LATEST PRAXIS PRINCIPLES OF
LEARNING AND TEACHING (PLT) –
GRADES 7-12 BY ETS CERTIFICATION
EXAM | Q&A WITH RATIONALES
1. A high school teacher notices that a student
frequently attributes poor performance on exams to
a lack of innate ability and often says, "I'm just not a
math person." According to attribution theory, this
student's belief is most likely to result in which of the
following?
A) Increased effort and persistence in future math
tasks
B) A decrease in motivation and an increased
likelihood of giving up
C) A greater willingness to seek help from peers
D) An improved ability to memorize mathematical
formulas
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Attributing failure to a stable, internal
factor like lack of ability leads to helplessness and
,reduced motivation, as the student believes their
efforts will not change the outcome.
2. To foster a growth mindset in her students, a 9th-
grade teacher should prioritize which type of
feedback?
A) "You are so intelligent for figuring that out so
quickly."
B) "I can see you worked hard on this problem and
used a great strategy."
C) "That answer is correct."
D) "You are a natural at this subject."
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Praising effort and strategies promotes a
growth mindset by emphasizing that ability can be
developed through hard work, whereas praising
innate traits like intelligence can reinforce a fixed
mindset.
3. A student who is intrinsically motivated to learn is
most likely to engage in which of the following
behaviors?
,A) Studying for a test only to earn a high grade and
please their parents
B) Completing a challenging research project for the
satisfaction of learning something new
C) Doing the minimum required work to avoid a
failing grade
D) Choosing to work on the easiest assignment first
to finish quickly
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Intrinsic motivation comes from within,
driven by curiosity and the inherent satisfaction of
learning, not by external rewards or pressures.
4. According to self-determination theory, which
teacher action is most likely to enhance a student's
intrinsic motivation for a long-term project?
A) Offering a pizza party for the group that finishes
first
B) Allowing students to choose their own research
topic within the project's parameters
C) Assigning specific, rigid topics to ensure all
standards are covered
, D) Providing daily grades for each small step of the
project
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Self-determination theory emphasizes the
need for autonomy. Providing students with choice
supports their intrinsic motivation by fulfilling their
need for self-direction.
5. A student who is consistently off-task and
disruptive during whole-class lectures but is highly
focused and productive during group work and
hands-on activities is likely struggling with which
aspect of the learning environment?
A) A lack of interest in the subject matter
B) A need for more structured routines
C) An instructional format that does not align with
their learning preferences
D) A learning disability that affects attention in all
settings
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The student's ability to focus in some
settings but not others suggests the issue is with the
LEARNING AND TEACHING (PLT) –
GRADES 7-12 BY ETS CERTIFICATION
EXAM | Q&A WITH RATIONALES
1. A high school teacher notices that a student
frequently attributes poor performance on exams to
a lack of innate ability and often says, "I'm just not a
math person." According to attribution theory, this
student's belief is most likely to result in which of the
following?
A) Increased effort and persistence in future math
tasks
B) A decrease in motivation and an increased
likelihood of giving up
C) A greater willingness to seek help from peers
D) An improved ability to memorize mathematical
formulas
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Attributing failure to a stable, internal
factor like lack of ability leads to helplessness and
,reduced motivation, as the student believes their
efforts will not change the outcome.
2. To foster a growth mindset in her students, a 9th-
grade teacher should prioritize which type of
feedback?
A) "You are so intelligent for figuring that out so
quickly."
B) "I can see you worked hard on this problem and
used a great strategy."
C) "That answer is correct."
D) "You are a natural at this subject."
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Praising effort and strategies promotes a
growth mindset by emphasizing that ability can be
developed through hard work, whereas praising
innate traits like intelligence can reinforce a fixed
mindset.
3. A student who is intrinsically motivated to learn is
most likely to engage in which of the following
behaviors?
,A) Studying for a test only to earn a high grade and
please their parents
B) Completing a challenging research project for the
satisfaction of learning something new
C) Doing the minimum required work to avoid a
failing grade
D) Choosing to work on the easiest assignment first
to finish quickly
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Intrinsic motivation comes from within,
driven by curiosity and the inherent satisfaction of
learning, not by external rewards or pressures.
4. According to self-determination theory, which
teacher action is most likely to enhance a student's
intrinsic motivation for a long-term project?
A) Offering a pizza party for the group that finishes
first
B) Allowing students to choose their own research
topic within the project's parameters
C) Assigning specific, rigid topics to ensure all
standards are covered
, D) Providing daily grades for each small step of the
project
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Self-determination theory emphasizes the
need for autonomy. Providing students with choice
supports their intrinsic motivation by fulfilling their
need for self-direction.
5. A student who is consistently off-task and
disruptive during whole-class lectures but is highly
focused and productive during group work and
hands-on activities is likely struggling with which
aspect of the learning environment?
A) A lack of interest in the subject matter
B) A need for more structured routines
C) An instructional format that does not align with
their learning preferences
D) A learning disability that affects attention in all
settings
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The student's ability to focus in some
settings but not others suggests the issue is with the
