So you’re studying for the Praxis. But are you ready to do well on test day? To know if you’re ready, you need to know how Praxis test grading works. In this post, we’ll look at the basics.
Praxis test grading is different for selected response and constructed response
There are two different question types on Praxis exams: selected response and constructed response.
Selected response questions are multiple choice questions, for the most part. (A few selected response math questions can be numeric entry rather than multiple choice). Here, Praxis test grading depends entirely on whether you get an answer right or wrong. Selected response questions are graded automatically by computer.
Constructed response questions are written questions–essays, short answers, and lesson plans created by the test-taker. Some constructed response questions, like the Praxis Core Writing essay, are fairly involved. Others, like the case study questions on the Praxis PLT, merely involve short answers and lesson planning. These questions are graded on a rubric, and must be scored by actual human beings who can look at your work and weigh its value. Points earned on these questions aren’t graded on the basis of “right” or “wrong” answers; instead, the grades you receive represent the quality of your response.
Praxis test grading is NOT “norm-referenced”
Many standardized tests are “norm-referenced,” meaning that your score is adjusted based on the average performance of all test takers. The Praxis does NOT do this, however. What you see is what you get. If you answer 90% of the questions correctly, you’ll get a 90% score once your Praxis test grading is complete and official score reports have been issued.
Praxis test grading is (usually) expressed on a scale of 100-200 points.
On most Praxis exams, your final grade will be calculated on a 100-200 point scale. On this scale, 100 is the lowest possible score, and 200 is the highest. So if you get 90% of the points on your Praxis exam, you score will be 190. Currently, there are is only one exception to this 100-200 Praxis test grading range: the Praxis ParaPro is graded on a 420-480 point scale.
How to do your own Praxis test grading
The best way to know if you’re ready for the Praxis is to self-grade your Praxis performance as you go through practice questions.
Because Praxis test grading is not norm-referenced, grading your own selected responses is easy–just calculate the percentage of questions you got right, and convert it to the 100-200 point scale. (Or the 420-480 scale for ParaPro. The math for that conversion is trickier, but still very doable).
Grading your own constructed response questions isn’t quite as simple. But ETS–the company that makes the Praxis–does provide some tools to help you gauge your performance on essays, short answers, and lesson plans. If a test that has constructed-response questions, you can find a score guide, sample answers, and scorer commentary in the exam’s official Study Companion PDF. Study Companions are available for free in the drop-down menus on the Praxis’s official Preparation Materials page.
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