Testing Guide

All Teacher Education candidates must pass a test of basic skills in reading, mathematics and writing. Students may meet this requirement by passing/achieving one of the following:

  • The Pre-service Academic Performance Assessment (PAPA) or
  • The Praxis Core or
  • Have SAT scores of 1550 with at least 500 in each area
  • or have an ACT score of 23.

To be certified in Pennsylvania all candidates must pass the appropriate PECT tests or Praxis II tests.

PRAXIS II or PECT tests should be taken prior to student teaching and/or at the conclusion of studies in student’s major field. Educational Testing Service (ETS) schedules administration of PRAXIS II tests at intervals throughout the year. Refer to ETS website external website for specific dates, locations and times.

Pearson administers PECT tests for PreK-4.

View the Schedule for PECT tests external website

Special Education PK-12  PRAXIS II

Major Test(s) Required for Passing Score
Special Education PK-12 Core Knowledge & Applications (5354) Certification in Special Education PK-12 151
Special Education PK-12 Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge (5511) Certification in Special Education PK-12 150

Special Education PK-12  PRAXIS II

Major Test(s) Required for Passing Score
Special Education PK-12 Core Knowledge & Applications (5354) Certification in Special Education PK-12 151
Special Education PK-12 Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge (5511) Certification in Special Education PK-12 150

Secondary Education Certification (7-12) Praxis II

Major Test(s) Required for Passing Score
Biology Biology: Content Knowledge (5236) Certification in Biology 7-12 154
Chemistry  Chemistry: Content Knowledge (5246) Certification in Chemistry 7-12
146
Earth & Environmental Science Earth & Space Science: Content Knowledge (5572) Certification in Earth & Space Science 7-12 154
General Science: Content Knowledge (5436) Certification in General Science 7-12 141
English English Language Arts: Content Knowledge (5038) Certification in English 7-12 167
History Social Studies: Content Knowledge (0081or 5081) Certification in Social Studies 7-12 157
Mathematics Mathematics: Content Knowledge (5165) Certification in Mathematics 7-12 159
Physics Physics: Content Knowledge (5266) Certification in Physics 7-12 145
Political Science Social Studies: Content Knowledge (0081 or 5081) Certification in Social Studies 7-12 157
Spanish Spanish: World Language (5195) and Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge (0511 or 5511) Certification in Spanish K - 12 166 Spanish & 150 Fundamental Subjects

Middle Level (4-8) Praxis II

Major Test(s) Required for Passing Score
Middle Level PA Grades 4-8 Core Assessment (5152) Certification in Middle Level NA
Special Education PK-12 Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge (5511) Certification in Special Education PK-12 150
Pedagogy Subtest (5153)   162
English Language Arts & Social Studies Subtest (5154)   152
Mathematics and Science Subtest (5155)   164
Middle Level PA Grades 4-8 Subject Concentration: Social Studies (5157) Certification in Middle Level: Social Studies 150
Middle Level PA Grades 4-8 Subject Concentration: English/Language Arts (5156) Certification in Middle Level: English & L.A. 156
Middle Level PA Grades 4-8 Subject Concentration: Mathematics (5158) Certification in Middle Level: Mathematics 173
Middle Level PA Grades 4-8 Subject Concentration: Science (5159) Certification in Middle Level: Science 156

Elementary and Early Childhood (PreK-4) PECT

Major Test(s) Required for Passing Score
Elementary and Early Childhood PreK-4 (PECT) Certification in Grades PreK-4 197/193/193

Elementary and Early Childhood (PreK-4) PRAXIS II

Major Test(s) Required for Passing Score
Elementary and Early Childhood (PreK-4) Module 1: Child Dev, Assessment, Professionalism (8006) Certification in Grades PreK-4 197
Elementary and Early Childhood (PreK-4) Module 2: Lang, Social Stud, Arts (8007) Certification in Grades PreK-4 193
Elementary and Early Childhood (PreK-4) Module 3: Math, Science, Health (8008) Certification in Grades PreK-4 193

PDE bases the cut scores listed above on a 3.0 GPA; a higher final GPA qualifies for adjusted (lower) test scores.

More information about Praxis tests external website

PECT Candidates

Quick links to program essentials to start you on your way:

Visit Pennsylvania Educator Certification Tests (PECT) website external website for more information.