How to Apply

Testing Requirements

This section contains important information about the following:

• Indiana testing requirements
• Praxis I
• Praxis II
• Registration for Praxis Examinations
• Important Test Dates
• Test Preparation Resources

Indiana Testing Requirements

In order to teach in Indiana, candidates must take and pass the Praxis I (pre-professional skills) and Praxis II (content-specific) exams. We strongly recommend that candidates read the following information carefully to ensure proper testing registration.

Praxis I

The Praxis I exam assesses reading, writing, and math skills, and is administered by computer at a designated testing center.  We strongly recommend that candidates register for the Praxis I as soon as possible because testing centers fill quickly. You can register for the Praxis I at www.ets.org/praxis.   *NOTE: Candidates must register for the computer-based Praxis I exam, as the paper-based tests conflict with Praxis II test dates.

Praxis I Alternatives:

The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) will accept the following as documentation of basic skills at the time of admission to a teacher preparation program:

• ACT with a score of at least 24 based on Math, Reading, Grammar, and Science
• SAT with a score of at least 1100 based on Critical Reading and Math
• GRE with a score of at least 1100 based on Verbal and Quantitative
• Anyone with a Master’s Degree from a regionally accredited institution is exempt

ACT, SAT and GRE scores do not include writing.  Candidates will have to demonstrate proof of competency by providing official score reports for the approved tests or master's degree transcript

Praxis II

The Praxis II is a paper-based, subject area-specific exam. Fellows must take and pass the Praxis II test that corresponds with the subject are they are eligible to teach. If invited to an Interview Event, you will be notified of the Praxis II exam you must take and pass. You must provide proof of your registration for the appropriate Praxis II at your scheduled Interview Event.

Please note that candidates often find the Praxis II exams challenging, thus, it is essential that candidates study and prepare for their required exams thoroughly. Refer to the chart below for more information about which Praxis II you should register. *Candidates assigned to teach special education must take the Praxis II for their specific special education content area (elementary, English Language Arts, Social Studies). Special Education Fellows will complete the Praxis II for exceptional needs during their first year of teaching.

* Beginning October 12, 2010, ETS is offering the Elementary Education: Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment test in a computer-delivered format. The computer-delivered version covers the same content as the paper-delivered version and is scored on the same scale. The computer-delivered test has a code Elementary Education: Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment (5011). The paper-delivered test has a code Elementary Education: Curriculum Instruction and Assessment (0011).

Registration for Praxis Examinations

Registration for Praxis exams is handled by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Please visit the Praxis website to learn more about and register for the required Praxis exams.

All candidates will be required to submit proof of test registration and/or scores if invited to interview with the program, and all Fellows must prove that they have passed the Praxis II prior to the start of the summer Training Institute. Candidates who do not meet these testing requirements will not be permitted to continue on in the Teaching Fellows program. Please note that it takes approximately one month to receive test scores. Test takers who registered online for a paper-based test must access test scores via their Praxis account-score reports will no longer be mailed.

Important Dates

Praxis I Testing Registration

The Praxis I Pre-Professional Skills Tests is offered year-round as a computer-based test. However, you may only take each Praxis test once every 30 consecutive days. The last date to take the Praxis I exam is April 9, 2011.

Praxis II Testing Dates and Registration Deadlines

The Praxis II Content Knowledge Tests are offered only a handful of times each year. We strongly recommend applying to the program as soon as possible to allow opportunities to take the exam more than once. The last date to take the Praxis II exam is April 30, 2011.

Test Preparation Resources

Teachers report that the Praxis is extremely difficult and requires careful preparation in order to pass. So it is common for candidates to take the exam a second or third time. Therefore, the Indianapolis Teaching Fellows program strongly recommends that candidates invited to interview with the program register for the Praxis II as soon as possible upon receiving individualized direction on which exam to take. This will allow candidates to maximize their chances of passing and to have time to re-take the exam if needed. In addition, registering early ensures that candidates will have the best opportunity to test in a location convenient to them, as testing locations often fill up.

• Visit www.ets.org for information about the Praxis II. Select the "Test at a Glance" feature to access an overview of the material covered on the exam and download sample test problems.
• Sign up for an ITF test prep session (if available in your subject area)
• Refer to college and high school textbooks focused on the appropriate subject matter for your Praxis II exam
• Consider purchasing study guides from major test prep providers (at a local library or bookstore)
• Actively search the internet for additional test prep materials and resources
• Form study groups with other candidates or teachers you may know