(EFFECTIVE 9/2013) Students who are earning a degree from the College of Arts and Sciences with Secondary Education Certification are required to take 2 Praxis Exams. You are required to take the appropriate 1) Praxis II test in your subject/content area AND you are required to take the 2) Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7-12 (PLT) test. You must pass both tests PRIOR to internship.

I. Information on Praxis II Content Area Exams

All majors in the College of Arts and Sciences who are in a Secondary Education Licensure Program (6-12) need to take their respective Praxis II content test their first semester at Athens State University. DO NOT wait to take this test. There are 3 reasons that you should take your test early:


1. You are required to pass your test BEFORE you can student teach. If you do not pass your test the first time, you want to give yourself adequate time to retake the test.

2. The cutoff scores for each of the Praxis II content area tests are periodically adjusted. When scores are adjusted, they almost always are RAISED. Take your test early so you can be held to the current cutoff score (not the higher, adjusted score).

3. Although it is hard to summarize the content on all of the different tests, much of the content on the Praxis II tests is material that was taken in your freshman and sophomore level coursework. See the Praxis II site or your advisor for test content specifics.


II. Information on Praxis PLT Exam

Every student who is earning secondary certification in a content area must also pass the Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7-12 Test (PLT). This test covers your knowledge of human development, learning processes, pedagogy, and professional issues. You are required to pass this test BEFORE you can student teach.

Frequently Asked Question About the New Praxis PLT Exam

Students who have completed all of their coursework and will be student teaching in the fall of 2013 will be required to pass the new Praxis "Principles of Learning and Teaching" (PLT) Exam. The requirement of passing the Praxis PLT begins with those interning during the fall semester of 2013 and continues thereafter. Both the content Praxis and PLT Praxis exams must be passed PRIOR to internship.

Click here for Praxis II registration information, test codes, study materials, and frequently asked questions.

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