The Praxis II Exam

What is the Praxis II Exam?

The Praxis II Subject Assessments are tests that measure subject-specific content knowledge, as well as general and subject-specific teaching skills, that you need for beginning teaching.  You will take the Praxis II Exams prior to licensure.

Why do I Need to Take the Praxis II?

In order to receive your educator's license, you must take the Praxis II exam for each subject you wish to receive recommendation.  Upon successfully completing the Teacher Education Program and the Praxis II Exam, students will be recommended for their initial Utah Level 1 Teaching License.

What does the Test Consist of? 


The Praxis II tests consist of 3 groups of tests:

• Subject Assessments — Measure general and subject-specific teaching skills and knowledge. Tests include both multiple-choice and constructed-response (essay) questions.
• Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) Tests — Measure your general pedagogical knowledge at 4 grade levels: Early Childhood, K–6, 5–9 and 7–12. These tests use a case study approach and feature multiple-choice and constructed-response questions.
• Teaching Foundations Tests — Measure pedagogy in 5 areas: multi-subject (elementary), English, Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Science. These tests feature multiple-choice and constructed-response questions.

How do I Know Which Tests to Take?

Check the Utah state requirements at www.ets.org/praxis/ut or contact the Utah State Office of Education for information about which tests are needed for licensure.  Each state using The Praxis Series™ tests sets its own testing requirements.


How do I Register for the Praxis II Exam?

Register for the Praxis II Exam online at www.ets.org/praxis/register.

How do I Receive my Scores?

Scores for the Praxis II test are retrieved online.  You must log on to the ETS website (http://www.ets.org/) to view and print your scores.  Score reports are only available for 30 days after they are posted and will cost the student an extra fee to view them past .  Please begin checking for your score report 2-3 weeks after you have taken the test.  Students are responsible for submitting their Praxis II Exam scores to the advisor or department prior to their recommending you for teacher licensure.  

Where can I Find Study Guides and Practice?


Study guides and practice materials can be found at www.ets.org/praxis/prepare/materials.





If you have further questions about the Praxis II Exam, please contact our Academic Advisors.

Frequently Asked Questions About the GRE

What is the GRE?

The GRE is a test used to evaluate your readiness to begin graduate-level work.  It has three sections: Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning, and Quantitative reasoning.

Who Needs to Take the GRE?

Those students applying for the Masters of  Education in Educational Psychology with Elementary Licensure need to take the GRE.  GRE scores will be used for admissions and need to be submitted with your application to the program.

What Sections Do I Need to Take?

Students applying for the Master's of Education in Educational Psychology with Elementary Licensure only need to take the analytical writing section of the GRE.

 What Scores are Required for Admissions?

A minimum schore of 4.0 is required for admissions consideration.
How Does the Department Receive My Scores?

The department will receive your scores by mail 4-6 weeks after you have taken the test.  These official GRE scores must be received by the department prior to the admission deadline.

When Should I Take the GRE?

The GRE must be taken far enough in advance (at least 4-6 weeks) so that test scores will be received by the department before the application deadline.

How Do I Register for the Test?

To register for the GRE, call the Prometric Testing Center (801-581-7310) or go online to www.ets.org/gre.  They will let you know the test availability and help you schedule a test.  There will be a test fee of $140.

Where Can I Find Study Guides and Practice Tests?

Study guides ad practice tests can be found at www.ets.org/gre or at http://www.gre.org/.

For other questions concerning the GRE, please contact our Elementary Advisor.

Application Materials for Admission to Teacher Licensure Programs

*Please include all materials and forms with application at time of applying.

Elementary Education Applicants will complete steps 1-7.  Secondary Education Applicants will complete steps 1-9.

1. Application for Teacher Licensure Programs
• Complete an application for Admission to the Teacher Education Program. 
• Applications can be found here. 
• All applications must be complete before review.
2. Current and Official Transcripts from the University of Utah
• Request a current and official transcript from the University of Utah. 
• The transcript must be received by the applicant. 
• It must be included in the application packet and must be in a sealed envelope from the Registrar’s Office with a stamp over the seal.
3. Current and Official Transcripts from all Colleges and Universities Previously Attended
• Request a current and official transcript from all other colleges and universities previously attended, no matter how long ago or how little credit was earned, including all correspondence and/or foreign credit.
• The transcripts must be received by the candidate.
• A “Summary of Transfer Credit” will not be accepted.
• The transcripts must in sealed envelopes with a stamp over the seal, and must be included in the application packet.
4. Praxis I Exam Scores
• Submit scores from the Praxis I PPST Assessment Test for the Reading, Writing, and Math sections.
• Scores of 173 or higher are required for all three sections of the test
• Scores cannot be more that 5 years old.
• The test can be taken in either computer- or paper-based form.
• Information about the Praxis I Exam can be found here or at http://www.ets.org/praxis.
5. Personal Statement
• Submit a statement informing the Admissions Committee of your strengths as a candidate in the teacher education program at the University of Utah.
• Essays should include:
• A demonstrations of your ability to think deeply about and analyze contemporary educational issues;
• An illustration of your commitment to the teaching profession;
• A discussion of how you will contribute to urban schools as a future educator.
• Essays should be typed, double-spaced, and no longer than two pages in length.
6. Three Letters of Recommendation
• Submit three letters of recommendation, one letter from each of the following areas:
• Academic Performance
• Must be written by a professor in your major subject area.
• Teaching and Working with the Youth
• Work must be in an academic setting.  
• Should be written by a supervisor of a field placement or volunteer work in a public school or a similar setting.  (Recommended sources include volunteer work or practicum experiences affiliated with university coursework.)
• Professional Attributes
• Written by an employer or an additional course instructor, who is able to speak to your professional competencies.
• All letters should be typed on official letterhead from the recommender’s organization.
• Have each recommender attach a Letter of Recommendation Form to all letters
• Letters and forms must be in a sealed envelope with the recommender’s signature over the seal.
• Note: Family, friends, and religious advisors are considered inappropriate references.
7. Receipt for Fingerprinting
• A background check and fingerprinting must be completed to apply;
• If your background check has expired, it must be renewed.
• Instructions for completing a background check and fingerprinting can be found here.

For Secondary Applicants Only:

8. Major/Minor Approval Forms
• Submit completed Departmental Major/Minor Sign-Off Forms.
• Students must meet with their major, minor, and/or composite advisor to complete the form
• Forms must be submitted in sealed envelops with the advisor’s signature over the seal.
9. Copy of Current Class Schedule
• Submit a copy of your current class schedule to be included with your application.

Questions about the Application process or materials can be submitted to our academic advisors.

The Praxis I Exam

What is the Praxis I Exam?

The Praxis I Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST) measures basic skills in reading, writing, and mathematics.  This test, with the Praxis II Exam, is used to qualify candidates for our teacher education programs and licensure.

Why do You Need to Take the Praxis I?

In order to be admitted to UITE's undergraduate teacher education programs, you must take the Praxis I Exam.  You will submit your Praxi I scores with your application.

Scores Needed for Applications

Both the Elementary and Secondary Education Programs at the University of Utah require a minimum score of 173 for each section of the Praxis I Exam  (section scores range from 150-190).  Scores below 173 should be retaken.  Scores used for admission purposes must be current within the last 5 years, and turned in at the same time as the application to our teacher education programs.

How to Register for the Praxis I Exam

The Praxis I Exam can be taken in either computer-based or paper-based form. 

To Register for the Computer Based Praxis I Exam:

• Call the Prometric Testing Center at 801-581-7310
• Located in the Student Services Building, room 490 (Campus Map).
• The Prometric Testing Center will inform you of available test dates.

To Register for the Paper-Based Praxis I Exam:

• Register online at www.ets.org/praxis.
• Check the website for available test dates.

Receiving Your Scores

Score are retrieved online.  You must log on to the ETS website (http://www.ets.org/) to view and print your scores.  Score reports are only available for 30 days after they are posted.  Please begin checking for your score report 2-3 weeks after you have taken the test.  Students are responsible for submitting their Praxis I Exam scores with their application packet.

Study Guides and Practice

Information about the test is available online at www.ets.org/praxis.  Tests at a glance and study guides are found under 'For Test Takers' and 'Prepare for a Test' headings.

• Codes for the computer-based test are 5710, 5720, and 5730.
• Codes for the paper-based test are 0710, 0720. and 0730.

For other questions regarding the Praxis I Test, please consult our academic advisors.

AmeriCorps Reminder:

AmeriCorps Members,

Please remember to complete the on-line portion of your enrollment as soon as possible.   You only have 30 days to accept before the invitation will expire.  If you are experiencing any problems with the website, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can determine the problem.

Also, when creating a profile for the AmeriCorps website, please follow all of these guidelines when creating a password:

• Is at least 8 characters in length
• Contains at least one number but does not begin with a number
• Does not contain any part of your user name
• Does not contain any word longer than 3 characters found in the dictionary

If you are experiencing troubles, do not receive the email, can't access the website, or have other questions, please let either myself or Matt (matt.schulz@utah.edu) know.

Thanks!

Jill
jillian.hinckley@utah.edu
801-581-7158

Background Check and Fingerprinting Instructions

Background Check and Fingerprinting Instructions

A State and Federal Background Check must be completed as required by the Utah State Office of Education. 

Background clearance from other agencies will not be accepted.

Step 1:

·        Got to www.utah.gov/teachers

·        Select “Background Check” and click on “Start your Background Check”

·        Click “Continue” and select “Initial Licensure”

·        Enter your Social Security Number and Date of Birth.  Click “Continue”

·        Results:

o       If the next screen shows a record of your name or says “All Ready Completed”, please print out that screen to show that you have already cleared with the Utah State Office of Education.

o       If the next screen comes up with “Record Not Found”, click on “Continue” and follow the remaining steps.

·        Create a New Record

·        Important: Please be sure to select the Live Scan process for fingerprinting

·        Select the University of Utah from the “Institution” drop down menu

·        A $69 processing fee is required which may only be paid by credit card

·        Click “Generate Form” to print

Step 2:

·        Take printed form to the Bureau of Criminal Identification (3888 West 5400 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84118) to complete the fingerprinting process

·        An additional charge of $10-15 will be required for Live Scan processing

·        Your receipt may be used as proof of your fingerprinting completion

Background checks are valid for three years.

Background check status will be recorded by the UITE at the University of Utah and instructors in future field-based classes will be made aware of your clearance status so that you do not have to complete the check more than once within a three year period.