Iowa Elementary Education Praxis II Testing Requirement
Frequently Asked Questions

The Iowa Department of Education announces that every new Iowa elementary teacher completing a state approved teacher preparation program must take one of two Praxis II content tests in order to be considered Highly Qualified under the federal legislation No Child Left Behind. The Iowa Department of Education requires that you take one of two paper-based Subject Assessment content tests through the Educational Testing Service.

1)           How do I meet the new testing requirement for elementary teacher program completion?

The Iowa Department of Education requires that you take one of these two paper-based tests:

Elementary Education: Content Knowledge (0014) 2 hour test
              OR

Elementary Education: Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment (0011) 2 hr test

2)           Which content test should I take?  Would I have a better chance of earning a higher score on one of these tests?

This is your decision. Considerations in choosing which of the two tests to take may include:

• The content of each of the tests.
  Sample test questions can be viewed in the Test at a Glance materials at www.ets.org.
• The state in which you plan to teach.
  Other states may have different requirements for Praxis II content tests.  See the chart in 10 (below) for Praxis II content test requirements for other states.

Either elementary education content test will meet the new Iowa elementary teacher program content requirement.

3)           When should I take the test? 
Because this test is a requirement for program completion, an official score report must be received in the Office of Teacher Education and Student Services, N310 Lindquist Center, before you can be recommended for licensure to any state.  For this reason, it is recommended that you take the test prior to your student teaching semester or -- at the latest -- during the first month of your student teaching (At the latest, August or September for Fall student teachers; November or January for Spring student teachers.)  Be aware that the registration deadline for a test date will be more than one month in advance of the test date.

4)           Where can I take the test?

You can take the Praxis II at any location where it is offered in Iowa, elsewhere in the United States, or around the world.  The online registration system will provide test site options.

5)           How do I register for the Praxis II Elementary Education content tests?

Register on-line at www.ets.org:

• Follow the link to the Praxis II tests;
• Follow the link to Registering for a Test. 
• Select a test: type in either 0011 or 0014; the prompt will provide you with the test name and ask you to select that test.  You will then be asked to choose a test site. 
• Select a city in which you wish to test (these are not available as a single menu of options); test site information will be displayed.
• Once you have chosen a test site, you will be prompted to check for seat availability.
• If a seat is available at that site, you will be prompted to choose that test at that site.
• You will be provided a summary of your test registration information (test and test site).
• You will then need to enter the higher education institution you are attending, which will automatically be a score recipient.  Be sure to select "Univ of Iowa Education."
• You will then be able to select additional score recipients (states or institutions).  Be sure to select "Univ of Iowa Education."
• Pay by credit card. 

Print your electronic ticket; this ticket will be needed when you arrive to take the test.

You can also register by paper but it requires more time and familiarity with the test names, numbers, and the fees.

6)           What is the cost of this test?

The most recent published cost of this test is $130.00; this includes $80.00 for the test and $50.00 for the test registration.

7)           Where should I send my test scores?

Request that your score be sent to your teacher preparation institution (where you completed/are completing your teacher preparation program). Your score must be received by your college/university program in order for you to complete your program and be recommended for licensure.  Be sure to select "Univ of Iowa Education."

8)           What is the minimum score I must attain for Iowa elementary teacher program completion?

  After September 1, 2007 elementary education candidates for licensure must receive the following:

• 0011 Elementary Education: Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment:
                                     A score of 151
• 0014 Elementary Education: Content Knowledge:
                                      A score of 142

9)           If I plan to teach outside of Iowa, do I need to take this elementary education content test?

Yes.  Because this testing requirement is a requirement for program completion, you cannot be recommended to any state for licensure until you have satisfied this requirement.

10)         Will this elementary education content test (Praxis II) satisfy any other state’s specialized licensure content test requirements?

Listed below are some other states that require a Praxis II Elementary Education content test, including the name of the test and the qualifying score, as reported by ETS.  Information on other states can be found under State Requirements on the Praxis II section of the ETS website.  If you plan to teach in a state other than Iowa, always verify current testing and licensure requirements with the state's department of education.

Praxis II Tests/Required Scores of Some States
(Information on other states can be found at www.ets.org)