South Carolina Test Requirements

Find your licensure area below to determine which test you need to take and see the minimum qualifying score. Click the test title to access the Test at a Glance (TAAG) overview, which provides details on test duration, skills assessed and sample questions. Once you know your test(s), find out how to register for Praxis™ tests and read the Praxis test retake policy.

Most tests are offered in both Session 1 and Session 2. Refer to the fees page for tests that are restricted to a particular session.

In general, unless it is specifically stated that a calculator is permitted or required for a particular test, calculators may not be used on any Praxis tests (see Calculator Use).

If you test in South Carolina, your score report will be sent automatically to the South Carolina Department of Education. If you test outside of South Carolina, select the South Carolina Department of Education (state code 8108) as a score recipient when you register or on an additional score report request.

Notes:

  • In general, test codes that begin with "5" are delivered in computer format; codes that begin with "0" are delivered on paper.
  • "CDT" refers to computer-delivered tests. "PDT" refers to paper-delivered tests.

Tests Required for All Licensure Areas

Entrance to a Teacher Preparation Program

Beginning teachers in all content areas must pass all three Praxis™ Core Academic Skills for Educators (Core) tests. If you wish to take all three computer-delivered Core exams (5712, 5722, 5732) at the same time, select Core Academic Skills for Educators: Combined Test (5751) when registering. Scores will be reported by individual test (5712, 5722, 5732).

If you have taken but not passed one or more of the Praxis I® tests, you have until August 31, 2014 to complete the series. Scores will be accepted by the South Carolina Department of Education provided the approved passing scores are met by that date. Passing scores are:

  • Reading: 175
  • Writing: 173
  • Mathematics: 172

Please note: You cannot take a combination of Core and Praxis I exams. You must pass all 3 Core exams or all three Praxis I tests.

To Be Licensed in You Need to Take CDT Code PDT Code Qualifying Score
All Areas Core Academic Skills for Educators: Reading 5712 n/a 156
and
Core Academic Skills for Educators: Writing 5722 n/a 162
and
Core Academic Skills for Educators: Mathematics 5732 n/a 150

Principles of Learning and Teaching

To Be Licensed in You Need to Take CDT Code PDT Code Qualifying Score
All Early Childhood Licenses Principles of Learning and Teaching: Early Childhood 5621 0621 157
All Elementary Licenses Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades K–6 5622 0622 160
All Middle Grades Licenses Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 5–9 5623 0623 160
All Secondary Grades Licenses Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12 5624 0624 157
All K–12 Licenses Principles of Learning and Teaching: Early Childhood 5621 0621 157
or
Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades K–6 5622 0622 160
or
Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 5–9 5623 0623 160
or
Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12 5624 0624 157

Tests Required for Specific Licensure Areas

Early Childhood Education

To Be Licensed in You Need to Take CDT Code PDT Code Qualifying Score
Early Childhood Education Education of Young Children 5021 0021 166

Elementary Education

To Be Licensed in You Need to Take CDT Code PDT Code Qualifying Score
Elementary Education Elementary Education: Instructional Practice and Applications 5015 n/a 161

Middle School Education

To Be Licensed in You Need to Take CDT Code PDT Code Qualifying Score
Middle Level Language Arts Middle School English Language Arts 5047 n/a 164
Middle Level Mathematics Middle School Mathematics (On-screen calculator provided.) 5169 n/a 165
Middle Level Science Middle School Science n/a 0439 150
Middle Level Social Studies Middle School Social Studies 5089 0089 155

Secondary Education

To Be Licensed in You Need to Take CDT Code PDT Code Qualifying Score
Advanced Fine Arts–Music Music: Content and Instruction 51142 n/a 162
Biology Biology and General Science n/a 0030 570
Chemistry Chemistry, Physics and General Science n/a 0070 560
Economics Social Studies: Content and Interpretation 5086 0086 153
English English Language Arts: Content and Analysis 5039 n/a 168
Geography Social Studies: Content and Interpretation 5086 0086 153
Government Social Studies: Content and Interpretation 5086 0086 153
Health Health Education 5551 n/a 164
History Social Studies: Content and Interpretation 5086 0086 153
Mathematics Mathematics: Content Knowledge (On-screen graphing calculator provided.) 5161 n/a 160
and
Mathematics: Proofs, Models and Problems, Part 1 (Graphing calculator required.) Required through December 31, 2013. n/a 0063 137
Physics Chemistry, Physics and General Science n/a 0070 560
Psychology Psychology 53911 0391 154
Science Biology and General Science n/a 0030 570
or
Chemistry, Physics and General Science n/a 0070 560
Social Studies Social Studies: Content and Interpretation 5086 0086 153
Sociology Social Studies: Content and Interpretation 5086 0086 153
Theatre Theatre n/a 0641 157

1 Available beginning July 2014.
2 Available beginning February 2014.

All Grades

To Be Licensed in You Need to Take CDT Code PDT Code Qualifying Score
Advanced Fine Arts: Art Art: Content and Analysis n/a 0135 161
Art Art: Content and Analysis n/a 0135 161
Music Music: Content and Instruction 5114* n/a 162
Physical Education Physical Education: Content and Design 5095 0095 169

*Available beginning February 2014.

World Languages

To Be Licensed in You Need to Take CDT Code PDT Code Qualifying Score
Chinese (Mandarin) Chinese (Mandarin): World Language 5665 n/a 164
English to Speakers of Other Languages English to Speakers of Other Languages 5361* 0361 144
French French: World Language 5174 n/a 162
German German: World Language 5183 n/a 163
Spanish Spanish: World Language 5195 n/a 168

* Available beginning February 2014.

Administrator/School Leader

To Be Licensed in You Need to Take CDT Code PDT Code Qualifying Score
Elementary School Principal & Supervisor Educational Leadership: Administration and Supervision 5411 0411 145
Secondary School Principal & Supervisor Educational Leadership: Administration and Supervision 5411 0411 145
Superintendent Educational Leadership: Administration and Supervision 5411 0411 145

Special Education

To Be Licensed in You Need to Take CDT Code PDT Code Qualifying Score
Deafness and Hearing Impairment Special Education: Education of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students 52722 n/a 160
Early Childhood Special Education Special Education: Preschool/Early Childhood 56911 0691 159
Emotional Disabilities Special Education: Core Knowledge and Applications 5354 0354 151
and
Special Education: Teaching Students with Behavioral Disorders/Emotional Disturbances 53722 0372 154
Learning Disabilities Special Education: Core Knowledge and Applications 5354 0354 151
and
Special Education: Teaching Students with Learning Disabilities 53832 n/a 151
Mental Disabilities Special Education: Core Knowledge and Applications 5354 0354 151
and
Special Education: Teaching Students with Mental Retardation n/a 0321 143
Multi-Categorical Special Education Special Education: Core Knowledge and Mild to Moderate Applications 5543 0543 158
Severe Disabilities Special Education: Core Knowledge and Severe to Profound Applications 5545 0545 158
Visually Impaired Special Education: Teaching Students with Visual Impairments 52822 n/a 163

1 Available beginning July 2014.
2 Available beginning April 2014.

Career & Technical Education

To Be Licensed in You Need to Take CDT Code PDT Code Qualifying Score
Business and Marketing Technology Business Education: Content Knowledge (Calculator allowed.) 5101 0101 154
Family and Consumer Science Family and Consumer Sciences 5121 0121 159
Industrial Technology Technology Education 5051* 0051 159

* Available beginning July 2014.

Reading or Literacy

To Be Licensed in You Need to Take CDT Code PDT Code Qualifying Score
Literacy Coach Teaching Reading 5204 0204 159
Literacy Specialist Teaching Reading 5204 0204 159
Literacy Teacher Teaching Reading 5204 0204 159

Instructional Support Personnel

To Be Licensed in You Need to Take CDT Code PDT Code Qualifying Score
Guidance Professional School Counselor 5421 0421 156
Media Specialist Library Media Specialist 5311 0311 151
School Psychologist I, II or III School Psychologist n/a 0401 165
Speech-Language Therapist Speech-Language Pathology 5330 0330 600

n/a — Not available in this delivery method.

This page is a supplement to The Praxis Series™ Information Bulletin.

 

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