The Praxis II and Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) exams are both important steps in your journey to becoming a teacher. Student Teachers must take both exams at least once in order to graduate through the Teacher Education Program and must pass both exams to receive certification from the state of Kentucky. This is required for only the State Certification emphasis of the Teacher Education Program.
When registering for Praxis II and Principles of Learning and Teaching:
- You can register for these exams through the ETS website. You should already have an account created from when you took the CORE exam.
- You must ensure that your social security number (SSN) is listed in your account information accurately. The KY Educational Professional Standards Board (EPSB) will not accept scores from accounts without SSNs, nor will they be able to access scores for accounts with incorrect SSNs, because that is how EPSB matches scores to their system.
- When registering, you are asked to select locations for scores to be sent. You must ensure that scores are being sent to both Boyce College (1072) and the KY Educational Professional Standards Board (7283). If you take the exam in KY, the scores will automatically be sent to KY EPSB, but if you take it in another state, this will not happen. Both locations can be searched by their numbers for test reporting (in parentheses above). If you fail to select these when you register, you will have to send scores retroactively and for a fee of $50/location.
If you are taking the Praxis II Elementary Education exams for the first time:
- If you are taking Praxis II for the first time will need to take all four computer-delivered exams in one sitting.
- When registering, you would need to select Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects (5001).
- Scores will be reported by individual sub-test and scores will be reported immediately upon completion.
- The combined exam costs $180.00 and lasts 4 hours and 15 minutes (testing time only). All four sections are designed with only selected response questions.
- Starting in the 2024-2025 academic year, Elementary Education majors will also need to take Teaching Reading: Elementary (5205)
- The Teaching Reading exam costs $156.00 and lasts 2 hours and 30 minutes. You are not required to pass it for certification in 2024-2025.
If you are taking the Praxis II Secondary English Language Arts: Content and Analysis (5039) exam for the first time:
- When registering, you would need to select: English Language Arts: Content and Analysis (5039)
- Scores will be reported by individual sub-test and scores will be reported immediately upon completion.
- The exam costs $156.00 and lasts 3 hours. 150 minutes for the selected-response section and 30 minutes for the constructed-response section and 15 minutes (testing time only).
If you are taking the Praxis II Secondary Social Studies: Content and Interpretation (5086) exam for the first time:
- When registering, you would need to select: Social Studies: Content and Interpretation (5086).
- Scores will be reported by individual sub-test and scores will be reported immediately upon completion.
- The exam costs $156.00 and lasts 2 hours. The test consists of a combination of selected response and constructed response questions.
If you fail a section of Praxis II in Elementary Education:
- If you fail a section of Praxis II, you can retake just that section 28 days later
- If you fail the reading and language arts subtest, you will need to retake Elementary Education: Reading and Language Arts Subtest (5002).
- If you fail the mathematics subtest, you will need to retake Elementary Education: Mathematics Subtest (5003).
- If you fail the social studies subtest, you will need to retake Elementary Education: Social Studies Subtest (5004).
- If you fail the science subtest, you will need to retake Elementary Education: Science Subtest (5005).
- All individual tests cost $60 each. The reading and language arts subtest is 1 hour and 30 minutes. The mathematics subtest is 1 hour and 5 minutes. And the social studies and science subtests are both 1 hour in length.
If you fail your Praxis II Secondary English or Social Studies exam:
- If you fail your Praxis II exam, you can retake the exam 28 days later
Passing Scores for Praxis II for Elementary Education Certification:
- Elementary Education: Reading and Language Arts Subtest (5002) with a qualifying score of 151.
- Elementary Education: Mathematics Subtest (5003) with a qualifying score of 148.
- Elementary Education: Social Studies Subtest (5004) with a qualifying score of 148.
- Elementary Education: Science Subtest (5005) with a qualifying score of 152.
Passing Scores for Praxis II Secondary Education:
- Secondary English Education: English Language Arts: Content and Analysis (5039) with a qualifying score of 164.
- Secondary Social Studies Education: Social Studies: Content and Interpretation (5086) with a qualifying score of 148.
If you are taking Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades K-6 (PLT):
- You will need to register for Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades K-6 (5622).
- The exam costs $146.00 and lasts 2 hours (testing time only). The test is comprised of a combination of selected response and constructed response questions.
- If you fail the exam, you can retake it 28 dates later.
If you are taking Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7-12 (PLT):
- You will need to register for Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7-12 (5624).
- The exam costs $146.00 and lasts 2 hours (testing time only). The test is comprised of a combination of selected response and constructed response questions.
- If you fail the exam, you can retake it 28 dates later.
Passing Scores for Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades K-6
- Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades K-6 (5622) with a qualifying score of 155.
Passing Scores for Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7-12
- Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades K-6 (5624) with a qualifying score of 155.
Helpful Resources:
If you are local, the Teacher Education Program has resources available to help you study. Contact the TEP directly at boycetep@sbts.edu or come by Whitsitt Hall for more information about what is available to you. If you are out of state, websites like Teachers Test Prep have study materials and free practice exams. There are also study books and flashcards available for purchase through Amazon or other vendors.
Testing Centers Near Boyce College:
- Louisville (East Brandeis) – 2010 South First Street, Louisville, KY 40208 (4.34 miles)
- Louisville (New La Grange Road) – 7400 New La Grange Road, Louisville, KY 40222 (4.67 miles)
- Indiana University Southeast – 4201 Grant Line Road, New Albany, IN 47150 (8.69 miles)
Financial Resources: