The Praxis Professional School Counselor (5421) test is used to assess the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities of prospective entry-level K-12 school counselors.
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Exam Outline
The Professional School Counselor exam contains 120 selected-response questions and has a time limit of 2 hours. The selected-response questions may appear in the form of any of the following:
- Single-selection multiple-choice
- Selecting ALL correct answers from a list of choices
- Clicking parts of a graphic such as a map or a chart
- Dragging and dropping answers into a targeted area on the screen
- Selecting the correct answer from a drop-down menu
The exam is split into four content categories:
I. Foundations (22 questions)
The questions in this category assess your knowledge of the following:
- History and role of the professional school counselor
- Human growth and development
- Ethics
- Legal issues
II. Delivery of Services (54 questions)
The questions in this category assess your knowledge of the following:
- Guidance
- Counseling
- Consultation
- Collaboration
III. Management (18 questions)
The questions in this category assess your knowledge of the following:
- Use of technology to manage guidance and counseling programs
- Design and development of guidance and counseling programs
- Implementation of guidance and counseling programs
- Management of various types of referrals
IV. Accountability (26 questions)
The questions in this category assess your knowledge of the following:
- Accountability needs in school guidance and counseling programs
- Application of data analysis results for program involvement
- Basic principles and interpretation of measurement
- Gathering background data to select appropriate assessments
- Assessment validity and reliability
- Cultural, linguistic, and disability issues and their relation to performance
- Appropriate use and limitations of standardized testing
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Registration
Before you register for the exam, you will need to create an online ETS account if you are required to take the exam for a teacher education program or state certification. Once this account is created, you can apply to take the exam.
During the exam registration, you will be asked to select the test-taking format (remote or at a testing center), test location (if you are taking the test at a testing center), and test date. You will also need to pay the $130 exam fee.
Test Day
In-person Testing
On the day of your exam, you should arrive at the testing facility at least 15 minutes before your scheduled exam time. Once you arrive, you will be asked to present two forms of valid identification, one of which must be a photo ID.
Personal items will not be allowed into the testing center, so it is best to leave things like bags, notebooks, and food items at home or in your car.
Remote Testing
To take the exam remotely, you must use a laptop or desktop computer (touchscreens and tablets are not allowed). Your computer will need a speaker, microphone, and camera (internal or external). Before exam day, you will need to download and install the ETS Secure Test Browser on your computer.
Your environment must be private, with no traffic in and out of your testing area. The area where you take the exam must be clear of all personal items, and you will not be allowed to wear headphones. The proctor will ask you to move the camera around so that your testing area can be observed, and at the end of your exam, the proctor will watch as you erase any notes you made.
Before you register for remote testing, make sure you meet all the requirements listed, and run a test of the secure browser to ensure your computer can function smoothly.
How the Exam is Scored
For every question you answer correctly, one numerical point is added to your raw score. Incorrect and unanswered questions are not penalized, so you should make a guess anytime you do not know the correct answer. Your raw score is converted to a scaled score, and you will receive an official score report about five weeks after you complete the exam.
The passing score is a minimum scaled score of 156.
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FAQs
Q
How many questions are on the Praxis 5421 exam?
A
There are 120 selected-response questions on the exam.
Q
How long is the Praxis 5421 exam?
A
The time limit for the exam is 2 hours.
Q
What is the passing score for the Praxis 5421 exam?
A
To pass the exam, you must achieve a scaled score of at least 156.
Q
How much does the Praxis 5421 cost?
A
The examination fee is $130.
