The Praxis Library Media Specialist exam is designed to ensure individuals are prepared to serve as a library media specialist in K-12 schools.
Click “Start Test” above to take a free Praxis 5311 practice test!
Praxis Library Media Specialist Exam Outline
The Praxis Library Media Specialist exam contains 120 selected-response questions and has a time limit of 2 hours.
The exam is split into five content categories, which are designed to cover the various competencies and points of knowledge that a library media specialist should possess.
I. Program Administration (21 questions)
The questions in this category assess your knowledge and abilities in the following areas:
- Management
- Policies and procedures
- Organization, evaluation, and administration of the library media center
II. Collection Development (26 questions)
The questions in this category assess your knowledge and abilities in the following areas:
- Organizing resources
- Selecting and maintaining resources
- Circulating resources
- Acquiring resources
III. Information Access and Delivery (26 questions)
The questions in this category assess your knowledge and abilities in the following areas:
- Print and nonprint resources
- Web-based resources
- Environmental factors that promote learning
- Legal and ethical issues
- Terminology and jargon
- Building collaborative relationships with other libraries
- Community resources
- Various bibliography formats
- Remote access
- Interlibrary loans
IV. Learning and Teaching (33 questions)
The questions in this category assess your knowledge and abilities in the following areas:
- Knowledge of literature
- Instructional design
- Curriculum development and integration
V. Professional Development, Leadership, and Advocacy (14 questions)
The questions in this category assess your knowledge and abilities in the following areas:
- Organizations related to school library media
- Reflective practice
- Professional development activities
- Advocacy strategies
- Legislation and major court cases relating to school library media
Check Out Mometrix's Praxis Library Media Specialist (5311) Study Guide
Get practice questions, video tutorials, and detailed study lessons
Get Your Study Guide
Praxis Library Media Specialist Registration
To register for the Praxis Library Media Specialist exam, you will need to create an online ETS account. Once this account is created, you can apply to take the exam.
During the exam 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 your exam, you should arrive at the testing facility 15-30 minutes before the scheduled appointment. During the check-in process, you will be asked to present two forms of valid identification, one of which must be a photo ID.
Personal items will not be allowed into the testing room, so you will be asked to leave things like your phone, wallet, keys, and food items in your car or in a secure locker.
After you have been checked in and your personal items have been stored, you will be led to the testing area and given a brief overview of the testing system before starting your exam.
Remote Testing
To take the exam remotely, you must use a non-touchscreen laptop or desktop computer, and you must have a working speaker, microphone, and camera hooked up. Before test day, you will need to download and install the ETS Secure Test Browser on your computer, which is what you will use to take the test.
Your environment must be private, with no traffic in and out of your testing area. The area where you take the exam must be clear of all personal items, and you will not be allowed to wear headphones. The proctor will ask you to move the camera around so that your testing area can be observed.
Once the proctor has determined everything is ready, they will walk you through the examination process.
How the Praxis Library Media Specialist Exam is Scored
Your Praxis Library Media Specialist score is calculated using a scaled scoring system that takes your raw score (the number of questions you answered correctly) and turns it into a scaled score from 100 to 300.
The score you need in order to pass the test is different depending on the state you take it in.
Check Out Mometrix's Praxis Library Media Specialist (5311) Flashcards
Get complex subjects broken down into easily understandable concepts
Get Your Flashcards
FAQs
Q
How many questions are on the Praxis Library Media Specialist exam?
A
There are 120 selected-response questions on the exam.
Q
How long is the Praxis Library Media Specialist exam?
A
The time limit for the exam is 2 hours.
Q
What is the passing score for the Praxis Library Media Specialist exam?
A
The passing score is different for every state.
Q
How much does the Praxis Library Media Specialist exam cost?
A
The examination fee is $130.
