Praxis Core vs Praxis II

Planning for a fulfilling career in education? If you’re diving into the world of teacher certification, you’ve probably heard about the Praxis tests. Specifically, you might wonder about the differences between Praxis Core and Praxis II (often called Praxis Subject Assessments). Below is a straightforward breakdown outlining the key differences between the two examinations.

Praxis Core

First off, let’s talk about Praxis Core, also known as Praxis I or Praxis 1. The Praxis Core is the essential starting point for your teaching career and a foundational component of the overall Praxis exam series. This set of three tests, Reading, Writing, and Math, is specifically designed to evaluate your basic academic skills. Think of the Praxis Core as the benchmark you need to meet in order to demonstrate you have the core competencies required for the classroom, regardless of the subject or grade you plan to teach.

Most candidates take the Praxis Core early in their career journey, often while applying to a teacher education program or beginning the licensure process within their state. The Reading test on the Praxis Core features 56 questions over 85 minutes; the Math section has another 56 questions with a 90-minute time limit, and the Writing portion combines 40 multiple-choice questions with two essays, all within a 100-minute window. In total, the exam takes about four and a half hours to complete. You have the flexibility to take these Praxis Core exams separately or complete all three in a five-hour combined session, depending on your preference and scheduling needs. Each subtest costs $90 to take individually, and the combined exam costs $150. You can register for the Praxis on the ETS website.

All Praxis Core assessments are delivered in a computer-based format, focusing on fundamental academic skills rather than specialized content. If you’re preparing for additional Praxis subject assessments after meeting the Praxis Core requirements, this foundational exam ensures you’re equipped with the essential tools for success throughout your teaching certification process.

Praxis II

Now, Praxis II (or Praxis 2) is a whole different beast. Unlike Praxis Core, which is broad and fundamental, Praxis II zooms in on specific classroom subjects. These are the Subject Assessments, and there are over 90 different tests to choose from, covering everything from Elementary Education to High School Biology to even World Languages. The idea is to test your knowledge of the subject matter and your teaching skills in that particular area. States usually require Praxis II later in the process, closer to finishing your degree or when you begin applying for your teaching license. The format varies depending on the test: some are an hour long, others stretch to four hours, and they might include multiple-choice questions, essays, or a mix of both. It’s still computer-based (except for a few rare cases) but tailored to your chosen field.

What’s the difference?

So, what sets these Praxis exams apart? The main differences come down to purpose and timing. Praxis Core acts as the foundational gateway, making sure you’ve mastered crucial academic skills before starting your educator preparation program. In contrast, Praxis II is the subject-specific assessment that proves your deep knowledge of the area you want to teach before you become a fully certified teacher. For instance, if you plan to teach middle school social studies, you’ll take Praxis Core early on to gain program admission, then later sit for a Praxis II exam such as Middle School Social Studies to demonstrate your expertise in that content.

Another important distinction is that the Praxis Core is standardized, requiring everyone to take the same three basic skills tests in reading, writing, and mathematics. Praxis II exams, however, are tailored to your state’s certification requirements and your teaching aspirations. A future preschool or elementary educator may need to pass the Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects test, while an aspiring high school science teacher could take the Chemistry: Content Knowledge test as their Praxis II. Essentially, the Praxis test you choose should align with your targeted teaching field and licensing requirements.

Comparing overall test difficulty isn’t straightforward. Praxis Core covers fundamental concepts at a middle school level (think grammar rules and algebra basics), but even these questions can challenge you if your foundational skills are rusty. Praxis 2 subject tests demand much deeper, specialized knowledge, and might be tougher if you’re not strong in your chosen discipline. Regardless of which Praxis test you face, dedicated preparation through study guides and official practice tests will be your best ally for success.

There are some similarities between different Praxis exams: any Praxis test can be taken at designated Praxis testing centers or at home with the proper remote proctoring set-up, and all Praxis exams are generally scored on the same scale. The Praxis score range falls between 100 and 200 points. Raw scores are converted to scaled scores, and the style of questions determines how each Praxis test is scored overall.

Last thing

One last tip: check your state’s requirements. Some places want both Praxis Core and Praxis II, while others might let you skip Core if you’ve got solid SAT or ACT scores. The ETS website has a handy tool to look up your state’s expectations, so you’re not guessing.

In short, Praxis Core builds your base, and Praxis II sharpens your specialty. They’re two steps on the same road to becoming a teacher, each with its own purpose. You’ve got this, just take it one test at a time.