Assessment Office

PRAXIS

General Information

The Praxis® exams are a series of tests to measure the academic skills and subject-specific content knowledge needed for teaching. Individuals must pass the exams or an equivalent assessment to become certified through the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and enter the teaching profession. The exams fall into two categories:

• Praxis® Core Academic Skills for Educators (Core) — comprehensive assessments that measure candidates’ skills and content knowledge entering teacher preparation programs
• Praxis® Subject Assessments — tests that measure general and subject-specific content knowledge that you need for beginning teaching.

Please refer to the State Department’s website for eligibility standards, certification requirements, passing score thresholds, and reciprocity agreements. The following links provide greater detail into each aspect of the examination process.

• Getting Your Praxis Scores
• General Testing Information
• Basic Skills Assessment Requirements
• Praxis Reading, Pedagogy, and Subject Assessments
• Praxis At Home

Online Praxis Testing

ETS offers an at-home Praxis testing option for test takers who live in the United States, its territories, or in Canada. They're identical to tests taken at a test center and on your computer at home or another secure location. Before your appointment, your testing area must meet the environmental requirements set by ETS.  All at-home tests are monitored online by a human proctor. At-home testing is available 7 days a week.

Available Test Titles:

• Over 100 Praxis tests are available for at-home (including Praxis Core and Praxis Subject Tests). 
• Check here if your program’s required test is available.

Electronic Equipment:

• You may use a desktop or laptop computer to take your exam.
  • You can't use a tablet, Chromebook™, or mobile device.
• Use an approved operating system, which must be licensed. Unlicensed or test-mode versions are not permitted.
  • PC: Windows® operating system, version 10 or higher
  • MAC®: Mac OS® X 10.13 or higher
• Use the Chrome® browser.
• Multiple monitors, use of more than one mouse or keyboard, and dual screens are prohibited.
• Speaker: 
  • Use an internal or external speaker to hear the proctor. Headsets or earphones aren't allowed
• Microphone: 
  • Use an internal or external microphone that isn't part of a headset to talk to the proctor
• Camera: 
  • Can be a built-in camera or a separate webcam 
  • Camera must be movable to show the proctor a 360-degree view of the room, including your tabletop surface, before the test

Environment and testing space:

• You must be alone in a room with no one else entering during the test
• Your computer and keyboard must be on a desk or other tabletop surface clear of all items not approved for use during the test.
• You must sit in a standard chair; you can't sit or lie on a bed, couch, or overstuffed chair.
• Food and drink aren't allowed during the test.

Testing Materials:

• You may not take notes on regular paper for security purposes. You may use one of the following to take notes:
  • One small desktop whiteboard with an erasable marker
  • One sheet of paper inside a transparent sheet protector with an erasable marker.

Dress and Attire:

• Dress appropriately for your test. You'll be monitored via camera by the proctor
• Face masks may not be worn during check-in or any part of the at-home testing session.
• Your ears must remain visible throughout the test, not covered by hair, a hat, or other items. Religious headwear is permitted if your ears remain visible during the test.
• Avoid wearing jewelry. Engagement and wedding rings are allowed

In-Person Praxis Testing

The active Praxis testing location sites in Maryland are listed below:

Regardless of local policy, you must bring a face mask to the test center. If you come to the test center without a face mask, you will get turned away. The center or local policy determines the requirements for wearing a face cover for the entirety of your time at the test center.  As a precaution, you can wear a mask during testing if the test center or local policy does not require it. Both medical masks and cloth face coverings are acceptable. 

You can also bring/wear rubber gloves, but gloves are not required.

Some test centers require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within a specific time frame before testing for entrance to the test center. Be sure to check with your local test center for a complete list of health and safety procedures required for admission to the test center.

What to Bring:

• Admission ticket
• Acceptable, valid photo ID
• Calculator, if allowed for your test
• Acceptable face mask or covering
• If you require any health-related accommodations, you must request accommodations before registering.

Check-In:

• Arrive 30 minutes before your testing time for check-in procedures.
• You must store your personal items in a locker or on-site storage area. Access to them will not be available during the test.

Disabilities Accommodation Requests

Please submit all disability accommodation requests and supporting documents electronically to ensure that ETS can receive your application. Due to limited staffing, there could be delays in processing accommodation requests.  Submit via your Praxis account.

Praxis test preparation

• Interactive Praxis Tests
  • Due to test postponements resulting from coronavirus (COVID-19), ETS offers a 30% discount on Praxis and SLS Interactive Practice Tests and has extended the subscription to 180 days 15 uses. Please enter the code PRACTICE at checkout to receive the reduced price.
• Praxis Test Preparation Webinars
  • Free webinars with in-depth information and demonstration
• Praxis Learning Paths Program
  • The Praxis® Learning Paths™ Program is a new way to prepare for the Praxis® tests. The program is online and asynchronous.
  • Current Praxis Learning Paths Products:
    • Elementary Mathematics Course. Tests this course covers:
      • Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects Mathematics subtest (code: 5003)
      • The Mathematics section of the Elementary Education: Content Knowledge test (5018)
      • Elementary Education: Three Subject Bundle Mathematics subtest (5903)
    • Elementary Reading and Language Arts Course
      • Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects Reading and Language Arts subtest (5002)
      • Reading and Language Arts section of the Elementary Education: Content Knowledge test (5018)
    • Elementary Social Studies Course
      • Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects Social Studies subtest (5004)
      • Elementary Education: Three Subject Bundle Social Studies subtest (5904)
      • Social Studies section of the Elementary Education: Content Knowledge test (5018)
    • Elementary Science Course
      • Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects Science subtest (5005)
      • Elementary Education: Three Subject Bundle Science subtest (5905)
      • The science section of the Elementary Education: Content Knowledge test (5018)
• Additional Preparation
  • Free and fee-based Praxis test prep resources

The School Leadership Licensure Assessment (SLLA)

The School Leadership Licensure Assessment (SLLA) exam tests explicitly for certification as an Administrator II (principal). Click the following link for more information.

• School Leaders Licensure Assessment

GRE Overview

The GRE General Test is a standardized aptitude test that reflects what kind of thinking you may do in a graduate program. It measures your skills in Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing.

GRE Exam Testing Updates

• The GRE General and Subject Tests are both available in test centers and at-home.
• Beginning September 22, 2023, the GRE General Test will be shortened from 4 hours long to just under 2 hours long.
  • There are 46 fewer Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning questions for a total of 27 Verbal Reasoning and 27 Quantitative Reasoning questions.
• GRE Discounts
  • Use code GRE602023 to get $60 off test registration through September 20, 2023.
  • Use code GRE502023 to get $50 off a retest through December 31, 2023.

Here is some pertinent information in regards to GRE test preparation:

• To learn more about the at home test, register for an upcoming webinar or visit the web pages for Institutions and GRE Test Takers.
• The GRE Program has introduced free GRE test preparation modules for advisors and educators who conduct workshops with students.
• Test Centers and Dates to find current available seats for the GRE exams.
• GRE Registration ID Requirements.
• Accommodations for Test Takers with Disabilities or Health-related Needs.
• ETS is posting videos, developing registration checklists, and hosting Facebook Live Events in order to help test takers understand the new online testing process.
• Students can access free test prep resources directly on the GRE website.

American Council on Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) requires World Language teaching candidates to demonstrate their ability to use language for real-world purposes to obtain certification. ACTFL Proficiency Tests reflect and measure the candidate's ability to carry out these real-world tasks. Click the following link for more information:

• World Languages Oral and Writing Proficiency Tests    

Students will use LiveText to complete their edTPA portfolio and document their performance on the Technical Standards/Foundational Competencies and the Maryland Teacher Technology Standards. For more information visit the College of Education LiveText webpage.

Please complete this form for requests, data, projects, and assistance from the Assessment Team https://go.umd.edu/aodatarequests.

Contact Information: