The Praxis Special Education: Core Knowledge and Mild to Moderate Applications exam is designed to measure the skills and abilities of prospective teachers of students with mild to moderate disabilities.
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Exam Outline
The Praxis Special Education: Core Knowledge and Mild to Moderate Applications exam contains 90 selected-response questions and three constructed-response questions, and you will be given a time limit of 2 hours.
The exam is split into six content categories, which are designed to cover the various competencies and points of knowledge that a teacher of students with disabilities should possess.
I. Development and Characteristics of Learners (17 questions)
The questions in this category assess your knowledge of the following:
- Co-occurring conditions
- Basic characteristics and defining factors for each of the major disability categories
- The contribution of family systems to the development of individuals with disabilities
- Human development and behavior
- Impact of disabilities on society, families, and individuals
- Theoretical approaches to student motivation and learning
- Environmental and societal influences on student achievement and development
- Impact of cultural, language, and gender differences on the identification process
II. Planning and the Learning Environment (20 questions)
The questions in this category assess your knowledge of the following:
- Organizing the learning environment
- Learning objectives that are measurable and challenging
- Safe and supportive classroom environments that promote student achievement
- Characteristics of a good lesson plan
- Means of providing access to the curriculum
- Managing student behavior
- Basic elements of effective lesson plans
III. Instruction (20 questions)
The questions in this category assess your knowledge of the following:
- Options for assistive technology
- Age- and ability-appropriate instructional strategies
- Instruction that supports transition goals
- Selection and implementation of supplementary curriculum
- Instructional strategies for ensuring individual academic success in various settings
- Selection and implementation of research-based interventions for individuals
- Preventive strategies for at-risk learners
- Instructional strategies that facilitate maintenance and generalization of concepts
- Intervention strategies for at-risk learners
IV. Assessment (17 questions)
The questions in this category assess your knowledge of the following:
- Evidence-based assessments that are effective and appropriate
- Defining and using various assessments
- Interpreting assessment results
- Understanding and using assessment results
V. Foundations and Professional Responsibilities (16 questions)
The questions in this category assess your knowledge of the following:
- Federal definitions
- Roles and responsibilities of the special education teacher
- Communication with stakeholders
- Potential bias issues that may impact teaching and student/family interactions
- Federal safeguards of the rights of stakeholders
- Federal requirements for the pre-referral, referral, and identification
- Roles and responsibilities of other professionals who deliver special education services
- Strengths and limitations of various collaborative approaches
VI. Integrated Constructed-response Questions (3 questions)
The three questions in this category will each present a topic and require a short written response. The three topics are as follows:
- Instruction and assessment
- Learning environment and classroom management
- Collaboration
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Registration
To register for the Praxis Special Education: Core Knowledge and Mild to Moderate Applications exam, you will need to create an online account with ETS. Through this account, you can submit an application to take the exam.
During 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 $156 exam fee.
Test Day
In-person Testing
On the day of the exam, you should plan to arrive at the testing center about 30 minutes before the scheduled testing appointment. This will give you extra time to complete the check-in process. When you arrive, you will be asked to provide a printed copy of your admission ticket and two forms of valid identification.
You will also be asked to store all personal items, such as your cell phone, wallet, and keys, in a secure locker before entering the testing area.
Once the check-in process is complete and you are fully approved for testing, you will be led to the testing station and given a brief tutorial on the testing system.
Remote Testing
To take the exam remotely, you must use a laptop or desktop computer that has the ETS Secure Test Browser downloaded and installed on it. This is the browser you must use to take the exam. You will also need a functioning webcam, speakers, and a microphone.
When you check in to take the exam, the remote proctor will ask you to show proof of identification and to move your webcam around the room so that your testing area can be observed. Once the proctor has approved your testing area, they will walk you through the testing process and begin your exam.
How the Exam is Scored
Your score is based on the number of questions you answer correctly (your raw score). Your raw score is converted to a scaled score. The scaled score you need to obtain differs slightly depending on which state you take the exam in, but most states require a minimum score of 158.
You should receive an official score report about five weeks after testing.
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