Collegiate Connections

Abstract

Standardized tests are a component of the teacher certification process in many states and may also be used by colleges and universities to evaluate readiness for a teacher education program. While some agencies have developed examinations for single-state use, institutions of higher learning and licensing bodies in forty-three states, the District of Columbia, and three U.S. territories have adopted the Praxis Series^® examinations for these purposes.

The Praxis Series, developed by Educational Testing Service (ETS), includes the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators, often referred to simply as Praxis Core, and the Praxis Subject Assessments, formerly known as Praxis II exams. The Praxis Subject Assessments are offered as the Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) Tests, Music: Content Knowledge (test code 5113), and Music: Content and Instruction (test code 5114), the latter two of which are described here.

Content

Successful completion of a Praxis Subject Assessment in music is currently a requirement for initial music teacher licensure in thirty-one states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, and Guam. Although the structure of the Music: Content Knowledge and Music: Content and Instruction examinations differs, both are designed to evaluate a beginning teacher’s knowledge of music history, theory, composition, world music, literature, performance, conducting, pedagogy, professional issues, technology, and the ability to apply that knowledge to K–12 instruction (see Tables 1 and 2).

Table 1

Music: Content Knowledge (5113)

Content	Number of Questions	Percentage of Exam
Music History and Literature
Section 1	8
Section 2	9	14
Total	17
Theory and Composition
Section 1	9
Section 2	10	16
Total	19
Performance
Section 1	13
Section 2	15	23
Total	28
Pedagogy, Professional Issues, and Technology
Section 1	N/A
Section 2	56	47
Total	56
TOTAL
Section 1	30
Section 2	90	100
Total	120

Table 2

Music: Content and Instruction (5114)

Content	Number of Questions	Percentage of Exam
Music History and Theory
Section 1	13
Section 2	19	29
Total	32
Performance
Section 1	9
Section 2	15	21
Total	24
Pedagogy, Professional Issues, and Technology
Section 1	N/A
Section 2	28	25
Total	28
Instructional Activities
Total	3	25
TOTAL
Section 1	22
Section 2 (Selected)	62	100
Section 2 (Constructed)	3
Total	84(S)/3(C)

Structure

Subject Assessments in music are administered via computer. This technology allows for the playback of recordings through individual headsets, desktop display of selected-response items, and keyboard entry of constructed responses. While the Content Knowledge and Content and Instruction exams share a common purpose, the number of items and question formats vary.

Music: Content Knowledge

Section 1 of the Content Knowledge examination poses 30 four-option multiple-choice questions, referred to as “selected-response” items by ETS, each of which is preceded by a recorded musical excerpt (see Table 1). Thirty-five minutes are allotted for Section 1, although the timer will pause while each excerpt is played. Recordings of a significant length and those associated with multiple questions or with an item of higher difficulty may be repeated.

The 90 selected-response items presented in Section 2 do not require listening, and eighty-five minutes are provided for their completion. Questions in both sections may be accompanied by charts and graphs, musical notation, or passages from musical scores. In all, Music: Content Knowledge examinees are given two hours to answer 120 four-option selected-response items.

Music: Content and Instruction

The Music: Content and Instruction examination contains 84 selected-response questions similar to those appearing in the Content Knowledge test and three prompts requiring a constructed, or short essay, response (see Table 2). Section 1 involves the analysis of recorded excerpts in order to address 22 four-option multiple-choice questions. The 62 remaining selected-response and the three constructed-response items follow in Section 2. A testing period of two hours is allotted for the Music: Content and Instruction test: twenty-five minutes for Section 1 and ninety-five minutes for Section 2.

Registration

Registration and appointment requests for Praxis Series tests are processed online and by phone up to three business days prior to the intended examination date. Registrants are prompted to select a preferred testing location, date, and time, based on availability. Up to four authorized score recipients, typically the test taker’s home institution and one or more state departments of education, are identified as well.

Base test fees for the Music: Content Knowledge and Music: Content and Instruction exams are $120 and $146, respectively, with additional charges for phone registration ($35); changes to scheduled test time, date, or site ($40); official score reports beyond the initial four ($50); and the reevaluation of completed and scored tests ($65). Fee waivers may be available for those with a demonstrated financial need.

Administration

Praxis Series examinations are accessible through an international network of ETS-approved sites, including test centers managed by Prometric^® and a number of colleges and universities. The availability of examination dates and times varies by location; however, most testing facilities are open Monday through Saturday during normal business hours. The Content and Instruction test is offered during a two-week testing window eight months of the year, while the Content Knowledge exam is available year-round.

Although two hours are allotted for the completion of either Praxis Subject Assessment in music, examinees should reserve three hours to accommodate the check-in and departure processes. The test taker must present a photo ID at check-in, as well as a printed copy of the test authorization voucher received via email. Additional security measures may include the use of metal detectors and the temporary confiscation of personal items (e.g., purses, wallets, cell phones, and vehicle keys).

Scoring

Results of Praxis Subject Assessments in music are reported as a scaled score ranging from 100 to 200. In most cases, an unofficial score for the Music: Content Knowledge test will be disclosed immediately. Official scores for the Content Knowledge exam are released to the test taker and authorized score recipient(s) ten to sixteen business days after the exam is taken and ten to sixteen days after the close of the two-week testing window for the Music: Content and Instruction test.

Minimum scores required for passage of the Praxis Subject Assessments are determined by licensing bodies. For the Music: Content Knowledge test, those established minimum scores range from 139 in Hawaii to 161 in Mississippi, New Hampshire, and the District of Columbia and from 152 in Nebraska to 168 in Connecticut for the Music: Content and Instruction examination.

Preparation

Study guides, practice tests, and tutorials are available for purchase from ETS, Kaplan, Mometrics, REA, and XAMOnline. Test takers can also review free downloadable Study Companions and demonstration videos on the ETS website.

Recommendations

Based on a thorough review of existing preparation materials and his own testing experiences as a Praxis examinee, the author makes the following recommendations:

Consider elective course work— Praxis Subject Assessments in music do not favor one musical specialty. If not already a program or certification requirement, consider enrolling in elementary/general, choral, and instrumental music methods courses.

Prepare for the unexpected— Questions concerning copyright law, accompanying, principles of acoustics, and concert etiquette may be encountered. Seek professional development opportunities addressing these topics if they are not included in course work.

Schedule with the end in mind— Ensure that at least one testing window remains available between the scheduled exam date and the university or agency deadline for receipt of scores. In this manner, there is an opportunity to repeat the examination if necessary. The same Praxis exam may not be retaken for three weeks.

Read, then listen— Musical excerpts are limited to two performances. Review questions and possible responses prior to listening.

Answer all questions— Praxis Subject Assessment scores are based on the number of questions answered correctly. As there is no penalty for incorrect responses, do provide an answer for each item.

Proofread constructed responses— Editing functions for text entry fields are limited to “cut,” “paste,” “undo,” and “redo.” Be prepared to proofread constructed responses without the benefit of automated spelling and grammar checks.

More information is available by contacting

Educational Testing Service

ETS—The Praxis Series

PO Box 6051

Princeton, NJ 08541-6051

1-800-772-9476

https://www.ets.org/praxis/

“Music is unique to humans. Like the other arts, music is as basic as language to human development and existence.”

—Edwin E. Gordon, American music education teacher and researcher

“Art demands of us that we shall not stand still.”

—Ludwig van Beethoven, quoted in Marion M. Scott, Beethoven (1934)