Introduction to the Praxis Test - 5001 and 7811 - required for Idaho Teacher Certification and Entrance into the LCState Teacher Education Program - PACE

1. Praxis Test
Introduction
Module 1

2. In This Module
 You will learn what the Praxis test is
 You will learn what the state and LCSC requirements regarding the Praxis test.

3. State of Idaho Requirement
 The Idaho Department of Education requires all candidates in elementary teacher
preparation programs to pass the Praxis II Multi-Subject and the Praxis II exam that is
pertinent to their minor endorsement. The Praxis® tests measure the academic skills and
subject-specific content knowledge needed for teaching.
 There are four subtests included in each exam; Reading & Language Arts; Social Studies;
Science; and Mathematics.
 Recently, the state has provided the option for students to take either test #5001 -
Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects or test #7811 Elementary Education: Content
Knowledge for Teaching to meet the requirements for certification.
 We will focus on #5001, however, I will be adding information about 7811 along the
way.
 More information about the Idaho State Requirements may be found at:
https://www.ets.org/praxis/idaho

4. LCSC Requirement
 It was determined that the Praxis Exam would be utilized as an appropriate
entrance exam to the program for Elementary Pace students, reducing their need
to take additional exams.
 As a Pace student you will need to take this exam prior to the Orientation/Entrance
Interviews in April in order to be admitted to the Summer 1 program. The four
sub-tests may be taken at one time, or individually (they cost more individually). If
a student does not pass one of the sub-tests, they may take that individual sub-test
over. They do not have to take the entire series over, only the ones they did not
pass.
 To officially enter the Teacher Education Program, Phase III, and the Elementary
Pace program, students need to pass all four sections of the exam prior to entering
SUMMER 2.

5.  This course was designed as a forum for test preparation
through online resources and face to face opportunities.
 My goal is to provide you with information and study
resources o that you will know exactly what to expect on your
test day.
 We will examine the concepts that are covered on the test
and you will have the opportunity to take practice tests in
each content area.

6. So Let’s Begin!
The Basics

7. The Praxis
 As stated, the Praxis Series, 5001 and 7811, are tests that are part of the teaching
licensure requirements for Idaho and the test used as the entrance into the LCSC
Teacher Education Program.
 The tests use multiple-choice and numeric-entry questions to assess whether you
possess the knowledge and skills that have been deemed necessary to become an
elementary educator. Let’s look at what ETS has to say about these tests.
 You may choose either test to fulfill the requirements.
 You may choose to complete the entire test at once or take one or more of the
subtests individually
 If you fail any portion of the exam, you do NOT need to take the whole test over –
just the section or sections that you did not pass.

8.  State requirements are defined on the praxis website.
 Locate the page using the link in the module and find the Elementary
Education (Grades K-8) drop down menu. You will see a chart that
outlines the Multiple Subject Series 5001 tests and the Content Knowledge
for Teaching 7811.
 To locate the required Praxis tests for your Endorsement Area – Return to
the Idaho page and Click on the Secondary Education (Grades 5–9) OR
(Grades 6–12) OR (Grades K–12)
 Scroll down until you locate your endorsement area. The common choices
are:
 #5543 - Special Education: Core Knowledge and Mild to Moderate Application
 #5301 Reading Specialist
 #5169 Middle School Mathematics

9. On ETS – Praxis Website
 You will find study companions for each of the tests
 Interactive Tests
 Resources that you can purchase (hopefully you will find the resources in this
course sufficient!!)
 Registration and Testing Site Information
I hope to cover many topics that will help you prepare.

10. 5001 - Test at a
Glance
 This test is designed to support a
generalist elementary program and
focuses on the information that they
feel is important for an entry-level
elementary teacher to know and
understanding to teach English,
mathematics, social studies and
science.
 Keep in mind that some of the
questions do not count toward your
score. They are used by researchers.
 The times are approximate. Most
students have said that they
complete the test with time left over.

11. 7811 Test at a
Glance
 The ETS explanation: “The questions
in these subtests reflect a new
approach to identifying and
measuring the content knowledge
that teachers need. While assessing
knowledge of the content that
elementary students will learn, the
CKT subtests focus on the kind of
specialized knowledge of content
that a teacher will apply to specific
tasks of teaching, such as selecting
an appropriate graphic organizer to
support students in a particular
reading task or interpreting a
student’s mathematical
misunderstanding based on a
pattern of errors. “

12. 5001 or 7811??
 The 7811 test is NEW to me. We have not had students take this test yet. Currently, a few are
scheduled to take 7811 after not successfully completing some of the tests on 5001.
 Keep in mind that you CAN NOT mix the two exams. If you choose to take 5001 and you need
to retake a subtest – you cannot take that subtest in 7811. All of your subtest scores must
reflect ONE exam. You may switch to the other exam – but you must pass all of one – either
5001 or 7811.
 Based on what I do understand as the difference between the two tests – the new one focuses
more on combining the task of teaching the content with instruction. They measure your
knowledge based on how you respond to the teaching scenario.
 ETS states that the questions on 7811 , “have a content dimension and a task-of-teaching
dimension.”
 As I gain more information about this exam I will share it with you!

13. Which Should You Take?
It Is Up To You
 Here is some information that I found from our on- campus group:
 5001 is direct fact questions as if taken from every high school textbook they could lay
their hands upon. The exception is the 5002, Reading/Language Arts which has a lot of
content for literacy instruction.
 This is why we highly recommend that candidates not take their subject area Praxis
(either 5001 or 7811) until after they have completed the RE 301 course.
 7811 is oriented around the pedagogical use of the content area facts. The candidate
must still have a knowledge of the facts in order to answer the application questions
correctly, but the material is framed in a manner in which the performance of teaching
contextualizes the content. Fact-wise, it is less wide-ranging and arbitrary. However, it
takes longer to actually read the questions and response selections.
 The State rules say that they may not mix and match (i.e. 5002 + 7814 + 5004…). It’s
either all 5000’s or all 7000’s.

14. Test Dates
and
Scores
 Students who will be entering the PACE program for the first
time this coming summer (Summer 1) will need to take or at
least be registered prior to the Orientation and Entrance
Interviews in April. You may choose either #5001 or #7811
 You will need to provide a copy of your registration confirmation
slip at or before Orientation
 If any of the sub-test scores are below acceptable for passing,
you will need retake the sub-test and receive passing scores
before entering the Summer 2 session the following year.
 Your Endorsement Praxis will not need to be taken until after
Summer I.
 If we have a large cohort group, it is possible that not everyone
will be able to get into the program this summer. You need a
3.0 GPA to be invited into the summer session and those with
passing scores on the Praxis and positive interview results will
make it to the top of the list

15. Passing Scores for 5001
 Reading /Lang. Arts Subtest 5002 157
 Mathematics Subtest 5003 157
 Social Studies Subtest 5004 155
 Science Subtest 5005 159

16. Passing Scores for 7811
 Reading/Lang. Arts CKT Subtest 7812 161
 Mathematics CKT Subtest 7813 150
 Science CKT Subtest 7814 154
 Social Studies CKT Subtest 7815 161

17. Endorsement Praxis Test
 You must complete the praxis test that relates to your Endorsement area and/or
any additional endorsement areas that you are adding.
 This is not required until after Summer 1
Some of the more common are
 Literacy Endorsement
 Reading Specialist Praxis #5301 - Qualifying Score 164
 Basic Mathematics – Middle School Math Endorsement
 Middle School Mathematics Test #5169 - Qualifying Score 165
 Exceptional Child/Generalist (Special Ed)
 Special Education: Core Knowledge and Mild to Moderate Applications #5543 -
Qualifying Score 153
 Middle School Social Studies or Science? – see me
Please remember, you may not student teach until the college receives your passing
scores on all of your tests AND you have successfully completed all of your
coursework.

18.  You will receive your ‘unofficial’ score at the end of your test.
Pay attention to it when finished. They won’t let you write it
down, so I hope you can remember!
 Let me know as soon as you can!
 The Official Score will be sent automatically to me and the
LCSC Education Division. It takes about 2 weeks AFTER you
have tested.
 Remember to designate Lewis-Clark State College as a “score
recipient.” #4385
 The Literacy and Reading tests take longer to score – Plan
Accordingly.

19. Testing Center
 Most people in our area go to Spokane to take their test.
There is also a testing center in Moscow as well as at LCSC on
the Lewiston campus.
 You can locate other testing centers online. It doesn’t matter
where you take it, but make sure that you indicate LCSC as the
score recipient, #4385.
 Spokane – Pro-metric Testing Center 8536 North Wall Street -
Spokane, Washington (509) 467- 8715

20. Testing Dates and Windows
 The 5001 tests are offered continuously throughout the year at the testing
centers. Check the website for specifics
 The other test, 7811, has specific testing windows.
 See the chart here for 2020 windows or access the
website for more details.
 Your Endorsement Test will also have a designated
Window.
 Make sure that you register EARLY in order to meet the required PACE
deadlines.
 You will NOT be excused from any class this summer to take a Praxis
Exam
2020 Testing Windows
1/6/2020–1/18/2020
2/3/2020–2/15/2020
3/2/2020–3/14/2020
3/30/2020–4/11/2020
4/27/2020–5/9/2020
6/1/2020–6/13/2020
7/6/2020–7/18/2020
8/3/2020–8/15/2020

21. LET ME KNOW!
 Please let me know as soon as you receive your unofficial score after you have
completed the test, passing or not.
 I Believe in YOU and that you will do Just Fine. If you would, you can email or text
me your results. I am almost as anxious as you are to hear of your results.
 SUMMER 1 STUDENTS do not have to have passing scores by Orientation - but it
is to your benefit to get them behind you and NOT have to retake them!

22. SUMMER 2 STUDENTS
 Those who are currently in the PACE program returning for Summer II will need to
complete their exam with passing scores prior to the beginning of the summer
session in June.
 You will NOT be able to attend Summer 2 without passing scores.
 If you are planning on student teaching in the fall, you MUST pass all sub-tests as
well as your Endorsement Praxis and have the official scores by the Second Week
of April.
 It is extremely important that you plan to take your test EARLY so that it provides you
time to retake it prior to summer, if necessary!!
 In order for me to arrange for your student teaching placement – I must have your
official test scores! That means, you should be completing your tests no later than
March, however, it is suggested that you take it even earlier.
 You will NOT be excused from summer courses in order to go take the test. I will not
place in your internship you until I receive those scores. I need time to arrange your
placement.
 If you miss the deadline you will have to wait until Spring 2021 to complete your
internship.

23. Test Fees…….
• Individual Sub-Tests are $60 Each
Multi-Subjects Exam
#5001 – The whole
at Once is $170
• Subtests cost varies:
• 7812 (L.A.) & 7813 (Math) are $74 each;
• 7814 (Sci) & 7815 (S.S.) are $60
Elementary Education:
Content Knowledge for
Teaching #7811 – The
whole test is $199

24. Other Fees - if they apply to you
If you want to change
the test center or test
date
$40
Phone
registration
$35
Once you receive your scores from ETS - Make sure
to save and print a copy for your own records. Your
Praxis scores are only available free for a limited
time.
If you need to request additional reports,
it is $50 per report!!

25. Registration
BEFORE YOU CAN TAKE THE EXAM, YOU MUST FIRST CREATE AN ACCOUNT WITH
ETS, THE CREATORS OF THE TEST
 Creating an account allows you to:
 Register online for Praxis tests
 Access admission tickets
 Cancel or change a test registration
 View current test scores online
 Order score reports
 Update contact information

26. Registration cont.
 When you go to take the test you MUST provide a current I.D. at the testing center.
Make SURE that the name you use when creating your account is the SAME name
that will match your I.D.
 I have already had a few students who have shown up to the testing center with their
‘married’ name on their ID – but they registered under their maiden name. I have also
had several FORGET their ID!! Don’t Do That!!
 It clearly states: “Enter your name exactly as it is shown (excluding accents) on the
primary identification document (ID) that you plan to present at the test center. If the
name shown on your ID does not match the name on your registration record, you will
not be permitted to test.”
 After you create an account you will receive a confirmation email – Make sure you
remember your username and password!!

27. Now – Create an Account!
 We are digging right in – Time to Create YOUR Account!!
 Go To ETS and begin!
Click Here to Begin to Create Your Account
 When you get ready to actually register for the test you will be asked a couple
questions that are related to your where the scores will go!
 Lewis Clark State College – our # is #4385.
 You will be certified in the state of Idaho by the Idaho State Department of Education,
however, you do not send your scores
 Now – You will be asked to select a Test – Now is the time, did you choose? #5001 or #7811 –
remember one or the other
 You can also just choose the individual tests as well
 Or – Maybe you are ready for your Endorsement Test? -- After Summer 1 at least

28. Next..
 When you are ready to actually Schedule Your Test…
 Enter Your Zip Code …. A Listing of possible places will be provided.
 The closest for Coeur d’Alene is the Pro-metric Testing Center 8536 North Wall Street -
Spokane, Washington (509) 467- 8715
 Once you select your location you will be able to choose a testing date
and time for the test. Consider doing this well in advance! Time slots fill
up!! It is also a great incentive to have a projected date in mind as you
prepare and study.
 You will then be asked to identify your attending institution
 Remember to have your scores sent to LCSC

29. Next page .. A variety of Test Prep Materials will be
presented to you that you may order if you wish …
Hopefully the materials in this course will suffice!!
Finally, you will move to a screen to review your
order - you will see the price of your exam … and
Asked for payment of course.

30. So You’ve
Come to the
End of the
Introduction
Now move forward and prepare for the big day. You will
go in prepared and ready to be successful!