Praxis Testing Requirements
Praxis Core Requirement
According to State law, Connecticut requires all Teacher Certification candidates to complete the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators exam (Test #5752) in reading, writing and mathematics or meet the requirements for a Praxis waiver as part of their application for admission to the teacher preparation program.
The Praxis core does not require a minimum passing score, but rather is used a as a remediation tool to determine if additional help in any content area is necessary.
Praxis Core Waiver
Students are eligible for a Praxis Core waiver if they have an official score report for any of the following exams:
- SAT
- ACT
- GRE
Applicants with an official score report for any one of the exams listed above may upload their score report to their application portal. If you cannot obtain an official score report for any of the exams listed above, you must take the Praxis Core Exam.
Praxis Required for Specific Licensure Areas
All students seeking Connecticut Teacher Certification must achieve passing scores on the Praxis Subject Assessments test in their content area. A passing score on the Praxis Subject Assessments is required of all students before Sacred Heart University can recommend a student to the State Department of Education for teaching certification. There is no waiver for the Praxis Subject Assessments tests.
For complete information on the Praxis Subject Assessment, visit the Praxis website.
When should I take the Praxis Subject Assessments?
Sacred Heart University encourages all students enrolling in the Master of Arts in Teaching program to take the Praxis Subject Assessments prior to entering the program, as the exam focuses on the candidates command of content knowledge, not their teaching proficiency.
What Praxis exam and scores are required for Connecticut Certification?
The Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) determines the required Praxis exams and passing scores for teacher certification. To ensure you have the most up-to-date information on required assessments and cut scores, visit the CSDE’s official webpage on educator testing requirements. This page provides the latest details on subject-specific exams, passing scores and any recent policy updates regarding certification requirements. We encourage all applicants to check this resource regularly for any changes that may impact their certification process.
Alternate Passing Option for Praxis Tests
If you’ve recently taken the Praxis Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects (5001) test series and scored within 1 Standard Error of Measurement (SEM) of the Connecticut state passing score on any subtest, you may be eligible for the Alternate Passing Option. This option allows eligible candidates to complete a professional learning module instead of retaking the entire test.
Subtests in the Multiple Subjects (5001) Series:
- Reading & Language Arts (5002)
- Passing Score: 157
- 1 SEM Score: 150
- Mathematics (5003)
- Passing Score: 157
- 1 SEM Score: 148
- Social Studies (5004)
- Passing Score: 155
- 1 SEM Score: 147
- Science (5005)
- Passing Score: 159
- 1 SEM Score: 151
Key Details
Eligibility
Candidates must have attempted the test at least once, scored within 1 SEM of the passing score for the subtest and intend to teach in Connecticut.
Module Features
Includes practice items, annotated overviews and a knowledge check. Candidates have six months to complete the module.
Completion Outcome
Successful completion results in an updated Praxis Score Report indicating “Alt. Passed.”
For more information, visit the Connecticut Alternate Passing Option FAQ.