Praxis Registration Information for the current test dates. Computerized tests are given throughout the year by appointment only.
4. Where can I take Praxis I?
The paper-pencil format is given at selected test sites such as Towson University. HCC is not a test site. The computerized tests are given at the Prometric Testing Center in Columbia. Call for an appointment. 1-800-853-6773.
5. How much does it cost to take Praxis I?
There is a registration fee of $50 (non-refundable) per testing year for the paper-based tests. In addition to the registration fee, each of the individual paper-pencil tests costs $40. You can take them one at a time, or you can take them all together. The computer-based test fees are 1 test-$80, 2 tests-$120, or a combined test with all 3 tests-$130. The registration fee is included for the computer-based tests.
6. How soon should I take Praxis I?
You should take Praxis I no later than the completion of your 30th credit hour. You are best prepared to take the Reading and Writing tests after you have completed English 121. You are best prepared to take the Math test after you have completed Math 127 or your first required college level math course.
7. Is the test timed? Yes.
On the paper-pencil version:
The Reading and Math tests have 40 questions and you are given 60 minutes to complete each test. (no calculator)
The Writing test has 38 multiple choice questions and 1 essay question. You are given 30 minutes to complete each section.
On the computerized version:
The Reading and Math tests have 46 questions and you are given 75 minutes to complete each test. (no calculator)
The Writing test has 44 multiple choice questions and 1 essay question. You are given 38 minutes to complete the first section and 30 minutes to complete the essay.
8. What preparation options are available at HCC?
HCC offers 2 review classes each semester in Campus Web format.
· EDUC-101 Praxis Review Course Reading/Writing Tests (1 credit)- 8 weeks
· EDUC-102 Praxis Review Course Math Test (1 credit) – 8 weeks
Praxis I Review books are available for purchase at the HCC bookstore. Review books and Practice tests are also on reserve in the library under the names Kroll/Lyons.
9. How can I prepare if I have difficulty taking tests?
One common difficulty is test anxiety. You may be nervous and forget what you have studied. You can go to Counseling and Career Services in RCF 302 or call 410 772-4840.
10. What scores do I need to pass Praxis I?
Maryland passing scores are currently 177 in Reading, 173 in Writing, and 177 in Math or a composite score of 527 or higher. It is possible to fail one section if you have a high enough score on another section to give you a composite score of 527 or higher.
11. Where should I send my scores?
The MD State Dept of Education automatically receives your scores. You must choose HCC as your Attending Institution and type in a code to send your scores to HCC. Reporting these scores to HCC is a graduation requirement if you have not reported passing scores on another required basic skills test (see question 2). You can then choose 3 other colleges where you hope to transfer to send copies of your scores.
12. Can I retake the tests if I fail?
You may retake each test as many times as you need to pass it, up to 6 times a year.
This means you must wait 60 days before you retest on the same paper–pencil exam or 30 days to retest on the computer.
13. How can I get more information?
You can pick up the Praxis Registration Information at HCC. You can contact your advisor, email transfer@howardcc.edu, or email mlyons@howardcc.edu. For more information, you can visit the web site www.ets.org/praxis , the college website at www.howardcc.edu/transfer, or call 410-772-4266.
Information on www.ets.org/praxis
There is a lot of good information on this site. When you type in the website above you will see the following and more:
The Praxis Series: Teacher Licensure and Certification
The Praxis Series™ assessments provide educational tests and other services that states use as part of their teacher licensure and certification process. The Praxis I® tests measure basic academic skills, and the Praxis II® tests measure general and subject-specific knowledge and teaching skills.
For Test Takers Under each of the headings above you have several choices for more information.
- About the Test- has tabs for both Praxis I and Praxis II that include an overview, get bulletin, download library, and frequently asked questions.
- Register for a Test- has tabs that include how to register, fees, dates, test centers and dates, registration changes, code lists, and disabilities.
- Test Centers and Dates- takes you to a choice between Computer-based tests and Paper-based tests with dates and deadlines listed.
- Prepare for a Test- has a drop down menu where you can select All Praxis I tests. There you will see free or priced test prep information and tips. The free tests are called Test at a glance. They have sample questions. You can print them out.
- On Test Day- describes Test Center Procedures for Computer- and Paper-based Tests.
- Get Test Scores- takes you to the additional reports tab, but other tab choices there are overview, score reports, and interpreting scores.
- Disabilities- takes you to the disabilities tab and gives detailed information on how to register since you cannot register online. You should see your advisor for assistance with this application. This is more complicated.
- Get Bulletin- takes you directly to get The Praxis Series Information Bulletin and/or registration form.
