Praxis II tests (formerly known as the NTE, or National Teacher’s Exam) measure a candidate’s knowledge of the subject(s) he or she will teach. These tests also measure general and subject-specific pedagogical skills and knowledge.
All applicants for initial teacher licensure must document appropriate minimum scores on specified test(s) in the content area. These tests are one or two hours in length and may be taken independently of each other or in different combinations as a package. They are administered via computer at various testing sites as well as at testing centers throughout the county.
Information about registration for the tests may be found in The Praxis Series: Professional Assessments for Beginning Teachers Registration Bulletin. Tests-at-a-Glance booklets can be obtained online for each test; these booklets include content outlines, sample questions with rationales for the best answers, and test-taking strategies. While the best preparation for any test in the Praxis Series is the knowledge and experience gained from the college preparation program, the booklets provide appropriate review and focus for the tests. Before purchase, students should analyze these materials carefully to assure their relevance to the test(s) which will be taken.
Information as to the tests specified for each licensure area as well as the required minimum scores may be obtained from the Certification Office, located in Berry Hall. The ETS Registration Bulletin also lists the required tests by state. Students are urged to be sure that they register for the correct test(s).
Students seeking licensure in states other than Tennessee may be required to take additional Praxis II tests. Students should obtain information from the Certification Office or the licensing agency in the other state before registering for tests other than those required by Tennessee.
Praxis II requirements for licensure are determined by the Tennessee Department of Education.
Because the State of Tennessee uses Social Security Numbers to track licenses, it is recommended that students include their SSN, date of birth, and complete given name when registering for the exam.
Official score reports will be sent to the institutions that were designated by the test taker. The test taker will also be given access to an electronic version of their score report. The student will need to save this score report as soon as they are able to access, because the web-based access is only temporary. It is recommended that the student print out at least one color copy of this score report to have during job interviews.
