Teaching & Education • Exam
Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7-12 (5624)
Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7-12 (5624) — 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 Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7-12 (5624) and is it worth it?
Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7-12 (5624) 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 Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7-12 (5624)?
Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7-12 (5624) — Education & Teaching credential from ETS
Secondary pedagogy test combining case histories with questions on learners, instruction, assessment and professional practice. 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 Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7-12 (5624)?
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 Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7-12 (5624)?
The Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7-12 (5624) is administered by ETS and runs 2 hours and contains 70 selected-response + 4 constructed-response (case-based) questions.
| Administered by | ETS |
|---|---|
| Questions | 70 selected-response + 4 constructed-response (case-based) |
| Time limit | 2 hours |
| Pass mark | Passing score set by the awarding body; see the official score report |
| Exam fee | ~$130 (confirm the current fee at ets.org/praxis) |
| Format | Proctored, computer-based (test center or online remote proctoring) |
Content outline
What topics are on the Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7-12 (5624)?
The Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7-12 (5624) 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 Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7-12 (5624)?
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 Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7-12 (5624) title. Check that it lists an edition for Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7-12 (5624) 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 Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7-12 (5624)?
- 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 Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7-12 (5624)?
- 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 PLT 7-12 (5624) is the pedagogy gate for secondary teacher licensure in many states, and the wage question belongs to the occupation you enter with it: high school 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 from replacement demand as veteran teachers retire. Read the median with two important caveats. First, BLS classifies by job duty, not by licence or exam: the figure covers every high school teacher regardless of how they were certified, so the PLT result itself carries no wage. Second, teacher pay varies enormously by state, district and union status, and many states pay on step-and-lane schedules where a master's degree and seniority matter more than any credential; the national median is an average across very different labour markets. The honest framing: the 5624 is a licence gate, and the benchmark it unlocks is the high-school-teacher wage in your specific state and district, not a national number 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 single national pass rate — it publishes scaled scores, and each state sets its own passing line
ETS does not publish one national pass rate for the Praxis PLT 7-12 (5624), and any single percentage you see online is either 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 5624 produces a scaled score, and the passing score is set by each state education agency — the same exam has different pass lines in different states, which is precisely why no national pass rate exists. That structure is the single most important planning fact for this exam. Your target is not a national benchmark but your state's published passing score, which you should look up on your state's department-of-education page or the ETS state requirements tool before you study. The exam itself is a 2-hour test of 70 selected-response questions plus four case-based constructed-response questions, and the constructed-response portion is scored by trained raters against rubrics. Because state cut scores typically sit around the mid-150s to mid-160s scaled, a candidate who can sustain a strong essay section and solid selected-response performance clears the line in most states — but verify your state's number, because the difference between 155 and 165 changes how much margin you need.
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.
Source: ETS - Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7-12 (5624)
Your schedule
How long should I study for it?
40-60 hours over 3-4 weeks of focused study
The PLT 7-12 (5624) is a 2-hour exam: 70 selected-response questions and four constructed-response items built around student case studies, drawn from the ETS content categories — students as learners (adolescent development, motivation and the learning process), the instructional process (planning, strategies, assessment and communication), professional development, leadership and community (the professional role, legal and ethical requirements, and the school community). A defensible plan runs 40 to 60 hours over three to four weeks. Week one: build the adolescent-development and learning-theory foundation — the cognitive, social and emotional characteristics of secondary students — because the case studies reward knowing how a 14- or 17-year-old learns. Week two: work the instructional-process material: lesson planning, differentiated instruction for mixed-ability secondary classes, and the formative and summative assessment cycle. Week three: study the professional-role content — legal and ethical duties, special-education and IEP processes, and school-community engagement — and begin essay practice. Week four: take two timed practice exams and write at least six constructed responses against the rubrics. The plan is essay-heavy because the four constructed responses are worth a large share of the score and are the most trainable part of the exam.
- Week 112
Learners and learning
- Adolescent cognitive, social and emotional development
- Motivation and the learning process for secondary students
- Learning theory applied to classroom scenarios
- Week 215
Instructional process
- Lesson planning and differentiation for mixed-ability classes
- Instructional strategies and classroom communication
- The assessment cycle: formative, summative, feedback
- Week 312
Professional role
- Legal and ethical requirements for teachers
- Special education, IEPs and accommodations
- School-community collaboration and professionalism
- Week 415
Practice and essays
- Two timed practice exams
- Six constructed responses written against the rubrics
- Review weak categories and schedule the exam
Adjusting the pace
Practicing teacher.Compress the theory weeks; the professional-role material and essay timing are the highest-yield focus.
Career-changer, no classroom time.Add 2 weeks observing or tutoring in secondary classrooms; the case studies reward real classroom familiarity.
How to study
How do I prepare most effectively?
The highest-yield strategy for the 5624 is to treat the constructed-response section as a trainable skill: the four case-based essays are scored against published rubrics, and candidates who practise writing them against those rubrics measurably outperform those who only review theory. Write in the structure the rubrics reward — name the principle you are applying, connect it to the case facts, and give a concrete classroom action — and keep each answer around 150-200 words. Second, learn the adolescent-development content deeply enough to apply it: the cases describe secondary students, and the correct answers turn on knowing how adolescent motivation, peer influence and cognitive development operate. Third, use the ETS content categories as your scope map and the free Study Companion (with its sample questions and sample essay responses) as the item-style reference; the rubrics in the Study Companion show exactly how essays are scored. Fourth, take at least two timed practice exams, because the 2-hour window with four essays is a pacing test as much as a knowledge test. Finally, look up your state's passing score early and target practice scores comfortably above it, because the state cut line, not a national average, is the number that matters.
Train the essay structure
Name the principle, connect it to the case, give a concrete action — against the rubric.
Apply adolescent development
The cases turn on how secondary students learn, motivate and develop.
Use the Study Companion
Content categories, sample questions and scored essay examples.
Run two timed practice exams
Four essays in 2 hours is a pacing test as much as a knowledge test.
Target your state's cut score
Look up your state's passing line early; aim practice comfortably above it.
What to buy
Which study resources are worth paying for?
Praxis PLT 7-12 prep is inexpensive because ETS publishes the authoritative materials at low or no cost. The free Study Companion is the single most important resource: it lists the content categories, provides sample selected-response questions and, crucially, shows sample constructed-response answers with the scores they received, which is the closest available window into the essay grading. ETS also sells the official Praxis PLT study product (roughly $20-$50) with additional practice questions. Third-party options include PLT study guides ($20-$50) and question banks ($20-$80), and teacher-education programs often provide materials to enrolled candidates. Free resources — the Study Companion, the ETS sample items and state department-of-education requirement pages — are sufficient for a disciplined candidate. The exam fee is roughly $130 (confirm at ets.org/praxis), and fees can vary by state. 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 (5624) | Free | Official PDF | The authoritative scope and essay rubrics |
| ETS official PLT study product | $20-$50 | Online practice questions | Official item-style practice |
| PLT study guides | $20-$50 | Printed or digital book | Structured content review |
| Question banks | $20-$80 | Online practice items | Selected-response volume |
| State DOE requirement pages | Free | Official state resources | Your state's passing score and rules |
List prices as of mid-2026, subject to change; the 5624 exam fee is roughly $130; no commission or affiliate ranking is implied.
Avoid these
What mistakes do candidates most often make?
The most common PLT 7-12 mistake is studying pedagogy theory and ignoring the constructed-response section: candidates who can define every concept but have never written a case-based essay meet the four essays unprepared and lose a large block of points. The fix is essay practice from week one. The second mistake is studying the wrong level of content: candidates prepare with elementary-focused PLT materials, but the 5624 cases describe secondary classrooms, and adolescent-development reasoning is what the answers reward. Third, many candidates answer the essays with generic advice instead of applying the case facts; the rubrics credit answers that connect principles to the specific student described. Fourth, candidates treat the exam as a knowledge test and neglect pacing — 70 questions plus four essays in 2 hours runs long for the unpractised. Finally, some candidates never look up their state's passing score and study toward a vague national target; your state's cut line is the number that decides pass or fail, so know it before exam day.
✕Studying theory, not essays
✓Write case-based responses against the rubrics from week one.
✕Using elementary-level materials
✓The 5624 cases are secondary classrooms; study adolescent development.
✕Giving generic essay advice
✓Connect every answer to the specific facts of the case.
✕Neglecting the pacing
✓70 questions plus four essays in 2 hours; rehearse the timing.
✕Ignoring your state's cut score
✓Find your state's passing line and target practice above it.
What you'll face
What question types will I see?
The 5624 is a 2-hour exam with two item formats: 70 selected-response questions and four constructed-response questions. The selected-response items test the content categories directly — adolescent learners, the instructional process, and the professional role. The constructed-response items present student case studies (often a paragraph describing a secondary classroom situation) followed by multi-part questions asking you to identify the issue, apply a principle and propose a response; these are scored by trained raters against the published rubrics. Samples below are editor-written illustrations of the ETS content categories, not live exam items; they show both formats and the secondary-classroom framing of the real items.
Direct questions across the learners, instruction and professional-role categories.
Student case studies with multi-part, rubric-scored written answers.
Try these
Q1A high school teacher notices that several students who participate actively in small-group work are reluctant to answer questions in whole-class discussion. The most likely factor is:
Answer:A
Adolescent social development makes peer evaluation salient; students who engage in small groups may avoid whole-class risk-taking for social reasons. The pattern across settings points to social factors, not knowledge, impairment or interest.
Q2A teacher assigns a complex reading and then models a think-aloud, showing how to identify the main argument. This instructional strategy is best described as:
Answer:A
Modelling the thinking process of a complex task is explicit scaffolding — it supports students in developing a skill they cannot yet perform independently. It is an instructional strategy, not an assessment, a management technique or remediation.
Q3A teacher discovers that a student's IEP requires extended time on assessments. The teacher's most appropriate action is to:
Answer:A
An IEP is a legal document, and its accommodations must be provided consistently and as written. Applying it selectively, making it conditional on the student asking, or altering grades misreads the teacher's legal and ethical obligation.
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 PLT 7-12 (5624) is a 2-hour computer-based exam taken at a Pearson VUE centre or through online proctoring. 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. The exam presents the 70 selected-response items first, then the four constructed-response items; budget roughly 55 minutes for the selected-response block and about 65 minutes for the essays, leaving buffer for review. Type your essays directly into the exam interface; the rubrics reward focused, organised answers, so plan each in a few seconds before writing. Your scaled score appears on screen immediately, with the official score report following. If you do not pass, the retake wait is 21 days. On a pass, the score is valid for 10 years, subject to your state's acceptance window, and your state education agency applies its own passing line. The afterwards matters: forward your score to your state's licensure system through the ETS score-reporting tools, 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
- 2 hours for 70 selected-response items and four constructed responses
- Retakes require a 21-day wait
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 essay and category study.
Reference
What are the key facts about the Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7-12 (5624)?
Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7-12 (5624) is a exam credential; awarded by ETS; the exam fee is ~$130 (confirm the current fee at ets.org/praxis); typical preparation is 2 hours (70 selected-response + 4 constructed-response); holders typically earn $40,000-$85,000.
| Credential | Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7-12 (5624) |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | PLT 7-12 |
| Type | Exam |
| Profession | Teaching & Education |
| Specialty | Praxis Pedagogy & Middle School |
| Awarded by | ETS |
| Difficulty | Mixed |
| Typical prep time | 2 hours (70 selected-response + 4 constructed-response) |
| All-in cost | ~$130 (confirm at ets.org/praxis) |
| Typical salary range | $40,000-$85,000 |
| Credential | Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7-12 (5624) |
| 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 | 5624 |
Real questions
Frequently asked questions about the Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7-12 (5624)
How do I register for the Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7-12 (5624) 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 PLT scores are valid for 10 years, subject to your state's acceptance window; because the passing score is set by each state, your state education agency is the authority on both the cut score and the validity period.
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 Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7-12 (5624) worth it?
- Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7-12 (5624) 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 Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7-12 (5624) 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