· United States · 4 min read
Praxis Core, explained: Reading, Writing & Math
If you're on the path to becoming a teacher in the United States, there's a good chance the Praxis Core is standing between you and your first classroom.
What is the Praxis Core?
If you’re on the path to becoming a teacher in the United States, there’s a good chance the Praxis Core is standing between you and your first classroom. It’s one of the most widely required basic-skills tests for educator preparation programs — and understanding exactly what it is can take a lot of the mystery (and anxiety) out of it.
The Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators tests are developed and administered by ETS (Educational Testing Service). They measure foundational academic skills in three areas: Reading, Writing, and Math. You can sit each test separately or take the Combined test, which covers all three in one sitting.
The four test codes you need to know
- Reading — 5713
- Writing — 5723
- Math — 5733
- Combined (all three in one sitting) — 5752
You’ll use these codes when you register through the ETS website. If your program requires all three tests, the Combined option can save you time — though sitting them separately lets you focus your preparation on one area at a time.
Reading (5713): What to expect
The Reading test consists of 56 selected-response questions and runs for 85 minutes. Questions are built around reading passages — you’ll need to interpret meaning, identify the author’s purpose, draw inferences, and evaluate the structure of arguments. This is a test of how well you read critically, not just how many words you know.
Writing (5723): Two parts, one test
Writing is the most complex of the three and deserves special attention. The full test runs for 100 minutes and is split into two distinct sections:
Section 1 — Selected-response (40 minutes)
This section has 40 questions covering usage, sentence correction, revision-in-context, and research skills. You’re editing, improving, and evaluating written text — not producing it.
Section 2 — Two essays (60 minutes total)
Here’s where many candidates are surprised: there are two separate 30-minute essays, each with a different purpose.
- Essay 1 — Argumentative: You take a position on an issue and defend it with evidence and reasoning.
- Essay 2 — Source-based informative/explanatory: You read provided sources and write an informative piece that draws on them — not your own opinion, but a synthesis of the material.
These two essay types require genuinely different skills. Preparing for only one style is a common mistake.
Math (5733): Numbers, logic, and an on-screen calculator
The Math test has 56 questions and a time limit of 90 minutes. Question formats include both selected-response (multiple choice) and numeric-entry items where you type in your answer directly — no options to choose from.
An on-screen calculator is available during the test, which helps with computation — but many questions are designed to test your mathematical reasoning, not just your ability to crunch numbers. Knowing when to use the calculator and when to work it through mentally is a skill in itself.
Topics covered include number and quantity, algebra and functions, geometry, statistics, probability, and data interpretation.
Where and how you can take the Praxis Core
ETS offers two delivery options:
- At a test center: Sit the test at an official Prometric testing location near you.
- At home (online proctored): Take it in your own space with a secure remote proctor watching via webcam. Your environment must meet ETS’s technical and physical requirements.
Both options deliver the same test. Registration is done through the ETS Praxis website at ets.org/praxis.
A few things to keep in mind
- Your state or educator-preparation program may require one, two, or all three subtests — check with your program before registering.
- Each subtest is scored separately, so you can retake individual sections if needed.
- Passing scores are set by each state, not by ETS — so what counts as a pass in one state may differ from another. More on that in a separate post.
Ready to prep?
Understanding the structure of the Praxis Core is the first step. The second is knowing exactly where you stand. SN Academy’s free diagnostic test gives you a clear picture of your strengths and the areas that need the most work — so your study time goes where it counts.
Start your free diagnostic at /us/ and get your personalized prep plan today.
— The people of SN Academy
