Teaching & Education • Exam
Praxis Middle School Mathematics (5164)
Praxis Middle School Mathematics (5164) — 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 Middle School Mathematics (5164) and is it worth it?
Praxis Middle School Mathematics (5164) 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 Middle School Mathematics (5164)?
Praxis Middle School Mathematics (5164) — Education & Teaching credential from ETS
Middle grades mathematics licensure test covering ratios, expressions, equations, geometry, statistics and probability. 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 Middle School Mathematics (5164)?
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 Middle School Mathematics (5164)?
The Praxis Middle School Mathematics (5164) is administered by ETS and runs 3 hours (verify current) and contains 150 questions (verify current) questions.
| Administered by | ETS |
|---|---|
| Questions | 150 questions (verify current) |
| Time limit | 3 hours (verify current) |
| Pass mark | Passing score set by the awarding body; see the official score report |
| Exam fee | ~$130 |
| Format | Proctored, computer-based (test center or online remote proctoring) |
Content outline
What topics are on the Praxis Middle School Mathematics (5164)?
The Praxis Middle School Mathematics (5164) 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 Middle School Mathematics (5164)?
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 Middle School Mathematics (5164) title. Check that it lists an edition for Praxis Middle School Mathematics (5164) 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 Middle School Mathematics (5164)?
- 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 Middle School Mathematics (5164)?
- 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?
$64,580 median for high school teachers (BLS, May 2024)
The Praxis Middle School Mathematics (5164) is the middle-grades mathematics licensure gate for teachers in many states, and the wage question belongs to the occupation you enter with it: teaching. The closest official BLS occupation is High School Teachers, SOC 25-2031, which had a May 2024 median wage of $64,580, with the lowest 10 percent under $47,460 and the highest 10 percent above $107,520. BLS counted 1,084,100 high school teacher jobs in 2024 and projects 1 percent growth from 2024 to 2034, with about 65,300 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 — it is a subject-content licensure gate. The 5164 specifically tests the middle school mathematics curriculum — numbers and operations, algebra, functions, geometry and measurement, and statistics and probability — and it is distinguished by a feature worth knowing before you study: roughly 30 percent of its questions are "Tasks of Teaching Mathematics," which situate content in the decisions and evaluations a teacher makes with students, curriculum and instruction. The exam is widely required for middle-grades mathematics certification across more than thirty states, and which state you teach in sets whether it is required and which passing score applies — commonly 157 on the 100-200 scale, with some states lower or higher. The honest framing: the 5164 unlocks the mathematics-teacher wage in your specific state and district, not a national figure that applies everywhere.
| Measure | Figure | Source / note |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage, high school teachers | $64,580 | BLS OOH, SOC 25-2031, May 2024 |
| Lowest 10 percent | Under $47,460 | BLS OOH, SOC 25-2031, May 2024 |
| Highest 10 percent | Above $107,520 | BLS OOH, SOC 25-2031, May 2024 |
| Projected openings per year | ~65,300 | BLS OOH, SOC 25-2031, 2024-2034 |
Job growth.BLS projects 1 percent growth for high school teachers from 2024 to 2034, about 65,300 openings per year, mostly replacement demand.
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook - High School Teachers
Your odds
What are the pass rates?
ETS does not publish a national pass rate — the 5164 is 66 questions in 180 minutes with an on-screen graphing calculator, and each state sets its own passing score
ETS does not publish one national pass rate for the Praxis Middle School Mathematics (5164), 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 structure and the reporting model. The 5164 is a computer-delivered test of 180 minutes containing 66 selected-response and numeric-entry questions, and the passing score is set by each state education agency — the same exam has different pass lines in different states, which is exactly why no national pass rate exists. Your target is your state’s published passing score, which you should look up before you study; for this exam the state lines commonly sit at 157 on the 100-200 scale, with some states lower (141 in Arkansas, 150 in Kentucky) and some higher (165 in Wyoming), so the margin matters state by state. The content spans five categories: Numbers and Operations (about 23 percent), Algebra (about 23 percent), Geometry and Measurement (about 20 percent), Functions (about 17 percent) and Statistics and Probability (about 17 percent). About 30 percent of the questions are Tasks of Teaching Mathematics, applying the content to teaching scenarios. Candidates have access to an on-screen graphing calculator — the TI-84 Plus CE — and a list of selected unit conversions and formulas, and no personal calculator is permitted. Scores are reported on a 100-200 scale based on the number answered correctly, with no penalty for guessing, and ETS reports the state passing line on the score report.
Read this before quoting the number.ETS reports scaled scores and each state sets its own passing score; there is no single national pass rate to quote.
Your schedule
How long should I study for it?
50-80 hours over 5-8 weeks of focused study
The Praxis 5164 is a computer-delivered test of 66 selected-response and numeric-entry questions in 180 minutes, spanning Numbers and Operations, Algebra, Geometry and Measurement, Functions, and Statistics and Probability — with about 30 percent of questions framed as Tasks of Teaching Mathematics — so a defensible plan runs 50 to 80 hours over five to eight weeks, weighted to the content areas where the baseline shows gaps. Week 1 is diagnosis: take a full practice test and log your performance against each of the five content categories, because a candidate with strong algebra and weak statistics has a very different plan from the reverse, and confirm your state’s passing score. Weeks 2-3 cover Numbers and Operations and Algebra — the two largest categories — including operations, ratios, rates, proportional reasoning, linear and nonlinear equations, inequalities and expressions. Weeks 4-5 cover Geometry and Measurement and Functions: geometric figures and transformations, measurement and formulas, and functions and their representations. Week 6 covers Statistics and Probability — data analysis, measures of center and spread, and probability — the category candidates often leave in school and therefore the most common gap. Weeks 7-8 are rehearsal: practise the Task of Teaching Mathematics items specifically, because they are a distinct 30 percent of the paper, and run two full timed practice exams at the real 180-minute format using the on-screen graphing calculator tutorial so the tool is familiar on test day. The most common planning errors are skipping the statistics category and never practising the teaching-task items.
- Week 18
Diagnosis
- Full practice test and per-category log
- Confirm your state’s passing score
- Review the study companion scope
- Weeks 2-320
Numbers and operations + algebra
- Operations, ratios, rates and proportional reasoning
- Linear and nonlinear equations and inequalities
- Expressions and functions of algebra content
- Weeks 4-518
Geometry, measurement, functions
- Geometric figures, transformations and formulas
- Measurement and unit conversion
- Functions and their representations
- Week 612
Statistics and probability
- Data analysis and measures of center and spread
- Probability concepts
- The most common gap: drill it to close
- Weeks 7-816
Teaching tasks and rehearsal
- Task of Teaching Mathematics item practice
- Two full timed exams at 180 minutes
- On-screen calculator tutorial and gap review
Adjusting the pace
Working mathematics teacher.The content is familiar; weight the plan to the Task of Teaching Mathematics items and the exam format rather than content review.
Recent math degree.Content is fresh; focus on the statistics category you may not have touched since school and on timed exam rehearsal.
Years since college math.Add two weeks of foundation review before the plan, starting with numbers, operations and proportional reasoning.
How to study
How do I prepare most effectively?
The 5164 rewards broad middle-grades mathematical content plus a distinct teaching-application skill, so the dominant strategy is category-balanced coverage with explicit practice on the Task of Teaching Mathematics items. First, diagnose by category before planning: the five categories carry weights from about 17 to 23 percent each, and candidates who review only algebra leave real points in statistics, geometry and functions. Second, master the Task of Teaching Mathematics items deliberately — roughly 30 percent of the paper situates content in what a teacher must decide or evaluate, such as analysing a student’s error or choosing the best explanation of a concept — and candidates who practise only pure computation meet this format cold. Third, learn the on-screen graphing calculator (TI-84 Plus CE) before test day: the tool is provided, no personal calculator is allowed, and candidates who spend exam time fumbling the interface lose minutes; ETS publishes a calculator tutorial. Fourth, drill the statistics and probability content specifically, because it is the category most candidates left in school and therefore the most common gap. Fifth, use the ETS Study Companion as the scope map and its sample questions for item style, and run two full timed practice exams at the real 180-minute format so pacing is settled. Finally, look up your state’s passing score early and aim practice above it, since the state lines for this exam commonly sit at 157 and above. A further strategy is to practise the numeric-entry items deliberately, because they are a distinct format: the candidate types the computed answer rather than selecting from choices, so unit errors, rounding errors and sign errors become wrong answers that no distractor catches, and rehearsing the calculation-and-type workflow prevents the quietest point losses on the paper. Learn which computations the on-screen graphing calculator genuinely helps with and which are faster by hand, because the TI-84 Plus CE interface is slower than a physical calculator for simple arithmetic, and the candidates who score best use the tool for what it is for — graphing, statistics and the tedious computations — and do the quick arithmetic mentally. The Task of Teaching Mathematics items also reward a specific habit: reading the teaching scenario for what it is asking — analyse the student’s error, choose the best explanation, interpret the student’s work — and answering the teaching question rather than the underlying math problem in isolation. Finally, use the ETS Study Companion’s calculator tutorial and sample items before scheduling, because the interface familiarity is a scored advantage on a 180-minute test.
Diagnose by category first
Five categories at ~17-23% each; a gap in statistics costs as much as a gap in algebra.
Practise the teaching-task items
~30% of the paper applies content to teacher decisions; rehearse the format.
Learn the on-screen calculator
The TI-84 Plus CE is provided; no personal calculator is allowed, and the tutorial prevents fumbling.
Drill statistics and probability
The most common gap; the category was often left behind in school.
Run two full timed exams
66 questions in 180 minutes; the real pace and interface should be familiar.
Target your state’s cut score
Look up your state’s passing line and aim practice above it.
What to buy
Which study resources are worth paying for?
Praxis 5164 prep is inexpensive because ETS publishes the authoritative materials at low or no cost. The free Study Companion lists the five content categories, the teaching-task framing, the sample questions and the calculator and formula provisions, and ETS sells the official interactive practice test and prep eBook (roughly $25-50) that mirror the item style. Third-party math-content review books and question banks (roughly $20-80) add volume, and the value is practice across the five categories rather than unique content. The exam fee is $162.75 for the test with the standard bundles (the base test price is around $130-160; confirm the current figure at ets.org/praxis), and scheduling-protection and score-reporting options are available. Because the exam provides the on-screen graphing calculator, no calculator purchase is needed. A realistic total budget is $200 to $400 including the exam fee and optional materials. Prices below are list prices as of mid-2026 and change frequently; we rank nothing by commission. The buying logic is dominated by the free official core: the Study Companion defines the five categories, the teaching-task framing, the calculator and formula provisions, and the sample items, so candidates should start there, and the official practice test is the one paid item that reliably earns its cost because it replicates the interface and item mix. Third-party math review guides and question banks add volume, and their value is practice across all five categories rather than scope the free material lacks — with the caveat that a general Praxis math question bank may not include the teaching-task items, which are a distinct 30 percent of the 5164. Because the on-screen graphing calculator is provided, no calculator purchase is needed, and the ETS calculator tutorial is the free preparation for the tool that candidates should complete before any paid resource. The exam fee is the main cost, and candidates who use the free official materials plus one practice test keep the total near $200, while those who add books and a course can reach $400. State department-of-education pages are free and settle the two numbers that matter: whether your state requires the 5164, and at what score.
| Resource | Price | Format | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| ETS Study Companion (5164) | Free | Official PDF | The authoritative scope, categories and sample items |
| ETS official practice test and prep eBook | ~$25-50 | Online practice / eBook | Official item style, including teaching-task items |
| Math content review guides | ~$20-60 | Printed or digital book | Structured review across all five categories |
| Question banks | ~$20-80 | Online practice items | Selected-response and numeric-entry volume |
| 5164 exam registration | ~$130-165 | ETS computer-delivered | The certification/licensure gate itself |
| State DOE requirement pages | Free | Official state resources | Your state’s passing score and requirements |
List prices as of mid-2026, subject to change; the 5164 exam fee is roughly $130-165 depending on bundles. No commission or affiliate ranking is implied.
Avoid these
What mistakes do candidates most often make?
The most common 5164 mistakes are about category balance and format. The first is reviewing only the algebra and number content a candidate enjoys, leaving statistics, probability, geometry and functions under-prepared; the exam draws from five categories at roughly even weights, so a gap in any one costs real points. The second is never practising the Task of Teaching Mathematics items — about 30 percent of the paper applies content to teacher decisions, and candidates who rehearse only pure computation meet that format cold and lose the block. Third, candidates underestimate the on-screen graphing calculator: it is provided, no personal calculator is allowed, and candidates who have never used the interface fumble away exam minutes, so the ETS calculator tutorial belongs in the plan. Fourth, candidates treat the 180-minute allowance as generous and practise untimed, then misjudge the pace of 66 questions with heavy computation. Fifth, candidates assume one passing score applies everywhere and skip verifying their state’s line, which for this exam ranges from 141 to 165. Finally, candidates who use a personal graphing calculator habit at home never learn the on-screen version, which differs enough to cost time on test day. Two further mistakes are specific to the exam’s format. The first is neglecting the numeric-entry items: candidates who practise only selected-response questions meet the type-your-answer format cold, and unit, rounding and sign errors become wrong answers with no distractor to catch them — the fix is deliberate rehearsal of the calculation-and-type workflow. The second is under-preparing the Task of Teaching Mathematics items, which are about 30 percent of the paper: candidates who rehearse only pure computation meet the teaching-scenario format unprepared, and the block is large enough to decide the outcome near a tight passing line. Candidates also mishandle the on-screen calculator, either never practising it and fumbling the interface, or using it for every computation and slowing down; the balanced approach is the ETS tutorial plus practice that distinguishes the tedious computations worth the tool from the quick arithmetic better done mentally. Finally, candidates who practise only at their own pace misjudge the 180-minute budget with heavy computation, and a full timed exam is the only calibration that reveals the real pacing.
✕Reviewing only the content you enjoy
✓All five categories carry near-even weight; close the statistics and geometry gaps.
✕Skipping the teaching-task items
✓~30% of the paper applies content to teacher decisions; rehearse the format.
✕Ignoring the on-screen calculator
✓Practise the provided TI-84 Plus CE via the ETS tutorial; no personal calculator is allowed.
✕Practising untimed
✓Run full timed exams at the real 180-minute format.
✕Assuming one passing score
✓State lines range from 141 to 165; verify your state’s number.
✕Only using a personal calculator
✓Learn the on-screen version before test day; the interface differs and costs time.
What you'll face
What question types will I see?
The Praxis 5164 is a computer-delivered test of 180 minutes containing 66 selected-response and numeric-entry questions, with an on-screen graphing calculator (TI-84 Plus CE) and a list of selected unit conversions and formulas provided. The questions cover five content categories — Numbers and Operations (about 23 percent), Algebra (about 23 percent), Geometry and Measurement (about 20 percent), Functions (about 17 percent) and Statistics and Probability (about 17 percent) — and approximately 30 percent of the questions are framed as Tasks of Teaching Mathematics, situating content in the kinds of decisions and evaluations a teacher makes during work with students, curriculum and instruction, such as analysing a student’s error, choosing an explanation, or interpreting student work. Item formats include standard selected-response questions with answer choices and numeric-entry items where the candidate types a computed answer; there is no penalty for guessing. Scores are reported on a 100-200 scale based on the number of correct answers. Because about 30 percent of the paper is teaching-task items, preparation must include that format explicitly, and because the calculator is on-screen, facility with it is part of pacing. Samples below are editor-written illustrations of the ETS content categories, not live exam items; they show the mathematics and teaching-task styles of the real items. The format details shape the strategy. With 66 questions in 180 minutes, the average budget is about 2.7 minutes per question, but the distribution is not even: the computation-heavy items in Numbers, Algebra and Geometry take longer, while some conceptual items answer quickly, so candidates should bank the fast items first and reserve the clock for the heavy ones. The numeric-entry items are the highest-risk format because a typed answer is either right or wrong with no partial credit from a distractor list — candidates should read the question for the requested units and rounding before computing, then verify the entered value before advancing. The Task of Teaching Mathematics items reward reading the scenario for the teaching question being asked, since the underlying math is often the easy part and the decision about the student’s work or the best explanation is the actual item. Because the on-screen graphing calculator is provided and the formula list is on screen, the practical skills are interface fluency and knowing when not to use the tool, both trainable with the ETS tutorial and practice items before the real test.
Operations, ratios, rates, proportional reasoning and number concepts.
Expressions, equations, inequalities and their representations.
Geometric figures, transformations, measurement and formulas.
Functions and their various representations.
Data analysis, measures of center and spread, and probability.
Content applied to teacher decisions, student work and instructional tasks.
Try these
Q1A recipe calls for 3 cups of flour for every 2 cups of sugar. If a baker uses 9 cups of flour, how many cups of sugar are needed to keep the same ratio?
Answer:A
The ratio is 3:2, so scaling the flour by 3 (from 3 to 9 cups) scales the sugar by 3 as well, from 2 to 6 cups. The other options come from misapplying the ratio as an additive or inverted relationship.
Q2A student writes that (x + 2)² = x² + 4 and asks why the teacher marked it wrong. Which explanation is most correct?
Answer:A
This is a Task of Teaching Mathematics item: the correct teaching explanation shows that (x + 2)² means (x + 2)(x + 2), which expands to x² + 4x + 4. The other options misstate the mathematics entirely.
Q3The set of data points is {4, 6, 6, 8, 16}. Which statement is correct?
Answer:A
The mean is (4+6+6+8+16)/5 = 8, and the median of the ordered set is 6, so the mean is greater than the median — the classic right-skew signature created by the outlier 16. The mode is 6, not 16.
Q4A teacher asks students to determine whether the relationship y = 3x − 2 is a function. Which student response is correct?
Answer:A
The definition of a function is that each input produces exactly one output, which y = 3x − 2 satisfies for all real x. Being a line, being restricted to positive x, or the mere fact of dependence do not determine function status.
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 5164 is a computer-delivered test at a Pearson VUE centre or through online proctoring, and the format is 66 selected-response and numeric-entry questions in 180 minutes, with an on-screen graphing calculator and a formula and unit-conversion list provided. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID matching your registration name and your appointment confirmation; personal items go in the locker, and no personal calculator or electronic device is permitted because the test provides the on-screen TI-84 Plus CE. Arrive about 30 minutes early; late arrivals forfeit the appointment and fee. The pacing plan follows the structure: roughly 2.7 minutes per question across 66 items, with heavier computation in the Numbers, Algebra and Geometry items, so flag uncertain questions and return rather than dwelling. Use the on-screen calculator for the computations that are genuinely tedious and do simple arithmetic mentally, and estimate answers before confirming so entry errors are caught. The numeric-entry items require typing the computed value, so check units and rounding carefully. Your scaled score on the 100-200 scale appears on screen immediately after the exam, with the official report following; ETS reports the passing line for the state you selected. On a pass, the score is valid for ten years subject to your state’s acceptance window. If you do not pass, the retake wait is 21 days. The practical rhythm of the day follows the format: bank the fast items early, flag the uncertain ones, and reserve the clock for the computation-heavy questions and the numeric-entry items, where the value of a careful final check is highest because a typed answer has no distractor to catch an error. Use the on-screen calculator for the computations that are genuinely tedious and do the quick arithmetic mentally, and read every numeric-entry prompt for the requested units and rounding before computing. On the Task of Teaching Mathematics items, read the scenario for the teaching question being asked — the underlying math is often the easy part, and the decision about the student’s work or the best explanation is the actual item. If the score falls short, the score report’s category-level performance indicators show which of the five categories dragged the result, and the 21-day retake window gives time for targeted review of that category plus fresh practice on the numeric-entry and teaching-task formats — the report is the plan for the retake, and using it is what separates a diagnostic retake from a repeat of the same result.
Bring
- Valid government-issued photo ID matching your registration name
- Appointment confirmation
- For online delivery: verified system, webcam and quiet room
- Your ETS account and score-recipient details
Leave at home
- Phone, smartwatch and all electronics
- Notes and study materials
- Personal calculators — the test provides the on-screen graphing calculator
- Personal bags beyond what the centre allows
How the day runs
Rules in the room
- No personal electronics or calculators — the test provides the on-screen TI-84 Plus CE.
- The exam is 66 selected-response and numeric-entry questions in 180 minutes.
- Numeric-entry items require typing the computed value; check units and rounding.
- Retakes require a 21-day wait.
- Each state sets its own passing score; ETS reports it on the score report.
Afterwards.On a pass, your score is valid 10 years subject to your state’s window; report it to your state education agency. On a fail, wait 21 days and retake after additional category study.
Reference
What are the key facts about the Praxis Middle School Mathematics (5164)?
Praxis Middle School Mathematics (5164) is a exam credential; awarded by ETS; the exam fee is ~$130; typical preparation is 60-80 hours over 6-8 weeks; holders typically earn $40,000-$85,000 (25-2031 median $64,580).
| Credential | Praxis Middle School Mathematics (5164) |
|---|---|
| Type | Exam |
| Profession | Teaching & Education |
| Specialty | Praxis Pedagogy & Middle School |
| Awarded by | ETS |
| Difficulty | Mixed |
| Typical prep time | 60-80 hours over 6-8 weeks |
| All-in cost | ~$130 (ETS Praxis fee) |
| Typical salary range | $40,000-$85,000 (25-2031 median $64,580) |
| Credential | Praxis Middle School Mathematics (5164) |
| Awarding body | ETS |
| Exam format | Proctored, computer-based |
| Validity | Passing score set by each state; score validity varies |
| Languages | Varies — see awarding body |
| Scope | National / Multi-state |
| Also known as | 5164 |
Real questions
Frequently asked questions about the Praxis Middle School Mathematics (5164)
How do I register for the Praxis Middle School Mathematics (5164) 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?
Validity varies by credential (commonly 2–3 years). Renewal usually requires continuing education or a recertification exam — see ETS's policy.
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 Middle School Mathematics (5164) worth it?
- Praxis Middle School Mathematics (5164) 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 Middle School Mathematics (5164) 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