How to Pass the Praxis 5165

The Praxis 5165 is the math content test for teachers pursuing licensure in mathematics. Typically it is the test for high school level math teaching licenses, but each state can require different tests or require different minimum scores. It is a challenging exam that covers math topics from 5th grade to 12th grade curriculum, including questions specifically about the pedagogy of teaching such topics. If you are approaching this requirement in your own licensure journey this guide is here to help you better understand, prepare for, and successfully pass the Praxis 5165 test.

What topics are covered in the Praxis 5165?

there are several topics covered on the Praxis 5165, and each cateogory makes up a defined percentage of the total test. Those categories are:

• Number and Quantity - 10%
• Algebra - 20%
• Functions -  20%
• Calculus - 10%
• Geometry - 20%
• Statistics & Probability - 20%

The official Education Testing Service (ETS) guide for the Praxis 5615 states "All questions assess content from the Mathematics domains above. Approximately 25% of questions assess content applied to a Task of Teaching Mathematics." The Task of Teaching mathematics questions will go beyond how to perform the mathematical task, and will assess your understanding of the decisions and evaluations a teacher must make during their work with students, curriculum, and instruction.

The guide above also includes longer descriptions of each category, providing both a general description of the category but also standards for all the skills within that category. 

How much should I study for the Praxis 5165?

Your existing mathematics ability will great affect how much you need to study for the test. The general studying strategy MathTrack recommends looks something like this:

1. Take an initial practice test so you can get a feel for the length and difficulty of the questions.
2. Using your results from your initial practice test, identify which questions you got right and wrong, and what category the questions came from
3. Rank your performance in each category from most correct to least correct
4. Study for each category separately, starting with the categories you performed best on initially, and ending with the categories you needed to improve on the most.  
5. Take another practice test after your study sessions and before your official test attempt to gauge your progress. Once you are satisfied with your practice test results, you will be ready to take on the official test!

What resources can help me prepare for the Praxis 5165? 

Generally there are a variety of types of resources you can use to prepare for the Praxis 5165. These resources can include:

• Official practice tests 
• Unofficial practice tests
• Videos and tutorials
• Individual practice problems
• Tutoring

There are a number of providers that offer programs and resources for studying for the Praxis 5165. The MathTrack Professional Development Program includes many courses for the work of teaching mathematics, including a course about preparing for the Praxis 5165. The course includes practice tests, both official and unofficial, and resources for studying each content category. Additionally, candidates enrolled in the MathTrack Transition to Teaching Program receive enhanced support for this test, including live virtual tutoring and interactive math practice. Unlike traditional programs that place the burden of licensure test preparation solely on the candidate, MathTrack recognizes this significant barrier and integrates these essential requirements into the program experience.

When evaluating your options, consider several factors, including the cost of each program and what it includes. Taking a practice test to assess how much you need to study and the level of support you'll require can help you determine which program best suits your needs. You can access official recommendations for studying resources from the Praxis/ETS website.

How do I take the Praxis 5165?

You have two options for taking your Praxis test: at a test center or remotely from home. If you choose the remote option, you can take the test online with a proctor monitoring the examination process. Both option are taken on the computer.

To schedule your test, visit the Praxis Log In Page to create an account or sign in. Since availability can vary, it's wise to plan ahead and schedule your test in advance to avoid unnecessary delays. 

During the test, you will have access to a graphing calculator integrated into the testing system. Additionally, you can refer to a list of definitions, notations, and formulas. The test comprises both multiple-choice and long-answer questions. Further guidance can be found in the official Education Testing Service (ETS) guide for the Praxis 5615.

How much does it cost to take the Praxis 5165?

The current fee for taking the Praxis 5165 is $130 per attempt, as indicated on the Praxis/ETS page for the 5165. 

How do I get my results for the Praxis 5165?

Once you finish the test, you will receive some preliminary results. However, these are not your final or official scores. This is because multiple-choice questions can be graded automatically, while long-answer questions require manual grading by the testing provider.

Typically, it takes 2-3 weeks to receive your Praxis 5165 test results, and you can have these results sent automatically to up to 3 recipients.