If you need help studying for the English Language Arts: Content Knowledge test or just want some more information about what the test is like, you’ve come to the right place!
Click below to take a free Praxis ELA Content Knowledge practice test!
What’s on the Exam?
First, let’s talk about the questions on the Praxis ELA Content Knowledge test. There are 130 selected-response questions in total.
Selected-response questions can appear in several different forms:
- Single-selection multiple-choice
- Selecting ALL correct answers from a list of choices
- Selecting the correct answer from a drop-down menu
- Clicking parts of a graphic such as a map or a chart
- Dragging and dropping answers into a targeted area on the screen
The time limit for the test is 2.5 hours. There aren’t any scheduled breaks, but you’re free to take restroom breaks as needed!
Let’s take a closer look at the different sections of the test:
1. READING
49 questions
- Literature
- Rhetoric
- Informational texts
2. LANGUAGE USE AND VOCABULARY
33 questions
- Using print and digital reference materials
- Supporting language acquisition and vocabulary development
- Standard English conventions
- Dialect and diction variations across regions, cultural groups, and time periods
- Determining word meaning from affixes, context, and syntax
3. WRITING, SPEAKING, AND LISTENING
48 questions
- Various types of writing
- Teaching components of writing
- Assessing reading, writing, speaking, and listening
- Effective oral communication
- Effective speech and presentation delivery
- Effective use of digital media to support communication
- Various perspectives, cultures, and backgrounds that students bring to the table
- Characteristics of coherent writing
- Effective and ethical research practices
How to Register
To register for the test, you’ll need to create an account on the ETS website. Once your account has been created, you can submit your application to take the test.
When you submit your registration, you will need to pay the $130 testing fee.
Praxis ELA Content Knowledge (5038) Study Guide and Flashcards
Get practice questions, detailed study lessons, and complex subjects broken down into easily understandable concepts.
Praxis Scores
The Praxis ELA Content Knowledge test is scored using a scaled scoring method. Here’s how it works:
For every question you answer correctly, you get one point added to your raw score. At the end of the test, your final raw score will be converted to a scaled score. This scaled score will range somewhere between 100 and 200. The score you need in order to pass varies from state to state, but most states require a minimum score of 167.
The reason your raw score is converted to a scaled score is because everyone that takes the test is given a slightly different set of questions. Since everyone has a different arrangement of questions, and because some questions are harder than others, converting your raw score to a scaled score ensures a more even playing field.
Receiving Your Score
When you receive your skill report, it will tell you how many questions you missed in each section and generally whether you passed or not.
Your scores will become available on your Praxis account on the score reporting date. When you get the score back depends on the testing date.
FAQs
How many questions are on the Praxis ELA Content Knowledge test?
The test contains 130 questions.
What is the time limit for the Praxis ELA Content Knowledge test?
The test is timed at 2.5 hours.
What is the passing score for the Praxis ELA Content Knowledge test?
Each state sets its own passing score requirements, but most states have it set at 167.
How much does the Praxis ELA Content Knowledge test cost?
The testing fee is $130.