Basic Skills Assessment Options

Basic Skills Assessment Exception                                                                                                      

Individuals who have completed an approved post-baccalaureate certification program or hold a graduate level degree are not required to take the basic skills assessments

Basic Skills Assessments - Composite Score Option

  • You may combine reading, writing and mathematics module scores from different test providers to meet the basic skills requirements.
  • You may use the composite score method to meet the requirement when you do well in one or two areas to compensate for a lower score in the other area
  • The composite score is the sum of the passing scores. Use the Composite Score Calculator when mixing tests. Note: When using the composite 

Score, each test must meet or exceed the minimum score listed.

I. ACT  (Test registration link: http://www.actstudent.org/)

Test Name Section Passing Score Minimum Composite Score
ACT – September 1, 2015 to August 31, 2016 Reading 22 20
  Writing 21 17
  Mathematics 21 19
Composite ACT Test Score:   64  
       
ACT – after August 31, 2016 Reading 22 20
  Writing after Sept. 2016 8 7
  Mathematics 21 19
Composite ACT Test Score:   51  

II. CORE Academic (Test registration link: https://www.ets.org/praxis/pa)

  Test Number Passing Score Minimum Composite Score
CORE - September 1, 2019      
Reading 5713 (NEW!) 156 148
Mathematics 5733 (NEW!) 142 132
Writing 5723 (NEW!) 162 158
Composite CORE Test Score:   460  
Core taken before September 1, 2020      
Reading 5712 156 148
Mathematics 5732 142 132
Writing 5722 162 158
Composite CORE Test Score:   460  

III. PAPA (Test registration link: http://www.pa.nesinc.com/)

Test Name Test Number Passing Score Minimum Composite Score
Reading 8001 220 193
Mathematics 8002 193 176*
Writing 8003 220 192
Composite CORE Test Score:   633  

*We will accept 174 from candidates accepted into an educator certification program prior to 8/31/2016

IV. SAT (Test registration link: https://student.collegeboard.org/)

Test Date Test Passing Score Minimum Composite Score
SAT  – prior to March 1, 2016      
  Critical Reading 500 500
  Mathematics 500 500
  Writing 500 500
  Composite SAT Test Score: 1500  
SAT - after February 29, 2016      
  Reading 27 25
  Mathematics 26 24
  Writing and Language 28 26
  Composite SAT Test Score: 81  

V. PPST (Praxis I)*

Test Name Test Number Passing Score Minimum Composite Score
PPST or Computerized PPST Reading 0710 or 5710 172 169
PPST or Computerized PPST Writing 0720 or 5720 173 170
PPST or Computerized PPST Mathematics 0730 or 5730 173 170
  Composite PPST Test Score: 518  

 *Test Series Must be Started Prior to 12/31/2012

VI. The Basic Skills requirement may be satisfied by earning a grade of “B” or better in CSEM 100 for Reading, ENG 110 for Writing, and both Math 101 and 102 for Math.

We strongly encourage you to take these tests as early as possible. 

Please note:

Passing these tests are required to gain formal admission into the Teacher Preparation Program (between 48 and 60 credits) and to be able to enroll in 300 and 400 level education courses.

PDE periodically changes the passing scores on certification tests.It is your responsibility to be aware of these changes and how they may apply to you.

Any scores that have been officially reported to the department can be found in TaskStream for current students.