Required Tests
All students seeking certification in Pennsylvania are required to take a prescribed set of tests. Students seeking certification in most other states will also be required to take these examinations. Please note there are new testing requirements for all certification areas. Please see the chart below as a guideline for new requirements.
Required Pre-service Exam – Freshman Year (or when taking ED 100)
Testing Requirements as of April 2012
The new testing program required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is called the Pre-service Academic Performance Assessment (PAPA) and will use the Pennsylvania Education Certification Tests (PECT) from Pearson Evaluation; candidates can also take the CORE published by ETS, as part of the Praxis series.
All three tests are to be taken in the freshman year for undergraduate students or as early as possible for the post-baccalaureate students. Students will not be allowed to continue coursework with numbers greater that ED 205 if these exams have not been taken. Verified passing test scores for PAPA or CORE must be included in the Application for Advanced Standing: Pre-Student Teaching Candidacy.
Pre-service Academic Performance Assessment (PAPA) or ETS CORE
PAPA/PECT Testing website: http://www.pa.nesinc.com
Praxis / CORE Testing Website: http://www.ets.org/praxis
Pennsylvania Dept. of Education Website: http://www.education.state.pa.us
Required PECT Exam, Praxis II or Specialty Area Test – Before Student Teaching
These tests measure ability in the various content areas. A test is available for each instructional area. Passing scores on the PAPA or CORE exams are required before a student can register for Pre-Student Teaching Orientation, ED 400 (Pre-Student Teaching) and the student must pass all PECT exams for elementary or PRAXIS II exams for middle grade, secondary, and K-12 to become state certified.
How and Where to Take the Tests
PAPA (and PRAXIS I) tests are given in two formats: paper-pencil and computerized. Find test dates and test locations on the pa.nescinc.com website. Registration for tests can be completed online. Testing sites for the new PAPA tests are limited: Indiana, East Pittsburgh, West Pittsburgh, Johnstown, and Loretto, Pennsylvania.
PRAXIS II tests can only be taken in paper and pencil format and registration can be completed through the ETS website.
Retrieving Scores:
Scores for the PAPA Tests: Create an online account to access your scores. Test results for the PAPA Reading and Mathematics are available within 10 business days after testing. Score reports for the Writing module are available within 20 business days after testing. Please make sure to create an online account and get an official score report printed. Score reports are only available for 30 days. PRINT AND SAVE YOUR SCORES. SAINT VINCENT COLLEGE DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY RECEIVE A COPY OF YOUR SCORES.
Scores for Praxis Tests: You must obtain your scores online. Your official score report will be available online via your My Praxis account on the score release date. Online scores are downloadable for 30 calendar days. After 30 days, they will no longer be available and you will need to request additional score reports for a $40 fee (per request). We recommend saving a copy of your score report for future reference. PRINT AND SAVE YOUR SCORES. SAINT VINCENT COLLEGE DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY RECEIVE A COPY OF YOUR SCORES.
Qualifying Scores:
All candidates for certification must meet the qualifying scores for the PAPA or Core (Praxis I) (by Method 1 or 2) and the appropriate Praxis II tests before their application for certification is received by the Bureau of Teacher Certification and Preparation. Please note qualifying scores are subject to change as required by PDE.
Effective August 8, 2016, for the PECT Tests (PAPA or Core), candidates may combine individual tests from different vendors to meet the basic skills requirement. The composite method may not be used if scores are mixed across different vendors.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education has provided a Composite Score Calculator to help you calculate scores from multiple tests. You can access that calculator on the PDE website. Or, you can download the Excel document at the bottom of this page.
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PAPA
PAPA Composite Score (sum of all 3 tests): If using a minimum composite score, the total of all 3 PAPA tests must be at least 657 AND candidates must also achieve a minimum composite score on all 3 tests.
PAPA Reading (Test # 8001) - minimum composite score 193 (Qualifying Score 220)
PAPA Writing (Test #8003) -minimum composite score 192 (Qualifying Score 220)
PAPA Mathematics (Test #8002) -minimum composite score 176 (Qualifying Score 193)
(To register for PAPA, go to: www.pa.nesinc.com, then click on "Tests" and then "PAPA"- test code is PA 70)
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CORE
ETS CORE Composite score (sum of all 3 tests). If using a composite score, the sum of all three Core tests must total or exceed 467 AND the candidate must achieve a minimum composite score on all 3 tests.
CORE Reading (Test #5712) - minimum composite score of 148 (Passing Score 156)
CORE Writing (Test # 5722) - minimum composite score of 158 (Passing Score 162)
CORE Mathematics (Test #5732) - minimum composite score of 132 (Passing Score 142)
(To register for Praxis Core, go to: www.ets.org/praxis, then click "Register for a Test" and then "Test Centers and Dates," then "Register Now")
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SAT
Students may be exempt from taking the PAPA or Core if they have qualifying SAT Scores.
SAT Critical Reading- minimum passing score of 500
SAT Mathematics- minimum passing score of 500
SAT Writing - minimum passing score of 500
If using the SAT as the Basic Skills requirement, it is the student's responsibility to provide a copy of his/her scores to the College when applying for PPES. In addition, if the student applies for Pennsylvania Teaching Certification, it is his/her responsibility to furnish the official SAT scores in an envelope sealed by the vendor to the PA Dept. of Education as part of the application process. This cannot be done until the month of the student's graduation.
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ACT
Students may be exempt from taking the PAPA or Core if they have qualifying ACT Scores.
ACT English/Writing and Mathematics (Taken Prior to Sept. 2015)
English/Writing- 22
Mathematics - 21
Minimum Combined Score-23
ACT English/Writing and Mathematics (Taken After Sept. 2015)
Reading-22
Mathematics-21
Writing-21
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Test Summary
PAPA (or PRAXIS I taken before April 2012) tests are required for admission to teacher certification program: Certification candidates must pass the Pre-service tests in reading, writing, and mathematics before they may be officially admitted to a teacher certification program. Official admittance occurs prior to registration for ED 400, Student Teaching Orientation (Pre-Student Teaching). Students must make certain that they take these tests early enough so that the Education Department has received their scores prior to registration for ED 400—that is the semester before one plans to pre-student teach. Check the testing websites for test dates, test locations, deadline for registration, and receipt of scores.
Students will not be permitted to register for Pre-Student Teaching/ED 400 unless the required test scores are on file. In preparation for this rule, pay attention to the following:
1. We require students to register to take the pre-service tests (PAPA) no later ED100 and to take the test no later than their sophomore year (no courses can be taken with higher course numbers than 205). The tests are meant to identify students who need remediation. If a student does not pass a test, he or she needs sufficient time to seek remediation in those areas of weakness.
2. Completion of specialty area and concentration area tests is not required for admission into the program. However, students must pass all the required PRAXIS II and/or PECT exams before the Education Department can submit students’ applications for teaching certification to the state.
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Praxis II
Middle School English/Language Arts qualifying score 163
Middle School Mathematics qualifying score 151
Middle School Science qualifying score 144
Middle School Social Studies qualifying score 152
Secondary Tests Depend on Subject
Required Pre-service Exam – Freshman Year (or when taking ED 100)
Testing Requirements as of April 2012
The new testing program required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is called the Pre-service Academic Performance Assessment (PAPA) and will use the Pennsylvania Education Certification Tests (PECT) from Pearson Evaluation; candidates can also take the CORE published by ETS, as part of the Praxis series.
All three tests are to be taken in the freshman year for undergraduate students or as early as possible for the post-baccalaureate students. Students will not be allowed to continue coursework with numbers greater that ED 205 if these exams have not been taken. Verified passing test scores for PAPA or CORE must be included in the Application for Advanced Standing: Pre-Student Teaching Candidacy.
Pre-service Academic Performance Assessment (PAPA) or ETS CORE
- Reading
- Writing
- Mathematics
PAPA/PECT Testing website: http://www.pa.nesinc.com
Praxis / CORE Testing Website: http://www.ets.org/praxis
Pennsylvania Dept. of Education Website: http://www.education.state.pa.us
Required PECT Exam, Praxis II or Specialty Area Test – Before Student Teaching
These tests measure ability in the various content areas. A test is available for each instructional area. Passing scores on the PAPA or CORE exams are required before a student can register for Pre-Student Teaching Orientation, ED 400 (Pre-Student Teaching) and the student must pass all PECT exams for elementary or PRAXIS II exams for middle grade, secondary, and K-12 to become state certified.
How and Where to Take the Tests
PAPA (and PRAXIS I) tests are given in two formats: paper-pencil and computerized. Find test dates and test locations on the pa.nescinc.com website. Registration for tests can be completed online. Testing sites for the new PAPA tests are limited: Indiana, East Pittsburgh, West Pittsburgh, Johnstown, and Loretto, Pennsylvania.
PRAXIS II tests can only be taken in paper and pencil format and registration can be completed through the ETS website.
Retrieving Scores:
Scores for the PAPA Tests: Create an online account to access your scores. Test results for the PAPA Reading and Mathematics are available within 10 business days after testing. Score reports for the Writing module are available within 20 business days after testing. Please make sure to create an online account and get an official score report printed. Score reports are only available for 30 days. PRINT AND SAVE YOUR SCORES. SAINT VINCENT COLLEGE DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY RECEIVE A COPY OF YOUR SCORES.
Scores for Praxis Tests: You must obtain your scores online. Your official score report will be available online via your My Praxis account on the score release date. Online scores are downloadable for 30 calendar days. After 30 days, they will no longer be available and you will need to request additional score reports for a $40 fee (per request). We recommend saving a copy of your score report for future reference. PRINT AND SAVE YOUR SCORES. SAINT VINCENT COLLEGE DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY RECEIVE A COPY OF YOUR SCORES.
Qualifying Scores:
All candidates for certification must meet the qualifying scores for the PAPA or Core (Praxis I) (by Method 1 or 2) and the appropriate Praxis II tests before their application for certification is received by the Bureau of Teacher Certification and Preparation. Please note qualifying scores are subject to change as required by PDE.
Effective August 8, 2016, for the PECT Tests (PAPA or Core), candidates may combine individual tests from different vendors to meet the basic skills requirement. The composite method may not be used if scores are mixed across different vendors.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education has provided a Composite Score Calculator to help you calculate scores from multiple tests. You can access that calculator on the PDE website. Or, you can download the Excel document at the bottom of this page.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PAPA
PAPA Composite Score (sum of all 3 tests): If using a minimum composite score, the total of all 3 PAPA tests must be at least 657 AND candidates must also achieve a minimum composite score on all 3 tests.
PAPA Reading (Test # 8001) - minimum composite score 193 (Qualifying Score 220)
PAPA Writing (Test #8003) -minimum composite score 192 (Qualifying Score 220)
PAPA Mathematics (Test #8002) -minimum composite score 176 (Qualifying Score 193)
(To register for PAPA, go to: www.pa.nesinc.com, then click on "Tests" and then "PAPA"- test code is PA 70)
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CORE
ETS CORE Composite score (sum of all 3 tests). If using a composite score, the sum of all three Core tests must total or exceed 467 AND the candidate must achieve a minimum composite score on all 3 tests.
CORE Reading (Test #5712) - minimum composite score of 148 (Passing Score 156)
CORE Writing (Test # 5722) - minimum composite score of 158 (Passing Score 162)
CORE Mathematics (Test #5732) - minimum composite score of 132 (Passing Score 142)
(To register for Praxis Core, go to: www.ets.org/praxis, then click "Register for a Test" and then "Test Centers and Dates," then "Register Now")
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SAT
Students may be exempt from taking the PAPA or Core if they have qualifying SAT Scores.
SAT Critical Reading- minimum passing score of 500
SAT Mathematics- minimum passing score of 500
SAT Writing - minimum passing score of 500
If using the SAT as the Basic Skills requirement, it is the student's responsibility to provide a copy of his/her scores to the College when applying for PPES. In addition, if the student applies for Pennsylvania Teaching Certification, it is his/her responsibility to furnish the official SAT scores in an envelope sealed by the vendor to the PA Dept. of Education as part of the application process. This cannot be done until the month of the student's graduation.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACT
Students may be exempt from taking the PAPA or Core if they have qualifying ACT Scores.
ACT English/Writing and Mathematics (Taken Prior to Sept. 2015)
English/Writing- 22
Mathematics - 21
Minimum Combined Score-23
ACT English/Writing and Mathematics (Taken After Sept. 2015)
Reading-22
Mathematics-21
Writing-21
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Test Summary
PAPA (or PRAXIS I taken before April 2012) tests are required for admission to teacher certification program: Certification candidates must pass the Pre-service tests in reading, writing, and mathematics before they may be officially admitted to a teacher certification program. Official admittance occurs prior to registration for ED 400, Student Teaching Orientation (Pre-Student Teaching). Students must make certain that they take these tests early enough so that the Education Department has received their scores prior to registration for ED 400—that is the semester before one plans to pre-student teach. Check the testing websites for test dates, test locations, deadline for registration, and receipt of scores.
Students will not be permitted to register for Pre-Student Teaching/ED 400 unless the required test scores are on file. In preparation for this rule, pay attention to the following:
1. We require students to register to take the pre-service tests (PAPA) no later ED100 and to take the test no later than their sophomore year (no courses can be taken with higher course numbers than 205). The tests are meant to identify students who need remediation. If a student does not pass a test, he or she needs sufficient time to seek remediation in those areas of weakness.
2. Completion of specialty area and concentration area tests is not required for admission into the program. However, students must pass all the required PRAXIS II and/or PECT exams before the Education Department can submit students’ applications for teaching certification to the state.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Praxis II
Middle School English/Language Arts qualifying score 163
Middle School Mathematics qualifying score 151
Middle School Science qualifying score 144
Middle School Social Studies qualifying score 152
Secondary Tests Depend on Subject
UPDATED PECT TESTING REQUIREMENTS - AUGUST 2016
| testing-requirements-for-ppes.pdf |
PDE Composite Score Calculator
| pde_composite_calculator.xlsm |
test taking tips for anxiety
| Test Anxiety Tips |
PECT Practice for Math Portion of Module 3
| PECT Practice.pptx |
