Information about Praxis

School Library Certification Program

Praxis Web Site: Information on the Praxis Series Exams
PA - Praxis Web Site: Information on the Praxis Series Exams Specific to Pennsylvania.
Educational Testing Service Network: also contains information about Praxis

Applying To Take The Praxis: Endorsement Option

Timing: Term before you expect to graduate

All SLCP applicants seeking to add another area of certification (second-field certification) to their current Instructional Level I or Level II certificate must submit a Praxis score for the School Library Media Specialist test (Code 10310) with their PA Application for Certification. A minimum score of 620 is the Pennsylvania qualifying score. If you do not score at least 620, you must retake the exam until this score is achieved.
Consult the Praxis Website for all information.

When you register for Praxis:

Sign up to take the test at the University closest college or university to you. Register early because seating is limited. The cost of taking the Library Media Specialist test is $75, plus a $40 registration fee.
Request that your test scores be sent to the University of Pittsburgh (Code RA2927) and the Pennsylvania Department of Education (Code R8033).
You must register for the test far enough in advance of your application for certification, so that your scores will be received in time to be included with your application.
Each term a Praxis review session for the Library Media Specialist test is held by Dr. Biagini for SLCP students.

After you take the test:

Please alert Mary K. Biagini that you have taken the test and the date you took the test.
You will receive your own paper copy of your test scores in the mail from Educational Testing Service. You will submit a photocopy of your test score to Dr. Biagini with your application for certification and you will make a copy of your score to give to Dr. Biagini.

Applying To Take The Praxis: Intern Option

All SLCP Intern Option applicants seeking to obtain certification for Library Science, K-12, must submit passing Praxis scores for the five tests required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education along with the PA Application for Certification. For each test, the applicant must achieve the current PDE qualifying score.
Consult the Praxis Website for more information.
Each computer-based PPST test costs $75.* However, if two tests are taken on the same day, the fee is $110. If all three tests are combined on the same day, the fee is $145. There is no registration fee for these tests.
Computerized tests may be taken once per calendar month, and up to six times per calendar year.
The cost of the Fundamental Subjects test and the Library Media Specialist test is $75 each, with a registration fee of $40. These two tests may be taken on the same day.
It is possible to apply for a fee waiver. Consult the Praxis Website for the Fee Waiver Request form and an explanation of eligibility.

Required Praxis Tests:

Code	Title	Current PA Qualifying Score
5710	Computerized PPST Reading*	172
5720	Computerized PPST Writing*	173
5730	Computerized PPST Mathematics*	173
30511	Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge	150
10310	Library Media Specialist Test	620

* These tests may also be taken in the pencil and paper version.

Timing:

Paper tests may be taken over two testing dates, which may be over two terms. Consult the Praxis Website for test dates. If you are close to the Pitt campus, it is recommended that the three PPST tests be taken in computerized form at the University of Pittsburgh, Office of Measurement and Evaluation. Contact the Office at 412-624-9103 to schedule an appointment for a Monday through Saturday. Other universities offer computerized testing of the PPST tests. Check the Praxis Website for locations.

This is a suggested schedule:

TESTING DATE 1:
Session 1: Math (10730) and Reading (10710) 1 hour each
Session 2: Writing (20720) - 1 hour
TESTING DATE 1 OR 2:

Session 1: Fundamental Subjects (30511) 2 hours

TESTING DATE 2:

Session 1: Library Media Specialist (10310) 2 hours
Session 3: Fundamental Subjects(30511) 2 hours

In addition to the cost of the test, a $40 basic registration fee is charged. If you take these tests on different dates, you will pay the $40 registration fee for each date.

For Paper Tests:

Sign up to take the test at the University of Pittsburgh site (Code 01589) or at a site nearest you. Consult Praxis Bulletin for list of test sites. Register early because seating is limited. The cost of taking the written Fundamentals Subject and the Library Media Specialist tests is $75 each, plus a $40 registration fee.
Request that your test scores be sent to the University of Pittsburgh (Code RA2927) and the Pennsylvania Department of Education (Code R8033).
You must register for the test far enough in advance of your application for certification, so that your scores will be received in time to be included with your application.

School Library Certification Program