The Praxis Special Education Core Knowledge and Severe to Profound Applications exam is designed to measure the knowledge and skills that are essential for teachers of PreK-12 special education programs.
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Exam Outline
The Praxis Special Education Core Knowledge and Severe to Profound Applications exam contains 90 selected-response questions and 3 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 should possess.
I. Development and Characteristics of Learners (17 questions)
The questions in this category assess your knowledge and abilities in the following areas:
- Human development and behavior
- Theoretical approaches to student learning and motivation
- Basic characteristics and defining factors for each of the major disability categories
- Impact of disabilities on individuals, families, and society across the lifespan
- Impact of language, gender, and cultural differences on the identification process
- Co-occurring conditions
- The contribution of family systems to the development of individuals with disabilities
- Environmental and societal influences on student development and achievement
II. Planning and the Learning Environment (20 questions)
The questions in this category assess your knowledge and abilities in the following areas:
- Characteristics of good lesson plans
- Basic elements of effective lesson plans
- Learning objectives that are measurable and appropriately challenging
- Means of providing access to the curriculum
- Organizing the learning environment
- Theory and practice of positive behavior supports
- Theory and practice of effective classroom management
- Designing and maintaining a safe and supportive classroom environment
III. Instruction (20 questions)
The questions in this category assess your knowledge and abilities in the following areas:
- Instructional strategies/techniques that are appropriate
- Instructional strategies for ensuring individual academic success in one-to-one, small group, and large group settings
- Instructional strategies that facilitate maintenance and generalization of concepts
- Selection and implementation of research-based interventions for individual students
- Selection and implementation of supplementary and/or functional curriculum
- Options for assistive technology
- Instructional strategies/techniques that support transition goals
- Preventive strategies and intervention strategies for at-risk learners
IV. Assessment (17 questions)
The questions in this category assess your knowledge and abilities in the following areas:
- Evidence-based assessments that are effective and appropriate
- Defines and uses various assessments
- Interprets assessment results
- Understands and uses the results of assessments
V. Foundations and Professional Responsibilities (16 questions)
The questions in this category assess your knowledge and abilities in the following areas:
- Federal definitions
- Federal requirements for the prereferral, referral, and identification
- Federal safeguards of the rights of stakeholders
- Components of a legally defensible individualized education program
- Major legislation
- Roles and responsibilities of the special education teacher
- Roles and responsibilities of other professionals who deliver special education services
- Strengths and limitations of various collaborative approaches
- Communication with stakeholders
- Potential bias issues that may impact teaching and interactions with students and their families
VI. Integrated Constructed-Response Questions (3 questions)
The questions in this category assess your knowledge and abilities in the following areas:
- Instruction and assessment
- Learning environment and classroom management
- Collaboration
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Registration
To register for the Praxis Special Education Core Knowledge and Severe to Profound 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 test day, you should arrive at the testing center about 30 minutes before the scheduled testing time. For the check-in process, you will be asked to provide a printed copy of your admission ticket and two forms of valid identification as soon as you arrive.
You will also be asked to store all personal items (cell phone, wallet, keys, accessories, etc.) 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 Praxis 5545 exam 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 to pass the exam varies depending on which state you take the exam in, but most states set the requirement at 158.
You should receive an official score report about five weeks after testing.
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FAQs
Q
How many questions are on the Praxis 5545 exam?
A
There are 93 questions on the exam.
Q
How long is the Praxis 5545 exam?
A
The time limit for the exam is 2 hours.
Q
What is the passing score for the Praxis 5545 exam?
A
There is no set passing score for this exam. Each state decides its own passing score requirements.
Q
How much does the Praxis 5545 exam cost?
A
The examination fee is $156.
