Testing Requirement - Basic Skills

Praxis Core

Students who are interested in becoming educators are required to apply for Teacher Education Admission. The Praxis Core Tests are the first requirement toward eligibility for applying to teacher education. We strongly recommend students take the Praxis Core after completing thirty (30) credit hours (unless exempt, based on SAT/ACT scores). These testing requirements also apply for recipients of the South Carolina Teachers LoanThere are no exceptions to these policies. Praxis Core is waived for MAT- Traditional Pathway students.

Testing Resources
Winthrop students are invited to explore free or low-cost study resources available through our Praxis Core Study Material website. Resources include exam overviews, practice questions and explanations, test-taking strategies, and a template study guide.

Registration
When registering for any Praxis exam, list both the Winthrop University (5910) and the South Carolina Department of Education (8108) as score recipients.

Requesting a Praxis Voucher
Current students may request a Praxis voucher to cover the cost of their Praxis exam registration. By submitting a voucher request, students acknowledge and agree that the exam fee will be charged to their Winthrop University student account. This option allows students to defer payment rather than paying the test fee out-of-pocket at the time of registration.

Praxis Vouchers can be submitted from mid-July to late May and are processed on Fridays by 12:00 PM. Orders can take up to 7-10 business days to be received. Students are encouraged to plan proactively when scheduling their Praxis exams.

Praxis Voucher Request Form (267K)

Electronic signature fields are not viewable through the acrobat reader when you pull them up in your browser. Right click the link for the pdf and “Save As” to download these to your computer - those fields will then be present. You can then add your electronic signature and e-mail to mooreke@winthrop.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions about Praxis Core

    Students in undergraduate and MAT Accelerated teacher certification programs take the Praxis Core exam to meet the requirement for Teacher Education Admission. You will take your Praxis II exam prior to completing Internship I.

    Students can schedule the Praxis Core online. As of December 10, 2020, test takers must wait at least 28 days from the unsuccessful test date to retake a Praxis test. This includes any and all subtests for Praxis Core and the Praxis Subject Assessments.

    SAT Exemption Scores

    Exam

    Effective Date

    SAT Exemption Score

    Sections Exempted

    New SAT (after redesign)

    Taken on or after March 2016

    Total Score (2 part): 1100 or higher

    All sections of Praxis Core

    Reading/Writing score: 550 or higher

    Reading and Writing sections of Praxis Core

    Mathematics score: 550 or higher

    Mathematics section of core

    For examinations taken from September 1, 2016 to August 31, 2019 (79 kb)

    For examinations taken prior to September 1, 2016 (177kb)

     

    ACT Exemption Scores

    ACT Exemption Score

    Sections Exempted

    Composite Score: 22 or higher

    All sections of Praxis Core

    English Test Score: 22 or higher

    Reading and Writing sections of Praxis Core

    Math Test Score: 22 or higher

    Mathematics section of Praxis Core

    Yes. Schedule the ACT online at www.actstudent.org or visit www.collegeboard.com to schedule the SAT.

    Deadlines vary by program, however it is recommended to have passed Praxis Core by completion of EDCO 201 or EDCO 202. You must pass the Reading, Writing, and Mathematics sections.  

    Depending on when you take the Praxis Core, you need the following scores to pass:

     

    Praxis Core Passing Scores

    Reading (Test Code: 5713)

    156

    Writing (Test Code: 5723)

    158

    Math (Test Code: 5733)

    150

     

    You may also qualify for Teacher Education Admission with a composite score of at least 464 on the three subtests. No subtest's score can be more than four points below the required passing score for that subtest.

     

    Praxis Core Passing Scores

    Reading (Test Code: 5713)

    Minimum subtest score: 152

    Writing (Test Code: 5723)

    Minimum subtest score: 154

    Math (Test Code: 5733)

    Minimum subtest score: 146

    There is no limit to the number of times you can take the Praxis Core Academic Skills tests, either as a full battery (Test Code 5752) or as individual subtests. You can register and pay to retake the exam as many times as you need to achieve a passing score.

    Students taking the Praxis Core only have to retake the sections they did not pass.

    You must wait at least 28 calendar days between attempts to retake the same test or subtest, even if you canceled your previous scores.

    Find information about Praxis test fees by downloading The Praxis Tests Information Bulletin. There is a section in the Bulletin on test fees.

    Students can review our resource page for free or low-cost Praxis Core Study Materials.