Professional Educator Exams

Publication: Moore School of Education Handbook

Policy Statement

The North Carolina State Board of Education has selected the PRAXIS Core Academic Skills for Educators test, the Massachusetts Test for Educational Licensure (MTEL), and the PRAXIS II test as the standard examinations necessary for a student to complete their education degree and, if applicable, state licensure requirements.

Policy Procedures

• There are costs associated with all of these exams.
• The PRAXIS Core Academic Skills for Educators test covers the areas of reading, writing, and
• mathematics. Passing scores are 156 in Reading, 162 in Writing, and 150 in Mathematics. Students may also meet this requirement with a composite score of 468.
  • SAT or ACT scores may exempt a student from taking these exams. Students who earn a score of 1100 or higher on the combined score of the reading and math components of the SAT or a score of 24 or higher on the composite score of the ACT are exempt from PRAXIS Core testing. Individuals with a score of at least 550 on the SAT Reading or at least 24 on the ACT reading are exempt from the PRAXIS Core Tests in Reading and Writing. Individuals with a score of at least 550 on the SAT Math or at least 24 on the ACT math are exempt from the PRAXIS Core Test in Math.
  • The faculty recommends that a student NOT take all three portions of the PRAXIS Core test in one sitting. Information on how to register for the test is given during the course Foundation of Education. The information is also available in the dean’s administrative assistant’s office.
  • Registering for the PRAXIS Core Test is done via the Educational Testing Service website at ets.org.
  • The scheduling for this test can only be done through the ETS website and must be paid for when registering for the test. As ETS requires, make sure you bring a valid identification to the test with you.
  • Because the exam is computer-based, scores for reading and mathematics are known once the tests are complete. However, writing scores are generally not received until four weeks following the exam date. According to ETS policy, students may take each part of the PRAXIS Core once per calendar month up to 6 times in a 12-month period.
• The MTEL exams are the capstone assessments for senior elementary education majors. It is composed of two tests: Foundations of Reading and General Curriculum (with a separate Math subtest). Students are encouraged to begin taking portions of this exam following the junior year and prior to Internship II, where it counts for a portion of the final grade for Internship Seminar. Registration and required scores can be found at: www.nc.nesinc.com
• PRAXIS II is the senior capstone exam for non-elementary education majors. A table of minimum cutoff scores for the PRAXIS II is available through the Educational Testing Service website (ets.org). Passing scores for both the Core test and Praxis II are set by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) and are subject to change. Students are encouraged to take the Praxis II prior to Internship II, where it counts for a portion of the final grade for Internship Seminar.

Compliance

State

NC State Board of Education