PRAXIS I (PPST) Requirements
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Requirements/Registration
The State of Iowa Board of Educational Examiners (BOEE) requires an assessment of your basic skills in order to be recommended by UNI for licensure. UNI has chosen the PPST as its assessment tool.

To pass:

  1. You must score at least 170 on each individual test, AND
  2. All three scores must total at least 522.

You will be required to retake deficient tests or any test/s that keep you from reaching the total of 522.

Until December 31, 2007: students who achieve 173 on writing and 174 on both math and reading (total = 521) will have met the PPST requirement.

Test Locations and Dates:
• UNI campus and other locations nationwide.
• Test dates are available from the office of the Associate Director of Teacher Education (159A Schindler Education Center), the College of Education Advising Center (189 Schindler Education Center), and Academic Services (007 Innovative Teaching & Technology Center), or go to http://www.ets.org/praxis.

Registration:
• Paper/Pencil Testing: go to the ETS/Praxis website.
• Computer-Based Testing: Call 273-6023, Academic Services (007 ITTC), to register for the computer-based test on the UNI campus.

Hints to save time and money:

  • Prepare for the PPST, no matter how confident you are of your skills! Students are generally successful on the PPST if their ACT composite scores are 25 or above, but familiarity with each of the three tests can boost your confidence and success. For assistance:
    • PPST-Reading comprehension and test taking: Reading & Learning Center, 273-6023. Ask for an appointment with Karen, or register for a free, short, PPST-Reading Course.
    • PPST-Math: Reading & Learning Center, 273-6023. Ask for an appointment with Karen, or register for a free, short, PPST-Math course.
    • PPST-Writing: Writing Center: 273-2361.
    • ETS PPST Guide and/or Essay Guide may be purchased when you register on-line or by mail for the PPST. These guides contain procedures for test preparation as well as sample tests.
    • Book stores have several books available for purchase. Some helpful books are:
      • Cliff's TestPrep: PPST Preparation Guide
      • Kaplan Praxis (any edition) ”
    • LearningPlus: a fully interactive computer-based instructional program for mathematics, reading comprehension and writing skills. For a fee of $25.00, you can review basic skills, improve your knowledge, and develop strategies prior to taking or retaking the PPST. Register for access to LearningPlus at Academic Services, 007 ITTC, 273-6023.
  • Take the PPST as early as possible but after taking College Reading & Writing, 620:005 (or the equivalent) and a math course.
    • Register to take the examinations prior to the semester that you declare your major and before you enroll in Level I of the professional education program.
    • You need not have the 2.50 cumulative GPA in order to take these tests.
    • You must fulfill this requirement in order to enroll in Level II coursework. This deadline applies to ALL students.
  • Failure to meet the deadline means that you will not be permitted to register for professional education courses that require admission to the Teacher Education Program, nor will you be permitted to apply for student teaching.