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:
- What tests do I need to take? external website
- Test dates and sites external website
- Preparation materials external website
- Alternative testing arrangements external website
- Testing policies external website
Visit Pennsylvania Educator Certification Tests (PECT) website external website for more information.