Teaching & Education • Exam
Praxis Communication and Literacy Combined (5753)
Praxis Communication and Literacy Combined (5753) — Education & Teaching credential from ETS
Researched and maintained by TestPrepPilot Editorial BoardTeacher licensure & education certifications desk · Figures last verified August 2026
The short version
What is the Praxis Communication and Literacy Combined (5753) and is it worth it?
Praxis Communication and Literacy Combined (5753) is a professional credential administered by ETS. It validates job-ready knowledge and skills in the Education & Teaching field and is used for career entry, advancement, or compliance.
- Recognized credential from ETS
- Demonstrates verified competence in Education & Teaching
- Supports career advancement and may satisfy licensing or employer requirements
What is it?
What exactly is the Praxis Communication and Literacy Combined (5753)?
Praxis Communication and Literacy Combined (5753) — Education & Teaching credential from ETS
Combined literacy screening test made up of the reading and writing subtests, used by states requiring a communication skills measure. Offered by ETS, it is designed for candidates who need to demonstrate verified competence in the Education & Teaching field. The credential is commonly used for career entry, advancement, regulatory compliance, or employer requirements. Candidates should review the official handbook for eligibility, exam format, and scoring before registering.
The path in brief
- Confirm you meet any eligibility or prerequisites
- Review the official handbook and study materials
- Register and pay through the awarding body or authorized provider
- Schedule and take the exam (test center or online proctoring)
- Receive your score and, if passed, your credential
Before you book
Who is eligible to sit the Praxis Communication and Literacy Combined (5753)?
Eligibility varies; many credentials are open to all, while others require coursework, work experience, or sponsorship.
Who it is for: Professionals and candidates seeking to validate Education & Teaching competence.
The test itself
What is the format of the Praxis Communication and Literacy Combined (5753)?
The Praxis Communication and Literacy Combined (5753) is administered by ETS and runs Two subtests in one sitting.
| Administered by | ETS |
|---|---|
| Questions | Two subtests: reading and writing |
| Time limit | Two subtests in one sitting |
| Pass mark | Passing score set by the awarding body; see the official score report |
| Exam fee | Varies by location and currency — confirm on the official registration page |
| Format | Proctored, computer-based (test center or online remote proctoring) |
Content outline
What topics are on the Praxis Communication and Literacy Combined (5753)?
The Praxis Communication and Literacy Combined (5753) covers 4 content domains.
Weightings come from the official exam outline. Study time is best allocated in roughly these proportions rather than evenly across domains.
- Subject content
Topic area tested on the exam; see the official blueprint for the detailed breakdown.
- Instruction & pedagogy
Topic area tested on the exam; see the official blueprint for the detailed breakdown.
- Assessment
Topic area tested on the exam; see the official blueprint for the detailed breakdown.
- Classroom management
Topic area tested on the exam; see the official blueprint for the detailed breakdown.
Study materials
Which study guide should you use for the Praxis Communication and Literacy Combined (5753)?
Start with the exam sponsor's official content outline. If you also want one structured resource to work through, these are the Mometrix titles that match this exam.
This links to Mometrix's Praxis subject-test range rather than a single Praxis Communication and Literacy Combined (5753) title. Check that it lists an edition for Praxis Communication and Literacy Combined (5753) before you buy.
Affiliate links We may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Mometrix has no say in what our exam guides cover. How we make money.
The path
How do you register for the Praxis Communication and Literacy Combined (5753)?
- 1
Read your state requirements page20 minutes
Open hiset.org and select your state or jurisdiction. Age minimums, residency rules, whether you must enrol in an adult education programme first, and the exact fees are all set locally.
- 2
Create a myHiSET account15 minutes
Sign up through the state requirements page to generate your HiSET number, which you need for scheduling, score access and any state paperwork.
- 3
Take the official practice tests1 to 2 hours per subtest
HiSET publishes free and low-cost official practice tests for each subtest. Unlike the GED at-home route, HiSET does not require a practice-test pass before you can schedule.
- 4
Schedule subtests one at a time10 minutes each
Book any of the five subtests in any order, on paper or computer at a test centre or through HiSET@Home online proctoring where your state allows it.
- 5
Test with valid photo ID65 to 120 minutes per subtest
Bring a current government-issued photo ID showing your name, date of birth, signature and photograph. At-home testers need a private room, a webcam and a stable connection.
- 6
Check scores and claim your credential1 to 2 weeks
Multiple-choice results typically post within about five to seven days and essay results within about seven to ten days. Once all five subtests pass, your state issues the credential.
The fine print
What are the retake and renewal rules for the Praxis Communication and Literacy Combined (5753)?
- Proctoring & delivery
- HiSET is offered in three ways: paper-based at a test centre, computer-based at a test centre and HiSET@Home under live online proctoring, with availability depending on the state. Calculators and formula sheets are supplied at test centres. The full battery in English or Spanish is permitted, and several states allow candidates to mix languages across subtests.
- Retake policy
- Retake rules are set per state, but a common pattern allows three attempts per subtest in a calendar year, sometimes extending to six. Several states use a favourable pricing structure in which the full fee is charged only on the first and fourth attempts while the second and third cost only the test centre or proctor fee.
- Score reporting
- Each of the five subtests is scored 1 to 20. To pass you must score at least 8 on every subtest, at least 2 out of 6 on the Language Arts Writing essay, and at least 45 out of 100 in total across the five. A score of 15 or higher on a subtest is treated as HiSET honours-level performance in several states.
- Recertification
- The credential a state issues on the strength of a passing HiSET battery is permanent and needs no renewal. Passing subtest scores are carried forward within a state-defined window while you complete the remaining subjects.
- Refunds & rescheduling
- Refund and reschedule windows are administered by PSI and vary by state and test centre; most centres require cancellation at least 24 hours before the appointment. Registering by phone rather than online attracts an additional fee in some states.
Context
HiSET subtests at a glance
| Subtest | Questions | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Language Arts - Reading | About 40 to 50 multiple choice | 65 minutes | |
| Language Arts - Writing | About 50 multiple choice plus 1 essay | 120 minutes | |
| Mathematics | About 50 multiple choice | 90 minutes | |
| Science | About 50 multiple choice | 80 minutes | |
| Social Studies | About 50 multiple choice | 70 minutes |
What it pays
How much does this credential pay?
$62,340 median for kindergarten and elementary school teachers (BLS, May 2024)
The Praxis Communication and Literacy Skills (5753) is the combined reading-and-writing gate for teaching licensure in Massachusetts and some other states, and the wage question belongs to the occupation you enter with it: teaching. The closest official BLS occupation is Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, SOC 25-2021, which had a May 2024 median wage of $62,340, with the lowest 10 percent under $44,470 and the highest 10 percent above $103,540, with the secondary series (25-2031, $64,580) as the adjacent level. BLS counted 1,570,100 kindergarten and elementary teacher jobs in 2024 and projects a 1 percent decline from 2024 to 2034, with about 104,600 openings a year, almost all replacement demand. Read the median with the standard teacher-market caveats: pay is set by district salary schedules, varies enormously by state, and the exam itself carries no wage premium. The honest framing: the 5753 is a licensure gate, and the benchmark it unlocks is the teacher wage in your specific state and district, not a national figure that applies everywhere.
| Measure | Figure | Source / note |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage, kindergarten and elementary teachers | $62,340 | BLS OOH, SOC 25-2021, May 2024 |
| Lowest 10 percent | Under $44,470 | BLS OOH, SOC 25-2021, May 2024 |
| Highest 10 percent | Above $103,540 | BLS OOH, SOC 25-2021, May 2024 |
| Median, high school teachers (adjacent level) | $64,580 | BLS OOH, SOC 25-2031, May 2024 |
Job growth.BLS projects a 1 percent decline for kindergarten and elementary teachers from 2024 to 2034, about 104,600 openings per year, mostly replacement demand.
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook - Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers
Your odds
What are the pass rates?
ETS does not publish a single national pass rate — it publishes scaled scores, and the state sets the passing line
ETS does not publish one national pass rate for the Praxis Communication and Literacy Skills (5753), and any single percentage you see online is a state-specific report or a third-party estimate, so we do not present one as authoritative. What ETS does publish is the reporting model: the 5753 produces scaled scores, and the passing scores are set by the state education agency that requires it — most prominently Massachusetts, which uses the exam for educator licensure. The exam combines two subtests in one sitting: the reading subtest and the writing subtest, each with its own scaled score and passing line, and the candidate must pass both. The exam content follows the ETS content categories: reading comprehension, vocabulary and the critical-analysis skills for the reading subtest, and the grammar, usage and sentence-structure skills plus the written essays for the writing subtest. Because the state sets the passing scores, your target is the state's published lines for each subtest, which you should look up before you study. A candidate who is strong in reading but weak in writing must prepare both, because the pass requires both subtests.
Read this before quoting the number.ETS reports scaled scores per subtest and the state sets the passing lines; there is no single national pass rate to quote.
Source: ETS - Praxis Communication and Literacy Skills (5753)
Your schedule
How long should I study for it?
30-50 hours over 3-4 weeks of focused study
The Praxis Communication and Literacy Skills (5753) is a computer-based exam with two subtests — reading and writing — each with its own passing line, so the plan must cover both. A defensible plan runs 30 to 50 hours over three to four weeks. Week one: the reading subtest — reading comprehension, vocabulary in context and the critical-analysis skills, using practice passages to build the reading speed and the analysis patterns the exam rewards. Week two: the writing subtest's multiple-choice component — grammar, usage, sentence structure and the revision skills, drilling the error-recognition items. Week three: the essays — the writing subtest includes constructed-response items, so practise writing the essays against the scoring criteria: clear structure, developed ideas and correct mechanics. Week four: two full timed practice exams covering both subtests, and targeted review of the weak areas. The plan is subtest-balanced because the pass requires both; candidates who are strong readers but weak writers must spend the extra time on the writing component.
- Week 112
Reading subtest
- Reading comprehension and vocabulary
- Critical-analysis skills
- Timed passage practice
- Week 212
Writing multiple choice
- Grammar, usage and sentence structure
- Error-recognition and revision items
- Usage drilling
- Week 312
Essays
- The essay structure the criteria reward
- Timed essay writing practice
- Grammar and mechanics review
- Week 412
Full mocks
- Two full timed practice exams
- Review weak subtest areas
- Schedule the exam
Adjusting the pace
Strong writer, weaker reader.Balance the time toward the reading subtest; practise timed passages.
Strong reader, weaker writer.Spend the extra time on grammar drilling and timed essays.
How to study
How do I prepare most effectively?
The 5753 requires passing both subtests, so the dominant strategy is diagnosing your weak subtest first: take a practice exam early to see whether reading or writing is the risk, then allocate the study time accordingly, because the pass requires both lines. Second, practise the reading subtest with timed passages — the exam rewards reading speed and the critical-analysis patterns, and candidates who never time their reading meet the pace unprepared. Third, drill the writing multiple-choice component: grammar, usage and sentence structure are tested with error-recognition items, and targeted grammar review fixes the most common errors. Fourth, practise the essays against the scoring criteria: clear structure, developed ideas and correct mechanics, written under the time constraint. Finally, use the ETS Study Companion as the scope map and its sample questions for the item style, and target practice scores comfortably above your state's passing lines for both subtests.
Diagnose the weak subtest
The pass requires both lines; allocate time to the risk.
Practise timed reading
The reading subtest rewards speed and the analysis patterns.
Drill the grammar items
Usage and sentence structure are tested with error recognition.
Practise essays against the criteria
Structure, development and mechanics under the time limit.
Use the Study Companion
The authoritative scope and the item-style reference.
What to buy
Which study resources are worth paying for?
Praxis 5753 prep is inexpensive because ETS publishes the authoritative materials at low or no cost. The free Study Companion lists the content categories and provides sample items for both subtests. ETS also sells the official study product with additional practice questions (roughly $20-$50). Third-party communication-and-literacy study guides ($20-$50) and question banks ($20-$60) add volume. Free resources include the Study Companion and the state department-of-education pages with the passing scores. The exam fee is roughly $130-$156 (confirm at ets.org/praxis). Prices below are list prices as of mid-2026 and change frequently; we rank nothing by commission.
| Resource | Price | Format | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| ETS Study Companion (5753) | Free | Official PDF | The authoritative scope for both subtests |
| ETS official study product | $20-$50 | Online practice questions | Official item-style practice |
| Communication and literacy guides | $20-$50 | Printed or digital book | Structured content review |
| Question banks | $20-$60 | Online practice items | Subtest drilling volume |
| State DOE pages | Free | Official state resources | Your state's passing lines |
List prices as of mid-2026, subject to change; the 5753 exam fee is roughly $130-$156; no commission or affiliate ranking is implied.
Avoid these
What mistakes do candidates most often make?
The most common 5753 mistake is studying only your strong subtest: candidates who are strong readers ignore the writing component and fail the pass-both requirement, because the exam requires passing both the reading and the writing lines. The fix is diagnosing the weak subtest early and allocating time to it. The second mistake is never timing the reading passages — the pace is part of the reading subtest's difficulty. Third, candidates treat the essays as optional and skip the timed writing practice, losing a real share of the writing score. Fourth, some candidates do not look up their state's passing lines and study toward a vague target; the state numbers for both subtests are what matter. Finally, candidates who prepare with only one subtest's materials meet the other cold.
✕Studying only the strong subtest
✓The pass requires both lines; allocate time to the weak subtest.
✕Never timing the reading
✓The reading subtest rewards speed; practise timed passages.
✕Skipping the essay practice
✓The essays are a real share of the writing score; practise them.
✕Ignoring your state's passing lines
✓Look up both subtest lines and target practice above them.
✕Preparing for one subtest
✓Cover both subtests with their own materials.
What you'll face
What question types will I see?
The 5753 is a computer-based exam with two subtests. The reading subtest uses selected-response items testing comprehension, vocabulary and critical analysis of passages; the writing subtest combines selected-response items on grammar, usage and sentence structure with constructed-response essay items. Samples below are editor-written illustrations of the ETS content categories, not live exam items; they show both subtest formats.
Comprehension, vocabulary and critical-analysis questions.
Grammar, usage and sentence-structure questions.
Timed essays scored against the criteria.
Try these
Q1In the sentence "The committee, which meets monthly, reviews the budget", the clause "which meets monthly" is:
Answer:A
"Which meets monthly" is a non-restrictive relative clause — it adds information without limiting the noun, and it is set off by commas. Restrictive clauses are not comma-set-off, independent clauses stand alone, and prepositional phrases begin with prepositions.
Q2A passage states that a study "correlates exercise with improved sleep" and later claims it "proves exercise improves sleep". This shift is best described as:
Answer:A
Moving from "correlates" to "proves" overstates correlation as causation — the critical-analysis pattern the reading subtest rewards identifying. The other options misdescribe the reasoning error.
Q3Choose the sentence with correct usage:
Answer:A
Option A correctly joins two independent clauses with a comma and the conjunction "and". The other options misplace the comma or create a comma splice.
Samples are editor-written illustrations of the ETS content categories, not live exam items.
The big day
What should I expect on exam day?
The Praxis Communication and Literacy Skills (5753) is a computer-based exam at a Pearson VUE centre or through online proctoring, with two subtests in one sitting. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID matching your registration name and your appointment confirmation; personal items go in the locker. Arrive 30 minutes early; late arrivals forfeit the appointment and fee. Budget the time across both subtests, with the essays planned early in the writing section so they are not rushed. Your scaled scores appear on screen immediately, with the official score report following. If you do not pass a subtest, the retake wait is 21 days, and you retake the failed subtest. On a pass of both, the scores are valid for 10 years subject to your state's acceptance window. The afterwards matters: forward the scores to your state's licensure system, and keep the score report for your records.
Bring
- Valid government-issued photo ID matching your registration name
- Appointment confirmation
Leave at home
- Phone, smartwatch and all electronics
- Notes and study materials
- Personal bags beyond what the centre allows
How the day runs
Rules in the room
- No personal electronics in the testing room
- Two subtests in one sitting; each has its own passing line
- Retakes require a 21-day wait for the failed subtest
Afterwards.On passing both, your scores are valid 10 years subject to your state's window; report them to your state education agency. On a fail, wait 21 days and retake the failed subtest.
Reference
What are the key facts about the Praxis Communication and Literacy Combined (5753)?
Praxis Communication and Literacy Combined (5753) is a exam credential; awarded by ETS; the exam fee is Varies by location and currency — confirm on the official registration page; typical preparation is Two subtests in one sitting; holders typically earn $44,000-$104,000.
| Credential | Praxis Communication and Literacy Combined (5753) |
|---|---|
| Type | Exam |
| Profession | Teaching & Education |
| Specialty | Praxis Core & Basic Skills |
| Awarded by | ETS |
| Difficulty | Mixed |
| Typical prep time | Two subtests in one sitting |
| All-in cost | ~$130-$156 |
| Typical salary range | $44,000-$104,000 |
| Credential | Praxis Communication and Literacy Combined (5753) |
| Awarding body | ETS |
| Exam format | Proctored, computer-based |
| Validity | Praxis scores are valid for 10 years. |
| Languages | Varies — see awarding body |
| Scope | National / Multi-state |
| Also known as | 5753 |
Real questions
Frequently asked questions about the Praxis Communication and Literacy Combined (5753)
How do I register for the Praxis Communication and Literacy Combined (5753) exam?
Register through ETS's official portal or an authorized test provider (e.g., Pearson VUE or Prometric where applicable). Create an account, select the exam, pay the fee, and schedule a date.
How much does the exam cost?
Fees vary by location and currency. Confirm the current fee on the official registration page before scheduling.
How long is the credential valid, and how do I renew?
Praxis scores are valid for 10 years, subject to your state's acceptance window; each subtest has its own passing line.
What if I do not pass?
Most bodies allow retakes after a waiting period and payment of the full or partial fee. Check ETS's retake policy before rescheduling.
Is HiSET run by ETS or by PSI?
Both. ETS develops the HiSET test content and PSI delivers it operationally, following the ETS acquisition of PSI in January 2024. In practice you register and schedule through myHiSET on the PSI platform.
Do I have to live in a HiSET state to test?
Usually not. Several HiSET states, including Georgia and Oklahoma, explicitly allow non-residents to test, though you generally must pass your final subtest in the state whose credential you want.
Is HiSET easier than the GED?
They are set to comparable standards but structured differently: HiSET has five subtests with reading and writing separated, while the GED combines them into one Reasoning Through Language Arts test. HiSET is more widely available on paper, which some candidates prefer.
In short
Is the Praxis Communication and Literacy Combined (5753) worth it?
- Praxis Communication and Literacy Combined (5753) is awarded by ETS.
- Validates job-ready competence in Education & Teaching.
- Registration is through the awarding body or an authorized test provider.
- Renewal and retake policies vary — confirm before scheduling.
Same awarding body
What other credentials does ETS award?
Worth comparing
How does the Praxis Communication and Literacy Combined (5753) compare with similar credentials?
Trust
Where does this information come from?
Everything above is taken from the awarding body's own published material. Fees, question counts and domain weights are revised regularly — check the official page before you pay.
- ETS Awarding body
Research confidence: medium · Last reviewed 2026-08