What is the Praxis Core Math 5733?
The Praxis Core Math, officially known as the Praxis I, is a subtest of the Praxis Core exam. Many individuals preparing to become certified as elementary and secondary educators take this exam. For this subtest of the Praxis Core, test takers are required to solve mathematics problems in numbers and quantity, algebra, probability, and geometry.
The Praxis Core Math 5733 exam is a standardized assessment to evaluate prospective teachers' mathematics skills. Administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), this test is often a requirement for individuals seeking admission into teacher preparation programs in many institutions across the United States.
It's designed to ensure teacher candidates possess the foundational math skills necessary to effectively teach and perform professional classroom responsibilities. The math on this exam mirrors the same skills a tenth-grade high school student must have to graduate.
The Praxis Core Math exam covers a range of content areas, including numbers and quantity, algebra, geometry, and probability and statistics.
For examples of what math problems on this exam look like, check out this blog.
What does the Praxis Core Math 5733 consist of?
This exam is similar to the ACT and SAT math exams. There are no teaching scenarios like you will see on a subject-area exam. Instead, you are just required to solve math problems. The test is all selected-response (multiple-choice).
All skills assessed have been identified as needed for college and career readiness, in alignment with the Common Core State Standards for mathematics. The test will cover three major content areas: Number and Quantity; Data Interpretation and Representation, Statistics and Probability; and Algebra and Geometry. The focus is on key mathematics concepts and the ability to solve problems and reason in a quantitative context. Many of the problems require the integration of multiple skills to achieve a solution.
The Praxis Core Math is divided into the following three categories:
- Number and Quantity
- Data Interpretation and Representation, Statistics, and Probability
- Algebra and Geometry
Within these three main content categories are several other key components:
Number and Quantity
- Solve problems involving integers, decimals, and fractions
- Solve problems involving ratios and proportions
- Solve problems involving percent
- Solve problems involving constant rates (e.g., miles per hour, gallons per mile, cubic feet per minute)
- Demonstrate an understanding of place value, naming of decimal numbers, and ordering of numbers
- Demonstrate an understanding of the properties of whole numbers (e.g., factors, multiples, even and odd numbers, prime numbers, divisibility)
- Identify counterexamples to statements using basic arithmetic
- Solve real-life problems by identifying relevant numbers, information, or operations (including rounding)
- Solve problems involving units, including unit conversion and measurements
Data Interpretation and Representation, Statistics, and Probability
- Work with data and data representations to solve problems
- Solve problems involving measures of central tendency (e.g., mean, median) and spread (e.g., range, standard deviation)
- Use data from a random sample to draw inferences about characteristics of a population
- Identify positive and negative linear relationships in scatterplots
- Use a linear model for a data set to make predictions F. Differentiate between correlation and causation
- Compute simple probabilities, and use probabilities to solve problems
Algebra and Geometry
- Demonstrate an understanding of the properties (commutative, associative, and distributive) of the basic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) without needing to know the names of the properties
- Demonstrate the ability to follow an arithmetic or algebraic procedure (e.g., using a step-by-step procedure, using a simple flowchart, applying a simple recurrence sequence) by carrying it out or analyzing it
- Use properties of operations to identify or generate equivalent algebraic expressions (e.g., multiplication of whole numbers gives the same result as repeated addition, multiplication by 0.1 gives the same result as division by 10)
- Write an equation or expression that models a real-life or mathematical problem
- Solve word problems, including problems involving linear relationships and problems that can be represented by Venn diagrams
- Solve linear equations in one variable algebraically
- Solve simple quadratic equations
Can I use a calculator on the Praxis Core Math exam?
Yes, an on-screen, four-function calculator is available during this exam. You will want to become familiar with this tool. You can learn more about it, please consult the Praxis Calculator Use web page.
Instructions for using the on-screen calculator can be found HERE.
What is the passing score for the Praxis Core Math?
Most states require at least a 150 to pass this subtest. However, Kentucky requires a 144, Mississippi requires a 130, and Nevada requires a 144.
How many questions are on the Praxis Core Math?
There are 56 selected-response questions on the exam. You will have 90 minutes to complete this subtest of the Praxis Core.
- Number and Quantity - 20 questions
- Data Interpretation and Representation, Statistics, and Probability- 18 questions
- Algebra and Geometry - 18 questions
Please understand that you may have several additional questions on your test. ETS, the company that makes the exam, will often field test new items on the exams.
You will never know which test items count toward your score and which items are being field tested. You can learn more about this HERE.
Field testing items is common practice in the testing industry. Therefore, if you see a couple more questions on your exam, don’t panic. Just answer all the questions on your test.
What is the best way to pass the Praxis Praxis Core Math exam?
Everyone is different in how they want to prepare for the exam. People have different strengths and weaknesses, and you must choose the right program for you.
The following are a few resources you can consider when preparing for this test.
The ETS Study Companion
The first and most important thing you can do to pass your Praxis Core Math test is to examine the test structure and content of the exam by reviewing the test specifications in the Praxis Core Math 5733 Study Companion.
ETS, the company that makes the exam, develops this document and shows you everything you are responsible for on the exam. It even has practice test questions similar to what you will see on test day.
Beyond that, most people prefer to use a study guide with practice tests to prepare for the exam.
Our Praxis Core Math study guide fully aligns with the test specifications and blueprint outlined in the ETS Study Companion. It also has hundreds of practice test questions for each content category, so you are fully prepared for the exam.
Online courses with tutorial videos and practice are helpful for those needing additional support.
We have a comprehensive, self-paced online course with hours of videos that will help you pass the Praxis Core Math test. If you need to pass more than one subtest, we recommend purchasing the complete Praxis Core Online Course.
How many questions do I need to get right to pass?
It is difficult to predict exactly how many questions you must get correct to pass the Praxis Core Math because a scale score is used rather than a raw score. This means that your raw score—the number of questions you get correct—is put into a formula to calculate a scale score.
To keep things simple, we recommend scoring at least a 75% on the practice tests before you go in to take the exam. Getting 75% of the questions correct when practicing indicates you are ready to take the test.
If you'd like some tips for passing the Praxis Core math, check out this blog.
Free resources for the Praxis Core Math Exam
There are many free resources you can use to pass the exam. Our Praxis Core Math Playlist on our YouTube Channel is packed full of videos to help you with all the foundational skills tested on the exam.
You might also want to check out our free Praxis Core webinar, which includes prep for the math subtest.
It comes with a free study guide, test strategy tips, and more. Just fill out this form, and you will gain access to all of that.