Which Praxis Test Do I Need to Take? Complete Guide

Here's a situation that happens more than you'd think: a student registers for the Praxis, spends weeks preparing, shows up to the test center... and takes the wrong exam. Wrong code, wrong subject area, money gone. Time gone. Certification delayed.

Figuring out which Praxis test you need to take isn't always obvious. There are dozens of exams, requirements vary wildly by state, and the ETS website can feel like a maze. This guide cuts through all of that.

By the end, you'll know exactly which exams you need, why you need them, and how to register. And once you know what you're taking - we'll show you how to pass it fast.

Who Has to Take the Praxis?

The Praxis exams are developed by ETS (Educational Testing Service) and used by most U.S. states to license and certify educators. Who has to take the Praxis test depends entirely on your career path and your state.

In general, you'll need to take a Praxis exam if you're:

• Pursuing initial teacher certification or licensure
• Becoming a speech-language pathologist (SLP)
• Seeking school leadership or administrator certification
• Getting certified in special education
• Teaching in a state that requires Praxis as part of its certification process
• Entering an alternative certification program

The short answer to "who has to take the Praxis test" is: most aspiring educators in most states. But the specific exam you need depends on what you're certifying in. Let's break that down.

Which Praxis Test by Career Path

The most reliable way to figure out which Praxis test you need is to start with your intended career path. Here's a breakdown by the most common certification areas.

Elementary Education

Elementary teachers are among those who ask "which Praxis do I take for elementary education" most often - and for good reason. The answer has changed over the years.

Most states require the Praxis Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects exam. This comes in two forms:

Additionally, many states also require Praxis Core (basic skills in reading, writing, and math) as a prerequisite. Some states also require the Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) based on your grade band.

Our Praxis Elementary Education tutoring program covers all subtests and gets you ready in 48 hours. Guaranteed.

Special Education

What Praxis test do you take for special education? The primary exam is the Praxis Special Education: Core Knowledge and Applications (5354). This is the most widely required special education Praxis across states.

Some states - particularly New Jersey, Tennessee, and New York - have additional requirements for special education certification. Check out our dedicated Praxis Special Education tutoring page for state-specific details.

Speech-Language Pathology (SLP)

SLPs have a straightforward answer to "which Praxis test do I take": it's the Praxis Speech-Language Pathology (5331), period. This is required for ASHA certification (the Certificate of Clinical Competence, or CCC-SLP) and for state licensure in virtually every state.

A few things to know about taking the Praxis SLP:

• Passing score is 162 (scaled score)
• The exam has 132 questions and a 2.5-hour time limit
• It's a graduate-level clinical exam - very different from Praxis Core
• It's scenario-based and tests clinical decision-making, not just content recall
• You can take it during your graduate program or after completing clinical hours

SLP is our strongest area. Our Praxis SLP tutoring program has helped hundreds of graduate students pass - many after multiple failed attempts. The 48-hour guarantee applies here too.

Secondary and Subject-Area Tests

If you're certifying to teach a specific subject at the middle or high school level - or if you're asking which Praxis do I take for secondary education - the answer is a subject-specific Praxis II exam.

Which Praxis do you take for middle school or high school depends on your subject. Here are the most commonly required exams:

This is just a partial list. ETS offers dozens of subject-specific Praxis exams. For a complete list, visit ets.org/praxis. Our Praxis Math tutoring is especially popular for teachers who need math certification at any level.

School Leadership (SLLA)

Aspiring principals and administrators take a different exam entirely: the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA, exam 6990). This is required in many states for principal or school administrator licensure.

The SLLA is a constructed-response exam that tests educational leadership competencies. It's quite different from multiple-choice Praxis exams and requires specific strategy coaching around the written response format.

Does Everyone Need Praxis Core?

Short answer: no. Praxis Core (the Academic Skills for Educators exams) is NOT universally required. But a lot of people assume it is - or don't realize their state has changed its requirements.

Here's how to think about it. Praxis Core comes in three subtests:

• 5713Praxis Core Reading
• 5723Praxis Core Writing
• 5733Praxis Core Mathematics

These tests measure basic academic skills in reading, writing, and math. Many states require them as a condition for admission to teacher preparation programs or for initial certification.

If you do need Praxis Core, our Praxis Core tutoring program has a 100% pass rate. We cover all three subtests with a laser focus on strategy over content cramming.

Which Praxis Tests by State

This is where it gets state-specific. Taking the Praxis test requirements by state matters because the exact exams - and passing scores - differ. Here's a snapshot of states we work with most:

This list just scratches the surface. For a comprehensive breakdown, check our Praxis passing scores by state guide or contact your state's Department of Education directly.

How to Take the Praxis Test

Once you know which exam you need, actually registering is straightforward. Here's how to take the Praxis test:

Can Anyone Take the Praxis?

Technically, yes - ETS allows anyone to register and take a Praxis exam. There's no enrollment verification or degree check at registration. You pay the fee, schedule the test, and take it.

But here's the thing: whether your scores will actually be accepted is a completely separate question. Your state's certification office has eligibility requirements, and those typically include things like:

• Enrollment in or completion of an approved educator preparation program
• Minimum GPA requirements
• Specific coursework prerequisites
• Background check clearance
• Application for certification submitted

Career changers and non-traditional students often wonder about this. The short answer: you can take the exam anytime, but talk to your state's certification office or an alternative certification program advisor to confirm your scores will count toward licensure.

Once You Know Your Exam

OK, you've figured out which Praxis test you need to take. Now what? Most people make the same mistake here: they assume that studying more content is the answer. It's not. Really.

The Praxis isn't testing whether you memorized everything in your degree program. It's testing whether you can apply what you know under time pressure, in unfamiliar contexts, while distinguishing between multiple plausible answers. That's a completely different skill than what your courses prepared you for.

This is exactly what we teach at PraxisHelp. Strategy over cramming. Technique over memorization. And yeah, we guarantee it. 48 hours. 100% pass rate. $999 to start.

Sound too good to be true? We hear that a lot. Until it works.

Whether you're taking the Praxis Core, the Praxis SLP, Praxis Elementary Education, or any subject-specific exam - our approach works. Check out our guide on how to pass the Praxis for the full strategy breakdown. Or if you're ready to get started, contact us today.

Frequently Asked Questions