The Praxis Biology (5236) exam is a test used to evaluate the knowledge and skills of prospective entry-level Biology teachers for secondary school.
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Praxis Biology Exam Outline
This exam contains 150 selected-response questions and has a time limit of 2.5 hours. There are several different forms of selected-response questions, any combination of which may appear on the exam:
- Single-selection multiple-choice
- Hot spot
- Drop-down
- Numeric entry
- Sentence selection
- Drag-and-drop
The exam is organized into five content categories.
I. Nature and Impact of Science and Engineering (19 questions)
The questions in this category cover the following topics:
- Nature of scientific knowledge
- Laboratory procedures
- Engineering design
- How society and the environment are impacted by science and technology
- Applying science in public health, agriculture, and medicine
II. Cell Biology: Cell Structure and Function (33 questions)
The questions in this category cover the following topics:
- Chemical structures and properties
- Enzymes
- Biological processes and chemical principles
- Major biochemical pathways
- Living things and nonliving things
- Organelles
- Maintenance of internal cell environment
- The cell cycle
- Eukaryotic cell division
III. Genetics and Evolution (39 questions)
The questions in this category cover the following topics:
- Nucleic acids
- Chromosomes
- Mutations
- Mendelian and non-Mendelian genetics
- Genetic variation
- Evolution mechanisms
- Models of evolution
- Species extinction causes
- The origin of life on Earth
IV. Diversity of Life and Organismal Biology (30 questions)
The questions in this category cover the following topics:
- Classification of organisms
- Cell differentiation
- Cell specialization
- Characteristics of various plants, fungi, viruses, eubacteria, archaea, protists, and animals
- Human organ systems
- Growth and development in organisms
- How plants store and transport materials and respond to the environment
V. Ecology: Organisms and Environments (29 questions)
The questions in this category cover the following topics:
- Hierarchical structure of the biosphere
- Relationships between species
- Reproductive strategies
- Population growth
- How ecosystems are impacted by humans
- Biogeochemical cycles
- Ecological succession
- Biomes
Praxis Biology Study Guide
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Registration
To register for the Praxis Biology exam, you will need to create an online account with ETS. Through this account, you can submit an application to take the exam.
During registration, you will be asked to select the test-taking format (remote or at a testing center), test location (if you are taking the test at a testing center), and test date. You will also need to pay the $130 exam fee.
Test Day
In-person Testing
On the day of the test, you should arrive at the testing center 15-30 minutes before the scheduled testing time. Once you arrive, you will be asked to show your admission ticket and two forms of valid identification, one of which must be a valid, government-issued photo ID.
Personal items will not be allowed into the testing center, so it is best to leave things like bags, notebooks, and food items at home or in your car. Any items you bring with you must be stored in a secure locker in the testing center before you enter the testing area.
Once the check-in process is complete and you are fully approved for testing, you will be led to the testing station and receive a piece of scratch paper for notes.
Remote Testing
To take the exam remotely, you must use a non-touchscreen laptop or desktop computer. Tablets and smartphones are not allowed. You will also need a functioning webcam, speakers, and a microphone.
Before exam day, you will need to download and install the ETS Secure Test Browser on your computer. When you check in to take the exam, the remote proctor will ask you to show proof of identification and to move your webcam around the room so that your testing area can be observed.
Once the proctor has approved your testing area, they will walk you through the testing process and begin your exam.
How the Exam is Scored
Your Praxis score is based on the number of questions you answer correctly. This is known as your raw score. The raw score is then converted to a scaled score. The scaled score you need to obtain differs slightly depending on which state you take the exam in, but the passing score is generally 150.
You should receive an official score report about 5 weeks after testing.
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FAQs
Q
How many questions are on the Praxis Biology exam?
A
There are 150 selected-response questions on the exam.
Q
How long is the Praxis Biology exam?
A
The time limit for the exam is 2.5 hours.
Q
What is the passing score for the Praxis Biology exam?
A
The passing score for this exam differs depending on which state you take the exam in.
Q
How much does the Praxis Biology exam cost?
A
The examination fee is $130.
