Marsha Lueck

Praxis Core Exam Analysis

Exam Requirements

Passing the Praxis Core Exam will allow me to continue my Educational endeavor

to study Science of Special Education at UNLV for my Bachelor’s degree. I am

transferring to UNLV with my AA in Special Education.

I have applied to UNLV for the Fall of 2018, and received my acceptance this

past week. When meeting with the transfer advisor, she advised that I need to have the

Praxis Core Exam taken before the University would allow me to continue with

Education classes. There would be only one class that would be available for me to take

this fall at UNLV, applied to my degree without having passing Praxis scores.

I am aware of the passing scores for the Praxis Core Exams. Praxis Core Reading (5712),

has 56 multiple choice questions and must receive a 156 for passing. The Writing (5722),

has 40 multiple choice questions and 2 essays, one must have a passing score of 162,

along with Mathematics (5732), 56 multiple choice questions in this section, with a

passing score of 150. All three sections are needed with passing scores to complete any

teaching degree.

Exam Preparation

In the Fall of 2016, I took all three sections of the Praxis Core. I was a substitute

for CCSD for three years, it is requirement to take and pass the Exam in order to renew
my sub license. I enjoyed the classroom setting so much, I decided to change my college

plan to Education.

I had taken a break from pursuing my education for 4 years and had little study

habits for preparation for the test. I did study here & there for a couple of weeks for the

Exam, but really had no idea what to expect. I checked out the Praxis study books from

the City Library and practiced problems from the resources I checked out. I referred to

the ETS website for question practice. I was not prepared. I took all three sections, Math,

reading & writing. I did not pass any of the sections.

Math is and has been a real struggle for me throughout my life. I decided to go

back to school and tackle my math. I had saved Math for the last course to complete. Yet

I had several Math courses to take to get me to Math 120, which is the last math class

required for my degree. After completing Math 120 this spring semester, and after

working extremely hard, I received an A in the class. I was proud of this accomplishment

and I decided it would be in my best interest to take the Math section of the Praxis Core

Exam while my math brain was fresh with all the Math I studied the previous semesters.

June 7, 2018 I again attempted to pass the Math section of the Exam. I regrettably

did not pass the exam. I studied several weeks from book materials I checked out from

the library. I studied videos on Khan academy online and Praxis ETS practice questions

from the website, along with the practice test from the Teachers Prep website. The timed

test is where I struggle. I had to guess on 15-17 questions at the end as my time was

coming to an end.

I have done zero preparation recently in taking the Reading and Writing practice

Exams on the Teachers Prep site. I decided to take the Practice Exams to fulfill your
request & requirement for this Analysis. The outcome will not be a true effort of studying

& preparing on my part.

Exam Results

My results for the Math section while studying & taking the practice test was a

57%, meaning improvement is needed in most areas with a borderline result. My number

and Quantity is borderline at 70%. Algebra, Functions and Geometry were below 50%,

needing much improvement in those areas, along with Statistics & Probability just above

the 50% benchmark. When I took the real Math Exam June 7th, I received a 122/200. I

was not close to the passing benchmark of 150.

My results in the Reading section, was a 46% which means I am not likely to

pass the real Reading Exam. I will need to study more in all areas. In my basic

diagnostics I received a 31% in Key Ideas and details, resulting to substantial

improvement needed. Craft structure and language skills needs improvement 50%, along

with improvement needed in Integration of Knowledge and ideas scoring at 57%. In 2016

when I took the Reading section, my results were 154/156. So Close. I feel that the

practice Exam did not reflect my true ability.

My Writing results are from 2016, was a 154/162, which means I have some work

to do before I retake the Exam.

Future Exam Preparation

 I have a substantial amount of preparation to do in order to pass the Praxis Core

Exam. Unfortunately, I was not informed correctly that the Praxis completion is required

before classes can be taken. Recently meeting with the transfer advisor was the first

knowledge of this fact. I just assumed it was needed for teaching/substitution license,

before one would be hired to be a teacher.

I am planning on taking the single Education class available to me without the

completion of the Exam this fall at UNLV, along with focusing my energy and time,

studying in preparation for all three of the sections of the Math, Writing and Reading

Exam. I plan on purchasing the materials available on the Teachers prep website, as it has

videos and practice tests to help sharpen my skills. I am also considering in enrolling into

a course offered at CSN to help prepare myself for the Exams and or hiring a tutor. I will

take every measure & available resources to help me prepare for the test.