Testing Information

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) requires the Basic Skills (Pre-Service Tests) for students with a cumulative GPA between 2.8-2.99.

• Pre-Service Testing Options/Score Requirements are available on the PDE website: PDE-Certification Testing Requirements
  • Click on the link above to be directed to PDE's 'Certification - Testing Requirements' main page.
  • In the gray box on the right-hand side of the screen, click the link in the underlined wording: 'Certification Test and Score Requirements (Excel)'. 
    • This will open PDE's Excel Spreadsheet titled:  'Certification Test and Score Requirements'
    • Along the bottom of the screen/Excel document, there are several tabs.  Select the tab titled 'Basic Skills'.
    • The numbers under the heading 'Test Number' indicate the test codes of the required tests.
    • The last column on the right provides a link to the testing agency (ETS or ES Pearson - from which you can register for the required tests) with the passing score requirements for each test listed underneath.
  • Scroll down the web page PDE-Certification Testing Requirements for additional test registration and study guides as well as an 'Important Note' regarding Basic Skills testing.
• You must list both PDE and MU as score recipients. 
  • MU's recipient code for ETS is 2656. 
  • PDE's recipient code is 8033.

Content Area Testing must be successfully completed to be recommended to PDE for certification.

For required Certification/Content Tests, Test Codes and Score Requirements view the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) "Certification Testing Requirements" website, including information on PDE's GPA Allowance/Sliding Scale. 

Step 1:  Go to PDE's 'Certification Testing Requirements' website.

• Visit PDE's Certification Testing Requirements website to be redirected to PDE's website.
• Scroll down the webpage for ... 'Test Registration and Study Guides', PDE Testing Guidelines and more.
• Test Names, Test Codes, Score Requirements and links to the testing vendors are on PDE's 'Certification Test and Score Requirements' (Excel) spreadsheet.
  • Follow along below to locate PDE's 'Certification Test and Score Requirements' (Excel) spreadsheet and how to review the information.

Step 2:  Locate PDE's 'Certification Test and Score Requirements' Excel Spreadsheet

• Locate the gray box on the right-hand side of the screen on PDE's 'Certification Testing Requirements' website.
• In the box, click the link in the underlined wording: 'Certification Test and Score Requirements (Excel)' to open PDE's Excel Spreadsheet titled:  'Certification Test and Score Requirements' (Excel)

Step 3:  Review the PDE 'Certification Test and Score Requirements' Excel Spreadsheet to locate the test(s) required for your content area as well as the score requirement(s) and testing vendor link.

• Make sure you are on the correct tab in the spreadsheet. 
  • Along the bottom of the Excel document/screen, there are several tabs. 
  • Select the tab appropriate for your particular certification area.
  • If this is your initial certification, most tests are listed on the tab titled '2-Instructional'.

• Column Heading Key ...
  • The 'Certification Subject Area' column lists the various certification areas.
  • The 'Content Test Name & Code' column provides the name of the test followed by the required test code in ().
  • The 'Is Fundamental Subjects Required?' column indicates if the 'Fundamental Subjects Content Knowledge (5511)' test is required for that Content Area.
    • If this test is required, your content test(s) and the Fundamental Subjects test are required for certification.
  • Locate your GPA by checking the 'Qualifying Score' column headings across the top of the spreadsheet. 
    • Following down that column, scroll down to the appropriate content area to determine the required test score for your GPA.
    • See additional information in the 'Testing & GPA' notes below.
  • The Test Registration Link column provides the link to the testing agency. 
    • Register for the test by clicking on the testing company name (ETS or ES Pearson).
    • Test registration and testing sites are maintained by the testing company.
    • Test Score Recipients:
      • You must list both MU and PDE as score recipients.
        • MU's recipients code is 2656.
        • PDE's recipients code is 8033.

TESTING & GPA:  

A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8 or greater is required by PDE for certification.

For information regarding Qualifying Test Scores as related to GPA, view the appropriate column in PDE's document 'Certification Test and Score Requirements' (Excel) spreadsheet as noted above. This spreadsheet is maintained by PDE.

For cumulative GPA's between 2.80-2.99

• Higher test scores are required.
• You will need to earn higher than the 'passing' score to meet PDE's testing requirements.
  • Check the appropriate column on the 'Certification Test and Score Requirements' (Excel) spreadsheet for PDE's GPA Allowance/Sliding Scale score requirements. 

For cumulative GPA's equaling 3.0

• See PDE's document above.

For cumulative GPA's of 3.01 or higher

• Lower test scores are accepted.
• Check the appropriate 'Qualifying Score' column on the 'Certification Test and Score Requirements' (Excel) spreadsheet for PDE's GPA Allowance/Sliding Scale score requirements. 

 

NOTE:  If you pass by the GPA Allowance/Sliding Scale, score reports will always reflect 'Not Passed'.

• PDE will review your GPA and score report after you are recommended for certification by MU.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• The GPA Allowance/Sliding Scale does not apply to add-ons.
• You must list both MU and PDE as score recipients. 
  • MU's recipients code is 2656.
  • PDE's recipients code is 8033.

See below for some of the available study guides and practice tests.  Note that additional fees may be associated with some options.

Praxis Tests:

• Visit the Preparation Materials web page.  There is a study companion and an interactive test available.  
• Mometrix offers a short practice test for the Praxis tests.
• Khan Academy offers test preparation materials for the Praxis Core tests.

PAPA Tests:

• Visit the Practice Tests web page.  Practice and interactive tests are available.  

It is important to make sure your test scores are sent to both MU and PDE and that you keep your score reports for future reference.

Official scores (those reported to MU directly from the testing agency) must be on file for MU to recommend you to PDE for certification. 

Allow for processing time - Certification Test Scores will not reflect immediately upon taking the required test(s).  

Reminder - You must list both PDE and MU as score recipients when taking the required test(s).

• MU's recipients code is 2656.
• PDE's recipients code is 8033.

How to View - test Scores Reported to MU:

You can view the test scores on file with MU through your MAX account.

1. Login to your MAX account.
2. Navigate to your 'Student Profile' page.
3. Select the 'Prior Education and Testing' page. 
   • Tests and scores reported to MU from the testing agencies are located on the 'Student Profile' page under 'Prior Education and Testing' in the new MAX.
4. Scroll through the listing to find the tests on file, or sort the list alphabetically, to locate the test name.
   
   • Certification Test Score information not on file with MU will not be included in the listing.
   • Certification Test Scores are not the only items included in the listing under the 'Testing' area.  

How to view - test Scores Reported to PDE:

Scores reported to PDE should be available to view in your TIMS account.

• Log into your TIMS account to view the scores reported to PDE.