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Exam Overview
An Overview of the Exam
The Praxis Reading Specialist (5302) test, developed and administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS), is intended for candidates with advanced academic preparation who will hold instructional or supervisory positions related to the teaching of reading in kindergarten through grade 12. Its content is based largely on the International Literacy Association's Standards for the Preparation of Literacy Professionals. It is a computer-delivered test taken in one session.
Test at a Glance
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Questions | 95 selected-response questions and 2 constructed-response tasks (some selected-response questions may be unscored pretest items) |
| Time | 150 minutes (2 hours 30 minutes) for the whole test; there are no separately timed sections |
| Selected-response format | Mostly single-answer questions with four options; a small number may ask you to select more than one answer, and some may include audio or video |
| Constructed-response format | One professional leadership task and one case study of an elementary student, each scored from 0 to 3 |
| Score weighting | Selected-response questions count for about 75 percent of the score and the two constructed-response tasks for about 25 percent |
| Score scale | Scaled score from 100 to 200 |
| Passing score | Set by each state or licensing agency; many states that use the test require 165 |
| Delivery | Computer delivered at a test center or at home with remote proctoring |
| Test fee | $156 (verify current fees with ETS) |
| Retakes | Allowed after a 28-day waiting period |
| Scores | Posted to your ETS account after the written tasks have been scored; up to four score recipients may be named at registration at no extra cost |
Content Categories and Weights
Share of the Total Score by Content Category
Curriculum and Instruction — 37%About 47 selected-response questions
Application — 25%2 constructed-response tasks
Assessment — 23%About 29 selected-response questions
Professional Leadership and Specialized Roles — 15%About 19 selected-response questions
| Category | Items | Share of score | Official subcategories |
|---|---|---|---|
| I. Curriculum and Instruction | About 47 questions | 37% | Foundations and Curriculum Design; Instructional Design; Implementation |
| II. Assessment | About 29 questions | 23% | Types and Purposes of Assessment; Interprets Data for Instruction |
| III. Professional Leadership and Specialized Roles | About 19 questions | 15% | Diverse Learners; Professional Development and Leadership |
| IV. Application | 2 written tasks | 25% | Professional Leadership; Analysis of Individual Student Case Study |
How the Questions Are Written
Applied scenarios
Most questions describe a student, a teacher or a school and ask for the most appropriate next step, so the best answer fits the specific need described, not literacy practice in general.
Student work and data
Expect spelling samples, oral-reading records, screening and progress-monitoring tables, and standard scores to interpret.
Close distinctions
Options are usually all real practices. The task is to separate phonological from phonemic awareness, screening from diagnosis, or modeling from co-teaching.
The specialist's stance
Leadership questions reward collaborative, data-based, non-evaluative support for teachers and asset-based partnership with families.
How the Constructed-Response Tasks Are Scored
| Score | The response |
|---|---|
| 3 | Shows a thorough understanding; answers all parts clearly and specifically; gives strong supporting evidence and rationales |
| 2 | Shows a general understanding; answers most or all parts adequately; gives adequate evidence and rationales |
| 1 | Shows a weak or limited understanding; answers some parts at a basic level; evidence or rationales are weak, or there are errors |
| 0 | Shows no understanding, fails to respond appropriately, is blank or off topic, or is not written in English |
Why the Test Matters
- A qualifying score is a common requirement for a reading specialist or literacy coach license or endorsement.
- It documents advanced knowledge of literacy instruction, assessment and leadership to employers and licensing agencies.
- Preparing consolidates the knowledge a specialist uses daily: matching instruction to student need, interpreting data and supporting colleagues.
Confirm Current Details
ETS and your state set fees, policies, and qualifying scores, and they can change. Check the ETS Praxis website and your state's requirements before registering.Finished reading?
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