Many Praxis exams, such as this one, are used by state boards, licensing agencies, and/or educational programs as part of their certification process. This specific Praxis exam is meant for prospective teachers who are seeking credentials in the field of Physical Education. This may or may not be the only exam of this nature you will have to take.
Who is Eligible?
It is important to note that Praxis does not have any real eligibility requirements for its testing candidates. However, each state, licensing agency, or institution may have a list of them. For example, some may demand that you are part of a specific program, have a certain degree, or have completed other exams.
You will want to check with your state/school board or local licensing agency to be aware of what those might be and how to complete them. There might also be a set of fees involved besides the exam fee.
There is a fee of $120 to take this exam. This fee must be paid during registration. Registration can be completed online, by mail, or (for an additional fee) over the phone.
When and Where is it Taken?
All Praxis exams are taken by computer and administered by an international network of testing locations worldwide for your convenience. These sites include many Prometric Testing Centers, some universities, and various other locations. This specific Praxis exam can be scheduled year-round at most locations, except on holidays.
You may choose a time, date, and location that is the most convenient for you. However, it is recommended that you schedule this date as soon as possible because seating and space are limited in most locations and is filled on a first come, first served basis.
If something should come up and you need to reschedule or cancel your exam appointment you may do so by contacting Praxis at your earliest convenience. This must be done at least three days before your original exam, not including your initial test day, or else you will risk being counted as a no-show on test day and will forfeit all fees paid up to that point. There is an additional fee for rescheduling or canceling your exam.
Special accommodations are available to those who may have disabilities or cannot test under normal computer conditions. To make this request, you must let Praxis know during your registration and will have to submit appropriate supporting documentation for approval.
What Should I Bring?
On the day of your exam, you should plan on arriving at least 30 minutes early to allow you enough time to check into the facility and find seating before it begins. Those who arrive late will not be allowed to enter the testing area and will have to reschedule their exam for another day, forfeiting any fees paid up to that point.
Along with the above-mentioned admission ticket, you will need to bring at least one current government-issued photo identification. Your signature, full name as it appears on your registration, and a recognizable and recent photo must be contained in this ID. If your ID contains missing or incorrect information, you will be asked to submit another ID or risk being turned away and not allowed to test on that day.
All other personal belongings are not allowed in the testing center. This includes but is not limited to the following items.
- Cell phones
- Watches, jewelry, and outwear such as hats and coats
- Bags and/or purses
- Food and drinks
- Calculators
- Paper, pencils, or study materials
If you are found with any of these or similar items, you will be immediately dismissed from the testing center, and your scores will be voided. Pencils, erasers, and a scratch paper will be provided for you before the exam begins.
What is Covered?
This exam has 120 selected-response questions broken into four main categories. You are given two hours to complete all possible questions. It is important to note that a few pretest questions may be scattered throughout your exam. These are unidentified as such and will not count towards your score.
Below is a brief description of each main category including the number of questions and the weight given.
Content knowledge and Student Growth and Development (36 questions/30% of exam)
Basic concepts of anatomy, physiology, exercise physiology, biomechanics, motor development, kinesiology, and motor skills; current and historical trends; monitoring of individual and group performance
Management, Motivation, and Communication (30 questions/25%)
Organization, allocation, and management of equipment and environment; promoting positive relationships among students; psychological and social factors of learning; classroom management skills; communication with students
Planning, Instruction, and Student Assessment (30 questions/25%)
Basic injury and safety prevention concepts; teaching of fitness, movement, and physical activities; strategies to improve learning and build a greater skill set
Collaboration, Reflection, and Technology (24 questions/20%)
Supporting student growth by using effective technology, reflection and feedback methods, and communicating with students, families, colleagues, and community members
How is it Scored?
Most Praxis approved testing sites will give you your score report on the computer screen at the end of your exam. However, your official one will not be accessible until about two to three weeks after your testing date. These will available on your Praxis account online and will be automatically sent to the schools, states, or licensing agencies you indicated on your registration.
Your score report will include the following information:
- Your overall score (raw and scaled)
- The possible amount points overall and in each category
- Your pass or fail status according to your state or licensing agency
- Your highest scores on each Praxis exam taken in the last 10 years
If you fail the exam or didn’t meet your goals, you may retake it. Praxis asks that you wait at least 21 days to do so. However, there is no limit to the number of times you may take any Praxis exam.
How Can I Prepare for the Praxis (5091) Test?
That’s a great question. We’ve broken down the answer into three parts.
- Do yourself a favor and study. Do not walk in unprepared. We have recommended prep materials below, but that only helps if you actually try. Plus, studying is actually proven to be the best antidote to test anxiety.
- Take care of yourself. Make sure you’re eating well, exercising, and sleeping. All of these things are scientifically linked to brain performance. If you take care of your body, you’ll be helping your grades.
- Get a study guide or set of flashcards. Some people study better a certain way. Find your study strengths and make the most of them. We’ve tried to make it easy for you by tracking down the best study guide and flashcard set for your exam. Below you’ll see links to both!