ESL/Bilingual Education

Praxis II Exam

Who must take the Praxis II Subject Assessment tests?

All students who complete a professional education program after August 31, 2004 , must take the Praxis II: Subject Assessments required by Wisconsin for their licensure area in order to qualify for a state education license. More information on the Praxis exam can be found here. It is important to note that no candidate may be waived from taking the required Praxis II test for their licensure area. This includes all scenarios of program completion including but not limited to:

Educators licensed prior to September 2004, returning to complete a license program in a new subject area;
Educators licensed prior to September 2004 returning to complete programs to add on age levels that were not covered by their previous licenses;
All educators who complete initial licensing programs after August 31, 2004 and all subsequent programs (that require a Praxis II test) they complete;
Students completing licensing programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels;
Students completing licensing programs as special students.

Educators who complete state approved professional education programs after August 31, 2004 in other states will need to document that they have passed the specific Praxis II test(s) required by Wisconsin in their licensure area(s) to obtain an Initial Educator or Professional Educator License in Wisconsin . A one year non-renewable license may be issued to applicants from other states who need to take and pass the appropriate Praxis II test(s).

English to Speakers of Other Language Tests

Students receiving ESL or Bilingual licensure must take the English to Speakers of Other Languages test. The English to Speakers of Other Languages test is designed to measure basic pedagogical knowledge within the context of teaching ESL in elementary or secondary schools. The minimum passing score is 530. The test is 2 hours, with a 30-minute listening section. The format is multiple-choice questions. The content categories of the test are:

Analysis of student language production	30 questions
Linguistic theory	28 questions
Teaching methods and techniques	36 questions
Assessment techniques and cultural issues	18 questions
Professional issues	8 questions

For a test description and sample questions with answers see Tests at a Glance. Review and download Tests at a Glance information instantly from the Praxis Series web site.

Study guides are available for check out in the Project SWEETT library. You may also purchase study guides from the ETS website.

Study Tips to Help Prepare

General Information and study tips

Reducing test anxiety

When Are the Tests Offered?

The ETS website has listed test centers and dates for upcoming tests. Students may take the Praxis II exam at any location in the state that offers the test. If your first choice is full, you will automatically be assigned to a test center within 125 miles of your first choice. Students who are taking an exam in Session 1 will report at 7:30 a.m. Students taking an exam in Session 2 will report at 10:45 a.m. Test takers are required to stay the entire two hours even if the test is completed earlier than other candidates.

How Do I Register to Take the Test?

On-line registration: This is the fastest and easiest way to confirm available dates and receive immediate confirmation. Registration deadlines are approximately one month prior to the test date.

Cost: The cost for each exam is $75 plus a $40 registration fee.