Which of the following best describes the Sensorimotor Stage in Piaget’s theory of cognitive development?

Infants learn about the world through their senses and actions.

Children begin to think logically about concrete events.

Abstract reasoning and moral thinking emerge.

Children engage in pretend play and symbolic thinking.

What does the concept of Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) mean in special education?

Students with disabilities should be educated with their non-disabled peers as much as possible

Students should be educated at home when possible

Students with disabilities must be placed in fully self-contained classrooms

Students should be grouped by disability type

A token economy system in a classroom is most effective for:

Encouraging positive behavior through tangible rewards

A student scores in the 25th percentile on a norm-referenced test. What does this indicate?

The student performed below 75% of the test takers

The student answered 25% of the questions correctly

The student is performing above grade level

The test is invalid for the student

Which strategy is most effective when communicating with a culturally diverse family?

Use a respectful tone, provide translated materials, and invite input

Use educational jargon to establish professionalism

Avoid using interpreters to maintain confidentiality

Focus only on academic progress and avoid discussing behavior

100 unique questions (no repeats from Practice Test 1) Evenly divided across 16 topics (~6 per topic, 10 for the final one) A mix of 30% easy, 40% moderate, 30% hard difficulty Includes reading passages, charts, or tables where appropriate Which developmental milestone typically occurs during the toddler stage (1–3 years)?

Walking and beginning to use two-word phrases

What does “informed consent” mean in the special education evaluation process?

Parents are asked to give written permission after receiving full details of the evaluation process

Parents are told testing will occur after it is done

Students must give permission to skip testing

Schools are free to test without parental knowledge

What is the most effective approach when a student repeatedly violates classroom rules?

Implementing consistent consequences paired with teaching replacement behaviors

Removing them from instruction permanently

Calling parents after the first incident

Ignoring the student to avoid conflict

A student scores in the 15th percentile on a reading comprehension test. What does this result indicate?

The student performed below 85% of peers

The student scored 15% on the test

The student performed better than 85% of peers

The student is reading at grade level

Which strategy best builds trust between educators and families from culturally diverse backgrounds?

Using culturally responsive communication and offering materials in home languages

Avoiding translation to encourage English practice

Sending home disciplinary reports weekly

Limiting communication to report cards only

Praxis Special Education (5355)

Free Praxis Special Edu 5355 Practice Questions

10 sample questions for the Praxis Special Education (5355), with the correct answer and an explanation for each. No account needed. Try each one before you open the answer.

Sections covered on the exam: Human Development and Individualized Learning Differences, Effective Planning and Instruction and Productive Learning Environments, Assessment, Professional Learning, Practice, and Collaboration.

Question 1 · Human Development and Individualized Learning Differences
Which of the following best describes the Sensorimotor Stage in Piaget’s theory of cognitive development?
- A.Children begin to think logically about concrete events.
- B.Abstract reasoning and moral thinking emerge.
- C.Infants learn about the world through their senses and actions.
- D.Children engage in pretend play and symbolic thinking.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C. Infants learn about the world through their senses and actions.
The Sensorimotor Stage occurs from birth to approximately 2 years. During this stage, infants gain knowledge of the world through physical interactions—seeing, touching, and manipulating objects.
Question 2 · Human Development and Individualized Learning Differences
What does the concept of Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) mean in special education?
- A.Students should be educated at home when possible
- B.Students with disabilities must be placed in fully self-contained classrooms
- C.Students should be grouped by disability type
- D.Students with disabilities should be educated with their non-disabled peers as much as possible
Show answer and explanation
Answer: D. Students with disabilities should be educated with their non-disabled peers as much as possible
LRE ensures that students with disabilities have access to the general education environment to the greatest extent appropriate, with supports and services as needed.
Question 3 · Effective Planning and Instruction and Productive Learning Environments
A token economy system in a classroom is most effective for:
- A.Assessing reading levels
- B.Determining IEP eligibility
- C.Punishing off-task behaviors
- D.Encouraging positive behavior through tangible rewards
Show answer and explanation
Answer: D. Encouraging positive behavior through tangible rewards
A token economy reinforces desired behaviors by providing tokens or points that can be exchanged for preferred items or privileges, promoting motivation and consistency.
Question 4 · Assessment
A student scores in the 25th percentile on a norm-referenced test. What does this indicate?
- A.The student answered 25% of the questions correctly
- B.The student performed below 75% of the test takers
- C.The student is performing above grade level
- D.The test is invalid for the student
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B. The student performed below 75% of the test takers
A percentile rank compares a student's score to others. Scoring in the 25th percentile means the student did better than 25% of peers and worse than 75%.
Question 5 · Professional Learning, Practice, and Collaboration
Which strategy is most effective when communicating with a culturally diverse family?
- A.Use a respectful tone, provide translated materials, and invite input
- B.Use educational jargon to establish professionalism
- C.Avoid using interpreters to maintain confidentiality
- D.Focus only on academic progress and avoid discussing behavior
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A. Use a respectful tone, provide translated materials, and invite input
Effective communication involves respecting cultural differences, using clear, accessible language, and ensuring families can fully participate by providing interpreters or translated materials when needed.
Question 6 · Human Development and Individualized Learning Differences
100 unique questions (no repeats from Practice Test 1)
Evenly divided across 16 topics (~6 per topic, 10 for the final one)
A mix of 30% easy, 40% moderate, 30% hard difficulty
Includes reading passages, charts, or tables where appropriate
Which developmental milestone typically occurs during the toddler stage (1–3 years)?
- A.Abstract reasoning
- B.Developing object permanence
- C.Walking and beginning to use two-word phrases
- D.Formal operational thinking
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C. Walking and beginning to use two-word phrases
Toddlers begin walking, running, and using simple phrases like “want toy.” This is part of early physical and language development during this stage.
Question 7 · Human Development and Individualized Learning Differences
What does “informed consent” mean in the special education evaluation process?
- A.Parents are told testing will occur after it is done
- B.Parents are asked to give written permission after receiving full details of the evaluation process
- C.Students must give permission to skip testing
- D.Schools are free to test without parental knowledge
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B. Parents are asked to give written permission after receiving full details of the evaluation process
Informed consent ensures that parents understand and agree in writing to the procedures before the school begins any evaluation for special education.
Question 8 · Effective Planning and Instruction and Productive Learning Environments
What is the most effective approach when a student repeatedly violates classroom rules?
- A.Removing them from instruction permanently
- B.Implementing consistent consequences paired with teaching replacement behaviors
- C.Calling parents after the first incident
- D.Ignoring the student to avoid conflict
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B. Implementing consistent consequences paired with teaching replacement behaviors
Sustainable behavior change occurs when students are taught what to do instead, and consequences are applied consistently and fairly.
Question 9 · Assessment
A student scores in the 15th percentile on a reading comprehension test. What does this result indicate?
- A.The student scored 15% on the test
- B.The student performed below 85% of peers
- C.The student performed better than 85% of peers
- D.The student is reading at grade level
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B. The student performed below 85% of peers
A percentile rank indicates the percentage of peers the student scored higher than. A 15th percentile score means the student scored lower than 85% of the norm group.
Question 10 · Professional Learning, Practice, and Collaboration
Which strategy best builds trust between educators and families from culturally diverse backgrounds?
- A.Using culturally responsive communication and offering materials in home languages
- B.Avoiding translation to encourage English practice
- C.Sending home disciplinary reports weekly
- D.Limiting communication to report cards only
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A. Using culturally responsive communication and offering materials in home languages
Cultural sensitivity and language access foster a sense of inclusion and respect, encouraging active family participation in the student’s education.

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