ParaPathways (5757)

ParaPathways is a computer-delivered test given by appointment at Prometric test centers, other participating test centers, participating school districts and education agencies, and at home with remote proctoring. Its two subtests are separately timed and separately scored, so you can pass one and retake only the other if needed.

Key Facts About the ParaPathways Assessment

ETS test pages have also described the assessment as 90 questions in 150 minutes. The question counts in this guide follow the official Study Companion. Check your admission information for the exact appointment length.

Content Categories of the ParaPathways Assessment

In every category about two thirds of the questions test basic skills and knowledge and about one third ask you to apply those skills in a classroom.

If you have studied for the older ParaPro Assessment, expect these differences:

• Two separate subtests, each with its own score, that can be taken on different days.
• An on-screen calculator in Mathematics.
• Early-reading foundations: phonemes and syllables, phonics patterns, decoding and fluency.
• Research and digital writing: credible sources, citing and paraphrasing, argument evidence, and responsible use of technology, including AI tools.
• New question formats, such as choosing more than one answer or typing a number.

Each subtest is reported on a scale from 310 to 350. Your scaled score depends on the number of questions you answer correctly; some questions are unscored pretest items, and you cannot tell which ones they are. There is no penalty for a wrong answer, so answer every question.

Each state or agency sets its own passing score. Many use the multistate recommended scores of 332 for Reading and Writing (about 28 of 45 scored points) and 334 for Mathematics (about 20 of 30 scored points), which is roughly two thirds correct. Some set different values; one state, for example, uses 324 and 325. Look up your state's requirement on the ETS state requirements page before you test.

• Reading questions on short informational, literary and persuasive passages, poems, and graphics such as tables, maps and charts
• Phonics and fluency questions, such as which word has a vowel team or which activity best builds reading rate
• Writing questions that ask you to correct a sentence, improve a draft divided into numbered sentences, judge a source or choose the right way to cite it
• Math word problems built on school and everyday situations, tables, graphs and described figures, some answered by typing a number
• Classroom questions, such as choosing a prompt that helps a student cite evidence or finding a student's error in worked steps

• Unofficial scores appear on screen when you finish.
• Official scores arrive in about two to three weeks and are sent to your state credentialing office and the districts you chose.
• If you do not pass a subtest, you retake only that subtest. Check the current ETS retake rules before you schedule.
• Some agencies offer ETS Bridge learning materials to candidates who come close to passing; ask your district or testing agency.