Testing in Kansas

Jump to:

• Overview
  • About Praxis
• Choose Your Test
  • Which Tests Will You Take?
  • When Will You Take the Tests?
• Prepare for the Test
  • Create a Schedule
  • Test Prep Resources
• Take the Test
  • Registration
  • Test Day
  • Your Scores
    • Viewing Your Results
    • Reporting Your Scores

If you have any questions about your Praxis exam or this process, reach out to a TEACH Kansas City application coach or teacher preparation program staff for support. We’re here for you.

Here's a bit of background on Praxis and your requirements for taking the right exams.

About Praxis

Praxis assessments evaluate your knowledge of teaching and the subject area you wish to teach. They’re required as part of your teacher preparation programs (TPPs) in Kansas, including:

• University post baccalaureate and graduate programs.
• Alternative certification programs.
• University alternative certification programs.

Our advice? Don't overthink it—just follow the steps below.

The right Praxis exam for you depends on your program and teaching interests.

In Kansas, teachers are awarded certification that allows them to teach a specific set of grades and subjects. Which tests you'll take depends upon the specific grades and the subject you want to teach. When you take the test depends upon the requirements of the teacher preparation program.

Which Tests Will You Take?

Everyone needs to take the initial Praxis “Principles of Learning and Teaching” exam for their grade level. This exam will measure your knowledge and understanding of educational practices foundational to beginning a career as a professional educator.

In Kansas, you must also take the appropriate Praxis content area assessment for each area of license you seek. 

When Will You Take The Tests?

All teacher preparation programs require that you pass the content exam at some point.

For undergraduate programs, you’ll usually take the Praxis exams in your final year. For graduate programs, each program will determine when you are required to pass the Praxis exams, typically after the program begins.

There are things you can do to prepare for your test that apply to all subjects. There are also more specific study guides available based on the subject area and grade levels you’re interested in. We cover them both.

Remember: You’re taking this test for a reason. You want to become a teacher in a specific subject, and this is your chance to prove it. Take the time necessary to truly understand the information. You’ll thank yourself for it (and your students will thank you, too).

Create a Schedule

We recommend a two-pronged approach to structuring your study time:

1. Create a work-back schedule. Start by writing down the day of the test. Then, outline the steps you need to accomplish before that end date: Include time for researching test prep resources (our favorites are in the next section), studying your subject matter area and taking practice exams. Here's a template you might want to follow.
   • Research test prep resources. Check out the next section for our recommendations.
   • Study your subject matter area. This is where the bulk of your time will be spent. Don't rush it.
   • Take practice exams. Even when you know the information, you'll need to get used to the test-maker's phrasing and topical area distribution.
2. Make smart right-before-the-test choices. These are the obvious ones: Get plenty of sleep the night before, eat a decent breakfast the day of, bring a water bottle, and show up early. Hanging outside the testing center 20 extra minutes is better than causing your brain undue stress minutes before having to think critically.

Test Prep Resources

Once you gain a baseline understanding of a subject area, taking practice tests might be your best way to prepare for a Praxis exam. There are a number of options available from test-makers directly, and some third-party services have come up with options, too.

There are a number of free and paid options for getting prepped for your Praxis exam.

• ETS Praxis offers  tips and strategies for taking the content tests along with free and paid preparation materials and practice tests. 
• Teachers Test Prep offers free study guides.
• Head to your local library and check out Praxis prep books from test prep gurus like Kaplan or Cliffs Notes. (If you’re planning to mark up your book, you should probably buy the book instead!)
• Study.com has free and paid resources, with a free trial for its paid test prep.

Register for the right exam, know what to expect on test day, and report your scores on time.