Testing Requirements

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In order to be accepted into Memphis Teaching Fellows, you must pass the appropriate Praxis II Specialty Area exam(s) and all portions of the Praxis I exam (reading, writing, and mathematics).

The Praxis exams are standardized tests required by many states in order for teachers to become licensed and/or attain highly qualified status.  

The Fellows office will assign candidates invited to interview to a subject area and advise them on the Praxis II subject area test that should be taken. Subject area assignments are based on the information reported in the online application, including, where possible, candidate preferences. (In rare cases, upon further review of transcripts, MTF may need to change a candidate’s subject area assignment. In such cases, candidates may need to take an additional content area test.) Candidates should not register for a Praxis II Subject Area exam before receiving their subject area assignment from the Fellows office. However, participation in the program is contingent upon passing the required tests, and passing score reports must be on file with the MTF office on or before May 28, 2010.  Please bring proof of registration to all required Praxis tests to the Interview Event.

Praxis I

Fellows must pass all portions of the Praxis I exam prior to the start of pre-service training.  Those invited to interview are encouraged to take the Praxis I exam as soon as possible. 

The Praxis I is a general knowledge exam with sections on reading, writing, and mathematics that is available in both computer- and paper-based administrations.  (The computer-based version is offered on a daily basis, while the paper-based version is administered only on limited set test dates.) 

 

Praxis II
All Fellows must also pass the Praxis II Subject Area exam that correlates to the subject area assigned by the Fellows office prior to the start of pre-service training.  Candidates will receive their subject area assignments if and when they are invited to an interview.  Candidates should not register to take the Praxis II exam prior to recieving their subject assignement from MTF.  Candidates who apply early to MTF will benefit from earlier notification of their assigned subject area and more opportunities to take and pass the challenging Praxis II exams.  Exam dates and registration deadlines are listed below.*

The Praxis II Subject Area test(s) evaluate content knowledge in a particular subject. In our experience, candidates often find these tests difficult, and we strongly recommend that those taking the tests devote sufficient time and energy to studying for them. Many Fellows have found college textbooks to be helpful when preparing. More information about the test(s) can be found on the testing provider’s website at www.ets.org/praxis. 

Applicants should also review the Praxis II Test at a Glance packet for specific information and sample Praxis II test questions. To view the Praxis II Test at a Glance, please visit www.ets.org/praxis and click on ’Prepare for a test’ under the "For Test Takers" heading.

*As a Fellow, you will be required to take additional tests during your first and second year in the classroom in order to fulfill licensure requirements. The Memphis Teaching Fellows will provide you with information regarding these additional tests upon acceptance to the program.

**We recommend that candidates assigned to Middle School Mathematics take the Education of Exceptional Students Core Content Knowledge test after taking the Middle School Content  Knowledge test.  Passing both tests will allow these Fellows to look for placements in both Middle School and Special Education.

***The Middle School Content Knowledge test is required in order for special education teachers to be considered highly qualified. The two Praxis II tests required for special education are administered by ETS during the same time slot on each administration date. Therefore, special education candidates will need to register for and take these tests on two consecutive administration dates. Because the Middle School Content Knowledge test is more difficult to pass than the Education of Exceptional Students Core Content Knowledge test, we require that special education candidates take the Middle School test first. 

 

Testing Costs
The Praxis I and and Praxis II tests each cost $150-200. Information about specific test costs can be found online at www.ets.org/praxis. Unfortunately, Memphis Teaching Fellows cannot subsidize registration costs.

Registering for the Praxis Exams
To register for and schedule a Praxis I administration, call either the University of Memphis Testing Center at 901-678-2428 (Monday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. CT) or Prometric Candidate Services at 1-800-853-6773 (Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. CT). You can find additional test center locations at www.ets.org/praxis.

Applicants can take the Praxis I only once per calendar month, and no more than six times within a 12-month period.

Praxis II registration can be completed online at www.ets.org/praxis. For a list of local Praxis testing centers, please visit the ’Test Locations’ section of the Praxis website. When registering for Praxis exams, please list the Tennessee Department of Education (code #R8190) and the University of Memphis (code #R1459) as score recipients.

Test prep opportunities

The Memphis Teaching Fellows will offer test prep throughout the year.  Please email our office at info@memphisteachingfellows.org to receive an invitation when test prep is scheduled.  Please include your subject area in the email.

Procedure for test scores:

Memphis Teaching Fellows

2597 Avery Avenue (room 164)

Memphis, TN 38112