Everything You Need to Know About Praxis® Test Scores

“When Will I Get My Praxis Test Scores?” “What Score Do I Need to Pass?” We Answer All of These Questions and More.

If you’re planning to take the Praxis®, there is no such thing as over-preparing. One of the best ways to prepare and build confidence for your upcoming Praxis® exam is to understand how it is scored. This widely used exam series tests preliminary knowledge for teacher certification programs. Both the Core skills exams and subject assessments are used by state boards and education agencies to determine readiness in specific areas.

When it comes to Praxis® test scores, the first thing to understand is that there is no definitive passing score — each state or agency sets its own standard for passing. The good news, though, is that for many Praxis® exams, you will have a very good idea of whether you passed or failed before you walk out of the testing center because for those exams you get your unofficial score at the end of the test. We will cover all of this in this article, including what score you need to pass a Praxis® test, how long it takes to get your official scores, and how to interpret your score report.

Ready to learn more about Praxis® scores? Let’s get started!

What Kinds of Questions Are on the Praxis® and How Are the Praxis® Tests Scored?

Praxis® exams receive a score between 100 and 200 points. Tests may contain selected-response (SR) questions, constructed-response questions (CRQs), or a mix. SR questions are scored automatically, and CRQs are scored independently by at least two people with expertise in education and the content area. There is no penalty for incorrect answers, so it is better to make an educated guess than to leave a question blank.

The three numeric scores to note are the raw score, the unofficial score, and the official score. For SR-only exams, the raw score is the number of questions answered correctly. In mixed exams, the raw score is the sum of the SR score and the CRQ rating. In some subjects, the CRQ ratings are weighted depending on difficulty, and the raw score for SR and CRQ components may be scaled. Scaling makes sure that differences in test forms do not affect the final score. Because test forms and subject assessments vary in the number of total questions, it is impossible to know how many questions you need to answer correctly to pass.

The unofficial score is the ratio of correct answers to questions, adjusted to the grading scale. The official score, released in the score report, is calculated the same way as the unofficial score, but may be scaled for differences between test forms. The official score may also differ from the unofficial score if a test center error or miscalculation was fixed, but this is very rare. So in most cases, your unofficial Praxis® score that you receive for math and reading exams at the end of the test should be very close to your official score. Note that official Praxis® scores are scaled only between different forms of the same test, and not between different subjects.

How Long Does It Take to Get Praxis® Scores?

For the Praxis® Core exam, unofficial scores for SR-only tests Reading and Math are calculated immediately after the exam. You may also receive a raw score at this time. If you wish to cancel your scores, you must do so before viewing any unofficial or official score reports. (There are major potential impacts of canceling your scores, so consider this carefully.)

After a score is reported at the testing center, you will receive an official score report within three weeks. Score reports will appear automatically in your online account and be sent to your predetermined score recipients. Specific reporting dates for each test window can be found on the ETS website. Continuously given SR-only tests generally release official scores within one week. You can check when your score will be available based on your testing date here.

What Score Do You Need to Pass the Praxis® Test?

As mentioned above, ETS does not have a standard for Praxis® passing scores, and different states/agencies vary in their passing requirements. A summary of Praxis passing scores from different states/agencies for 2022 is provided below. For complete information on your specific test and region, visit the state requirements page at the ETS website.

Core Academic Skills for Educators Passing Scores by State

Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) Passing Scores by State

Elementary Education Passing Scores by State

Middle School Passing Scores by State

Subject Assessments Passing Scores by State

How Do You Interpret a Praxis® Score Report?

Praxis® score reports provide a numeric score and passing status, the score range, raw points from each category, the average performance range, and your high scores for previous tests. You can use the ratio of “raw points earned” to “raw points available” in different categories to evaluate your strengths and weaknesses for different content areas. If you don’t pass your exam, you could use that information to help you better prepare for the areas you are weak in.

Your scaled score is compared to the qualifying score for your state agency, and PASSED or NOT PASSED is clearly indicated on the score report. Be aware that the official scores account for partial credit from questions with multiple correct answer choices. In contrast, the raw score gives each correctly answered question one point, regardless of the number of correct answer choices. Examples of sample score reports are available on the ETS website.

How Long Do You Have To Wait Before You Can Retake a Praxis® Exam?

There is a 28-day waiting period before you can retake a Praxis® exam. This period also applies to retaking an exam subtest and retakes after canceling the scores from a previous test date. If you fail the Praxis® by just a few points, we recommend you double down on your weak areas and retake the exam as soon as you can. If you fail by a lot, then we recommend you really buckle down and give yourself a few months of studying. If you really want the confidence to pass, get a subscription to our Praxis Study Guide. We offer a money-backed guarantee you will pass. Plus, we offer a 48-hour, no-questions-asked refund policy if you just want to check it out.

How Hard Is It to Pass a Praxis® Exam?

These exams range in difficulty. They are not easy and require extensive preparation. Most states do not make their first-time Praxis pass rates available, and the pass rate data is only reported for people who complete the test. Those who cancel their scores are not counted, according to an National Council on Teacher Quality report. Additionally, for people who take the same test multiple times, only their final score is counted.

The best preparation for Praxis® exams involves making a study plan and sticking to it. An effective study plan should include learning about the test, collecting study materials, managing your time, and understanding scoring. We offer comprehensive, free resources and Praxis practice tests that will provide a free overview. Test information, engaging study guides, and practice questions are all conveniently located in one place to help you prepare for test day. If you want complete confidence you will pass your Praxis exam, get our Praxis study guide.