The Praxis I test is also known as a pre-professional skills test, and it is required by at least 44 states for those seeking teacher's licenses, including those with a special education degree. Colleges and universities also often give this test to those entering a teacher education program. The Praxis I test gauges an aspiring teacher's skills in reading, writing, and mathematics, and is only given in English. Basic knowledge about math and English is required and tested in Praxis I. More importantly, Praxis I tests academic skills using knowledge of these areas. In other words, the test questions measure whether an aspiring teacher—including one working towards or holding a special education degree—can spot errors in sentence structure, comprehend paragraph organization, and understand the relationships found in data sets. The teaching techniques used in the classroom from day to day are not tested on the Praxis I test.
This Praxis I test consists of three parts. There are two sections of multiple choice questions (one for reading and one for mathematics) as well as a writing section. For the multiple-choice sections, the correct answer is always the best answer available. The reading test is intended to measure the test taker's skill in comprehending, breaking down, and evaluating written passages. The mathematics test is intended to measure basic mathematical skills and concepts generally known by educated adults. The writing test is intended to measure if the test taker knows how to use language and grammar to write clearly and effectively.
Praxis I is offered approximately eight times per year on paper at designated testing centers and at any time on a computer by appointment. It can take a maximum of 180 minutes to complete the test when it is taken on paper and 225 minutes when it is taken on a computer. An aspiring teacher can take one section of the Praxis I test at a time if he or she desires, but only when the test is taken on a computer. To pass the Praxis I test, each section must be passed individually. In other words, if a test taker does excellently on the math section but fails the writing section, the score in math does not help improve the score in the writing section in any way. The score on the Praxis I test is based on the number of questions correctly answered. The test score is not negatively affected by an incorrect answer.