The Connecticut General Statutes require a series of teacher assessments to assure that every prospective teacher has (1) essential skills in mathematics, reading, and writing; (2) subject knowledge competence; and (3) professional knowledge competence.
The Praxis I PPST series of
tests is designed to be taken early in a student’s college career.
By state law, all individuals seeking formal admission to a teacher
education program in the state of Connecticut must take and pass the
Praxis I PPST in reading, writing, and mathematics OR meet the requirements
for and obtain a formal waiver.
A waiver may be granted if a student has done any of the following:
Visit the state website for further information and waiver applications.
The Praxis I tests are basic skills tests in reading, writing, and mathematics. The tests can be taken one, two, or all three at a time and may be taken as many times as necessary to achieve passing scores. People with learning and/or physical disabilities, as well as individuals for whom English is a second language, should read and follow the directions on the Praxis website for special testing arrangements. Students may take a Praxis I test once per calendar month up to 6 times in a 12-month period. An official score report for all three tests is mailed to the student within six weeks.
For test descriptions, sample questions with answers, and test-taking strategies, check out the Test Preparation section on the ETS website. We recommend preparing for the tests. Students can purchase Learning Plus workbooks published by Educational Testing Service, available at the University Bookstore and the Other Bookstore.
Additional test preparation
books are available at national bookstores, though these materials have
not been reviewed by the CCSU School of Education.
Students have two options for
taking the PPST, as outlined below.
Or by calling Prometric Candidate Services at 800-853-6773
The Praxis II: Subject Assessments
measure a student’s knowledge of the subjects they will teach.
The tests also measure a student’s general and subject-specific pedagogical
skills and knowledge. There are 24 different subject areas, corresponding
to the 24 teacher certification endorsement areas. Praxis II is
given four times a year and it is generally recommended that a student
take the test either during the semester they are student teaching or
the semester prior to that. While passing Praxis II is not a requirement
for graduation, or program completion in the case of post-baccalaureate
students, teacher candidates must pass the appropriate Praxis II assessment
to be eligible for Connecticut certification.
Information regarding registration
procedures, registration for test-takers with learning disabilities,
fees and forms, as well as test dates and locations, can be found at
the Praxis website.
The most important key to
successful performance on Praxis II is sound preparation in a student’s
educational coursework. The Praxis II: Test at a Glance
booklets provide a framework for study and a review of material that
could be covered in the individual tests. These booklets are organized
by subject area and include detailed test descriptions, sample questions
with answers and explanations, and helpful test-taking strategies.
Review of a student’s textbooks, course readings, and notes is perhaps
the best way to study for the test.
Occasionally, Praxis II Preparation workshops are offered through various RESCs in Connecticut. These are not content reviews but test preparation workshops. Contact the following for current workshops.
In Litchfield (860) 567-0863
| Test Code | PRAXIS
II TESTS Test Name |
Minimum Passing Score |
| 20131 | Art Making (Bring photographs of 4 original artworks with you to test center) | 148 |
| 20132 | Art: Content, Traditions, Criticism, and Aesthetics | 130 |
| 10133 | Art: Content Knowledge | 157 |
| 20235 | Biology: Content Knowledge (0235) | 152 |
| 10100 | Business Education | 620 |
| 20245 | Chemistry: Content Knowledge (0245) | 151 |
| 30242 | Chemistry: Content Essays | 140 |
| 20571 | Earth Science: Content Knowledge | 157 |
| 10011 | Elementary Education: Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment | 163 |
| 20012 | Elementary Education: Content Area Exercises | 148 |
| 10041 | English Language, Literature, and Composition: Content Knowledge | 172 |
| 20042 | English Language, Literature, and Composition: Essays | 160 |
| 10171 | French: Productive Language Skills (contains listening section) | 163 |
| 20173 | French: Content Knowledge (contains listening section) | 165 |
| 10435 | General Science: Content Knowledge (0435) | 157 |
| 30433 | General Science: Content Essays | 145 |
| 20181 | German: Content Knowledge (contains listening section) | 162 |
| 10620 | Italian (contains listening section) | 670 |
| 10061 | Mathematics: Content Knowledge (calculator required) | 137 |
| 10113 | Music: Content Knowledge (contains listening section) | 153 |
| 30111 | Music: Concepts and Processes | 150 |
| 10091 | Physical Education: Content Knowledge | 154 |
| 30092 | Physical Education: Movement Forms-Analysis and Design | 154 |
| 10265 | Physics: Content Knowledge (0265) | 141 |
| 30262 | Physics: Content Essays | 135 |
| 10081 | Social Studies: Content Knowledge | 162 |
| 20353 | Education of Exceptional Students: Core Content Knowledge | 158 |
| 10050 | Technology Education | 640 |
| American
Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL)
Test Name |
Minimum
Passing Standard |
| French Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) | Intermediate High |
| French Writing Proficiency Test (WPT) | Intermediate High |
| German Oral Proficient Interview (OPI) | Intermediate High |
| German Writing Proficiency Test (WPT) | Intermediate High |
| Italian Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) | Intermediate High |
| Italian Writing Proficiency Test (WPT) | Intermediate High |
| Spanish Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) | Intermediate High |
| Spanish Writing Proficiency Test (WPT) | Intermediate High |
To Register: Call ACTFL (914) 948-5100 or on-line at www.languagetesting.com