The Praxis exam, one of the most frequently used teaching assessment exam suites in the United State (US), is used by the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) as part of the licensing process to ensure that all future teachers meet statewide standards in terms of their knowledge base and teaching skills. The tests required vary according to what area and grades will be taught. Future teachers must demonstrate age-appropriate skills and knowledge through earning Praxis passing scores on the appropriate exams.
Future teachers must pass the correct Praxis exam to become licensed by the CDE. Some test-takers may be required to take additional parts of the Praxis suite like the Praxis Core, needed by test-takers when entering a state-approved teacher preparation program, or the Praxis II Colorado exams (also known as the Praxis Subject Assessments). For this reason, sufficient test preparation and a good understanding of the different Praxis tests that are required according to their subject area is vital to pursuing a teaching career in Colorado.
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Future teachers in Colorado must take the appropriate Praxis Subject Assessment, a subject-specific exam, in the area they wish to teach. For instance, math teachers will take the appropriate math Praxis Colorado exam, such as the Praxis 5169, to teach middle school math.
The Praxis exam Colorado requires for different teaching endorsements which are listed in the table below.
| Endorsements | Exams |
|---|---|
| Arts (K-12) | Praxis 5135 |
| Early Childhood Education (for students aged 0-8) | Praxis 5205 AND/OR Praxis 5024 |
| Elementary Education (K-6) | Praxis 5205 AND Praxis 5901 Series |
| Gifted Education Core (PreK-12) | Praxis Gifted Education 5358 |
| Special Education Generalist (for students aged 5-21) | Praxis 5354 AND Praxis 5205 |
| Leadership License (Principal, K-12) | Praxis 5411 OR 5412 |
| Leadership License (Administrator, K-12) | Praxis 6991 |
| Special Education or Gifted Education Director (K-12) | Praxis 6991 |
| English Language Arts (7-12) | Praxis 5038 |
| Health (K-12) | Praxis 5551 |
| Middle School Math (6-8) | Praxis 5169 |
| Secondary Math (7-12) | Praxis 5161 |
| Music (K-12) | Praxis 5113 |
| PE (K-12) | Praxis 5091 |
| Science (7-12) | Praxis 5435 |
| Social Studies (7-12) | Praxis 5081 |
| Speech (7-12) | Praxis 5221 |
| Technology Education (7-12) | Praxis 5051 |
| World Languages (K-12) | Praxis 5174 (French) Praxis 5138 (German) Praxis 5661 (Japanese) Praxis 5601 (Latin) Praxis 5665 (Mandarin Chinese) Praxis 5195 (Spanish) |
Teachers must take the Praxis 5024 and/or the Praxis Teaching Reading 5205 depending on their prior education. Future early childhood education teachers who do not hold a bachelor's degree in early childhood education or have not completed at least 24 hours of early childhood education specific preparation must take both exams.
The passing score for the Praxis 5024 is 160 while it is 159 for Praxis 5205. The 5024, or Education of Young Children exam, has 120 selected response questions and three constructed response questions. The 5205, or Teaching Reading: Elementary exam, has 90 selected response and 3 constructed response questions. Both exams give test takers 150 minutes to complete them.
Elementary Education teachers must take the 5205, Teaching Reading: Elementary exam, and the 5901 Series. As discussed earlier, the reading exam (5205) includes 93 questions, with three constructed response questions and 90 selected response questions. Questions on phonics, writing, vocabulary and reading comprehension are included. 159 is one of the Praxis passing scores.
The 5901 series is a bundle of three Praxis tests, the 5903 (Mathematics), 5904 (Social Studies), and 5905 (Science). The Science and Social Studies exams are allotted 60 minutes while Mathematics is given 65 minutes. Question types include selected response and numeric entry questions. The Mathematics (5903) test requires a score of 157 to pass while Social Studies (5904) requires 155 and Science (5905) requires a score of 159.
Teachers who intend to teach students from grades 6 to 12 will take subject-specific Praxis exams required for their subject area as indicated by the table above. Some of these exams include the English Language Arts (7-12) exam (Praxis 5038), or Middle School Mathematics (6-8) exam (Praxis 5169). Praxis passing scores range from 146 for Praxis 5221 (Speech for grades 7-12) to 167 for Praxis 5038 (English Language Arts for grades 7-12).
The format of questions varies according to the test. Most tests include selected response questions, but some may also include constructed response or numeric entry questions. Tests at the secondary level include 55 to 130 questions, and test takers are given between 2 to 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete their exams.
The Praxis Series of exams that enable teachers to become licensed to teach a subject at all grade levels include exams on art, health, physical education, gifted education, drama, and instructional technology, among others. Exams focus on one subject and may include selected response or constructed response questions. Some exams, such as Music (5113) or Reading Specialist (5301), include uniquely formatted questions such as listening sections or case study responses. Passing scores range between 148 for Praxis 5091 (Physical Education K-12) to 164 for Praxis 5301 (Reading Specialist K-12). Tests at the secondary level have between 81 to 120 questions. Almost all tests allot 2 hours for test takers to complete their exams.
There are five Praxis exams to become endorsed in World Languages. Each exam enables teachers to teach at all grade levels (K-12). Exams include French (5174), German (5183), Japanese (5661), Latin (5601), Mandarin Chinese (5665) and Praxis Spanish test (5195). Latin requires the lowest passing score at 152 while Japanese requires the second-lowest score of 156. A passing score in French is 162. Both German and Spanish require a score of 163 to pass. Mandarin Chinese requires a score of 164--the highest Praxis test scores to pass.
All world language Praxis exams include an unscored listening practice section. Test questions will cover listening, reading, writing, and speaking in different sections.
Future special education teachers will take one or more out of five exams to become licensed. These exams include Preschool/Early Childhood (5691), Special Education: Core Knowledge and Applications (5354), Praxis 2 Teaching Reading: Elementary Education (5205), Education of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students (5272) and Teaching Students with Visual Impairments (5282). Passing scores range from 151 to 163 depending on the exam. The Special Education Generalist teaching endorsement requires two exams, 5354 and 5205. All other teaching endorsements in special education require passing one Praxis test. Exams are between 120 to 130 questions. Test takers will have 2 hours to complete special education exams.
Individuals who are interested in earning a teaching endorsement to work in school administration must take one of three exams. Future school administrators and directors of gifted or special education must take the School Superintendent Assessment (6991) and earn a score of 162 to pass the exam. This exam has 120 selected response and 3 constructed response questions that cover leadership values and ethics, organizational skills and curriculum setting strategies. Special education directors will also take Special Education: Core Knowledge (5354) exam and must pass with a sore of 151.
Future principals will take Educational Leadership (5412). This 120-question selected-response exam has a passing score of 146 and test takers are given 2 hours and 45 minutes to complete it.
Special support in classrooms or schools, such as school counselors, school psychologists, speech language pathologists or audiologists, are also required to pass Praxis exams before they begin their work. School counselors must take the Professional School Counselor (5421) exam. This exam has 120 selected response questions and a passing score of 156.
School psychologists must take School Psychologist (5402). The 140-question selected response exam requires a score of 147 to pass. Audiologists must take Audiology (5342 until November 2021, 5343 afterward) and receive a 170 for 5342 or 162 for 5343 to pass. Speech language pathologists take Speech Language Pathology (5331) with a passing score of 162.
The CDE offers two teaching endorsements for those who intend to teach English to second-language learners. Neither endorsement requires taking a Praxis exam. Instead, future ESL teachers must complete a program approved by the CDE or 24 semester hours of coursework focused on English as a second language. Other states that do require English as a second language teachers to pass a Praxis exam generally require the English to Speakers of Other Languages (5362) exam. Some state-approved teaching programs may also use the 5362 as part of their curriculum. The 5362 is a 120-question exam with only selected-response questions. It usually requires Praxis scores of 155 and above.
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Create AccountTest takers can sign-up online to find and register for Praxis II Colorado test dates. Registering by mail or by phone is also available. Praxis testing centers are open year-round and some exams are available to be taken at home. Since it is offered throughout the year, test takers do not have to worry about making themselves available for any specific Praxis test Colorado dates and may instead choose the best Praxis test dates Colorado offers for them during their registration process.
To complete the Praxis registration online, test takers must create an account with a verified email. On the home page for their account, they must select 'Register,' choose the appropriate test, and then select a specific date and time. Registration is not complete until the Praxis test cost has been paid. Test takers registering online may pay by eCheck, credit or debit card, or Paypal.
Those registering through the mail must print the appropriate Test Authorization Voucher, complete the form and mail it to ETS-Praxis's PO box in Pittsburgh, PA.
The address may be found on ETS Registration site. To register by phone, test takers must create a Praxis account online and call ETS at the number listed on their website. Test takers should be aware that registering by phone entails an additional $35 convenience fee.
Praxis exams are available all year round at various Praxis test locations throughout the state. Test takers may determine the closest testing center to them through the Praxis Test Locations tool. The website can use GPS, if enabled, or test takers may input a location to find their nearest testing sites. Some Praxis exams may also be taken at home. Test takers can take a Praxis test at home with a remote proctor, and the exam can be scheduled from 10 AM to 1 AM EST all week long. Test takers may determine if the test is available at home during the registration process.
Some test sites include:
| City | Testing Site and Address |
|---|---|
| Alamosa | Adams State University 1701 First St. Alamosa, CO 81101 |
| Boulder | University of Colorado/Boulder 1540 30th Street Boulder, CO 80309 |
| Colorado Springs | N. Academy Boulevard 2790 N. Academy Blvd. Colorado Springs, CO 80917 |
| Denver | Community College of Denver Denver, CO 80204 |
| Edwards | Colorado Mountain College 150 Miller Ranch Road Edwards, CO 81632 |
| Fort Collins | Front Range Community College 1251 S. Mason St. Fort Collins, CO 80526 |
| Grand Junction | Colorado Mesa University 1100 North Ave. Grand Junction, CO 81501 |
| Greenwood Village | Denver Greenwood Village 5660 Greenwood Plaza Blvd. Greenwood Village, CO 80111 |
| Longmont | Prometric Testing Center Longmont, CO 80501 |
| Pueblo | Colorado State University 2200 Bonforte Blvd. Pueblo, Co 81001 |
Praxis Subject Assessment testing fees range between $50 to $209 depending on the exam. Most Praxis 2 test fees amount to $130. More information may be found on the Praxis website.
The following exams are some of those needed for different teaching specializations in Colorado:
| Exam | Fee |
|---|---|
| Art: Content Knowledge (5134) | $130 |
| Audiology (5342, 5343) | $146 |
| Computer Science (5652) | $130 |
| Early Childhood Education (5025) | $130 |
| Educational Leadership: Administration and Supervision (ELAS) (5412) | $130 |
| English Language Arts: Content Knowledge (5038) | $130 |
| General Science: Content Knowledge and Middle School Science (5435, 5440, 5442) | $130 |
| Gifted Education (5358) | $130 |
| Mathematics: Content Knowledge and Middle School Mathematics (5161, 5169) | $130 |
| Music: Content Knowledge (5113) | $156 |
| Reading Specialist (5301, 5302) | $156 |
| Social Studies: Content Knowledge (5081) | $130 |
| School Psychologist (5402) | $130 |
| Speech Communication: Content Knowledge (5221) | $130 |
| Special Education: Core Knowledge and Applications and Education of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students (5354, 5272) | $130 |
| Teaching Reading: Elementary (5205) | $156 |
| World Languages (5665, 5174, 5183, 5661, 5195) | $170 |
After determining the exams required for the field and choosing the best Colorado Praxis exam dates, test takers must consider the best ways to start their Praxis exam preparation. Following a Praxis Colorado study guide can best equip test takers for the types of questions and content material the exam will include. Study guides are available extensively on the internet and can be found for each specific test. Study guides should include information on the number of questions, time limit, test question format and required knowledge that a test taker must exhibit to pass their Praxis exam. Following a study guide, determining study goals, and taking a Praxis practice test can help fully prepare test takers to ensure the best performance on testing day.
Practice tests are another excellent way to guide studying. Students can determine what areas they most need to focus on by taking a Praxis test practice test before they form a study plan. Praxis practice tests can also help students become familiar with the standard test format and the time constraints of taking a Praxis exam. With a focused study guide and careful self-assessments through practice exams, test takers can build the confidence required to obtain Praxis passing scores on their exam.
Katie Slaughter, M.A. has taught middle school science and math for over 6 years. She has helped lay a foundation for personalized learning in her school and has presented internationally about what she is doing in her classroom. She has successfully passed numerous Praxis exams. Katie completed a B.S. in Marine Science from Coastal Carolina University and an M.A. in Teaching from Georgetown College.
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Scores vary depending on which Praxis exam is required to teach your subject area. Scores between 147 to 170 are required for different exams. Before your Colorado Praxis exam dates, you can find the minimum passing score for your required exam on the Colorado Department of Education website under endorsement requirements.
Colorado requires Praxis Subject Assessments, subject-specific exams, to teach. Several different Praxis CO exams are accepted for different teaching specialties.
