The SLP Praxis Exam: What You Need To Know
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The SLP Praxis exam is the culmination of grad school. Due to a variety of personal reasons, I was impulsive. I signed up to take the Praxis in October of my second year of graduate school! Ahh!! So, I thought I’d share my experiences and describe how I passed!! (yay!!) Sorry this is kind of a really long post!
My General Timeline of Studying for the SLP Praxis Exam:
Eight Weeks (before the exam): Ordered an SLP Praxis exam review book. Below I’ve linked to my favorites. Note that one is an older edition (and is cheaper). I used an older edition one and it seemed fine but you’ll have to decide what you want to spend! 🙂 You can see a pretty long preview of some of the quizzes on Google here or check out the Amazon reviews below. I didn’t get this but from the Google preview, the questions were much harder than the ones on the test itself (but it’s a great review!).
Six Weeks: Signed up for the test! To do this, click here and check out the ETS website. I found it to be kind of a confusing process (finding the codes to where everything should be sent). FYI: The code for ASHA is 5031 (unless they change it!).
Six Weeks: Made a calendar and started a Praxis Binder. Check it both, and some other pictures, below:
I wrote the topic I would review/study each day. I did this a week at a time (you can definitely see weeks I didn’t have time to study… dang school!). That way, if I struggled on a topic, I could do it again another week. Typically, I’d study the corresponding chapter in my review book and then take the quiz at the end of the chapter. If I did well on the quiz, I didn’t plan another day on that topic. If I felt lost or did poorly on the quiz, I rewrote that topic for another day. I call this phase my study phase.
Four Weeks: I took a full-length practice SLP practice exam. You can purchase these here from ETS. This was a fantastic confidence booster, and I feel like these practice tests prepared me for the exam more than anything else! I got a 700. I printed both the test and the explanations of the answers. I went through one by one (even on the questions I got right the first time) and read the answers, looking up anything I had questions on. During this time, I tended to stay away from my Praxis review book. Instead, I printed off things from the internet or looked back at class notes at topics I did poorly on in this practice exam. For example, I definitely knew I didn’t remember all of the dysarthrias. So, I printed off information on each and studied that for a day.
Three Weeks: I took another practice exam! I had this feeling that I had gotten lucky and received a higher score than I really earned on the previous practice exam. To be honest, I had guessed on quite a few! On this exam, I got a 700 again. How about that for consistency?! Again, I went through the exam. I read every question over again, took notes on the exam itself, studied information I didn’t really know and guessed, and thought through every question.
Two Weeks: I started a week long membership to slpexam.com. This website is filled with practice questions, exams, videos, audio (that you can upload to your computer or iPod!!), and more! (if interested in hearing more about this site, read my review in the Resources section below) Due to my class schedule, this is when I really got serious and started spending more than 2-3 hours per week on Praxis studying. I studied every day, pretty much putting everything else on hold for a while! I ate meals and listened to audio (from the site above). I took practice test after practice test. I made flashcards. I studied the practice exams again. I reread parts of my SLP Praxis exam book again.
One Week: Panic! I will be honest… For some reason, the Praxis stressed me more than pretty much anything else in grad school. Everywhere I looked was warnings about taking it too early (which I was doing…) so this week I crammed and felt very in over my head!
Praxis Exam Day:
I got to the testing site really early (per usual for me). I ate lunch at a Panera nearby and attempted to walk around some stores for awhile but I was feeling pretty anxious. I chugged a coffee, went in early and was able to start a little early which was nice! Note: Writing that long statement is cursive is absolutely ridiculous (and really hard!!). Once I sat down to take the test, I felt so much better (compared to an hour earlier). I wasn’t 100% confident while taking the test, but I kept a list of every question I thought I got wrong on scratch paper. Every time I felt stressed, I looked back at the list and reminded myself that I only had to get like 70% or something and I hadn’t written down 30% of the questions! 🙂 It took me an hour to take the test (I’m a fast test taker) and THIS is when my anxiety kicked back in! What do I do with the second hour? Do I go back through questions? Do I just submit it? I stared at the submit screen for what felt like a year, and submitted the test!
All I wanted to see was a 6 (a score in the 600s). I got 720 and it took me a minute to realize that it was good!! I got up and left the room and SPRINTED to my car to call my mom! Might have cried a little bit… I was just so happy!!
Things You Should Read/Listen To:
Information from ASHA on each disorder. The page for Apraxia is here as an example!
Speech & Language Developmental Milestones
Introduction to Spectrogram Analysis
Beginners Guide to Phonetics Part 1
SLP Praxis Exam Resources:
Free practice test with 10 questions. Give you correlated Praxis score to see if you would have passed. Can purchase bundles of practice exams! Graphs your results. http://praxisspeech.com/
Ten example questions from ETS. http://www.ets.org/Media/Tests/PRAXIS/taag/0330/mc_questions.htm
Speech Language Pathology Praxis Study Companion, a free download! http://www.ets.org/Media/Tests/PRAXIS/pdf/0330.pdf
And don’t forget about the textbooks I mentioned above, and the ETS Practice Exams!! There were word for word questions from the practice exams on my exam and they were the most helpful of any preparation I did!
I was lucky enough to get a free week subscription to slpexam.com to check it out/review it. While much of the SLP Praxis exam is comprised of long case study type questions and this website is not, it was a good website for reminding me of my weaker areas and helping me think through several tricky topics! I would recommend signing up for their free emails and sampler daily quizzes (for a week) to get a feel for the site. If you like it, consider a subscription! After each test you take, the website provides you with a spread of your scores in each content area. Check out some screen shots below:
Have any questions?? Let me know! Good luck!!
What’s this about cursive? Is there a handwritten component? Is it all on paper, instead of on computer like the GRE?
You can take either a computer or a paper version. The cursive I’m talking about (and I’m sure you did it for the GRE and forgot) is when you’re checking in. You have to rewrite/copy a phrase about not sharing test material with others etc… but you have to write the whole thing in cursive! I realized I have forgotten how to write in cursive haha. 🙂 But no, none of the test (as long as you choose the computer version) is handwritten or anything!
Im just getting in the field and I need help im attending Idaho State on line. Wow, im taking the prerequisites know its hard if any of you have attended this program please contact me. Im in need..m
I completed my degree through ISU! One year in person and one online. Email me if you need anything!
Bigskyspeech@gmail.com
Hi Brina,
I did one year of the ISU program in person and one year online. I would love to help you out in any way. Jude Jones can provide you with my email address. Just ask for Lauren’s email address and she should know what you are talking about.
Im just getting in the field and I need help im attending Idaho State on line. Wow, im taking the prerequisites know its hard if any of you have attended this program please contact me. Im in need..m
This is a truly amazing post! I have been an SLP for 32 years and have always loved the field. Things were different when I took the praxis (it wasn’t even called the praxis) but it was challenging and stressful and I didn’t have a detailed study plan. I did very well but would have so valued this organizational blueprint for studying. My daughter is a senior in college and is applying to grad school for speech. I will definitely direct her to your website- thank you so much.
You are amazing!! Thank you!! Good luck to your daughter. I appreciate you sharing my blog!
Thanks for sharing and for having this blog. I was wondering are questions on the Praxis more like the Mosby Practice book or the McKibben book? They appear pretty different. Just curious.
You’re welcome!! I’d say they are probably more similar to Mosby in style, but McKibben in difficulty. Really, to get a good feel for the questions on the Praxis, I’d check out the practice exams and/or the study guides from ETS that have sample questions! Good luck!
Congrats! I had to wait a couple of weeks for my score to come through the mail. What a great post for everyone going through this experience!
All Y’all Need
Thanks! Yes.. I was so happy I didn’t have to wait!
Awesome post re: Praxis exam preparation. I have been a SLP since 1998 and remember very well staying up late preparing for this exam. You have certainly gone out of your way to help other future SLPs! Kudos to you!
Thank you so much! You are so nice 🙂
Thank you for this post. When is the most ideal time to take the praxis/when do you recommend taking it? Would it be best before or after comprehensive exams?
Also forgot to say congrats!!!
Thanks! 🙂
I would recommend taking it as early as you feel confident! Although, I should note that most testing booklets/professional resources say to wait after your are finished with your classes. Most of my classmates are taking it over winter break!
I was wondering if you every time you purchase a practice test if it’s different or how it knows which one you’ve already been given? I purchased my first one from the same place as you. I am worried about buying another practice test to take and getting the same one. Thanks!
Hi! No, each time you purchase the practice exam it is the same. There is two because the study guide you can purchase through ETS contains the second Praxis exam! Hope that makes sense. Good luck!
Hi! Thank you so much for your information. I take my exam on the 9th of December…freaking out! But i had a question. If you purchase 2 practice tests, do you have to use them right then and there or if you purchase them are they available when you are ready to take them? Or do you suggest to buy one and then when you take another one buy it then?? Thanks so much!!
Hi Nicole! Once you purchase the practice exams from ETS, you can download them and keep them on your computer forever!! 🙂 So you can look them over, print them, take them on your computer, etc… anything you want! Good luck on your exam! You’ll do great! Let me know if you have any other questions!
Thank you so much for your information! It was very helpful! I had a question and I am not sure if you know or not, but some people have said the paper based tests were easier than the computer based tests? And that the ETS practice exams they give us are from the paper based tests? did you feel like the computer based was more difficult or are they similar to the paper based ones? Thank you for your information! Congrats on passing it! I take mine soon!
I had heard that before as well, but I don’t think it is true! I did better on my computer exam than I did on the paper practice ones! 🙂 Good luck on your test! Just stay as relaxed as possible!
As a first year graduate student this is extremely helpful!!! I love your blog, all your valuable information and resources! I really appreciate your time and effort you put in to help us fellow grad students!! KUDOS!!!!
THANK YOU!! So glad it was helpful!
Thank you for this blog post! This is so very helpful! How did you come up with your study schedule? Did you use the Advanced Review book to identify specific topics you would cover each day in order? I only saw the one month example of your study schedule which is SO extremely helpful so I’m trying to identify what topics I should cover the other weeks 🙂
Thanks again for taking your time to write this blog!!!!! I really appreciate it!
Thanks for your kind words! Yes, that is exactly what I did. I tried to think of my weaknesses, what classes I’d taken, and the topics in the book. I only scheduled the beginning and then filled the end with topics that I didn’t think I totally understood the first time through. Good luck and let me know if you have any other questions!
Thanks for posting & congrats on passing! My test date is quickly approaching! Ahhhh! I just had a quick question for you, do you find out your score immediately following the test or how long do you have to sweat it out to find out if you passed or not?
I found out right away!
Hi Shannon! Great blog . . . thank you for the great ideas for studying and preparing for the Praxis. I have 9 months to study for our comprehensive exams in May 2015, so I think this would be a great help for that! Did you do great on your comps as well?
Yes I do think all the studying from the Praxis helped on comps! I did well on both! 🙂
Hi ! Like everyone else has said, your blog is awesome and so so extremely helpful!!
I was just wondering, did you find the blue book (2nd edition) much different than the newer version? I’m always so uneasy when it comes to buying the older editions because I’m afraid I’m missing something. (Even tho I’m a broke student and I’d much prefer the cheapest books possible) I just want to know ahead by someone whose used it what exactly is in the book!
Thank you!!
I honestly didn’t look much at the newer one but the blue one worked fine for me 🙂
Hi! I’m taking my PRAXIS exam this upcoming December so I’ve started studying. I’m a bit nervous about it though. Your site is extremely helpful though. Thanks. Do you know where else I can get practice exams? What do you think helped you the most? and is the slpexam.com a great site to help in preparation? do you recommend??
I think doing the practice exams helped the most (from ETS). I’m not sure how much any of it helped in reality (not many, if any, questions I practiced were on the exam) but it helps to just get your brain in that mode if that makes sense. Good luck!
Did you find that the scored you got on the practice tests were fairly similar to your actual score, or not really?
I still have a while to go, I’m about to finish my first semester of grad school. But I am interested in starting to soak my brain in the information that will be on the test as for me it works better to see things repeatedly and understand them before I actually try to memorize them…
Yes! Very, very similar! I think I gave my exact scores above so check that out!
Shannon I noticed in the pics you posted of your notes / study schedule – your hand-written notes appear to cover very random subjects. Did you make your notes from the practice tests? Seems like it would be a good way to get an idea of the types of things they deem as important. There is just SO MUCH MATERIAL!!!!!
I have been out of the field for a number of years due to medical problems, but in the meantime my certification became inactive & I’d have to retake the Praxis if I want to be able to go back. I graduated 30 years ago. I knew the information then & remember the basics, but lots have changed. Do you think it would possible to learn what you need to know to pass the test reading & learning from the review books or would have have to go back to school?
I think you could totally do it! Honestly, your best bet is to take the practice tests from ETS as they provide the best guess for what you might get as a score. Good luck!
I am taking the Praxis in 8 weeks after a 10 year break in working. With the computer version of the test, if you are unsure of an answer to a question, can you skip it and go back to it later? Do they allow you to bring pencil and paper to the test site?
Thanks for your help!
Yes to both questions! You can go back and re-look at the whole test and/or specific questions if you have time. You are also provided with scratch paper and a pencil! Good luck!!
Hey Shannon, it is a great blog and I feel lucky to have found this. Preparing for my praxis and your blog did give a lot of info.. Thank you and keep up the good work 🙂
Hey Shannon.. the link that you have given http://www.ets.org/Media/Tests/PRAXIS/pdf/0330.pdf says page not found.. if you have the ebook will you be able to pass it on??
If you’re looking for more tips specific to the new Praxis exam (5331), head on over to: https://slpsaywhat.wordpress.com/2015/03/18/praxis-5331-tips-study-guide/ !
Hi! Just read this and saw the part about your free week subscription to slpexam.com. How were you able to get this? I am starting to study now and was wondering if this was available to everyone? Thanks!
This post was SOOOOOOO helpful! I actually took the Praxis exam when I was in grad school and successfully passed! However, I never applied for my CCCs and joined ASHA (my state doesn’t require membership or ASHA certification to obtain employment as a SLP). Now, 15 years later, I am applying for certification and I am have to take the exam again according to ASHA’s requirements. Yes I am an effective and successful SLP, but I haven’t studied for ANYTHING in years and sitting in front of the review book is like staring at hieroglyphics. Your tips are so great and helpful. Thank you
So glad they were helpful for you!! Thanks for commenting! Have a fabulous day!
Very helpful. Signed up for my test next month.
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Hi there, I have found your blog very helpful! I am 3 weeks away from the Praxis exam (insert anxiety attack here)! I just took the ETS practice exam for the first time. I am a little confused as to how to interpret my score. I realize that the scoring has changed since you have taken it. It snow based on a scale of 200 (standard score), with 162 being the passing score. I have read on other blogs that people are given a “raw score” when they complete the test, with that based on a scale of 108. For example one girl posted she was given a raw of 72, and passed. Was this the case for you? And is the raw score basically how many you got right? Is this how I interpret my practice exam? I am kinda bummed about it, I got 83 correct out of 132…not sure how this plays out but it seems rather low. Any help will be appreciated!
xoxo-
Jenna
Interesting! This was not at all the same when I took the practice tests – there were no “raw scores”, just a similar score to what I could expect on the real test. Wish I could be more helpful! Best thing I can do is to tell you to relax and tell yourself you’ll do great! You can always retake it, no big deal 🙂
Hey there Shannon. I came across your blog on Pinterest 🙂 and I’m so grateful that I did. I’m taking the praxis in February so I’m planning to do most of my studying during winter break (5 weeks) before I get busy with my full time spring internship. However I’m freaking out! So I’m curious…..How much studying would you usually do in a day? I don’t want to just study all day and not enjoy my winter break either ;( I need to find a balance.
I probably studied hard for about 3 hours and then in a more relaxed fashion for 2 or 3 more hours. I enjoyed exercising while doing practice questions or watching TV and rewriting things. Hope that helps! Good luck! You’ll rock it 🙂
Hello! I was just wondering if you know if the slpexam.com website has updated its info since they developed the site and if you think it matters if they did! Thank you 🙂
I’m not sure but I’d hope they would have!! I’d definitely reach out and ask. Sorry I don’t know more!
Hi, this article is really helpful! I’m in my final externship before graduating and am starting to prepare for my CF and take the Praxis. What all did you include in your praxis binder to keep yourself organized for studying?
I included several pictures in my post. I had a study calendar, important notes, study guides I typed up, score information, practice questions, etc… Hope that helps!
Thanks for this information. I am having a lot of trouble passing my exam. Any ideas? Do you know of anywhere that offers a class that would help? Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Edna
Sorry to hear that Edna! I’d recommend buying the most up to date study book and going through it another time or two. In addition, there are practice materials (including a test), available for purchase at this link: https://www.ets.org/praxis/prepare/materials/5331
Hope that helps and good luck!
Hi there! Would you mind sharing your Praxis pacing guide template??
Hi! I no longer have any of those files! Sorry about that!
Hi! My name is Emily and I am in graduate school right now in order to obtain my Masters in Speech-Language Pathology. I was wondering, since I cannot find anywhere online, how many questions are on the COMPS? In addition, how many short answers and how many multiple choice questions are there? Thank you!
Hi Emily! I’m not sure. I know there are 132 multiple choice questions on the Praxis. I was under the impression that COMPS were put together by the individual school programs and aren’t all the same (some programs don’t even have COMPS). For example, I just found a SLP program with a comprehensive exam that has only 3 questions and you get 2 hours to answer each one. Other programs seem to have a combination of multiple choice and written essay questions. Anyone who knows better, please correct me! But in the meantime, it sounds like you probably should ask professors or supervisors in your graduate program. Good luck!!
Hi Shannon!! I’d love to hear more about how you organized your Praxis binder. Thank you!
Hi Pamela! I had a study calendar, important notes, study guides I typed up, score information, and practice questions in my binder. Nothing else too fancy with organization! Good luck with your Praxis studying! You’re on the home stretch!