Praxis Guide Update 3 for Elementary Education (5018)
WGU Guide for Elementary Education Praxis and State Content Tests
Updated by the WGU Teachers College Team
Start here…
This guide will help you get started with your Praxis or state content test study with free online learning resources.
While these resources are aimed at learners planning to teach grades K-6, an 8th grade knowledge level in each subject is
recommended for best success. Work with a tutor if you can. Rely on your Mentor to help you stay on track with
program requirements and deadlines. Passing high-stakes standardized tests is a team effort – you are not alone!
What are the topics covered in the guide?
Topics covered in this guide are:
• FAQs: What to expect from any Elementary Education Praxis or State Content Test
• Discipline specific content: individual or combined subtests
o Reading & Language Arts
o Mathematics
o Social Studies
o Science
o Arts, Health, Physical Education
• State content tests that require essays
o Constructed response
• WGU-specific content
o What are the cut scores needed?
FAQs: What to expect from any Elementary Education Praxis or State Content Test
How do I know which test(s) to take?
Find your state on the Teacher Licensure Home Page. If you haven’t already, watch this video on the Teacher Licensure
Application process. Work closely with your Mentor to monitor field experience deadlines and other program
requirements.
Is this the same thing as the Praxis CORE or my state’s basic skills tests?
No, Elementary Education Praxis or state content tests are subject assessments to be completed in addition to (and
preferably after) the teacher candidate has passed CORE or basic skills tests in reading, writing, and math. Content
knowledge expectations in English and math are higher for Elementary Education than basic skills and presume greater
fluency with pedagogical methods for these subjects.
Khan Academy has Praxis Core Math, Reading, and Writing help. (Reminder: Khan Academy materials in other subjects
are generally at advanced high school or college level. Please do not use those as learning resources for a Basic Skills or
Elementary Education subject subtest.)
Visit the WGU Teachers College Basic Skills exam prep help article.
The Praxis Core tests are offered as a bundle (all 3 subtests combined) or as individual subtests. The same is true of state
basic skills tests. Consider how challenging you may find these tests. We strongly recommend that you take each Praxis
CORE or state basic skills test separately.
Where do I find resources for Special Education?
If you plan to take the Praxis for Special Education 5543 (Mild to Moderate), then use study materials from the ETS site.
Should I take all subtests on the same day?
No, the subtests are challenging – you would do best to schedule only 1 or 2 per test day, such as English + Math or
English + Social Studies. It will not save you money if you are too mentally exhausted to do well on all subtests in a single
day and need to retake one or more tests anyway.
Praxis Guide Update 3 for Elementary Education (5018)
, Praxis Guide Update 3 for Elementary Education (5018)
When should I take this test?
Please work closely with your Mentor to determine when in your degree plan to begin Praxis or state content test study.
Many teacher candidates report best success soon after content courses or methods courses in relevant disciplines.
Where can I take the test?
You may take Praxis tests either at home with ProctorU or at a testing center; check sites for updated access and cost
information. If you go to a testing center, then follow the ETS Testing Center Guidelines. Please test your system
BEFORE exam day – follow ETS At Home Testing Guidance. Here is WGU advice on Praxis@Home – the WGU System
Check includes operating system and bandwidth checks.
What COVID (or other disease) protocols should I be aware of?
Please check with your local testing center before test day. You may need to bring your own mask and wear it
throughout the exam. Follow the ETS testing center guidelines.
- If you are taking the Praxis at home, there may still be specific criteria to follow. Here is WGU guidance for Praxis
at home.
Can I use any calculator?
While Praxis and state content tests may allow you to use an on-screen calculator, you will not be allowed a calculator
from home. You must use only those resources provided by the test vendor; ask your proctor for assistance as needed.
Review this information page about Calculator Use. Each state content test should have a similar guidance. You may
want to practice ahead of test day.
Can I use formula sheets?
There will be no math or science formula sheets for Elementary Education Praxis tests. State content tests may provide
online formula sheets or tables of information with different formats or topics.
May I use anything else to help me?
You may use scratch paper at a testing center or a whiteboard at home. Be prepared to show both sides of the
whiteboard to the proctor to show it is clean; if the whiteboard is bolted to the wall, show that it cannot be removed.
You may use only those materials provided to you or approved by the proctor, such as pencils or whiteboard pens and
erasers. Otherwise, your work area must be completely clean.
What question formats are on the test? Multiple choice, short answer, essay, etc.?
Each test or subtest will be comprised of mostly of multiple-choice test items. Most questions will be standard: select
one answer from four options. Some will have multiple correct answers. You may also encounter at least one “drag &
drop” test item where you are asked to move answer options to various parts of the screen.
While Elementary Education Praxis tests do not contain short answer or essay items, some state content tests do. For
example, California’s CSET exams are famous for challenging essay items on a variety of topics in multiple disciplines.
Is there partial credit for answers that have multiple correct answers?
More than 10% of each test may involve multiple choice items where you select more than one answer option; all
responses must be correct, or the entire test item will be marked wrong. There is no partial credit.
Where can I get information about accommodations?
If you would like to request accommodations from ETS for a disability or health-related need, here are the directions. If
you are not testing through ETS, please contact your test provider.
If English is not your primary language, you may be eligible for extended testing time through Primary Language Not
English (PLNE, sometimes referred to as ESL) accommodations. Your testing accommodation needs to be finalized before
registering for the test and can take up to 6 weeks to complete.
ETS or state test administrators retain sole discretion to grant medical, disability, or PLNE accommodations.
Praxis Guide Update 3 for Elementary Education (5018)
WGU Guide for Elementary Education Praxis and State Content Tests
Updated by the WGU Teachers College Team
Start here…
This guide will help you get started with your Praxis or state content test study with free online learning resources.
While these resources are aimed at learners planning to teach grades K-6, an 8th grade knowledge level in each subject is
recommended for best success. Work with a tutor if you can. Rely on your Mentor to help you stay on track with
program requirements and deadlines. Passing high-stakes standardized tests is a team effort – you are not alone!
What are the topics covered in the guide?
Topics covered in this guide are:
• FAQs: What to expect from any Elementary Education Praxis or State Content Test
• Discipline specific content: individual or combined subtests
o Reading & Language Arts
o Mathematics
o Social Studies
o Science
o Arts, Health, Physical Education
• State content tests that require essays
o Constructed response
• WGU-specific content
o What are the cut scores needed?
FAQs: What to expect from any Elementary Education Praxis or State Content Test
How do I know which test(s) to take?
Find your state on the Teacher Licensure Home Page. If you haven’t already, watch this video on the Teacher Licensure
Application process. Work closely with your Mentor to monitor field experience deadlines and other program
requirements.
Is this the same thing as the Praxis CORE or my state’s basic skills tests?
No, Elementary Education Praxis or state content tests are subject assessments to be completed in addition to (and
preferably after) the teacher candidate has passed CORE or basic skills tests in reading, writing, and math. Content
knowledge expectations in English and math are higher for Elementary Education than basic skills and presume greater
fluency with pedagogical methods for these subjects.
Khan Academy has Praxis Core Math, Reading, and Writing help. (Reminder: Khan Academy materials in other subjects
are generally at advanced high school or college level. Please do not use those as learning resources for a Basic Skills or
Elementary Education subject subtest.)
Visit the WGU Teachers College Basic Skills exam prep help article.
The Praxis Core tests are offered as a bundle (all 3 subtests combined) or as individual subtests. The same is true of state
basic skills tests. Consider how challenging you may find these tests. We strongly recommend that you take each Praxis
CORE or state basic skills test separately.
Where do I find resources for Special Education?
If you plan to take the Praxis for Special Education 5543 (Mild to Moderate), then use study materials from the ETS site.
Should I take all subtests on the same day?
No, the subtests are challenging – you would do best to schedule only 1 or 2 per test day, such as English + Math or
English + Social Studies. It will not save you money if you are too mentally exhausted to do well on all subtests in a single
day and need to retake one or more tests anyway.
Praxis Guide Update 3 for Elementary Education (5018)
, Praxis Guide Update 3 for Elementary Education (5018)
When should I take this test?
Please work closely with your Mentor to determine when in your degree plan to begin Praxis or state content test study.
Many teacher candidates report best success soon after content courses or methods courses in relevant disciplines.
Where can I take the test?
You may take Praxis tests either at home with ProctorU or at a testing center; check sites for updated access and cost
information. If you go to a testing center, then follow the ETS Testing Center Guidelines. Please test your system
BEFORE exam day – follow ETS At Home Testing Guidance. Here is WGU advice on Praxis@Home – the WGU System
Check includes operating system and bandwidth checks.
What COVID (or other disease) protocols should I be aware of?
Please check with your local testing center before test day. You may need to bring your own mask and wear it
throughout the exam. Follow the ETS testing center guidelines.
- If you are taking the Praxis at home, there may still be specific criteria to follow. Here is WGU guidance for Praxis
at home.
Can I use any calculator?
While Praxis and state content tests may allow you to use an on-screen calculator, you will not be allowed a calculator
from home. You must use only those resources provided by the test vendor; ask your proctor for assistance as needed.
Review this information page about Calculator Use. Each state content test should have a similar guidance. You may
want to practice ahead of test day.
Can I use formula sheets?
There will be no math or science formula sheets for Elementary Education Praxis tests. State content tests may provide
online formula sheets or tables of information with different formats or topics.
May I use anything else to help me?
You may use scratch paper at a testing center or a whiteboard at home. Be prepared to show both sides of the
whiteboard to the proctor to show it is clean; if the whiteboard is bolted to the wall, show that it cannot be removed.
You may use only those materials provided to you or approved by the proctor, such as pencils or whiteboard pens and
erasers. Otherwise, your work area must be completely clean.
What question formats are on the test? Multiple choice, short answer, essay, etc.?
Each test or subtest will be comprised of mostly of multiple-choice test items. Most questions will be standard: select
one answer from four options. Some will have multiple correct answers. You may also encounter at least one “drag &
drop” test item where you are asked to move answer options to various parts of the screen.
While Elementary Education Praxis tests do not contain short answer or essay items, some state content tests do. For
example, California’s CSET exams are famous for challenging essay items on a variety of topics in multiple disciplines.
Is there partial credit for answers that have multiple correct answers?
More than 10% of each test may involve multiple choice items where you select more than one answer option; all
responses must be correct, or the entire test item will be marked wrong. There is no partial credit.
Where can I get information about accommodations?
If you would like to request accommodations from ETS for a disability or health-related need, here are the directions. If
you are not testing through ETS, please contact your test provider.
If English is not your primary language, you may be eligible for extended testing time through Primary Language Not
English (PLNE, sometimes referred to as ESL) accommodations. Your testing accommodation needs to be finalized before
registering for the test and can take up to 6 weeks to complete.
ETS or state test administrators retain sole discretion to grant medical, disability, or PLNE accommodations.
Praxis Guide Update 3 for Elementary Education (5018)
