Three exams are required for all persons seeking licensure in Minnesota. Several testing sites are offered in the Twin Cities Metropolitan area on specified testing dates throughout the year.
Interested persons may also arrange their own time to take a computer-based version of these exams for an additional fee at one of a few testing sites. Fee waivers are available for students who receive financial aid and meet income guidelines. Additional time can be requested for test takers whose first language is not English, or for test takers with disabilities. For a schedule of exam dates, sample Tests-at-a-Glance and study guides, exam fees, fee waivers, special accommodations or to register for the exams, visit the Educational Testing Service website about Praxis exams at or call 1-800-772-9476. For more information regarding state teacher testing requirements, visit the Educator Licensing section of the MN Department of Education's website. Information and requirements are subject to change by the Board of Teaching.
Metropolitan State University's Attending Institution and Recipient Code: 1245
Students seeking the Urban Teacher Program's recommendation for state licensure need to have their test results sent to the Metropolitan State Urban Teacher Program by entering 1245 where such codes are requested when registering for a required exam. Praxis I: Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST) This is a three-part test of basic skills in reading, writing and math. Students are recommended to take these tests prior to or soon after admission to the Urban Teacher Program, but passing the PPST is only required before a student in the program can be recommended to the state for teaching licensure. eacher candidates may take this exam as many times as needed in order to achieve the following passing scores. An elective course EDU 150 Preparing for the PPST (1cr) is offered to help students become familiar with the three-part test.
Praxis I: Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST)
This is a three-part test of basic skills in reading, writing and math. Students are recommended to take these tests prior to or soon after admission to the Urban Teacher Program, but passing the PPST is only required before a student in the program can be recommended to the state for teaching licensure. Teacher candidates may take this exam as many times as needed in order to achieve the following passing scores. An elective course EDU 150 Preparing for the PPST (1cr) is offered to help students become familiar with the three-part test.
| Test | Paper/Pencil Test Code |
Computer-Based Test Code |
MN Passing Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| PPST Reading |
10710 |
5710 |
173 |
| PPST Writing |
20720 |
5720 |
172 |
| PPST Math |
10730 |
5730 |
171 |
Praxis II: Content Area Knowledge
These are tests which sample the content-area knowledge that beginning teachers are allegedly supposed to know for teaching students about a particular subject area of licensure. According to the test developers (ETS), they are not intended to predict actual teaching ability in the subject area. However, while passing the Praxis II content area exam is not required for graduation from Metropolitan State, passing the exam is a requirement for teaching licensure in Minnesota. Teacher candidates are recommended to take this exam when their content courses are completed, and may take their required exam as many times as needed in order to achieve a passing score.
| Licensure Area | Test Name | Test Code | MN Passing Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Childhood Education (birth-gr3) | Early Childhood: Content Knowledge |
10022 |
155 |
| Elementary Education (preK-gr6) | Elementary Education: Content Knowledge |
10014 |
145 |
| Communicaiton Arts & Literature (grades 5-12) |
English Language, Literature & Composition: Content Knowledge |
10041 |
157 |
| Life Science (grades 9-12) and General Science (gades 5-8) |
Biology: Content Knowledge and Middle School Science |
20235 & 10439 |
152 & 150 |
| Mathematics (grades 5-12) |
Mathematics: Content Knowledge |
10061 |
125 |
| Social Studies (grades 5-12) |
Social Studies: Content Knowledge |
10081 |
146 |
Praxis II: Principles of Learning & Teaching (PLT)
This test samples the minimum knowledge that beginning teachers are allegedly supposed to know about student learning and effective teaching practices. According to the test developers (ETS), they are not intended to predict actual teaching ability. However, while passing the Praxis II PLT exam is not required for graduation from Metropolitan State, passing the exam is a requirement for teaching licensure in Minnesota. Teacher candidates are recommended to take this exam just before, during, or after student teaching. As with other exams, the PLT can be taken more than once if necessary to achieve a passing score.
| Licensure Area | Test Name | Test Code | MN Passing Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Childhood Education (birth-grade 3) |
Principles of Learning & Teaching: Early Childhood or Principles of Learning & Teaching: Grades K-6 |
30521 |
164 |
|
30522 |
159 | ||
| Elementary Education (preK-grade 6) | Principles of Learning & Teaching: Grades K-6 |
30522 |
159 |
| All Secondary Education (grades 5-12) |
Principles of Learning & Teaching: Grades 5-9 or Principles of Learning & Teaching: Grades 7-12 |
30523 |
155 |
|
30524 |
157 |





